Rep. Adrian Smith

Maddy summaryHR 8292, the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, increases penalties for unauthorized disclosures of taxpayer information under the Internal Revenue Code. It raises fines from $5,000 to $250,000 per violation and increases potential jail time from 5 to 10 years for those who disclose such data. The bill also specifies that if a single disclosure affects multiple taxpayers, each affected person counts as a separate violation, potentially increasing penalties. This law directly affects IRS employees and government workers handling taxpayer data, applying to disclosures made after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1056 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing recent trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea. It formally acknowledges specific collaborative efforts, including resumed summitry, joint military exercises, shared missile warning systems, economic partnerships, and coordinated responses to regional challenges like North Korea and crises in Sudan and Israel. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but expresses congressional support for strengthening this alliance framework. It highlights the importance of continued cooperation across diplomatic, security, and economic domains to promote stability in the Western Pacific. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases federal premium support for certain crop insurance plans used by farmers. It raises the subsidy rate to 77% for lower coverage levels and 68% for higher coverage levels under enterprise or whole-farm revenue/yield protection plans (previously 70% and 65%). It also adjusts coverage requirements, reducing the minimum supplemental coverage level from 14% to 10% and increasing the maximum from 86% to 90%, while raising the premium subsidy for this option from 65% to 80%. Additionally, it mandates a study to evaluate expanding supplemental coverage to larger counties with specific coverage tiers, requiring a report to Congress within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes border states (adjacent to the U.S. northern or southern border) to place movable, temporary structures on federal land near the border for security purposes without needing a special use permit. States must notify the relevant federal agency (e.g., Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service) at least 45 days before placement, and structures can remain for up to one year, with possible 90-day extensions if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines "operational control" hasn't been achieved. The bill directly affects border states and federal land management agencies by streamlining temporary border security measures on public lands.

This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.

Maddy summaryThe HOPE Act of 2024 would establish HOPE Accounts, tax-advantaged savings accounts for paying qualified medical expenses. These accounts would allow individuals to save for medical costs with tax-free growth and distributions, with contribution limits of up to $4,000 per month for self-only coverage or $8,000 for family coverage. To qualify, individuals must have minimum essential health coverage and cannot have other health savings accounts like HSAs or FSAs. Contributions are generally not deductible but may be excluded from gross income for lower-income individuals, and distributions for qualified medical expenses would be tax-free. The bill also includes rules for employer contributions and coordination with existing health savings mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER at the Border Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from temporarily admitting (paroling) certain individuals at the border. It defines "known terrorists" (those arrested, charged, or convicted for terrorism), "suspected terrorists" (reasonably suspected of terrorism), and "special interest aliens" (those with potential terrorism links based on travel patterns). The bill explicitly bans parole for these individuals, even for humanitarian reasons or public benefit, and also prohibits parole for refugees. Additionally, it allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security if they suffer financial harm exceeding $100 from the parole of such individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to include new data on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its regular energy reports, such as the Petroleum Supply Monthly. The data must cover feedstock sources (by state, U.S. total, and foreign countries), production volumes, and imports, while defining SAF as fuel meeting environmental standards (at least 50% lower lifecycle emissions than jet fuel) and not derived from palm oil or petroleum. The EIA must collect this information using reliable statistical methods without double-counting. This provides transparency on the SAF industry but does not change production rules or regulations.

Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2024 This bill prohibits states or localities from imposing a levy or collecting an excise tax on the sale of a firearm, ammunition, or any part or component thereof, by a manufacture or retailer.

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.