Rep. Joe Neguse

Maddy summaryThe Safe Spaces for All Act expands funding for nonprofit organizations to hire security personnel, including off-duty police officers. It allows these groups to use grant money to cover the costs of applying for the funds, provided such expenses do not exceed 5% of the total grant amount. By amending the existing Homeland Security Act, the bill directly affects nonprofits that currently seek DHS grants for safety and security purposes. This change aims to broaden the scope of eligible security measures and reduce administrative barriers for applicants.

Maddy summaryThe Local Input Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to involve the public, state and local governments, and federally recognized tribes before offering public land for oil or gas leasing. This process mandates disclosing leasing proposals and their potential impacts on land resources and other uses, while also providing a formal opportunity for community comments and tribal consultation. Based on this feedback, the Secretary has the authority to decide whether or not to proceed with leasing a specific parcel. The bill directly affects federal land management decisions and aims to increase transparency and local participation in energy development on public lands.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the memory of four wildland firefighters - Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, and Nicholas Dale - who died while battling wildfires in 2026. It expresses sympathy to their families and acknowledges the bravery of injured colleagues and all personnel who risk their lives to protect communities and natural resources. The measure formally recognizes the critical role of firefighters, aviation crews, and support staff in suppressing dangerous fires across the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands federal election laws to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control. It requires businesses that are at least 50% owned by foreign individuals, or those with specific foreign influence, to file a sworn certification proving they are not foreign-controlled before making any political donations or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law clarifies that these rules apply to state and local ballot initiatives and mandates that corporate political action funds certify their managers and board members are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The legislation also prohibits recipients of funds from these businesses from using the money for further political contributions unless they receive and verify the required compliance certification.

Maddy summaryThe Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states within 12 months of enactment. This guidance will outline strategies to improve the education, training, recruitment, and retention of mental health and substance use disorder care providers participating in Medicaid and CHIP programs. A specific focus of these strategies is to enhance the capacity of the workforce in rural and underserved areas. The act also specifies that the guidance should explore how states can use existing federal waivers and authorities to achieve these workforce goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal grant program to help mental health professionals work across state lines by supporting interstate agreements that allow licenses to be recognized in multiple states. The funding, totaling $4 million annually from 2026 to 2029, will go to state licensing boards and compact commissions to encourage counselors to practice in areas with these new agreements and to maintain the administrative systems that make them work. By simplifying the licensing process, the legislation aims to expand the availability of mental health services in states that have joined these mutual recognition programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on how quickly military members receive their electronic health records when leaving active duty. The report must cover a one-year period and include data on average wait times, the longest delays experienced, and reasons for any hold-ups. Following this report, the Defense Secretary must create new standards to ensure these records are delivered within a reasonable timeframe, a period to be determined based on the findings and feedback from service members and veterans. The legislation directly affects transitioning servicemembers by aiming to improve the timeliness of their medical record transfers.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Reducing Military Health Care Wait Times Act, requires the Department of Defense to publish specific data on military medical wait times on its website. It directly affects service members, veterans, and their families by making information about appointment scheduling and referral speeds publicly available. The law mandates that the annual TRICARE Program Evaluation Report include the average number of days between booking and receiving an appointment, as well as the percentage of referrals processed within one business day. Additionally, it updates existing federal code to ensure these core performance metrics are consistently reported alongside other required data.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Director of the Defense Health Agency to submit a report to Congress on whether it is feasible to create a pilot fellowship program for behavioral neurology. The proposed program would train two medical doctors each year to treat service members and veterans with traumatic brain injuries, focusing on the connection between behavior and brain trauma. To qualify, fellows must hold a medical degree and have completed a residency in neurology or psychiatry, though board certification is not required to participate. The report must evaluate potential locations for the program and confirm that it meets specific requirements, including accreditation and the ability for fellows to pursue future board certification.

Maddy summaryThe Public Safety Officers' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2026 modifies how public safety officers can claim federal benefits related to line-of-duty injuries. It simplifies the claims process by removing a requirement that injuries must be caused by factors other than pre-existing cardiovascular risks and extends the time limit for reporting certain incidents from 24 to 72 hours. These changes apply to any benefit claims that are pending or filed after the law is enacted. The bill directly affects public safety officers seeking compensation for work-related injuries.