Rep. Donald S. Beyer, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil, gas, and geothermal companies to test nearby underground drinking water sources before, during, and after hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") operations. Companies must conduct testing at specified intervals (e.g., before starting, every 6 months during operations, annually for 5 years after) and submit results to the EPA within two weeks. The EPA will maintain a public database of all test results, making it searchable by ZIP code for community access. The requirement does not apply to sites with no accessible drinking water sources within one mile.

Maddy summaryThe CLEANER Act of 2025 requires the EPA to evaluate within one year whether drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes from oil, gas, and geothermal operations qualify as hazardous waste under federal law. If determined hazardous, the EPA must list these wastes and create tailored regulations for their handling, while also setting new safety standards for facilities managing non-hazardous waste from these sources. Key provisions include mandatory groundwater monitoring, location criteria for waste facilities, and financial assurance requirements to protect public health and the environment. This bill directly affects oil and gas producers, waste management facilities, and geothermal energy operations by imposing new regulatory obligations on their waste streams.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires oil and gas companies conducting hydraulic fracturing operations to disclose detailed chemical ingredients before starting and within 30 days after completing operations. Companies must provide full chemical names, CAS numbers, safety data sheets, and volumes to state or federal authorities, who then make this information publicly available online. The bill includes an exception allowing immediate disclosure of proprietary chemical formulas during medical emergencies, though companies can later request confidentiality agreements. It directly affects fracking operators in oil, gas, and geothermal production, amending the Safe Drinking Water Act to mandate transparency while maintaining trade secret protections outside emergency situations.

Closing Loopholes for Oil and other Sources of Emissions Act or the CLOSE Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise requirements for hazardous air pollutants. Specifically, the bill allows (1) emissions from oil or gas exploration or production wells and emissions from pipeline compressors or pump stations to be aggregated with emissions from other similar sources and regulated as a major source of toxic air pollutants, (2) emissions from those wells to be aggregated for purposes of emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants, and (3) emissions from oil or gas production wells to be regulated as an area source of toxic air pollutants. The Environmental Protection Agency must (1) issue a final rule adding hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants; and (2) revise the list of air pollution sources within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, including oil and gas wells.

Maddy summaryHR 6049, the No Payola Act, repeals a requirement that Senate staff notify the Senate when legal process seeks to disclose Senate data. It also requires Senators who received funds from private lawsuits under the repealed provision to repay those funds to the Treasury. The bill directly affects Senators who might have been involved in legal cases related to the repealed notification rules. This is a procedural change eliminating specific reporting obligations and financial penalties for certain Senate-related legal actions.

Maddy summaryHR 6056, the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, establishes a permanent Special Envoy at the State Department to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the U.S. government to develop and update a biannual global strategy to prevent criminalization and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, mandate detailed reporting on such abuses in annual country reports, and ensure all U.S. foreign assistance programs include inclusive nondiscrimination policies. This legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation, federal agencies receiving funding, and LGBTQI+ communities facing persecution worldwide. The bill aims to coordinate U.S. government efforts across departments and with international partners to advance LGBTQI+ rights globally through concrete policy mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands outreach to service members transitioning out of the military through the Solid Start program. It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with the Department of Defense to reach out to service members 120-210 days before separation, with priority for women veterans. Key provisions include calling each service member during this window to explain transitional health care options and provide contact information for disability claims assistance, plus collecting suicide prevention resources for crisis support. The law directly affects service members separating from the military by mandating structured pre-separation support.

Maddy summaryHR 6030, the Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act, requires the federal government to include Puerto Rico in the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health starting fiscal year 2026. This amendment to the Public Health Service Act ensures Puerto Rico residents' substance use and health data will be collected alongside data from states and territories. The key mechanism is adding Puerto Rico to the survey's geographic scope, which has been excluded since the survey's inception. This provides a more comprehensive dataset for federal health programs serving Puerto Rico.

Maddy summaryThe PROVE Act allows 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote in federal elections, with states required to automatically register them for future elections once they turn 18. It directly affects minors aged 16-17 in all states, enabling them to participate in voting processes before reaching voting age. The bill includes a $25 million grant program to help states implement pre-registration systems and develop school curricula promoting civic engagement for young people. States must submit plans detailing how they will encourage youth involvement in elections and report on their progress within two years. The law amends the National Voter Registration Act and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires states to allow eligible voters to register or update their registration at polling places on election day for federal elections, including during early voting periods. It applies to all states except those with existing laws eliminating voter registration requirements for federal elections. The key mechanism mandates that voters can both register and cast their ballot on the same day at designated polling locations. The requirement takes effect for the November 2026 general election and all subsequent federal elections.