Rep. Troy E. Nehls

Maddy summaryHR 1200, the National Right-to-Work Act, prohibits requiring workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment in both private-sector workplaces (covered by the National Labor Relations Act) and railroad industries (covered by the Railway Labor Act). The bill amends key sections of these laws to eliminate provisions that allowed union security agreements, meaning workers in unionized settings would no longer be forced to pay dues to retain their jobs. This directly affects employees in unionized workplaces across the U.S., particularly those in industries with existing union contracts that included mandatory dues. The law changes the legal framework to ensure union membership and dues payment remain voluntary for all workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes safety and operational rules for tethered drones used by emergency services. It requires these drones to have redundant flight controls and automatic landing if tethered, and sets specific airport proximity rules: 0.25 miles from airports (or 0.5 miles in approach paths), with air traffic control approval needed for closer operation. The law directly affects fire departments, police, search and rescue teams, and other emergency service organizations using tethered drones during emergencies. It mandates the FAA to issue implementation guidance within 90 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 124 is a non-binding House resolution expressing congressional support for expanding domestic nuclear energy and advanced nuclear technology. It states the House believes the U.S. should promote nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source to enhance energy leadership and independence, citing its high reliability (92% operation rate), carbon reduction benefits (482 million metric tons avoided in 2021), and economic contributions (475,000 jobs supported). The resolution urges actions like streamlining regulations for advanced reactors, securing domestic uranium supply chains, and addressing misinformation about nuclear safety - though it does not create new laws or funding. It serves solely as a statement of policy preference, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryHR 1007, the Nuclear Assistance for America’s Small Businesses Act, delays collection of nuclear regulatory fees for small businesses applying for permits to build or operate advanced nuclear reactors. It allows eligible small businesses (defined as those with NAICS code 221113 that responded to NRC's RIS-20-02) to delay up to 50% of pre-application fees and 35% of post-application fees. The delayed fees must be repaid over 10 years at 10% annually, or accelerated to 25% if the business fails to submit a covered application within 5 years, withdraws it, or faces denial. This applies specifically to applications for construction permits, operating licenses, or combined licenses for advanced nuclear reactors under NRC oversight.

Maddy summaryHR 1006, the NRC Survey Act, requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to conduct surveys of its employees and nuclear industry stakeholders to identify ways to improve the efficiency of reactor licensing. The employee survey asks about internal processes, communication, funding, and barriers to innovation, while the stakeholder survey seeks industry input on regulatory challenges and engagement. The Inspector General must distribute these surveys within 60 days of enactment and submit reports to Congress with aggregated feedback and individual responses. This bill gathers direct input to inform potential future regulatory improvements without changing existing laws or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 1008 adds harmful algal blooms to the list of qualifying events for federal disaster assistance under the Stafford Act, enabling affected communities to access emergency aid. It also requires the CDC to conduct a study on health effects from airborne toxins during blooms within one year of enactment, to be shared with relevant congressional committees. The bill establishes a framework for federal response but does not provide new funding or directly regulate pollution sources. It primarily affects coastal and lake communities where blooms threaten public health, tourism, and local economies through potential beach closures, fishing restrictions, and property value declines.

Maddy summaryHR 1009 requires the President to develop a national strategy for using microreactors (small nuclear reactors under 20 MW thermal) to replace diesel generators during natural disasters. The strategy must evaluate current diesel generator use, compare environmental impacts, and address deployment logistics like storage, transportation, and maintenance. It mandates collaboration between agencies like FEMA, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with annual reports to Congress. The bill aims to improve disaster response by providing reliable, low-emission power to critical facilities like hospitals and water plants, while reducing reliance on diesel.

Maddy summaryThe RISEE Act of 2023 creates a National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund to support coastal communities and ecosystems. It allocates 37.5% of offshore wind revenue directly to eligible coastal states using a formula based on tidal shoreline length, coastal population density, and distance from offshore wind projects. States must use these funds for coastal protection, habitat restoration, infrastructure, or fisheries research, with strict annual reporting requirements to the Department of the Interior. The bill prohibits using these funds for litigation or creating marine monuments, ensuring resources directly support coastal community needs.

Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act This bill prohibits any population of the lesser prairie-chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus ) in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, or New Mexico from being listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The lesser prairie-chicken is a type of grouse. Currently, two distinct population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie-chicken are listed under the ESA. The Southern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken is listed as endangered and the Northern DPS is listed as threatened. The bill removes both populations from the list. In addition, the bill bans Interior from listing any population of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered or threatened in the future.

Maddy summaryHR 873, the Water Quality and Environmental Innovation Act, establishes a new federal fund to support projects using emerging technologies for water quality protection. The fund, financed by annual EPA fee transfers from 2024-2028, awards grants to U.S. universities, nonprofits, and private companies to implement solutions like AI monitoring, robotics, seaweed farming, or plastic removal systems addressing threats including algal blooms, microplastics, and sea-level rise. All project data must be publicly accessible, and the EPA must report annually to Congress on funded projects and their effectiveness. The bill directly affects water quality initiatives by prioritizing technology-driven approaches over traditional methods.