Rep. Laurel M. Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill requires FEMA to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for interest paid on disaster recovery loans. It covers interest calculated as the lesser of actual payments or what would have been paid at the current prime rate, for loans where at least 90% of funds were used for disaster-related projects. The reimbursement includes interest from the past nine years and mandates FEMA to process payments within one year of the bill's enactment.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1362) to explicitly include broadband internet access service infrastructure under protections against destruction. It directly affects entities that operate or damage broadband facilities, such as internet service providers, infrastructure owners, and individuals who might intentionally destroy such infrastructure. Key changes expand the definition of protected "means of communication" to specifically cover broadband facilities and broaden liability to include "any other person or entity" beyond government-controlled systems. The amendment removes the prior exemption for infrastructure used in "military or civil defense functions," ensuring all broadband infrastructure receives equal legal protection. This strengthens existing penalties for damaging broadband networks but does not create new regulatory requirements for service providers.

Maddy summaryHR 2798 creates a federal tax credit allowing individuals to claim 75% of qualified cash or securities donations (up to $5,000 or 10% of adjusted gross income) to eligible charter school organizations. To qualify, organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities meeting strict criteria, including being in the top 10% for student performance in their state or receiving specific federal grants, and must undergo annual audits. The credit is subject to a $5 billion annual cap, allocated first to states (with $10 million per state) and then nationally on a first-come, first-served basis. This directly affects individual donors making qualifying contributions and charter school organizations seeking to expand operations through tax-advantaged funding.

Maddy summaryThe NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes legal rights for individuals to control how their voice and visual likeness are used in digital replicas, which are defined as highly realistic computer-generated representations readily identifiable as a specific person. The bill requires authorization from the individual or their designated right holder before using their likeness in digital replicas, with specific rules for minors (limiting licenses to 5 years) and post-mortem rights (allowing 10 years of protection with possible 5-year renewals). It creates civil liability for unauthorized use of digital replicas or for distributing products/services designed to create such replicas without authorization, with penalties ranging from $5,000 to $750,000 per violation depending on the entity involved. Online services are provided safe harbor protections if they follow procedures for handling takedown notices and have designated agents for copyright issues, while also including exemptions for news, commentary, criticism, and historical uses. The law preempts most state laws regarding digital likeness rights but has exceptions for certain historical uses, news, and sexually explicit content.

Maddy summaryThe Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025 establishes a new Transnational Repression Working Group within the Department of Homeland Security to monitor and address threats where foreign governments or their agents target individuals in the U.S. through coercion, harassment, surveillance, or threats. The bill requires the Working Group to produce annual assessments of such incidents - including data on perpetrators, countries involved, and government responses - and share information with law enforcement partners. It mandates privacy and civil liberties safeguards, prohibits infringing on free speech, and includes a 7-year sunset provision. The law directly affects DHS operations, federal-state-local law enforcement coordination, and individuals targeted by foreign government repression tactics.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2253 (Puppy Protection Act of 2025), sets new federal standards for commercial dog dealers who sell puppies to the public. It requires specific housing sizes based on dog size (e.g., 12-30 square feet per dog), daily exercise in safe outdoor areas, clean water and nutritious food twice daily, and annual veterinary exams including dental checks. The bill also limits breeding frequency (max 2 litters in 25 months), sets age minimums for breeding (18 months for small dogs, 2 years for large dogs), and mandates health screenings to prevent genetic diseases. These requirements apply directly to commercial dealers, with final regulations to be issued within 18 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2102 (Major Richard Star Act), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both full military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation simultaneously, without the previous offset that reduced retired pay. It directly affects veterans already eligible for both benefits due to combat-related injuries, removing the requirement that their retired pay be reduced by the disability compensation amount. The key provision amends Title 10 and Title 38 to eliminate the offset rule (sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38) for these veterans. The change applies to payments starting after the bill’s enactment date, effective for all qualifying veterans. This is a policy change to increase financial support for affected veterans, not a new benefit.

Maddy summaryHRES 290 is a non-binding resolution recognizing that retiring nonintermittent power plants (like coal, natural gas, and nuclear facilities) before reliable replacements are available threatens U.S. grid reliability. It cites North American Electric Reliability Corporation reports showing 18 out of 20 grid regions may face insufficient power reserves by 2034, linking this to environmental regulations and rapid shifts to weather-dependent renewable sources. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses the House's view supporting President Trump's energy policies to prioritize grid stability and domestic energy development. As a symbolic statement, it directly affects no individuals or entities but reflects congressional concern about grid risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 non-refundable tax credit for homeowners who purchase emergency generators for their primary residence. It applies only to individuals whose homes were in areas affected by two or more federally declared major disasters (excluding public health emergencies) within the past five years, and who previously received individual disaster assistance. The credit phases out for higher-income households ($300,000 joint filer limit, $150,000 for others) and expires two years after the bill becomes law. The credit covers generator costs up to $500 per household, aiming to help disaster-prone communities prepare for power outages.