Rep. Pete Stauber

Maddy summaryHR 2743 prohibits large financial institutions (over $100 billion in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on subjective political reasons, industry type, or reputational concerns. It requires these institutions to use objective, risk-based assessments for service decisions and provide written justifications for denials. The law applies to banks, credit unions, and payment networks, with civil penalties for violations including fines up to $10,000 per incident. It specifically ensures businesses operating legally under federal law receive fair access to financial services without discrimination. The bill mandates that denials be based on documented risk factors, not political bias or category-based exclusion.

American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures, thus allowing continued expensing of such expenditures in the taxable years in which they are incurred.

Maddy summaryThe Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2023 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act's requirement that individuals with disabilities receive long-term services and supports in community settings rather than institutions. It defines "community-based" services to include specific housing options where individuals with disabilities can live independently with maximum control over their lives, including access to integrated housing, employment, and community participation. The bill requires states to develop transition plans to move people from institutional settings to community-based services within 12 years, with measurable annual targets for reducing institutionalization. It establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 2726, the Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2023, requires U.S. government agencies to provide small businesses with interim partial payments when they unilaterally change construction contract terms. Specifically, it mandates that agencies pay at least 50% of the estimated additional costs requested by small businesses within the timeframe specified by the contract. The bill also requires small businesses to pass these interim payments to first-tier subcontractors and any lower-tier subcontractors who incurred increased costs due to the contract change. This law applies directly to small business concerns awarded federal construction contracts and takes effect by October 1, 2025, or the start of the next full fiscal year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of judges allowed on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from seven to nine. It directly affects the court's staffing capacity by amending Section 7253(a) of Title 38, U.S. Code. The key mechanism is a simple numerical change in the statute, requiring no new procedures or funding. This adjustment aims to help the court manage its caseload more effectively. (1 sentence, as it is a procedural amendment to staffing limits.)

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryHR 2602, the Small Business Child Care Investment Act, reclassifies eligible nonprofit child care centers as "small business concerns" under federal loan programs. This allows organizations meeting specific criteria - like state licensing, 501(c)(3) tax status, and non-discrimination policies - to access SBA Section 7(a) loans and Title V financing. The bill requires loan guarantees for amounts over $500,000 but eliminates denial of loans solely due to religious activity (per First Amendment protections). It mandates annual SBA reports tracking loan numbers and amounts provided to these child care providers. The law directly affects nonprofit child care centers serving children from birth to school age.

Maddy summaryHR 2620, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes targeting firearms licensees. It amends Section 924 of Title 18 to impose mandatory minimum sentences of 3 years for burglaries or 5 years for robberies committed at the business premises of licensed firearms dealers, manufacturers, or importers. The bill specifically targets violations of Section 922(u), which prohibits unauthorized access to these premises, and adds "attempts to do so" to the penalties. This directly affects licensed firearms businesses by strengthening legal protections against theft or violence at their locations. The law creates clearer, harsher consequences for crimes committed during burglaries or robberies at these specific business sites.

This resolution recognizes law enforcement agencies and officers for their tireless work to protect us and make our communities safer. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.

Maddy summaryHR 2510 makes the federal adoption credit for children with special needs refundable, meaning families who adopt such children can receive a cash refund even if they don't owe federal income tax. The bill directly affects adoptive parents who claim the credit for children with special needs, allowing them to get the full credit amount as a refund rather than just reducing their tax bill. Key provisions define "special needs adoption expenses" as qualified costs for these adoptions and adjust tax code language to treat this portion as a refundable credit. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.