Rep. Frank D. Lucas

Maddy summaryHRES 161 allocates $16.29 million in funding for the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology during the 118th Congress (2023-2025). The funds cover committee staff salaries and operational expenses, with $7.9 million designated for the 2023 session and $8.39 million for 2024. Payments require approval from the committee chair and the House Administration Committee, as specified in the resolution. This is a procedural funding measure with no policy changes, directly affecting the committee's budget operations.

Protect Farmers from the SEC Act This bill prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission from requiring the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions related to agricultural products.

This resolution states that the House of Representatives expresses deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the earthquakes which occurred in Turkey (Turkiye) and the region on February 6, 2023. The resolution also states that the House of Representatives (1) wishes a speedy recovery for the injured; (2) commends the hard work of search and rescue personnel; (3) conveys its solidarity with Turkey, the Turkish people, and the Syrian people; and (4) urges the Biden administration to provide immediate assistance to Turkey and the region.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 13 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's support for maintaining the current policy that prohibits imposing new fees on local radio stations for playing music. It states that Congress should not impose any performance fee, tax, royalty, or charge on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play music publicly. The resolution argues that such fees would harm local radio stations - critical sources for emergency information and community programming - and jeopardize the economic model that has supported both radio and the music industry for decades. This resolution does not create new law but formally opposes potential legislative changes to the existing fee structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the General Services Administration to provide secure firearm storage facilities at the official duty stations of federal judges upon their request. It also mandates that agencies employing administrative judges must provide similar secure storage at their principal duty stations. The provisions apply only to firearms lawfully possessed by these judges, not to new firearm ownership rules. The bill directly affects federal and administrative judges who own firearms, ensuring they have secure storage options at work. It makes no changes to gun ownership laws but creates a new administrative service for judge safety.

Maddy summaryHR 290, the Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2023, modifies reporting requirements for commercial remote sensing licensees under U.S. law. It shortens the annual report deadline from 120 to 60 days, adds new requirements to report license conditions and tiered application/license categories, and extends the sunset date for these provisions from 2020 to 2030. The bill directly affects companies holding commercial remote sensing licenses by changing how they submit annual reports to the government. These changes streamline reporting timelines and add specific data points licensees must include in their submissions. The law makes no new policy changes but adjusts existing administrative processes for the remote sensing industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to give the same medical care to infants born alive during abortions as they would to any newborn, and to immediately admit such infants to a hospital. It mandates reporting of non-compliance to law enforcement and imposes penalties including up to 5 years in prison for violations. Women who undergo abortions can file civil lawsuits seeking money damages for injuries, three times the abortion cost, and punitive damages if care standards are not met. The bill also clarifies that abortion includes intentionally killing an unborn child or terminating pregnancy without specific exceptions (e.g., after viability to preserve life or removing a dead fetus).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes nationwide recognition for valid concealed carry permits. It allows permit holders from any state to carry concealed handguns in states that either issue such permits or don't ban concealed carry, provided they carry a photo ID and their valid permit. Key provisions include making presentation of a valid permit and ID prima facie evidence of compliance, shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors if challenged, and requiring courts to award attorney fees to successful defendants. It does not override state laws prohibiting concealed carry on private property or government lands, nor does it affect restrictions on federal lands like national parks.

Maddy summaryHRES 641 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). It celebrates NACD's history as a locally led conservation organization with 3,000 districts across all 50 states and territories, which works with landowners and governments to manage natural resources. The resolution describes NACD's mission of promoting voluntary, incentive-driven conservation programs at the local level. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding, but formally honors NACD's role in conservation efforts.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service titled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segmen t and published on November 25, 2022. The rule adds the Northern Distinct Population Segment of lesser prairie-chicken to the list of threatened species and the Southern District Population Segment of lesser prairie-chicken to the list of endangered species.