Maddy summaryHR 5075, the GRACE Act, requires schools receiving federal education funds to allow religious exemptions from vaccination requirements without requiring documentation. It directly affects K-12 public schools and school agencies that receive federal funding, as they must permit students (or their parents/guardians for minors under 18) to skip vaccinations based on religious belief. The key provision mandates that schools cannot demand proof of a religious belief to grant such exemptions. This changes how schools handle vaccination policies for enrollment, attendance, and school activities when receiving federal education dollars.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 5042 repeals a 2021 Department of Energy (DOE) rule defining showerheads and reinstates a 2020 DOE definition for determining acceptable water pressure standards. This bill directly affects showerhead manufacturers and consumers by clarifying which regulatory definition applies to water pressure requirements under energy conservation rules. The key mechanism is the formal replacement of the 2021 rule (86 Fed. Reg. 71797) with the 2020 rule (85 Fed. Reg. 81341), ensuring the older definition governs future compliance. It does not change the actual water pressure limits but resolves regulatory ambiguity in existing standards.
Maddy summaryHR 5035, the Veteran and Spouse Licensing Flexibility Act of 2025, allows veterans and their spouses to have their existing professional licenses recognized in a new state when they relocate within 36 months of the veteran's discharge. To qualify, applicants must submit a copy of the veteran's DD Form 214, a marriage certificate (for spouses), and a notarized affidavit confirming license validity and good standing. If a state cannot process the application within 30 days, it must issue a temporary license with the same rights as a permanent one. This bill directly affects veterans and their spouses moving states after military service, streamlining license portability without requiring new exams or training.
Maddy summaryHR 5023, the Fentanyl Kills Act, redefines "trafficked fentanyl" to broadly cover activities like producing, distributing, financing, or transporting illicit fentanyl, its precursors, or related substances - both domestically and internationally with intent to distribute in the U.S. It directly affects individuals involved in fentanyl trafficking by automatically classifying such offenses as "attempted murder" under existing federal law. The bill adds specific definitions for trafficking activities (including manufacturing, distributing, or possessing intent) and mandates that convicted traffickers face penalties under murder statutes. This changes sentencing by treating fentanyl trafficking as an attempted homicide, increasing penalties for those involved in the supply chain.
Maddy summaryHR 5026, the ALCATRAZ Act, establishes a federal grant program to reimburse state and local governments for costs related to detaining migrants at facilities within their jurisdictions, starting January 20, 2025. Eligible states or localities must apply to the DHS Secretary for reimbursement, with funding coming from redirected FEMA shelter funds. The bill requires DHS to submit a 90-day report detailing plans for rapidly building new detention facilities and identifying underused federal or state funds that could support the program. This legislation directly affects state and local governments operating migrant detention facilities by providing financial support for their detention costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal database identifying state or local governments that conflict with immigration enforcement laws. It prohibits federal funding for any jurisdiction listed in this database, which includes entities that block cooperation with immigration detainers, restrict arrests of certain immigrants, or prevent officials from interviewing incarcerated individuals about immigration status. The database must be updated quarterly and made public within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This directly affects local governments that have policies limiting collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
Maddy summaryThe MOSSA Act (HR 4878) directs federal agencies to prioritize funding for local governments enforcing laws against public drug use, camping, and loitering, while requiring homelessness programs to link participants with mental health/substance use treatment as a condition of aid. It mandates that federal grant programs for homelessness services end support for "housing first" approaches and "harm reduction" initiatives, instead requiring evidence-based treatment programs and stricter accountability for service providers. The bill also directs agencies to address sex offenders in homeless programs by restricting their housing with children and to review funding recipients operating drug injection sites for legal violations. These provisions collectively shift federal funding toward enforcement-focused and treatment-oriented homelessness strategies, affecting state/local governments, homeless service providers, and individuals accessing federal housing assistance.
Maddy summaryHR 4828 expands federal privacy law by adding biometric information, license plate numbers, workplace addresses, school addresses, and GPS coordinates to the list of "restricted personal information" under Title 18, U.S. Code. This directly affects businesses and organizations that collect personal data, requiring them to apply the same strict privacy safeguards to these newly protected data types. The bill modifies an existing legal definition rather than creating new requirements or enforcement mechanisms. It applies to any entity subject to current privacy regulations for restricted data. The key change clarifies which specific information categories receive enhanced protection under federal law.
Maddy summaryHR 4820, the Freedom from Government Surveys Act, makes participation in the American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary by removing penalties for non-response and requiring a clear statement on the survey itself. It directly affects all households receiving the ACS, which collects detailed demographic and housing data used for federal funding and planning. The bill amends two sections of U.S. Code: it deletes penalties for refusing to answer (Section 221) and mandates that the survey include a notice stating participation is voluntary (Section 193). These changes aim to shift the ACS from a mandatory to a voluntary data collection tool without altering the survey’s content or purpose.
Maddy summaryHR 4783, the COP Act of 2025, prohibits federal funding for any law enforcement agency that employs a non-citizen as a law enforcement officer. This directly affects state and local police departments or agencies that receive federal grants, requiring them to ensure all sworn officers are U.S. citizens to maintain funding eligibility. The key mechanism is a strict funding cutoff: agencies violating this rule would lose access to federal financial support. The bill focuses solely on altering federal funding eligibility based on officer citizenship status, with no additional provisions or exceptions described.