Rep. Mike Johnson

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.

National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Program. The bill further directs DOJ to award a grant under the program to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs operated by the of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum.

Maddy summaryHRES 363 is a resolution expressing support for recognizing National Police Week, an annual observance established by law to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The resolution acknowledges 556 officers killed in the line of duty during 2022 and calls for ensuring law enforcement officers have necessary equipment, training, and resources to protect both themselves and the public. It encourages the American public to observe National Police Week by honoring law enforcement personnel and recognizing their essential mission in serving communities across the United States. This resolution does not create new law but formally expresses congressional support for an existing observance.

Maddy summaryHRES 384 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for designating May 2023 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It highlights that motorcycles are used by approximately 30 million Americans annually and emphasizes the importance of rider safety education, proper licensing, protective gear, and mutual awareness between motorcyclists and other road users. The resolution encourages all road users to share the road safely and recognizes motorcyclists' right to participate in transportation. It does not create new laws or regulations but aims to promote existing safety practices through public awareness. The resolution directly affects motorcyclists, drivers, and the broader public by encouraging safer road behavior during May 2023.

Bringing Aquaculture Indemnities To Speed Act or the BAITS Act This bill expands the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to eligible producers of farm-raised fish. (LIP provides indemnity payments to eligible livestock producers for loss or reduced sales price due to specified events.) Specifically, the bill adds farm-raised fish to the LIP definition of livestock , expanding LIP indemnity payments to farm-raised fish producers due to (1) an attack by an animal reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law (e.g., avian predators) or (2) disease. Under current law, LIP also provides indemnity payments to eligible livestock producers due to adverse weather. This bill prohibits LIP from making payments to producers of farm-raised fish due to adverse weather.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds law enforcement officers and firefighters to the list of groups eligible for free annual passes to national parks and federal recreational lands. It amends existing law to require the Secretary to provide these passes at no cost to qualifying officers (who prevent/detect crime or supervise offenders) and firefighters (who suppress fires, including wildland fires). Eligibility requires providing proof of employment with a federal, state, local, or tribal government entity. The pass covers access to national parks and federal recreational areas, directly benefiting these public safety workers.

Maddy summaryHR 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, amends Title IX to prohibit federally funded schools and athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in women's or girls' sports teams. The bill defines "sex" for this purpose as "reproductive biology and genetics at birth," making it a violation of federal law to permit such participation in designated women's or girls' programs. It allows males to train with women's teams only if no female is deprived of a roster spot, competition opportunity, scholarship, or other benefit tied to the team. This law directly affects public and private schools receiving federal financial assistance that operate athletic programs.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryThe VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to schedule appointments for enrolled veterans during the same phone call when they request care. This applies to veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system who contact the VA by phone to request appointments. The law mandates that the VA must complete the scheduling during the call - without delay or future scheduling - regardless of the appointment date. The requirement takes effect 120 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHR 2647, the Restore Public Health Institution Trust Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Comptroller General to produce a report within 120 days of enactment examining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) public health messaging and guidance during the pandemic. The report must analyze the data used by the CDC, assess how inconsistent messaging affected public trust and vaccine uptake (including for school-age children), and evaluate potential influence from outside groups like teachers unions. It will also provide recommendations to improve the CDC's future communication and decision-making processes. This bill does not change CDC policies but mandates an independent review to address concerns about public health communication. The report will be submitted to specific congressional committees focused on health, education, and oversight.