Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryHR 1031 establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve and interpret the site where 982 Holocaust refugees were housed from 1944 to 1946. The park will be managed by the National Park Service after the Secretary of the Interior acquires sufficient land (primarily through donation for state-owned property) to form a manageable unit. Key provisions require a Federal Register notice upon land acquisition, a management plan within three years, and cooperative agreements for public access and interpretation. The park directly affects the preservation of this historical site and serves the public by making its history accessible for education and reflection.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally recognizes suicide as a significant public health issue in the United States and highlights the impact of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on individuals and communities. It commends the establishment of the 988 number as a nationwide three-digit dialing code for crisis support, noting its role in connecting people to mental health resources. The bill supports the designation of September 8, 2026, as "988 Day" to raise awareness about the service and promote access to mental health care. Additionally, it encourages continued public education and federal, state, and local efforts to expand crisis intervention programs for high-risk populations.

Maddy summaryThe SBA Spanish Resource Report Act requires the Small Business Administration administrator to submit a detailed report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. This report must inventory existing Spanish-language resources and services, including websites, application materials, and customer support, as well as those provided by partner organizations like small business development centers. The document also mandates an analysis of usage data, associated costs for translation and outreach, and operational considerations for delivering these services. While the bill requires a public report and a subsequent briefing to congressional committees, it explicitly states that this action does not force the agency to create, expand, or cut any specific Spanish-language programs.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.

Maddy summaryThe L'Ouverture Economic Development Plan for Haiti Act of 2025 creates a Haitian American Enterprise Fund to support economic development in Haiti through private sector investments. The fund will finance projects in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and infrastructure, with special focus on empowering women and youth, and aims to create jobs to reduce migration from Haiti. It authorizes $1 billion annually from 2026-2031 to support these initiatives, managed by a private nonprofit organization with oversight from a diverse board. The legislation emphasizes building sustainable economic opportunities within Haiti to meet the country's development needs while strengthening ties with the Haitian-American diaspora.

Maddy summaryThe Public Transit Mental Health Awareness Act requires public transit agencies that receive federal assistance to display information about the national suicide prevention hotline in areas visible to passengers. This information must state that the service is free, confidential, and available around the clock. Agencies can meet this requirement by placing the notice on all their vehicles or in all their transit facilities, provided it does not block existing revenue-generating advertising space. The law includes a provision allowing agencies to remain compliant if they make reasonable efforts to restore displays that are damaged or removed, with the mandate taking effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the STOP Payments Fraud Act of 2026, amends federal laws to give banks more flexibility in delaying the availability of funds when they suspect fraud. It allows depository institutions to hold checks and wire transfers for up to 60 days if there is reasonable suspicion that the transaction is false, unauthorized, or fraudulent, rather than following standard expedited release rules. The legislation requires banks to notify customers of these delays and prohibits overdraft fees if the delay is caused by the bank's fraud investigation. Additionally, it permits banks to share information about suspected fraud with other financial institutions to help prevent future issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires credit reporting resellers to use reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of consumer information they transmit to other agencies or end users. It limits reseller liability when they accurately pass on data obtained from another consumer reporting agency without making changes. The law defines resellers according to existing Fair Credit Reporting Act definitions and focuses on maintaining data integrity during the transfer process. These changes directly affect companies that sell consumer credit reports to other businesses or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that certain personal services entities owned by registered stockbrokers are not automatically considered "brokers" under securities law, if specific conditions are met. It directly affects registered representatives who own personal services entities (like independent contractor firms) and their brokers. Key provisions require brokers to control payment details, prevent entities from advertising as brokers, maintain written agreements, restrict ownership to the representative or immediate family, and preserve required records for oversight. The change aims to eliminate regulatory confusion for small, representative-owned entities without altering core broker-dealer rules.