Rep. Brendan F. Boyle

Maddy summaryHR 5048, the "Don’t STEAL Act," amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure workers receive the highest wage promised in their contracts or collective bargaining agreements, whichever exceeds federal or state minimum wage requirements. It directly affects employees engaged in commerce or working for businesses involved in commerce, requiring employers to pay at least the higher of their agreed-upon wage or the legal minimum. The bill establishes criminal penalties for willful wage theft exceeding $1,000 (up to 5 years in prison) and civil penalties for all unpaid wages, with fines funding the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforcement efforts. These changes apply to violations occurring 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 4966 prohibits grocery stores from selling items at "grossly excessive prices," defined as 120% or more above the average market price over the previous six months (with exceptions for unavoidable cost increases like supply chain issues). It bans using facial recognition or personal data to set different prices for individual customers (e.g., adjusting prices based on shopping history) and requires clear signage if facial recognition is used. Stores over 10,000 square feet must replace electronic shelf labels with physical price tags. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these rules, allowing consumers to seek $3,000 per violation or actual damages, with penalties for willful violations.

Maddy summaryHR 4901, the WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Army and Navy nurses who served during World War II. The bill recognizes their critical service under combat conditions, including field hospital care in 6 continents, internment as prisoners of war, and contributions to saving lives (with fewer than 4% of treated soldiers dying from wounds). The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be displayed at specific military museums and historical sites like the National World War II Museum, as directed by Congress. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund.

Maddy summaryThe Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new requirements for employers in warehouse facilities to protect workers from harmful quotas and workplace surveillance practices. It requires employers to provide written descriptions of quotas and workplace monitoring to workers, prohibits quotas that interfere with breaks, safety compliance, or anti-discrimination rights, and gives workers the right to access their work speed data. The bill creates a Fairness and Transparency Office within the Department of Labor to enforce these requirements and investigate violations, with enforcement also involving the Federal Trade Commission. Employers with more than 200 employees at covered warehouse facilities (including distribution centers, couriers, and warehouses) are directly affected by these new requirements, which include new protections against retaliation for workers who exercise these rights.

Maddy summaryThe CREATE Act increases tax credit limits for film and television productions, raising the annual spending cap from $15 million to $30 million for qualified productions and adjusting related thresholds from $20 million to $40 million. It adds an annual inflation adjustment mechanism to these limits starting in 2026, automatically increasing them based on the cost-of-living index. The bill extends the program's expiration date from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2030. This directly affects producers of eligible entertainment projects by expanding available tax credits and providing long-term stability for the industry. The changes apply to productions starting in taxable years ending after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts health insurance subsidies by modifying the premium tax credit structure under the Internal Revenue Code. It replaces previous income thresholds with a sliding-scale formula, increasing subsidies for households earning between 150% and 400% of the federal poverty level - reducing their required premium payments as income rises within these tiers. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting middle-income individuals and families purchasing coverage through health insurance marketplaces. It also repeals specific provisions from a prior reconciliation law related to health care.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a barrier preventing most low-income students from accessing SNAP benefits. It amends the Food and Nutrition Act to explicitly allow students enrolled at least half-time in recognized higher education programs to qualify for SNAP, reversing a prior exclusion. The key change eliminates the previous requirement that students meet specific exceptions (now deleted) and adds a new eligibility category under Section 3(m)(5). This directly affects low-income undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and training programs who were previously ineligible. The changes take effect January 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the TRICARE Young Adult Program to make healthcare coverage more accessible for military dependents. It directly affects young adults (ages 21-26) who are children of active-duty service members, by eliminating a separate premium they previously paid for coverage. Key changes include removing an extra cost for young adults and adjusting eligibility rules to simplify enrollment. These amendments aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and streamline access to health insurance under the program.

Maddy summaryHR 4634, the Debt Ceiling Reform Act, creates a streamlined process for Congress to disapprove Treasury Secretary certifications about when borrowing needs continue beyond the current debt limit suspension. It requires Congress to act within 45 days on a specific, pre-formatted joint resolution (with no amendments or debate) to block the Treasury's borrowing authority; if Congress fails to act, the debt limit suspension automatically extends, with the debt limit adjusted to cover obligations issued during the period. The bill mandates expedited procedures for both chambers, including immediate floor consideration and strict time limits for debate. This directly affects the Treasury Department's borrowing operations and Congressional procedural rules, not the general public or policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 4696 amends Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to update eligibility for a registry program that provides a pathway to legal status for long-term residents. It changes the requirement from entering the U.S. before January 1, 1972, to entering at least 7 years before the application date. This adjustment bases eligibility on a rolling 7-year window instead of a fixed historical cutoff, allowing more recent long-term residents to qualify. The bill directly affects individuals who entered the U.S. after 1972 but maintained continuous residence for at least seven years prior to applying.