Rep. Andy Barr

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a federal grant program to fund addiction recovery and workforce initiatives, targeting states with high overdose deaths, unemployment, and low labor force participation compared to national averages. It establishes specific metrics - such as overdose death rates exceeding the national average, unemployment rates above the national average, and labor force participation below the national average - to determine grant funding levels. The bill also allows grant funds to cover transportation for individuals accessing job training, treatment, or recovery services. Annual funding increases from $5 million to $12 million per year for fiscal years 2024-2028.

Maddy summaryHR 4168, the Mandatory Materiality Requirement Act of 2023, requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to specify in new disclosure rules that public companies (issuers) must only disclose information they determine is "material" to investment decisions. It defines "material" as information a reasonable investor would consider significant to their decision-making. The bill applies to SEC rulemaking on disclosure obligations for public companies under both the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Exceptions allow the SEC to bypass this rule if it determines a change won't increase overall disclosure burdens on companies.

Recovery Housing Stability and Support Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Recovery Housing Program, which is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program supports the provision of transitional housing for those who are in recovery from a substance-use disorder for up to two years or until the individual finds permanent housing, whichever is earlier.

Maddy summaryHR 4055, the Opportunity Zones Enhancement Act of 2023, allows banks to exclude up to $5 million (adjusted annually for inflation) of interest income from loans made to businesses operating in designated Opportunity Zones. This tax exclusion directly affects depository institutions (banks) by reducing their taxable income on qualifying loans. The key provision limits the excluded interest to the lesser of $5 million or the bank’s retained earnings for the year, with inflation adjustments starting in 2024. The bill aims to incentivize lending to businesses in economically distressed areas designated as Opportunity Zones.

Maddy summaryHR 4035, the Protecting Small Business Information Act of 2023, requires the Treasury Secretary to coordinate the effective dates of all rules under the Corporate Transparency Act. It mandates that all final rules related to beneficial ownership reporting must take effect on the same date, delaying implementation until the Secretary certifies to Congress that all rules are issued and will align on a single effective date. This directly affects small businesses required to report beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act. The bill’s key mechanism is creating a unified implementation timeline, preventing staggered rule deadlines that could complicate compliance for small entities. It does not change reporting requirements but ensures a synchronized rollout of the regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 4036, the Accountability through Confirmation Act, changes the appointment process for the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It requires the President to appoint the Director with Senate confirmation (instead of the Treasury Secretary), sets the Director's pay at Executive Schedule Level IV, and provides a transition period for the current Director until the new appointee is confirmed. This bill directly affects FinCEN leadership by shifting appointment authority to the President and Senate. The key change is the requirement for Senate confirmation of the FinCEN Director, altering the current process.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from changing its anesthesia care policies to allow nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to provide anesthesia independently without a physician anesthesiologist. It specifically blocks implementation of a 2016 proposed rule that would have expanded CRNAs' authority in VA facilities. The law maintains current requirements that physician anesthesiologists must oversee or provide anesthesia care for veterans during surgical procedures. Emergency orders for veteran safety during surgery remain permitted under the bill's exception clause.

Maddy summaryHR 3792 extends U.S. security funding for Israel through 2028 (Section 3) and expands energy cooperation to include advanced nuclear technologies and carbon capture (Section 5). It requires annual reports on regional security partnerships involving Israel (Section 6) and ensures countries in the Abraham Accords can access U.S. development programs (Section 8). The bill also mandates reports on diplomatic efforts against ICC investigations targeting the U.S. and Israel (Section 10) and encourages people-to-people programs to strengthen the Abraham Accords (Sections 7, 9). These provisions directly affect Israel’s diplomatic engagement, security partnerships, and economic cooperation in the Middle East.

Maddy summaryThe HALT Fentanyl Act expands the definition of fentanyl-related substances in the Controlled Substances Act to include many structurally similar compounds, making it easier to regulate new fentanyl analogs without individual listing. It defines these substances based on specific chemical modifications to fentanyl, with limited exceptions for substances already controlled or listed elsewhere. The bill also streamlines research procedures for schedule I substances by creating expedited registration processes and allowing multiple studies under one registration, while requiring the Attorney General to publish a list of substances meeting the new definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to appoint a Vice Chair of Supervision with direct experience in banking. Specifically, it mandates that the appointee must have "demonstrated primary experience working in, or supervising, insured depository institutions, bank holding companies, or savings and loan holding companies." The bill amends the Federal Reserve Act to add this qualification standard for the position. It applies only to appointments made on or after the bill's enactment date.