Rep. Nick LaLota

Maddy summaryHRES 697 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' concerns about China's "Made in China 2025" (MIC2025) industrial plan and associated actions. The resolution cites alleged Chinese practices - including state-backed intellectual property theft, forced labor, unfair subsidies, and cyber espionage - as undermining U.S. competitiveness in key technology sectors like semiconductors, AI, and clean energy. It directly affects U.S. businesses, researchers, and government entities operating in these MIC2025 priority areas, urging them to strengthen security measures against foreign interference. The resolution calls for coordinated U.S. public-private efforts to protect innovation but does not impose new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023 bans cosmetic animal testing in the United States, prohibiting companies from conducting or contracting such testing after its enactment (effective 1 year later). It also bans selling or transporting cosmetics developed using animal testing conducted after that date within U.S. interstate commerce. The law directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating in the U.S. market, requiring them to use non-animal testing methods for safety evaluations. Exceptions exist for foreign regulatory requirements or when no alternative testing methods are available for specific ingredients.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parties in civil lawsuits to disclose any foreign entities funding their case - including names, addresses, and countries of origin - within 30 days of filing or signing funding agreements. It specifically prohibits foreign governments and sovereign wealth funds from funding litigation where payment depends on the case outcome, banning such agreements entirely. Parties must also certify if foreign money is used and submit annual reports to Congress detailing foreign funders, judicial districts involved, and case types. The law applies to all civil cases filed after enactment, aiming to increase transparency about foreign influence in U.S. courts.

Maddy summaryHR 3152, the "Fight CRIME Act," aims to maintain international restrictions on Iran's missile-related activities by requiring diplomatic efforts to extend these restrictions before they expire in October 2023. The bill mandates annual reports detailing U.S. diplomatic strategies, potential impacts of expiration, and measures to deter missile technology transfers to Iran. It establishes sanctions against foreign individuals or entities that knowingly support Iran's missile or drone programs, including asset freezes and visa restrictions. These sanctions apply regardless of whether UN restrictions remain in effect after their expiration, directly affecting foreign entities involved in these activities.

No Fortune for Fraud Act This bill prohibits a Member of the House of Representatives from receiving compensation for a biography, a media appearance, or other creative work if the Member is convicted of specified felony offenses (e.g., bribing public officials or defrauding the government) or offenses related to violations of campaign finance laws. A Member who violates the prohibition shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10 million for each violation.

Maddy summaryHRES 670 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' sense that all 50 states should include the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in elementary and secondary school curricula. It aims to ensure students learn about this historical event to honor the 2,977 victims and remember its significance, though it does not require states to change education standards. The resolution highlights the attacks as a pivotal moment that shaped U.S. national security and calls for continued remembrance through education. As a procedural resolution, it carries no legal force but seeks to encourage state-level curriculum decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 1501, the UAS Act, bans the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from operating, procuring, or renewing contracts for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) or related components (like flight controllers, software, or detection systems) manufactured in or using technology from "covered foreign countries" (nations identified as foreign adversaries by U.S. intelligence). DHS can request a waiver for national security reasons, but must notify Congress within 14 days. The bill requires DHS to submit a security report to Congress within 180 days detailing existing UAS systems, threat assessments, and potential security risks from foreign-made UAS. This applies solely to DHS operations, not general public drone use.

Maddy summaryHR 3995, the Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act, requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that regulatory costs imposed on small businesses by the SBA itself remain at or below zero each fiscal year. This means the SBA must offset any new or modified regulations with cost-saving measures for small businesses. The bill also mandates the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress detailing rules issued by other federal agencies that impact small businesses, including rules from the previous and following fiscal years. These provisions directly affect small business concerns by limiting their regulatory burden and increasing transparency about agency rules affecting them.

Maddy summaryHR 4940, the Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2023, expands access to farm credit programs for businesses that support the fishing industry. It amends the Farm Credit Act to include "persons furnishing services directly related to the operating needs" of aquatic product producers or harvesters as eligible for credit from Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations. This change directly affects fishing-related service providers (like equipment suppliers or processors) who previously had limited access to these credit programs. The key mechanism is broadening the existing eligibility criteria to explicitly cover these service businesses, enabling them to secure financing for operational needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new $0.20 per credit system (adjustable for inflation) for conventional biofuel waivers under the Clean Air Act, directly affecting refiners and fuel producers with renewable fuel obligations. Credits must be used immediately for that year's compliance and cannot be resold or applied toward other biofuel requirements. Revenue from credit sales is split equally: one-third funds advanced biofuel investments, one-third supports agricultural diversification programs, and one-third flows into the Habitat and Wildlife Restoration Fund. This fund targets conservation in areas impacted by corn/soy expansion since 2007, managed with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.