Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 4-year transitional coverage period for Medicare to automatically cover "breakthrough medical devices" - new FDA-prioritized devices approved after March 2021 - as "reasonable and necessary" for treatment. During this period, these devices qualify for additional payments under Medicare's hospital and outpatient payment systems without requiring separate approval. After the 4-year period, Medicare must develop regular coverage based on additional data, with automatic coverage for all approved uses if no action is taken within two years. The bill requires Medicare to assign unique codes for these devices within three months of FDA approval and to update payment systems regularly. It also includes special provisions for "specified breakthrough devices" that lack existing Medicare benefit categories, requiring reports on their impact and cost to Congress.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act to adjust federal cost-sharing requirements for salinity control projects. It specifies that the federal government will cover 75-85% of costs for various salinity control units (including on-farm measures), with states covering the remaining portion. The changes apply to projects authorized under existing sections of the law, directly affecting Colorado River Basin states and landowners who implement these measures. A special provision for fiscal years 2024-2025 increases federal coverage for certain projects to 75-85% of costs.
Maddy summaryThe Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act (HR 4094) amends the Central Utah Project Completion Act to allow the Secretary to use existing federal funds for water conservation projects in the Great Salt Lake basin. It directly affects water management in the basin, which spans parts of Utah, by authorizing conservation measures like efficiency improvements without requiring new appropriations. The key provision permits using unexpended budget authority from previous allocations to conduct these measures, while ensuring they comply with the existing Definite Plan Report. This focuses on practical water-saving actions to support the lake's ecosystem, using current resources rather than creating new programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the federal government to transfer approximately 200 acres of Bureau of Land Management land within Camp Williams, Utah, to the State of Utah within 90 days of enactment. The State must pay the fair market value of the land, determined through a specific appraisal process under federal land management laws. The transfer is subject to existing rights, and the land must be used for transportation or defense purposes; if misused, the land reverts to the federal government after public notice and opportunity for correction. This directly affects Utah's state government, enabling potential infrastructure development on the conveyed land.
Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 1097 (Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023), authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr., in recognition of his service as a U.S. Navy pilot and Vietnam War prisoner of war. It directly honors Alvarez, who was the first U.S. pilot shot down in the Vietnam War, spent over 8.5 years in captivity, and later served in the Peace Corps and Veterans Administration. The bill’s key mechanism is directing the U.S. Mint to strike a gold medal bearing his name and image, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. It does not create new policies or affect any group beyond the honoree.
Maddy summaryThe Federal Wildfire Relief Act of 2024 establishes a federal fund administered by FEMA to compensate for wildfire damage to residential and commercial structures. It requires electric utilities to comply with state or federal wildfire mitigation plans to access liability protection, while structure owners and insurers must verify insurance coverage (at least 50% of value) and waive claims against utilities for qualifying fires. Compensation for structure owners is limited to 25% of uninsured losses (capped at $1 million total), and insurers may receive up to 10% of covered losses. The fund excludes personal injury claims and only covers habitable structures damaged by "catastrophic wildfires" (defined as destroying over 500 structures or causing $50 million+ in damages).
Maddy summaryThe Co-Location Energy Act allows renewable energy projects (solar and wind) to be developed on existing federal energy leases for oil, gas, coal, and geothermal resources. It requires leaseholders' consent before the Secretary of the Interior can authorize evaluations or issue permits for these projects. The bill streamlines environmental reviews for such developments by directing the Secretary to determine if they qualify for categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act. This primarily affects current leaseholders of federal energy lands and renewable developers seeking to co-locate projects on those sites.
Maddy summaryHR 8784, the FREE Act, requires federal agencies to replace slow, discretionary permitting systems with a streamlined "permit by rule" process. Applicants would certify compliance with written requirements, and permits would automatically be approved within 30 days unless the agency proves non-compliance. Agencies must first report on all current permits and identify which could switch to this system, with a deadline of 240 days after enactment. This directly affects federal agencies managing permits and applicants seeking permits, aiming to reduce delays while maintaining enforcement for violations through audits and appeals.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture or Interior (depending on land type) to issue federal guidance within 18 months recognizing recreational rock climbing, fixed anchors, and necessary climbing equipment as allowable activities in designated wilderness areas. The guidance must align with the Wilderness Act and other applicable laws, while ensuring public notice and comment for significant management changes (except short-term emergencies). It directly affects climbers and federal land managers overseeing National Forest System lands and Interior Department lands within wilderness areas. The bill does not alter existing wilderness regulations but mandates agencies to formally acknowledge climbing as a permitted activity.
Maddy summaryHR 9516, the Military Families National Parks Access Enhancement Act, amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to expand eligibility for free lifetime national park passes to include immediate family members (such as spouses, children, or parents) of service members who died in the line of duty and whose death qualifies for a death gratuity under federal law. This change directly affects military families who have lost a loved one in active service, providing them with lifelong access to national parks at no cost. The Secretary of the Interior will determine who qualifies as immediate family under this provision. The bill creates a specific policy change by adding this group to the existing list of pass recipients.