Rep. Byron Donalds

Maddy summaryHR 3484, the ARC Act, creates a U.S.-led Advanced Reactor Coordination and Resource Center to assist countries developing nuclear energy programs for the first time. The Center would help these "embarking civil nuclear nations" by providing standardized models for program development, coordinating international funding, conducting market analysis, and supporting safety and regulatory standards. It specifically targets countries without existing nuclear programs (excluding nations like China, Russia, and Iran), focusing on practical tools for building civil nuclear infrastructure, including electricity generation and non-electric applications. The bill establishes a framework for U.S. coordination but does not mandate funding or require the Center's creation.

Avoid Our Adversaries and Buy American Nuclear Act This bill requires the Department of State to launch an international initiative to assist certain nations to develop civil nuclear energy programs.  The bill authorizes the State Department to award grants to nations for (1) activities related to the development of civil nuclear energy programs, and (2) building technical capacities related to those activities. The bill also authorizes the State Department to provide financial assistance to nations for the purpose of contracting with U.S. nuclear energy companies for advisors to assist with establishing a civil nuclear program.  The bill excludes Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and certain other countries from receiving assistance under this initiative.

Maddy summaryThe Recoup American Nuclear Global Leadership Act establishes a White House office to coordinate U.S. civil nuclear policy and create a 10-year strategy for increasing nuclear technology exports. It creates a Nuclear Exports Working Group to coordinate with federal agencies and develop export targets for U.S. nuclear reactors, equipment, and materials. The bill aims to strengthen U.S. nuclear energy exports to countries developing nuclear programs ("embarking civil nuclear nations") while promoting cooperation with U.S. nuclear energy companies. It includes provisions for cooperative financing relationships with allied nations to compete with Russia and China in the global nuclear market and for collaborative research on advanced nuclear reactors.

Strategic Nuclear Infrastructure Act This bill establishes a Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group to provide input to the National Security Council and other appropriate federal agencies on the feasibility of establishing a Strategic Infrastructure Fund that may be used to support capital-intensive infrastructure projects related to civil nuclear technologies, microprocessors, and other strategic investments.

Study To Observe and Prevent (STOP) Human Trafficking Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Justice, in coordination with the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, to study and report on the prevalence and instances of human trafficking at adult entertainment clubs in the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 3492, the Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act, prohibits federal agencies from funding or supporting state databases that track lawfully owned firearms or their owners. This directly affects states maintaining such databases, requiring them to cover costs themselves if they choose to keep these systems operational. The bill allows federal funding for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms, as specified in the exception. The key policy change is blocking federal financial support for databases compiling information on legal gun ownership, without banning the databases outright.

Affordable Homeownership Access Act This bill exempts from certain mortgage licensing and registration requirements a person (other than a depository institution) who engages in owner financing. Owner financers (1) originate a limited number of residential mortgage loans in a year, and (2) only originate residential mortgages with respect to property owned by the owner financer.

Mandating the Abolition of a Threat to Consumer Happiness Act or the MATCH Act This bill implements a hiring freeze at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Further, new positions may not be established and employees and officers may not be assigned new duties or transferred to other duty stations.

Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development Act or the SAND Act This bill allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to acquire fill material for beach erosion and nourishment purposes from non-domestic sources even if such materials are available from domestic sources.

Maddy summaryThe TREAT PTSD Act (HR 3023) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to make a nerve block procedure available as a treatment option for veterans and active-duty military members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have chosen to receive it after being informed of risks and benefits. It mandates that the VA and Defense update their joint clinical guidelines for PTSD treatment within 180 days to include this procedure. The bill applies to veterans enrolled in VA care and service members enrolled in TRICARE who have a PTSD diagnosis and consent to the treatment. The policy changes take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.