Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention services - including PrEP and PEP drugs, related lab tests, counseling, and monitoring - without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) or prior approval. It applies to private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid/CHIP, and federal employee health plans, directly affecting people who use HIV prevention medications. Key provisions mandate 100% coverage for FDA-approved HIV prevention drugs, eliminate cost-sharing for these services, and prohibit insurers from requiring preauthorization for them. The bill defines covered services to include all necessary components of HIV prevention care as outlined in current public health guidelines.

Maddy summaryHR 5126, the HIV Prevention Now Act, appropriates $2.165 billion for the CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention for fiscal year 2026. This funding is in addition to existing CDC appropriations and must be used exclusively by that specific center for its programs, with no transfer to other entities. The bill directly affects the CDC's public health operations by providing dedicated resources for prevention and treatment programs targeting HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, and tuberculosis. It does not create new policies or alter eligibility but ensures sustained funding for existing prevention efforts at the federal level.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to issue photo identification cards meeting REAL ID standards to U.S. citizen prisoners being released from federal custody within 180 days of enactment. The card is valid for 18 months and must be accepted by states for state ID purposes (through negotiated agreements) and by federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food assistance, and housing programs. It directly affects federal prisoners upon release, states (through required negotiations), and federal agencies that provide services requiring ID. The law mandates annual reports to Congress on state agreement progress but does not change existing prerelease planning procedures.

Maddy summaryHR 5073, the INFORM Act of 2025, requires immigration authorities to notify the immediate family of a detained individual within 24 hours if they are transferred to a different detention facility. This applies directly to immigrants held under U.S. immigration law and their immediate family members, defined as parents, children, spouses, and certain extended family like step-relatives or domestic partners. The law mandates that notifications include the reason for the transfer and full contact details (name, address, phone number, and point of contact) for the new facility. It establishes a specific timeline and content requirement for these notifications to improve transparency during detention transfers. The bill focuses on procedural changes for facility transfers, not on altering detention policies or immigration eligibility.

Maddy summary# Summary of Proposed FEMA Reform Legislation (FEMA Act of 2025) This comprehensive legislative document proposes significant reforms to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, with four main sections addressing: ## 1. Disaster Assistance Reforms - **Expanded eligibility** for assistance, including clarifying that absence of a fixed address doesn't disqualify individuals from sheltering assistance - **Improved rental assistance** with consideration of local post-disaster rent increases - **Direct assistance** for those unable to use financial assistance, with no requirement to show other assistance can cover costs (except insurance) - **Enhanced notices** for applicants, including documentation of denial decisions - **Clarification of displacement assistance** eligibility, stating insurance shouldn't be considered a duplication of benefits ## 2. Mitigation Program Enhancements - **Preapproved project mitigation plans** requiring states to develop plans with peer review processes - **Improved allocation of funds** with formulas prioritizing vulnerable communities, high-risk areas, and rural/economically distressed communities - **Resilient buildings** requirements for housing retrofits using the latest building codes - **Streamlined application processes** for hazard mitigation funds across multiple programs - **Study on mitigation benefits** to evaluate cost savings and effectiveness ## 3. Transparency and Accountability Measures - **Public dashboards** for both individual assistance (431) and public assistance (432) showing application status, approvals, denials, and funding - **Transparency requirements** for disaster declarations with detailed justifications for approvals/denials - **GAO studies** on numerous topics including: - Identity theft in disaster assistance (409) - Insurance utilization for public assistance facilities (410) - Wildfire management plans (411) - Effectiveness of alerting systems (412) - Cost savings of repair/rebuilding reforms (415) - **Prohibition on political discrimination** in assistance distribution ## 4. Workforce and Operational Improvements - **Study on workforce retention** in noncontiguous communities - **Pilot program** for preliminary damage assessments in remote communities - **Fast-moving disasters working group** to develop best practices for rapid response The legislation focuses on improving efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of disaster relief programs while prioritizing vulnerable populations and communities with higher risk of disasters. It also emphasizes data-driven decision making through required studies and reports to continuously improve disaster management policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal courts from excluding potential jurors based on disability or age. It amends jury selection laws to require reasonable accommodations (like sign language interpreters or accessible seating) so people with disabilities can serve if otherwise qualified. The law removes automatic disqualification for "infirmity" and ensures individuals aren't barred from jury service solely due to disability when accommodations could enable participation. It directly affects millions of Americans with disabilities and older adults who may have been previously excluded from federal jury duty. The changes apply specifically to jury service in U.S. district courts.

Maddy summaryHR 5093, the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, would transfer authority over the District of Columbia National Guard from the President of the United States and the Commanding General to the Mayor of the District of Columbia. The bill amends federal laws and the District's home rule charter to replace references to federal officials with the Mayor in provisions covering appointments, deployment orders, and military courts. This change would make the Mayor the commander-in-chief of the D.C. National Guard, aligning local control with the District's home rule structure. The bill directly affects the District of Columbia National Guard and the Mayor's office by shifting leadership authority from federal to local oversight.

Maddy summaryHR 5028, the SAFE Act of 2025, amends the Privacy Act to increase accountability for certain federal employees who intentionally or willfully violate privacy rules. It defines "covered special Government employees" as senior-level federal workers (in roles equivalent to GS-13 or higher, excluding advisory committee members or interns) who mishandle personal data. The bill allows individuals harmed by such violations to sue the employee directly, removing immunity and requiring personal liability for damages. It also permits state attorneys general to file lawsuits on behalf of residents affected by intentional privacy breaches by federal personnel.

Maddy summaryHR 5009, the Fine Arts Protection Act of 2025, requires the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive review of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Fine Arts Program within one year of the bill’s enactment. The review will survey every artwork in the GSA’s public collection - including New Deal-era pieces - estimate its economic value, assess management practices, staffing, funding, and compare GSA’s approach to other art collections. The Comptroller General must then submit a report to Congress within two years, detailing findings and recommending whether the GSA should continue managing the collection. This bill directly affects the GSA’s Fine Arts Program and provides Congress with data to inform future decisions about the collection’s preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently establishes the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) within the State Department, expanding their role to prioritize family reunification for U.S. military personnel and veterans with Afghan allies. It mandates the Coordinator to collect detailed data on Afghan applicants (including special immigrant visa seekers, refugees, and parolees), vetting timelines, and pending family reunification cases into a centralized database. The Coordinator must report this data to Congress every 90 days to ensure transparency and inform policy decisions. The law directly affects Afghan allies and their families seeking U.S. relocation, particularly those connected to U.S. military service.