Rep. Chellie Pingree

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to require permits for incidental harm to migratory birds (e.g., from construction or energy projects), directly affecting industries that might unintentionally impact birds. It establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for unpermitted incidental take and creates the "Migratory Bird Recovery Fund" to collect fees from permit holders, using funds for bird conservation and administrative costs. The bill also mandates annual $10 million funding, requires industry-specific research programs to monitor bird populations, and demands 5-year reports to Congress on conservation progress. These changes shift enforcement from current practices to a structured permit system with clearer accountability for bird protection.

Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act of 2025 This bill expands the categories of prescription drugs that may be imported into the United States and the countries from which such drugs may be imported. Current law allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to authorize importation of certain eligible prescription drugs from Canada if HHS certifies that doing so would pose no additional risk to public health and safety, among other requirements. HHS long declined to make the requisite certification, citing safety concerns (e.g., contamination, counterfeiting), but ultimately made the certification in 2020 and has since approved one state plan to import drugs. The bill removes the certification requirement and requires HHS to issue regulations that permit importation of qualifying prescription drugs from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and member states of the European Union, in addition to Canada. After one year, if HHS determines that importation of drugs from these countries has been conducted safely, HHS may authorize importation from other countries that meet certain requirements. The bill also expands the types of prescription drugs eligible for importation to include, for example, biologics such as insulin. Further, the bill allows individuals to use an eligible licensed foreign pharmacy to fill a U.S.-issued prescription for a qualifying drug for personal use. Currently, an individual seeking to import a prescription drug generally must acquire a waiver from HHS. Finally, the bill imposes criminal penalties for websites that sell counterfeit drugs or dispense drugs without a required prescription.

Maddy summary# Summary of the SHIPS for America Act This comprehensive legislation focuses on strengthening the U.S. maritime industry, shipbuilding capacity, and maritime workforce to enhance national security and economic competitiveness. ## Key Areas of Focus 1. **Shipbuilding & Maritime Infrastructure** - Establishes a United States Center for Maritime Innovation to accelerate adoption of commercial technologies - Creates a National Shipbuilding Research Program - Requires an annual survey of anticipated commercial vessel construction - Includes provisions for streamlined environmental reviews of maritime infrastructure 2. **Workforce Development** - Establishes the United States Merchant Marine Career Retention Program to maintain mariner qualifications - Creates Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education - Implements military-to-maritime transition programs - Establishes a Maritime Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee 3. **Education & Training** - Expands educational assistance for merchant mariners - Creates eligibility for Naval Postgraduate School for merchant mariners - Establishes maritime education programs from K-12 through higher education - Provides for international exchanges for mariners and naval architects 4. **National Security & Strategic Readiness** - Requires reports on National Defense Reserve Fleet utilization - Includes measures to de-risk the maritime sector from Chinese influence - Enhances shipbuilding capacity for national security needs - Establishes programs to ensure sufficient mariner workforce for national defense 5. **Funding Mechanisms** - Authorizes appropriations from the Maritime Security Trust Fund - Includes funding for workforce programs, education, and shipbuilding initiatives - Establishes specific funding levels for various programs over multiple fiscal years The legislation aims to create a sustainable domestic maritime industrial base that supports both commercial shipping and national defense requirements, with a particular emphasis on developing and retaining a skilled U.S. maritime workforce.

Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025 This bill expands National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage to include the demolition or relocation of certain coastal structures that are facing imminent collapse or subsidence. Specifically, NFIP must pay for demolition or relocation for NFIP-insured structures that are condemned or deemed unsafe by state or local authorities due to the threat of imminent collapse or subsidence from shoreline erosion or that meet other location criteria. The bill sets forth provisions for the valuation of the structure, the maximum claim to be paid, and the terms of coverage termination. This bill applies to structures covered by NFIP (1) for a period of 12 months on or before the date of the bill’s enactment, or (2) for a continuous period of 4 years prior to certification for coverage established by this bill.

Maddy summaryHR 3112, the Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025, strengthens enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act by requiring dealers and exhibitors to hold valid licenses for animal sales or transport (Section 4). It expands enforcement authority by allowing the Attorney General to sue violators for up to $10,000 per day, seize animals, and seek injunctions (Section 20), while clarifying that courts can address violations of related rules and regulations. The bill directly affects animal dealers, exhibitors, the USDA, and the Department of Justice, creating clearer pathways for holding violators accountable. Key provisions include updating definitions, broadening inspection powers to cover all regulations, and directing penalty funds toward temporary animal care costs during legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHR 3094, the PREP Act, shortens probationary periods for new federal employees. It reduces the standard 1-year probation to 6 months for individuals who previously worked in the executive branch civil service, and to 12 months for all other new hires. This applies to competitive service positions (most federal jobs), excepted service roles, and the Senior Executive Service. The bill directly affects new federal employees by accelerating their transition to permanent status based on prior federal experience. It makes no changes to current employees or existing probationary terms.

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to employee ownership by modifying the Small Business Act to allow S corporations owned by employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to retain small business status, even when an ESOP owns over 49% of the company. It creates a new Treasury Department office to provide education and technical assistance for S corporations establishing ESOPs, and establishes a Labor Department Advocate for Employee Ownership to coordinate outreach and resolve disputes. These changes directly affect S corporations transitioning to ESOP ownership and their employees, who gain retirement benefits through ESOP accounts. The bill aims to increase employee ownership by removing eligibility barriers and improving support for businesses adopting this model.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the REHIRE Act (HR 3093), creates a hiring preference for certain federal employees who were involuntarily separated between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2027. It directly affects career federal employees removed during that period who were not in political positions or separated for misconduct or poor performance. The key provision gives these employees 5 additional points in their hiring rating (under 5 U.S.C. §3309) and deems them "preference eligible" for competitive service positions. The preference expires 5 years after the bill becomes law and does not apply to political appointees, those fired for misconduct, or those with documented poor performance reviews.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal executive agencies from renewing or entering contracts for specific consumer products containing PFOS or PFOA (types of harmful PFAS chemicals) after its effective date. Covered items include nonstick cookware, cooking utensils, and furniture/carpet treated with stain-resistant coatings. Agencies must prioritize purchasing PFAS-free alternatives when available and practical for these items. The law applies to all contracts entered into six months after enactment.