Rep. Nick LaLota

Maddy summaryHR 3249, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, creates a 25% tax credit for businesses purchasing U.S.-manufactured printed circuit boards and establishes a federal program providing financial assistance for domestic manufacturing and research of these components. The bill directly affects U.S. businesses, particularly small, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned companies, by offering incentives to build or expand facilities within the United States. Key provisions include workforce training requirements for recipients, preferences for projects that increase domestic production capacity or relocate from foreign-controlled areas, and strict restrictions on foreign entities of concern. The program is authorized with $3 billion for 2024-2025 and includes clawback provisions if projects aren't completed on schedule or if recipients collaborate with foreign entities on national security concerns.

Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2023 amends the Horse Protection Act to ban specific devices used to cause pain (soring) in horses at shows, particularly affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. It defines prohibited "action devices" (like boots or chains causing friction) and requires licensed, conflict-free inspectors at events to enforce rules. The bill increases penalties for violations to up to $5,000 fines or 3 years in jail, and mandates longer disqualifications for repeat offenses (180 days → 1 year → 3 years). Horse show organizers, exhibitors, and participants must comply with these new inspection and penalty requirements.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 41 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing formal support for open water lifeguards. It reaffirms that lifeguards already qualify as first responders and emergency response providers under U.S. law, recognizing their essential role in protecting lives and property during water rescues, medical emergencies, and other incidents. The resolution specifically highlights that lifeguards perform the four defined duties of emergency response employees (responding, treating, assisting, and transporting victims) and aligns with the four tenets defining first responders (protecting life, property, evidence, and the environment). This resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges lifeguards' existing status, directly affecting open water lifeguards nationwide who serve in coastal, lake, and river environments.

Maddy summaryHR 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023, updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the availability of affordable housing across the United States. The bill makes several key changes including increasing state funding formulas, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better serve vulnerable populations (such as domestic violence victims and students), and expanding credit eligibility for projects in rural and Native American communities. Specific provisions raise the credit for properties serving extremely low-income households, clarify rules around tenant income increases, and require housing providers to protect victims of domestic violence. The bill also updates terminology from "low-income" to "affordable" throughout the tax code and enhances program transparency through data sharing requirements. These changes aim to make the LIHTC program more effective at creating and preserving affordable housing units for low-income households nationwide.

Maddy summaryThe Invest to Protect Act of 2023 establishes a federal grant program for local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 200 officers (including counties, municipalities, and tribal governments) to fund training and support services. Grants cover de-escalation training, mental health resources, evidence-based safety training (such as handling domestic violence or mental health crises), and recruitment/retention incentives like signing bonuses, retention bonuses (up to 20% of salary), and stipends for graduate education in mental health or social work. The bill requires a streamlined grant application process (under two hours), public disclosure of bonus amounts, and annual audits to prevent misuse of funds.

Maddy summaryHRES 376 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' view that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) must maintain door-to-door delivery for all residential and business customers. It cites concerns that ending this service would disproportionately affect elderly and disabled individuals who rely on secure, convenient mail access for essential items like medications. The resolution notes that voluntary shifts to centralized pickup in 2013 affected only 0.8% of businesses, highlighting dependence on in-person delivery for security and revenue. It urges USPS to avoid reducing door delivery or requiring customers to pay for it.

SALT Fairness and Deficit Reduction Act This bill increases the limitation on the tax deduction for state and local taxes to $60,000 (the limit is currently $10,000 for individual taxpayers). The bill also requires an annual inflation adjustment to the increased amount beginning after 2023, and extends through 2032 the period during which the limitation is in effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new federal crimes for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers and public safety personnel while they're on duty or because of their status as officers. It establishes mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years for murder of officers, with higher penalties for assaults causing serious injury or using deadly weapons. The bill also creates a new offense for fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing officers and limits federal habeas corpus relief for those convicted of killing officers. Additionally, it expands law enforcement officers' authority to carry firearms in certain locations. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers, public safety personnel, and individuals who commit violent acts against them.

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the individuals responsible for the July 1999 murders of U.S. citizens Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi in Serbia should be brought to justice and that the United States should devote sufficient resources to fully assist and monitor Serbia's efforts to investigate and prosecute such individuals.

Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund Act of 2023 This bill establishes the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to fund the procurement, deployment, and sustainment of aviation security checkpoint technology. The TSA must fund this program using airport passenger security fees that are currently collected by the TSA.