Rep. Bill Huizenga

Maddy summaryHRES 1226 is a non-binding resolution honoring 282 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during 2023, listed by name in the resolution. It formally acknowledges their sacrifice, expresses unwavering support for current officers, and recognizes the need for adequate resources to protect them. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial tribute to memorialize fallen officers and support their families, aligning with existing National Police Week observances established since 1962.

Maddy summaryHR 7109, the Equal Representation Act, requires the U.S. Census Bureau to add a citizenship status checkbox to the 2030 and future decennial censuses, asking respondents to identify if they are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful residents, or unlawful residents. It then mandates excluding noncitizens (both lawful and unlawful residents) from the population count used to determine each state's number of congressional seats and electoral votes starting with the 2030 census. This bill directly affects how states are apportioned representation in Congress and presidential electoral votes, based solely on the citizen population. The key change is shifting the apportionment base from total population to citizen population alone, using the new census data.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to simplify interstate firearm transfers. It replaces "rifle or shotgun" with "firearm" in transfer rules, allowing all firearms to be treated uniformly. The key change permits licensed dealers to sell firearms to other licensed dealers anywhere in the U.S., and lets licensed sellers transfer firearms to unlicensed buyers at temporary locations (like gun shows) in any state. It also updates residency definitions for military members and federal employees stationed across state lines, clarifying which state they're considered residents of for firearm purposes. The bill directly affects licensed firearm dealers, military personnel, and federal employees who travel between states.

Maddy summaryHR 8272, the Runway Integrity and Military Readiness Act of 2024, prevents the Secretary of Transportation from requiring certain airports to shorten runways, aprons, or taxiways as a condition for federal funding. It directly affects airports that directly support a U.S. Air Force or Air National Guard base, regardless of whether military aircraft are currently stationed there. The bill prohibits the Transportation Secretary from imposing such length or width requirements on these specific airports. This policy change ensures military readiness at these bases by protecting existing runway infrastructure from federal funding conditions related to size.

Maddy summaryHR 8241, the SEC Transparency Act of 2024, requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman to testify semiannually before specific congressional committees about the Commission's activities. The bill mandates that the Chairman testify at least once every six months to the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee, with Commissioners joining at least once annually. This procedural change directly affects SEC leadership by establishing a regular, mandatory reporting schedule to Congress. The law does not alter SEC regulations or enforcement but focuses solely on increasing transparency through scheduled congressional testimony.

Maddy summaryHR 8231, the James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to actor James Earl Jones in recognition of his distinguished career in theater and film, and his role in advancing inclusion and equal opportunities for people of all backgrounds in the entertainment industry. The Treasury will strike the medal with an image and inscription of Jones, and may produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint's public enterprise fund. This bill serves as a ceremonial honor with no new legal requirements or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe SEC Regulatory Accountability Act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses before proposing or finalizing new regulations. It mandates that the SEC assess how regulations impact market participants, evaluate alternatives to minimize burden, and ensure rules are written in plain language with clear justifications. For major regulations, the bill also requires the SEC to establish post-implementation assessment plans to measure economic effects and report on outcomes within four years. This bill directly affects the SEC and other securities regulators like the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, altering their rulemaking processes to prioritize cost-effectiveness and transparency.

Maddy summaryHR 8240, the SEC Cybersecurity Act of 2024, mandates a one-year GAO audit of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) IT infrastructure and data handling practices. The audit will compare the SEC’s IT spending to other federal financial regulators, assess the quality of its IT contracting, evaluate cybersecurity systems, and review recent security incidents. The GAO must report findings and recommendations to the SEC and relevant congressional committees (Financial Services and Banking committees) to identify improvements. This procedural bill does not create new regulations but requires an independent review of the SEC’s current cybersecurity posture.

Maddy summaryHR 8228 transfers the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to become the "Office of Public Accounting Oversight" within the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Office of the Chief Accountant. The bill renames the oversight body, repeals specific Sarbanes-Oxley sections, and shifts responsibilities like audit firm inspections and disciplinary procedures to the SEC. This change takes effect two years after enactment, directly affecting publicly traded companies and their auditors by centralizing oversight under the SEC.

Maddy summaryHJRES 134 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule titled "Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment." The bill targets the specific rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 33898, April 29, 2024) that aimed to strengthen worker protections for temporary agricultural employees. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the Department of Labor's new regulations from being implemented. The measure directly affects the rule's implementation, not the workers or employers it was designed to protect.