Rep. Celeste Maloy

Maddy summaryThis bill bans federal funding for abortions in most cases, prohibiting the use of taxpayer money for abortion services or health insurance plans covering abortion. Exceptions allow funding for abortions resulting from rape, incest, or when a pregnancy endangers a woman's life. It requires health insurance plans sold through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces to clearly disclose any separate costs for abortion coverage and prohibits ACA subsidies from being used for plans that cover abortion (except in the specified exceptions). The law directly affects federal programs like Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, and insurers offering health coverage to individuals using federal subsidies.

Maddy summaryHR 5089, the *Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2023*, removes the requirement for permits under the Clean Water Act when authorized pesticides are discharged into navigable waters from point sources (like agricultural fields). It directly affects pesticide applicators (e.g., farmers, pest control services) and regulators (EPA, states), eliminating a permit step for standard pesticide applications. The bill amends the Clean Water Act to state that permits are not needed for discharges of authorized pesticides or their residues, unless the discharge results from a FIFRA violation, involves stormwater, or falls under specific industrial categories. This simplifies regulatory compliance for routine pesticide use while maintaining exceptions for discharges linked to violations or certain industrial processes.

Maddy summaryHR 1586, the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023, exempts certain fire suppression activities from requiring permits under the Clean Water Act. It directly affects federal agencies like the Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management, as well as state, local, and tribal governments conducting wildfire response. The bill's key provision removes the need for a Section 402 permit under the Clean Water Act when these covered entities discharge fire retardants, chemicals, or water for fire control or prevention. This change streamlines firefighting operations by eliminating a specific permitting step during active wildfire events.

Maddy summaryThe Mining Schools Act of 2024 establishes a federal grant program to strengthen domestic mining education by funding eligible schools. It defines eligible "mining schools" as accredited mining/engineering programs at higher education institutions or specific geology/engineering departments at 4-year public universities in states with significant mining-related economic activity. The Department of Energy will award up to 10 competitive annual grants for recruiting students and enhancing programs focused on critical minerals, environmental reclamation, sustainable extraction, and domestic mineral production. An advisory board of industry and academic experts will help select grantees and ensure funds are used as intended. The program is authorized to receive $10 million yearly from 2024 through 2031.

Maddy summaryThe Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 establishes a limited pilot program allowing non-responsible parties (called "Good Samaritans") to remediate pollution at abandoned hardrock mine sites. The bill creates a permit process requiring applicants to demonstrate they're not liable for the pollution, can safely complete the remediation, and will protect the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency would issue up to 15 permits for these projects, providing liability protection for permitted activities while requiring public notice and environmental review. The pilot program would expire after 7 years, with the EPA required to report on its effectiveness to Congress.

Maddy summaryHR 7438 directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins will be sold to the public at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively), with all surcharge revenue paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. for U.S. soccer programs. These funds must support soccer initiatives, particularly in underserved communities and youth development, as specified in the bill. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued during 2026, with no net cost to the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryThe Enhanced Regulatory Flexibility Assessment Act (HR 9032) requires federal agencies to conduct more detailed analyses when proposing new regulations, specifically focusing on impacts on small businesses and small entities. Agencies must now provide specific details including the number and type of small entities affected, projected compliance costs (such as required professional skills), and whether rules would cause disproportionate economic harm. The bill mandates quantifiable economic data on impacts or a detailed explanation if such data is unavailable. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure small business concerns are thoroughly evaluated during rulemaking, directly affecting federal agencies and the small businesses subject to their regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 10300, the Chevron Re-Review Act, establishes a new process for Congress to review and disapprove federal agency rules that relied on Chevron deference (the legal doctrine where courts defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous laws). The bill requires agencies to provide Congress with specific information about such rules - including cost-benefit analyses and litigation history - within 30 days of a disapproval resolution's introduction. If Congress passes a joint resolution disapproving a rule, the rule is treated as if it never took effect. This procedural bill directly affects agencies and Congress, applying only to rules explicitly based on Chevron deference or upheld by courts using that doctrine.

Maddy summaryHR 10012 amends the Veterans Community Care Program to include eyeglass lens fittings as an authorized medical service for veterans. This directly affects veterans enrolled in the program who need eyeglass fittings through non-VA providers. The bill requires the VA Secretary to establish regulations ensuring veterans can schedule these fittings at nearby community providers. The VA must also submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing implementation progress, challenges, and veteran benefits. This changes the scope of covered services without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 9969 requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Energy to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group. This MOU must address how a recent environmental decision (the 2024 Glen Canyon Dam Record of Decision) could impact the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, which finances dam operations and infrastructure. The plan must specifically examine effects on routine fund obligations, hydropower production costs at Glen Canyon Dam, and potential impacts on endangered species. The bill focuses on establishing a process for coordination, not implementing new policies.