Rep. Derek Schmidt

Maddy summaryHR 3636 requires the Secretary of Defense to create a centralized system for verifying the licenses of military health-care professionals. This system allows commanding officers at any Department of Defense health facility to quickly check a professional's license - regardless of the facility's location or the professional's military branch. The bill mandates that at least 90% of license verifications must be completed within seven days for professionals without adverse licensing records. This change aims to ensure all military health-care providers meet licensing standards efficiently.

Maddy summaryHR 3585 establishes the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program to provide targeted support for business districts in low-income, rural, minority, and Native communities. The program awards competitive grants through intermediary organizations ("specified recipients") to deliver technical assistance, training, and capacity-building services directly to local business district organizations ("eligible subrecipients"). These organizations must provide services to business districts in underserved areas, with grants requiring annual reporting on job impacts, geographic reach, and fund usage. The pilot mandates geographic diversity in grant distribution and prioritizes applicants serving distressed communities or multiple regions. Grants must last at least two years, focusing on enhancing local business districts' ability to attract investment and support small businesses.

Maddy summaryHR 3608, "Connor’s Law," requires commercial motor vehicle operators (like truck and bus drivers) to read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, understand English traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete reports. The bill adds this language requirement to existing federal safety rules for commercial drivers. Drivers found noncompliant with this rule would face an "out of service" order, meaning they cannot operate their vehicle until they meet the requirement. This directly affects commercial drivers operating in the U.S. under federal safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHJRES 61 is a congressional resolution that formally disapproves an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule setting new air pollution standards for rubber tire manufacturing. It directly affects tire manufacturers by blocking the EPA’s proposed rule (published November 29, 2024), which would have required them to meet specific limits on hazardous air pollutants. The resolution’s key mechanism is a formal congressional vote to nullify the rule, making it legally ineffective under Title 5, U.S. Code. This action stops the EPA rule from taking effect without creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHR 3597, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, creates two main incentives to boost domestic production of printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates. It provides a 25% tax credit for businesses purchasing US-manufactured circuit boards and substrates, and establishes a federal financial assistance program offering up to $300 million per project (with larger amounts possible with presidential approval) for manufacturing or research and development facilities in the United States. The program prioritizes small businesses, minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and projects that expand domestic production capacity or relocate manufacturing from foreign-controlled areas. Recipients must use funds for specific covered incentives like facility construction, equipment, or workforce training programs, with strict clawback provisions for delays or inappropriate technology sharing with foreign entities of concern. The program requires coordination with multiple federal agencies and includes annual reviews by the Government Accountability Office to track outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 3512, the Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act, imposes a new annual tax on funds received by third-party investors who finance lawsuits through litigation financing agreements. It directly affects investors (including foreign entities) who provide funding to plaintiffs or law firms in exchange for a share of settlement or judgment proceeds, excluding small agreements under $10,000 or standard loans. The tax equals the top individual income tax rate plus 3.8 percentage points, with 50% withheld from settlement payments by parties involved in the lawsuit. The law also clarifies that such funds cannot offset losses and excludes certain typical legal fee reimbursements from taxation. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 3526, the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025, increases the maximum amount first-time homebuyers can withdraw penalty-free from retirement accounts. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to raise the limit from $10,000 to $50,000 for qualified first-time homebuyer distributions. This change directly affects individuals using retirement savings to purchase their first home, allowing them to access significantly more funds without incurring the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Wrongful Injunction Accountability Act (HR 3502) requires parties who wrongfully obtain court orders stopping U.S. government actions to reimburse the government for costs and damages when courts fail to require adequate financial security. Specifically, if a court issues an injunction against the government without ordering sufficient security (as required under federal civil procedure rules) or if the security provided is insufficient, the requesting party must pay the government’s actual losses. This law directly affects individuals or organizations that file lawsuits seeking to halt government activities without providing proper financial guarantees. It creates a clear mechanism to ensure the government isn’t left bearing financial harm from unjustified legal actions.

Maddy summaryHR 3463 (COUNTER Act) expands the U.S. military's authority to counter drone threats by allowing the Department of Defense and Coast Guard to neutralize unmanned aircraft systems without being restricted by certain federal laws. It exempts related technology, procedures, and protocols from public disclosure requirements under federal and state laws, and permits military commanders to delegate these actions. The bill applies to both domestic and overseas operations, clarifying that other federal laws do not apply to U.S. military or Coast Guard activities mitigating drone threats abroad. Key changes include broadening legal authority beyond previous restrictions and extending reporting deadlines for related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores a tax deduction for personal losses caused by disasters, crimes, or scams (like stolen property or damage from hurricanes). It directly affects taxpayers who filed returns before 2025 but couldn’t claim this deduction due to a prior suspension. The bill reinstates the deduction and extends the deadline to file refund claims for these losses until the tax filing deadline for the year the bill becomes law. This allows eligible individuals to claim refunds they were previously barred from receiving.