Rep. Laurel M. Lee

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Kids from Creeps Act prohibits surrogacy agencies, their employees, and sex offenders from participating in surrogacy agreements, directly affecting fertility clinics, staff, and individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill mandates severe criminal penalties, including fines and prison sentences of at least 10 to 20 years, for knowingly or recklessly facilitating such agreements, while also stripping convicted agencies of their tax-exempt status and eligibility for federal grants. Any surrogacy agreement formed in violation of these rules is declared legally void and unenforceable, meaning it cannot be used to establish parental rights. In cases where a child is born from an illegal agreement, custody decisions will be made solely based on the best interests of the child under the laws of the state where the surrogate lives, ignoring any prior contracts. Additionally, the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties equal to the compensation received or offered for prohibited conduct.

Maddy summaryHR 5437, the *Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act*, prohibits lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers of stone slab products (like countertops) for injuries caused by silica dust exposure during third-party fabrication (e.g., cutting or grinding by fabricators). It directly affects stone slab manufacturers and sellers by shielding them from civil liability when injuries result from fabricators violating workplace safety laws. The bill’s key provision bans such lawsuits in federal or state courts and requires dismissal of pending cases. It aims to protect this industry, which employs thousands, from claims they cannot control, emphasizing that safety regulations apply to fabricators - not the original sellers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3.5 billion to help Florida farmers and growers recover from the severe freeze that occurred in March 2026. The funds are distributed as block grants specifically to cover losses in crops, trees, bushes, and vines caused by the cold weather, including compensation for multi-year crops. Assistance is restricted to counties officially designated as disaster areas by the Secretary of Agriculture on March 4, 2026, and requires a request from a state agriculture department to release the money. The Secretary of Agriculture must also submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing how the funds are being used until the budget is exhausted.

Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025 This act directs the President to issue a medal of sacrifice for eligible law enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty. The act also directs the President to establish a commission on the medal of sacrifice and appoint its members. The act sets forth responsibilities of the commission, including to advise on the design of the medal and determine how the medal will be presented. Under the act, eligible law enforcement officers and first responders include federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement officers or first responders who are not subject to an official act of wrongdoing (e.g., a determination that the officer or first responder acted outside the scope of their duties or in a manner that was not in accordance with official policies or procedures). A law enforcement officer or first responder who is subject to an official act of wrongdoing is generally not eligible for the medal of sacrifice. However, in the case of such an officer or first responder, the act requires the commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the officer or first responder's cause of death and issue a final determination on their eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for the Trump administration's efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs. It highlights specific actions taken, such as using advanced technology to detect fraud, suspending billions of dollars in suspected fraudulent payments, and coordinating with law enforcement to prosecute offenders. The document also acknowledges the creation of a new task force designed to lead a governmentwide strategy against fraud in federal benefit programs. Ultimately, the bill serves as a formal recognition of these initiatives rather than introducing new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026, exempts small oil and gas wells from specific environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act. It directly affects owners and operators of marginal wells, defined as sites producing 15 barrels of oil or less per day, or 90,000 cubic feet of natural gas or less per day. The legislation removes requirements for monitoring, reporting, and leak detection for these smaller operations, while also mandating that the EPA approve any state plan revisions granting this exemption within 180 days. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to update its regulations to reflect these changes and to terminate any ongoing enforcement actions against marginal wells that were initiated before the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill would add pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage for beneficiaries, specifically covering pharmacist-led testing and treatment for illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep throat during public health emergencies. It defines covered services as those performed under state law, often requiring collaboration with a physician, and sets payment at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates. Pharmacists would be prohibited from balance billing for these services, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay only their standard copayment. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.

Maddy summaryThe NO FAKES Act of 2026 grants individuals and their heirs a new property right to control the creation and use of digital replicas of their voice or visual likeness, preventing unauthorized use in computer-generated media. This right lasts for the individual's lifetime plus 10 years after death, with potential extensions for continued commercial use, and applies to both living and deceased people. Online platforms and companies distributing such content must register with the Copyright Office, remove unauthorized replicas upon receiving valid notices, and face civil penalties of up to $750,000 per work if they fail to comply or knowingly distribute unauthorized replicas. The law also preempts most existing state laws protecting voice and likeness rights, though it preserves protections for sexually explicit content and election-related uses.

Maddy summaryHR 7418 (the STEADFAST Act) converts the federal presidential campaign funding program into a state grant program to improve election security. It provides funds to states for updating voting systems, enhancing cybersecurity, securing physical storage of equipment, and implementing paper ballots with verification features. States must certify they prohibit noncitizen voting, require specific photo ID at polls, and report how funds are spent. Funding comes from taxpayer-designated contributions to a new Election Security Fund, with 5% allowed for administrative costs.