Rep. Darin LaHood

Maddy summaryHR 2434, the Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023, requires automobile manufacturers to design vehicles for model years 2028 and later to operate with gasoline containing up to 25% ethanol (2028-2032) or 30% ethanol (2033+) and to be compatible with gasoline having a research octane number of 95 or higher (2028-2032) or 98 or higher (2033+). Fuel retailers must install equipment to ensure compatibility with these high-octane, high-ethanol fuels, while refiners must meet specific requirements for gasoline aromatics content and low-carbon fuel standards. The bill mandates labeling requirements to inform consumers about fuel compatibility and potential consequences of using lower-octane fuels. EPA must determine nationwide availability of 98 octane gasoline by 2031 before the full requirements take effect in 2033, affecting automobile manufacturers, fuel retailers, and refiners through changes in vehicle design, fuel composition, and consumer information standards.

Maddy summaryHR 2539 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, which incentivizes private investment in low-income communities. The bill directly affects community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and investors who fund projects in designated low-income areas by ensuring the credit remains available beyond 2025. Key provisions include automatically adjusting the credit amount annually for inflation starting in 2024 and clarifying that the credit can be used to offset alternative minimum tax liability. This maintains the program’s effectiveness in channeling capital to underserved neighborhoods without changing eligibility or funding levels.

Maddy summaryHRES 254 is a symbolic resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating the week of March 26-April 1, 2023, as "National Cleaning Week." It acknowledges the cleaning industry's role in maintaining public health by citing CDC guidance and ISSA data showing cleaning reduces virus transmission. The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any group; it simply recognizes frontline cleaning professionals and promotes awareness of clean environments in schools, workplaces, and homes. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal force but aims to highlight the industry's contributions.

Maddy summaryHR 1740 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to require payment and performance security for projects receiving WIFIA assistance. It directly affects water infrastructure projects funded through WIFIA loans or grants by mandating that construction must have security covering at least 50% of the contract value, or accept equivalent state/local requirements. The bill specifies that if state or local law already requires such security, it may be used instead, but the amount must still meet the 50% minimum. This adds a new financial safeguard to ensure project completion without requiring new funding or changing WIFIA’s core structure.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should negotiate and enforce rules on digital trade and the digital economy with like-minded countries as part of its broader trade and economic strategy.

Maddy summaryThe Renewable Natural Gas Incentive Act of 2023 creates a $1.00 federal tax credit per gallon for renewable natural gas (RNG) used as fuel in vehicles, boats, or aircraft. This credit applies to producers and users of RNG derived from biomass, requiring producers to register with the IRS and provide certification for each sale. Blended RNG (mixed with regular natural gas) can qualify only if accompanied by a prior contract specifying the RNG amount and producer certification. The credit expires December 31, 2033, and does not apply to RNG produced or used outside the United States.

Maddy summaryThe ALIGN Act (HR 2406) permanently allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualified equipment and machinery in the year of purchase, rather than spreading the deduction over multiple years. This applies to property placed in service after September 27, 2017, directly affecting businesses that make capital investments in eligible assets like manufacturing equipment or commercial facilities. The bill eliminates the previous requirement to depreciate these costs over time, reducing taxable income in the purchase year. It makes a temporary 2017 tax provision permanent, impacting businesses across various industries that purchase qualifying property.

Maddy summaryHR 1376, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, requires the Director of National Intelligence to declassify and publicly release specific information related to the origin of the pandemic within 90 days of enactment. It directs the declassification of details about the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s activities (including military ties and pre-pandemic coronavirus research) and health records of researchers who fell ill in autumn 2019, including names, symptoms, and roles. The bill mandates an unclassified report to Congress containing this information, with only minimal redactions for source protection. This legislation directly affects the Director of National Intelligence and aims to make origin-related information available to the public and Congress for pandemic prevention planning.

Maddy summary# Summary of the TAPP American Resources Act This comprehensive legislation, titled the "TAPP American Resources Act" (or "Transparency, Accountability, and Permitting Process for American Resources Act"), is a major overhaul of federal energy and natural resource permitting processes. The key provisions include: 1. **Streamlined Permitting Processes**: - Creates a 50-year term limit for pipeline rights-of-way - Allows oil and gas exploration on non-Federal surface estate without Federal permits - Reduces royalty rates for oil and gas leases from 16.67% to 12.5% - Limits judicial review of permits to cases involving "imminent and substantial environmental harm" 2. **NEPA Reforms**: - Expands categorical exclusions for certain energy projects - Allows use of previously completed environmental assessments for similar projects - Limits environmental reviews to areas directly affected by the proposed action - Reduces consideration of downstream effects of oil and gas consumption 3. **Mining and Mineral Development**: - Designates mining as a "covered sector" for permitting improvement - Creates a memorandum of agreement process for mining projects - Requires mineral resource assessments before land withdrawals - Ensures uranium is considered a critical mineral 4. **Revenue Sharing**: - Changes distribution of Gulf of Mexico revenue to states (37.5% to Gulf states, 62.5% to general fund) - Creates parity in offshore wind revenue sharing with offshore oil and gas - Eliminates administrative fees under the Mineral Leasing Act 5. **Water Quality Certification**: - Limits certification requirements to specific provisions of Clean Water Act sections - Requires states to publish certification requirements within 30 days - Sets 90-day timeline for states to identify additional materials needed The legislation represents a significant shift toward expediting domestic energy production while reducing regulatory burdens, with a focus on oil, gas, and mineral development on federal lands. It includes numerous amendments to existing laws including the National Environmental Policy Act, Mineral Leasing Act, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and Clean Water Act.

Maddy summaryHR 1139, the GUARD VA Benefits Act, amends federal law to strengthen penalties for individuals or organizations charging veterans unauthorized fees when helping with VA benefit claims. It directly affects veterans seeking assistance with VA claims and the representatives (like advocates or attorneys) who might charge them fees. The bill adds a new provision making it a violation to solicit, charge, or receive any fee for preparing, presenting, or prosecuting VA claims, punishable by fines under Title 18. This change specifically targets unauthorized fee-charging while excluding fees covered under existing exceptions in sections 5904 or 1984 of the law.