Rep. Glenn Grothman

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 summaryThis bill creates new grounds for deporting non-citizens who are members of or associated with criminal gangs. It defines a "criminal gang" as a group of five or more people whose primary purpose is committing serious crimes like drug offenses, violence, trafficking, or weapons violations. The Secretary of Homeland Security can designate groups as criminal gangs after consultation with the Attorney General, and these designations make gang members ineligible for asylum, temporary protected status, parole, and other immigration benefits. The bill also establishes procedures for reviewing and revoking these designations, with limited judicial review options.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the State Emissions Authority Act of 2026, modifies the Clean Air Act to reduce federal mandates on vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. It primarily affects state governments by removing requirements for them to maintain specific inspection schedules and by limiting the federal government's ability to credit states for emissions reductions achieved through these programs. Additionally, the legislation adjusts rules regarding how states must report their environmental plans and clarifies compliance standards for federal vehicles and installations. By striking several existing sections of the law, the bill effectively shifts more authority over vehicle inspection policies from the federal level to the states.

Maddy summaryHR 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system (NICS) solely because a court has appointed a fiduciary (like a guardian) to manage their benefits. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to mental health or cognitive challenges but are not deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill requires a court order finding the veteran poses a danger before any such information can be shared with the NICS. It changes VA procedures to block unnecessary barriers to firearm ownership for veterans who qualify for fiduciary support without a judicial determination of danger.

Maddy summaryThe OPT Fair Tax Act modifies federal tax and Social Security rules to exempt Optional Practical Training (OPT) from being classified as employment for F-1 student visa holders. By amending the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act, the bill ensures that students participating in OPT do not have to pay Social Security or Medicare taxes during their training periods. This change directly affects international students in the United States who are completing practical work experience related to their field of study. The legislation applies to all services performed after the date the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Semiconductor Superiority Act expands the advanced manufacturing investment credit to include semiconductor facilities located in outer space, specifically low-Earth orbit. This provision allows companies to claim tax credits for equipment used in space-based manufacturing, even if some components are not physically located in orbit or are used for transporting crew and supplies. The bill also clarifies that flight control, crew habitation, and repair activities in space count as manufacturing functions for the purpose of this credit. Additionally, the law excludes rockets and launch vehicles from qualifying as eligible property under this new rule. These changes apply only to facilities and equipment placed in service after the act is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal rules to allow adults with disabilities aged 18 and older to work for employers at wages below the standard minimum rate, whereas the previous law restricted this option to individuals under 24. It requires these employers to make documented efforts to find suitable jobs for their employees at regular intervals and permits the use of subminimum wages only if state agencies fail to provide necessary job counseling and referrals. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers must provide copies of these job search records to the individuals they employ. These changes aim to expand employment opportunities for adults with disabilities while maintaining specific oversight to ensure they are not denied access to regular competitive employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill simplifies filing requirements for employer-sponsored retirement plans. It extends the deadline for submitting Form 5500 (the annual report for retirement plans) from 210 days or 6 months after the plan year end to 15 days after the end of the 9th calendar month following the plan year. It also allows electronic signatures for these filings and requires agencies to update regulations to reflect these changes. The bill directly affects employers and plan administrators who manage retirement plans under federal law, reducing administrative burdens and modernizing the filing process.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Defense to connect military recruits who cannot enlist with the Job Corps program for training in skilled industrial jobs within the defense industry. It expands specific workforce incentives to include Job Corps centers and gives local operators more flexibility to hire staff, partner with educational institutions, and manage their programs without waiting for federal approval. The legislation also updates rules to allow Job Corps centers to accept cash donations and grants more easily while streamlining enrollment for veterans and active-duty service members. Overall, the act aims to reduce shortages of skilled workers in defense manufacturing by aligning Job Corps training with the needs of the defense industrial base.

Maddy summaryThe Upward Mobility Act of 2026 would establish a 5-year pilot program allowing up to 5 states to consolidate multiple antipoverty programs - including SNAP, TANF, child care assistance, housing benefits, and energy assistance - into a single grant. States would design new benefit structures that reduce "benefit cliffs" (where increased earnings lead to loss of benefits) to improve employment outcomes and reduce reliance on direct assistance. The bill requires states to measure outcomes like employment rates, earnings, and reduced dependence on benefits using third-party evaluations, with participants not receiving additional benefits outside the pilot. States would receive grants based on previous funding from these programs, while maintaining emergency contingency funds for crisis periods.