Rep. Guy Reschenthaler

Maddy summaryThe Puppy Protection Act of 2023 sets new standards for businesses that sell dogs (dealers), directly affecting pet stores and breeders operating under the Animal Welfare Act. It requires specific housing with space allowances based on dog size (e.g., 12-30 square feet per dog), temperature control (45-85°F), clean food twice daily, and daily exercise or socialization with humans/dogs for at least 30 minutes. The bill also mandates annual veterinary exams including dental care, strict breeding limits (e.g., age restrictions, maximum 2 litters in 18 months), and efforts to place retired breeding dogs in homes instead of selling them to other breeders. Regulations must be finalized within 18 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryHR 2584, the SAVE Act, creates a new federal criminal offense for assaulting or intimidating hospital employees while they're performing their duties, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with enhanced penalties for using weapons, causing injury, or during public emergencies. The bill authorizes $25 million annually in federal grants to hospitals for violence prevention programs, including staff training, security technologies like panic buttons and video surveillance, and coordination with law enforcement. It defines "hospital" broadly to include various medical facilities such as long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and critical access hospitals. The legislation directly affects hospital workers and medical facilities by establishing federal criminal penalties for violence against employees and providing funding to improve workplace safety. The law aims to address the rising problem of workplace violence against healthcare workers, which the bill states has increased since 2011.

Maddy summaryHR 2620, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes targeting firearms licensees. It amends Section 924 of Title 18 to impose mandatory minimum sentences of 3 years for burglaries or 5 years for robberies committed at the business premises of licensed firearms dealers, manufacturers, or importers. The bill specifically targets violations of Section 922(u), which prohibits unauthorized access to these premises, and adds "attempts to do so" to the penalties. This directly affects licensed firearms businesses by strengthening legal protections against theft or violence at their locations. The law creates clearer, harsher consequences for crimes committed during burglaries or robberies at these specific business sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act. It ends the executive branch's authority to use emergency powers related to that specific declaration. The resolution passed both chambers in early 2023 and took effect April 10, 2023, without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.

Maddy summaryHR 2384, the Complete American Pipelines Act of 2023, requires the expedited construction of existing pipeline projects that received a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) certificate of public convenience and necessity before January 1, 2018, and remain active. The bill prohibits judicial review of FERC certificates, related permits, or agency actions for these projects, mandating dismissal of any legal challenges seeking such review. It also grants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit exclusive authority to hear disputes about the bill's validity or scope. This directly affects pipeline developers with pre-2018 FERC approvals by removing legal barriers to completing their projects.

Pausing Enhanced Pandemic Pathogen Research Act of 2023 This bill generally prohibits the National Institutes of Health from conducting or supporting gain-of-function research through March 30, 2028. The bill defines gain-of-function research as any research that could enhance the transmissibility, virulence, or pathogenicity of any pathogen or non-pathogen agent in a way that could lead to (1) moderate or high transmissibility, virulence, or pathogenicity in human populations; (2) significant morbidity or mortality in humans; or (3) severe threats to public health or U.S. national security. The prohibition does not apply to the characterization or testing of naturally occurring influenza virus or coronavirus unless the characterization or testing could increase viral pathogenicity or transmissibility.

Maddy summaryThe Safe Students Act (HR 2502) repeals the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which had prohibited possessing firearms in federally designated school zones under federal law. It also amends related sections of Title 18 (U.S. Code) to remove references to the repealed law and adjust section numbering. This bill does not establish a new federal rule for school zones; it solely eliminates the existing federal prohibition on firearms in school zones. The repeal means the federal government would no longer enforce this specific ban, though state laws may continue to regulate firearms in schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the law governing Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for uniformed service members stationed in the U.S. It changes the calculation method so that BAH amounts must equal the actual monthly cost of adequate housing in each location, as determined by the Secretary of Defense. This directly affects active-duty service members and their families who receive BAH for housing. The key provision replaces the previous formula with a requirement that BAH payments match local housing costs for members in the same pay grade and dependency status. The change ensures BAH reflects current housing expenses rather than an older calculation method.

Maddy summaryHR 1465, "Violet’s Law," requires federal research facilities to establish standards for placing eligible animals (dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits) no longer needed for research with animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or individuals. Federal departments and agencies operating such facilities must create these placement standards within one year of the law's enactment. The law mandates that animals must be vet-certified as healthy (free of infectious disease or physical issues) before placement and prohibits facilities from using animals for commercial trade, breeding, or public exhibitions. This policy directly affects federal research facilities and aims to provide permanent homes for research animals through defined, safe pathways.