Rep. Byron Donalds

Maddy summaryHJRES 126 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) rule issued in October 2023. The resolution seeks to block the FDIC's "Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions" rule, which required major banks to assess climate risks. If passed, this resolution would nullify the rule, directly affecting large financial institutions by removing a requirement to manage climate-related financial risks. The resolution uses a procedural mechanism under federal law to halt the rule's implementation without creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHJRES 122 is a resolution seeking to block a rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that would have regulated credit card penalty fees. The rule, published on March 15, 2024, aimed to limit how credit card companies charge fees for late payments or other violations. If approved, this resolution would disapprove the rule under a specific legal process, preventing it from taking effect. This directly affects credit card issuers (banks and financial institutions) by allowing them to continue current fee practices without the proposed restrictions.

Maddy summaryHRES 1395 is a non-binding House resolution expressing concern that the U.S. is being outpaced by China and Russia in nuclear energy production and global market share. It cites statistics showing China has 56 operational reactors (vs. the U.S.'s 94, including retired ones) and is actively constructing more, while the U.S. has no reactors under construction. The resolution states it is "unacceptable" that the U.S. is no longer dominant in nuclear energy and urges expanding domestic nuclear capacity and supply chains. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but highlights perceived strategic competition in nuclear technology.

Maddy summaryHR 9202, the Nuclear Waste Reprocessing Act, directs the U.S. Department of Energy to create policies supporting the commercial recycling of spent nuclear fuel. It requires the Energy Secretary to work with private industry to advance reprocessing technologies, establish partnerships for research and commercialization, and collaborate with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to align procedures. The bill mandates annual progress reports to Congress on efforts to develop this technology, aiming to address nuclear waste challenges and position the U.S. as a leader in international reprocessing. It directly affects federal agencies, nuclear energy companies, and the management of nuclear waste materials. The key change is shifting focus toward recycling nuclear fuel components rather than solely storing spent fuel as waste.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Energy Secretary to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the domestic nuclear supply chain within 270 days of enactment. The evaluation must assess regulatory hurdles (like N-stamp certification for safety components), explore how advanced technologies (such as 3D printing and AI) could improve efficiency, analyze U.S.-Canada collaboration, and plan for future demand from advanced nuclear reactors. It directly affects nuclear energy companies, manufacturers, and regulators by mandating a federal review to identify supply chain bottlenecks and opportunities for modernization. The bill does not change existing regulations or funding but sets the stage for potential future policy decisions based on the evaluation’s findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 9198) updates nuclear licensing rules to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to use risk-informed and performance-based approaches when making decisions about nuclear facility operations. It amends existing law to define "technology-inclusive regulatory framework" to align with a 1999 NRC document (SRM-SECY-98-144) and mandates annual NRC staff training on these concepts. The bill also includes a non-binding congressional statement emphasizing the importance of shared understanding between the NRC and nuclear industry regarding these regulatory methods. It directly affects NRC staff, nuclear facility operators, and the licensing process for nuclear energy projects.

Maddy summaryHR 9199 limits the scope of reviews conducted by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) under the Atomic Energy Act. It restricts ACRS to only reviewing nuclear license applications involving novel issues or significant safety concerns, based on risk assessments by the committee. The bill also removes ACRS reviews from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) annual fee calculations for license applications. This directly affects the NRC's process for handling license applications and the fee structure for nuclear facility operators seeking approvals.

Maddy summaryThe Nuclear USA Act of 2024 expands tax incentives for nuclear energy infrastructure by amending two key tax provisions. It adds uranium conversion, enrichment, fabrication, and spent fuel reprocessing to the list of qualifying projects under Section 48C of the tax code, directly benefiting companies building or upgrading facilities for these activities. The bill also specifically includes uranium in the advanced manufacturing credit (Section 45X), allowing companies to claim both credits for the same facility - a "double benefit" provision. These changes aim to encourage domestic investment in nuclear fuel supply chains without altering regulatory requirements or imposing new government mandates.

Maddy summaryThe HOUSE Act of 2024 withdraws a federal rule requiring new housing projects financed by HUD and USDA to meet specific energy efficiency standards. It prohibits federal agencies from using funds to implement or enforce this rule or similar rules, mandating a return to the previous energy efficiency standards for these housing programs. The bill also extends these restrictions to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Additionally, it amends a law to allow states with energy efficiency standards meeting or exceeding the previous federal requirements (if at least 26 states have adopted such standards) to be used instead of federal rules.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Prison Oversight Act establishes a new inspections regime for federal prisons, requiring the Justice Department's Inspector General to conduct regular assessments of Bureau of Prisons facilities. These inspections will evaluate conditions of confinement, medical care, staffing levels, safety protocols, and policies related to visitation and programming. The bill also creates a new Ombudsman position within the Department of Justice to receive and address complaints from incarcerated people, their families, and staff about health, safety, and rights concerns. The Inspector General must submit public reports with recommendations, and the Bureau must respond with corrective action plans within 60 days. The law includes protections against retaliation for those filing complaints and requires the Bureau to provide multiple confidential channels for submitting complaints.