Rep. Bill Posey

Maddy summaryHR 4412, the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2023, creates a federal pilot program allowing states to apply for grants to establish tick identification services. Residents would submit photos of ticks online with location and date details, and tick experts would identify species, assess disease risk, and provide prevention advice within 72 hours. States implementing the program must maintain a database of encounters, including location, tick identification, and educational materials provided. The pilot prioritizes states with high Lyme disease cases and runs through 2027, with annual CDC reports to Congress on collected data.

Maddy summaryHR 4413, the Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to sell a special semipostal stamp (where the price exceeds regular postage) to fund Lyme disease research. The extra revenue from stamp sales will be sent directly to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for tick-borne illness research, with funds specifically protected from being used to offset NIAID's regular budget. The stamp would be available for at least six years, beginning one year after the bill becomes law, and the proceeds cannot reduce other federal funding for NIAID. This bill creates a new public funding mechanism for research, directly affecting those who purchase the stamp and the NIAID research programs.

Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act of 2023 This bill allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure a mortgage taken out by a condominium association for the purpose of repairs, improvements, or alterations to any common system, infrastructure, or facility of the condominium. The bill also allows the FHA to insure a mortgage taken out by a condominium unit owner to pay for special assessments charged by the association for repairs, improvements, or alterations to any common system, infrastructure, or facility of the condominium.

Maddy summaryHRES 573 is a non-binding House resolution designating July 14th as "Collector Car Appreciation Day." It expresses support for recognizing that collecting and restoring historic and classic cars helps preserve U.S. technological achievements and cultural heritage. The resolution highlights how this activity educates youth, supports jobs in restoration across all 50 states, and connects to broader American cultural elements like music and film. It does not impose new requirements but encourages public participation in events celebrating this heritage. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Posey and Bishop on June 30, 2023.

Maddy summaryThe PREVAIL Act (HR 4370) reforms U.S. patent law to strengthen protections for inventors and prevent strategic abuse of patent review processes. It requires 3-member panels for patent reviews, prohibits members who participated in instituting a review from hearing it, and creates clearer rules for "real parties in interest" to prevent parties from hiding behind others. The bill establishes a "single forum" rule to prevent parallel patent challenges in court and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and changes evidentiary standards to require clear and convincing evidence for unpatentability claims. These changes aim to make the patent system more efficient and fair for inventors, particularly small businesses and individual innovators, which the bill states are crucial for U.S. economic competitiveness.

Maddy summaryHR 4335, the VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2023, requires mortgage lenders to include specific information about VA home loan programs in standard mortgage disclosures. The bill amends the National Housing Act to mandate that lenders provide details on VA loans (guaranteed under Title 38) alongside other loan options, including assumptions about prevailing interest rates. This change directly affects lenders processing VA-guaranteed mortgages, ensuring borrowers receive clearer comparisons between VA loans and other financing. The law does not require lenders to verify borrower eligibility for VA loans, only to include the specified disclosure language.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a National Commission on Critical Supply Chains to study vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains for critical products. The Commission would examine dependencies on foreign sources for items including medical supplies, rare earth materials, semiconductors, defense components, and food products. It would identify risks to national security, economic competitiveness, and public health if these supply chains were disrupted. The Commission would produce annual reports with recommendations for Congress to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience. The Commission would operate for 10 years, with an annual budget of $6 million.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act of 2023 extends a 2018 law that prohibits slaughtering animals for human consumption to include horses, donkeys, and other equine animals, such as ponies. It amends Section 12515 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 by updating the language to replace "dog or cat" with "dog, cat, or equine" in both the section title and the main prohibition. This change directly affects the livestock industry and slaughter facilities by banning the processing of equines for food. The bill modifies existing law without adding new enforcement mechanisms, closing a gap in animal protection.

Maddy summaryHJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 538) seeks to formally erase the December 2019 impeachment of President Trump from House records, claiming it was based on "wrongful accusations" and insufficient evidence. It states the impeachment should be treated as if it "never passed the full House," citing an unclassified FBI document referenced in the resolution. As a non-binding House resolution - not a law - it has no legal effect and cannot alter historical records or constitutional processes. The resolution directly addresses the 2019 impeachment proceedings but does not change any legal status or impact ongoing matters.