Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryThe Main Street Capital Access Act reduces regulatory burdens for smaller banks, particularly those with less than $10 billion in assets. Key provisions include a 3-year phase-in period for new banks to meet capital requirements, lower leverage ratio requirements for rural banks (7.5% for the first 2 years), and a 30-day review process for business plan deviations. The bill also establishes an Office of Independent Examination Review, sets specific timelines for examinations (270 days) and reports (90 days), and creates a "least cost exception" for bank resolutions to prevent excessive concentration of the banking system. These changes aim to promote new bank formation, improve regulatory efficiency, and support community banking while maintaining financial stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report on alleged antitrust violations within the fire truck manufacturing industry. The resolution specifically examines issues such as price fixing, price gouging, serial acquisitions, and monopolization that have led to rising costs and long delivery times for fire departments. By citing concerns over market consolidation and safety risks from outdated equipment, the bill aims to gather facts on how these practices affect public safety and local governments. The FTC is required to submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of the bill's adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary funding mechanism for the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund by requiring the Treasury Department to loan $3 billion annually to the fund for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029. The borrowed money must be distributed immediately to victims as part of the annual payment and cannot be saved for future use. Interest on these loans will be set by the Treasury based on market rates and will be repaid only from future fines and penalties collected from state sponsors of terrorism after the fund ends. The authority to make these loans expires on September 30, 2029, and the funds are treated as direct spending rather than new appropriations.

Maddy summaryThe Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 establishes a program to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans through improved mapping, monitoring, and mitigation measures. It requires the creation of detailed, high-resolution maps of whale habitats, including calving grounds and migration routes, which will be integrated into vessel navigation systems to prevent collisions. The bill authorizes $8 million annually through 2030 for mapping, surveys, and a $10 million grant program to fund new detection technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users. It also mandates regular reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness and progress in filling knowledge gaps about whale habitats.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes funding for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, setting $31 million for fiscal year 2025 and $33 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2031. It also extends the deadline for the national cord blood inventory program from 2026 to 2031. The legislation directly affects stem cell research programs and cord blood banks by maintaining federal funding levels and prolonging the inventory program’s timeline. These provisions ensure continuity for existing research infrastructure and blood bank operations without introducing new policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, requires the FDA to update regulatory language within one year of enactment. It directs the agency to replace all references to "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" in 22 specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations related to drug development and approval processes. The bill also adds a definition for "nonclinical test" into relevant FDA regulations to align with prior legislative changes. This update applies directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers and FDA reviewers who follow these regulatory guidelines during drug development. The changes aim to modernize terminology without altering current testing requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 allows specific addiction medicine specialists to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder to be dispensed directly through pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to attend traditional treatment clinics. This change permits these qualified doctors to use telemedicine for patient care and requires that the methadone be in a liquid or dispersible tablet form. While the bill maintains existing clinic-based treatment options, it streamlines access by removing the need for pharmacies to obtain separate registrations to dispense the medication. The law also mandates that patients sign informed consent forms explaining how privacy rules differ between clinic and pharmacy settings, and it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to report on the program's progress to Congress every year.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act, aims to stop people from illegally occupying homes by defining squatting as entering a property and staying there for at least 10 to 14 days without the owner's permission or payment of rent. It directs local law enforcement to quickly remove squatters and prosecute them according to local laws while prohibiting the use of federal benefits to support or encourage such behavior. The legislation also ties federal housing funds to local compliance by withholding Community Development Block Grant money from jurisdictions that allow squatting or grant special tenant rights to squatters, and it bars federal mortgage support for loans secured by properties in those non-compliant areas.

Maddy summaryThe National Coordination on Adaptation and Resilience for Security Act of 2026 establishes a new Chief Resilience Officer within the National Security Council to lead federal efforts in preparing for natural hazards like wildfires, sea level rise, and drought. This official will create interagency working groups and a Partners Council on Resilience to coordinate with state, local, tribal, and private sector partners, ensuring that funding and resources prioritize the most vulnerable communities. The bill mandates the development of a National Resilience Strategy within two years, which must outline how federal agencies will reduce redundancies, improve disaster mitigation, and support infrastructure that can withstand environmental changes. Additionally, the act requires the creation of a central clearinghouse to share data and technical assistance, with all requirements set to expire after 10 years or upon the submission of a third assessment report.

Maddy summaryThe Public Service Retirement Tax Relief Act of 2026 limits the federal income tax that individuals receiving state or local government pensions must pay. Starting in 2026, the total tax on these pensions cannot exceed $10,000 for single filers or $20,000 for married couples filing jointly. This cap is calculated by first determining the tax owed on all income except the pension, then adding the maximum allowable pension tax amount to that figure. The bill directly affects public servants who rely on pensions from state or local governments for their retirement income.