Rep. Mary E. Miller

This bill specifies a legal standard for determining whether an individual is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee for the purposes of federal labor laws that address issues such as the federal minimum wage, overtime compensation, and collective bargaining. The rights and protections provided by these laws exclusively apply to employees. Under the bill, an individual is considered an independent contractor if (1) another individual or entity does not exercise significant control over the details of how the individual's work is performed, without regard to any control the other individual or entity may exercise over the final result of the work performed; and (2) while performing such work, the individual has opportunities and risks inherent with entrepreneurship (for example, the discretion to exercise professional judgment). The bill also sets forth factors that may not be used to determine whether an individual is an employee. Specifically, factors such as whether another individual or entity requires the individual to meet certain legal, health and safety, insurance, or performance requirements may not be used to make such a determination.

Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act This bill requires certified national governing bodies (NGBs) of amateur sports (e.g., USA Gymnastics) to prohibit a person whose sex is male from participating in an amateur athletic competition that is designated for females, women, or girls. Under the bill, male  means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.

Maddy summaryHR 7539, the SAFE Act, requires the Comptroller General to study "chameleon carriers" (motor carriers evading safety rules by changing names or ownership) and develop an automated tool for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to detect such applicants during Department of Transportation (DOT) number registration. The bill mandates the tool to identify patterns like shared ownership, similar addresses, insurance lapses, or continuity of operations to flag suspicious applications. It directly affects motor carriers applying for DOT numbers and FMCSA staff, who must use the tool to review applications while preserving final decision-making authority. The law also requires an appeals process for denied applications, data privacy safeguards, and a two-year effectiveness report on the tool.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect detailed information about sponsors before placing unaccompanied migrant children with them, including background checks, addresses, immigration status, and DNA proof for relatives. It mandates in-person home visits, electronic monitoring for non-citizen sponsors, and a $5,000 bond to ensure children attend immigration hearings. HHS must share all collected data with Homeland Security (DHS), which must verify sponsors’ immigration status and may initiate removal proceedings for unlawfully present sponsors. The bill also requires follow-up checks and reporting to child safety authorities if contact with sponsors is lost, directly affecting unaccompanied migrant children and their sponsors.

Maddy summaryHR 2870, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025, allows private sector employees to earn compensatory time off (instead of overtime pay) at a 1.5:1 ratio for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Employees must agree in writing to this option before work begins, have worked at least 1,000 hours with the employer in the past year, and cannot accrue more than 160 hours of compensatory time. Employers must pay employees for unused compensatory time by January 31 each year (or a chosen 12-month period), at the higher of their regular pay rate when the time was earned or their final rate. The bill applies only to private employers (not government workers), includes penalties for employers who pressure employees about the option, and expires after five years.

Maddy summaryHR 7421, the SAFE Olympic Sports Act, requires national governing bodies for Olympic sports to maintain eligibility rules based on an athlete's biological sex as defined in the bill. It mandates that competitions must restrict participation to athletes whose sex at conception aligns with the event's category (e.g., female-only events for those biologically female). The bill defines "sex" as an immutable biological classification determined at conception, with specific biological criteria for male and female. This applies to Olympic, Paralympic, Pan-American, and other sanctioned amateur competitions, requiring governing bodies to continue sanctioning single-sex events they previously approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most Somali citizens and nationals from obtaining U.S. visas or immigration status for 25 years after enactment. It amends immigration laws to block new admissions while allowing exceptions for those already lawfully admitted, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with specific diplomatic visas (A-1, G-1, etc.). The law directly affects Somali nationals seeking to immigrate to the U.S. and takes effect immediately upon passage. It creates a permanent policy change to restrict immigration from Somalia, with limited exceptions for existing residents and certain travelers.

Maddy summaryThe Riley Gaines Act allows female student athletes injured in women's sports competitions to sue schools or athletic associations that permitted biologically male athletes to compete in those events. It creates a legal pathway for victims to seek compensation for physical injuries, lost scholarships, or missed professional opportunities due to the inherent physiological advantages of male athletes. If a female athlete wins a lawsuit under this law, the court must also award them reasonable attorney fees. The bill directly affects institutions of higher education and athletic associations that oversee women's sports competitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal energy conservation law to require federal agencies to consider mechanical insulation as a standard energy-saving measure during building evaluations. It defines "mechanical insulation property" as materials that reduce energy loss in mechanical systems while meeting ASHRAE 90.1 standards, including insulation placed in service with those systems. The law adds mechanical insulation to the list of measures agencies must evaluate for potential installation in federal buildings as part of their required energy and water assessments. This directly affects federal agencies managing buildings, ensuring they formally assess this specific efficiency measure during routine evaluations.

Maddy summaryThe Make Elections Great Again Act (HR 7300) would require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots in person or by mail for federal elections, with limited exceptions for religious objections or military voters. It would establish new requirements for proving U.S. citizenship during voter registration, including documentary proof of citizenship and proof of state residency. The bill would change mail-in ballot procedures by requiring voters to request mail-in ballots (rather than universal mail-in voting), implementing barcode tracking for mail-in ballots, and setting strict deadlines for ballot receipt. These provisions would apply to all states for federal elections held in 2027 or later, affecting how voters register, vote in person, and submit mail-in ballots for federal office elections.