Rep. Vern Buchanan

Maddy summaryHR 483 delays the requirement for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to switch from CMS Web Interface reporting to electronic Clinical Quality Metrics (eCQMs) until January 1, 2030. It creates a pilot program starting in 2026 to test digital reporting methods with participating ACOs, exempting them from eCQM rules during the pilot while preserving their eligibility for incentive payments. ACOs may continue using existing reporting methods (like CMS Web Interface or MIPS CQMs) until 2030, with no penalties for non-compliance during the transition period. The bill also mandates the development of standardized digital reporting standards by 2030, requiring collaboration with healthcare stakeholders. This directly affects ACOs and their participants who report quality measures under Medicare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special tax rules for certain Taiwanese residents with income from U.S. sources, primarily addressing double taxation concerns. It reduces withholding tax rates on interest, dividends, and royalties from 30% to 10% (or 15% for certain dividends) for qualified Taiwanese residents, and eliminates tax on certain wages paid to Taiwanese workers in the U.S. It also sets a $30,000 annual limit on tax-free income from entertainment or athletic activities. To qualify, individuals must meet specific residency and ownership criteria, and the bill requires reciprocal tax benefits from Taiwan before taking effect. This legislation is designed to facilitate economic activity between the U.S. and Taiwan without requiring a formal tax treaty.

Maddy summaryHRES 47 is a House resolution calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to revoke its current policy allowing biological males who identify as transgender to compete on women's sports teams. The resolution states this policy discriminates against female athletes and violates Title IX by jeopardizing women's competitive opportunities and safety. It specifically urges the NCAA to implement a biological sex-based policy, requiring only individuals assigned female at birth to compete in women's sports, and to ensure all member conferences comply. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the NCAA change its eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 450, the FORCE Act, prevents the U.S. government from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. It requires the President to make a specific determination under the 1996 LIBERTAD Act before Cuba can be removed. The bill directly affects Cuba's international designation status and U.S. foreign policy actions toward the country. It does not change existing law but blocks any removal until the specified determination is made. The provision applies to both the President and the Secretary of State.

Maddy summaryThe FAIR PREP Act of 2025 prohibits the IRS from preparing individual tax returns or refund claims, except for the existing IRS Free File Program and certain qualified return preparation services. It clarifies that the IRS may still provide fillable tax forms with automated calculations and correct mathematical or clerical errors without violating the prohibition. The bill also bans the IRS from developing or operating new electronic tax preparation services after enactment without explicit new congressional authorization. This directly affects how the IRS delivers tax filing assistance, preserving current free options while restricting new government-run tools.

Maddy summaryThe READY Accounts Act creates a new tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals to deduct up to $4,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for contributions toward home disaster preparedness and recovery. These accounts can only be used for specific qualifying expenses, including disaster mitigation measures like reinforcing roofs, installing impact-resistant windows, or recovering from disaster damage like fire or storm. Contributions must be in cash, accounts must be administered by banks or approved entities, and distributions not used for qualifying expenses are taxable with a 20% additional tax penalty. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to include a specific definition of antisemitism in all campus conduct documents. The definition states antisemitism is a perception of Jews that may manifest as hatred, targeting both Jewish individuals/non-Jewish people and property, as well as Jewish community institutions. It mandates that institutions explicitly state antisemitic conduct is prohibited, with student offenders facing expulsion and employees facing termination. The law directly affects all institutions covered by the Higher Education Act, setting clear consequences for antisemitic behavior on campus.

Maddy summaryHR 28, the *Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025*, amends Title IX to prohibit federally funded schools from allowing male-identified individuals (based on biological sex at birth) to compete on women’s or girls’ sports teams. It explicitly states that such participation would violate federal civil rights law, with exceptions only for training/practice that doesn’t displace female athletes from roster spots, competitions, scholarships, or other benefits. The bill mandates a Comptroller General study to define "other benefits" lost by girls when males compete in single-sex sports, including impacts on psychological well-being, scholarship access, and safe participation environments. This bill directly affects all athletic programs receiving federal funding, requiring compliance with its biological-sex-based eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 378, the Thin Blue Line Act, adds a new aggravating factor for the death penalty in federal cases where a defendant kills or targets a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder. It specifically applies when the victim was killed or targeted while performing official duties, because of those duties, or due to their status as a public official. This amendment to federal death penalty law would make the death penalty a potential sentencing option for such crimes, as the killing would be considered an aggravating factor. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of homicides meeting these specific circumstances involving public safety personnel.

Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act This bill nullifies a rule regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. The rule was promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services; is titled  Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage ; and was published April 3, 2024. Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time and are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions). The rule limits the length of the initial contract period for such a plan to no more than three months and, taking into account any renewals or extensions, the maximum coverage period to no more than four months. The rule also includes within the maximum renewal period limitation a new plan sold by the same issuer, or any issuer that is a member of the same controlled group, to the same policyholder within a 12-month period. Regulations in effect prior to the rule this bill nullifies permitted short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans with an initial contract period of fewer than 12 months and a maximum coverage period of up to 36 months, including renewals and extensions.