Rep. Pat Harrigan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense to review and eventually ban contracts with retailers that use payment processing systems from specific countries deemed a national security risk, such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Effective January 1, 2027, the Defense Department will be prohibited from entering into agreements for payment equipment or services if those tools rely on technology developed, owned, or controlled by entities in these nations. The law defines covered systems broadly to include hardware, software, and firmware linked to these countries, aiming to prevent potential foreign access to sensitive military financial data. Retailers wishing to continue working with the Department of Defense must replace their payment processing infrastructure with systems that do not involve these restricted technologies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend federal law to strengthen penalties for organized retail crime by expanding definitions of theft to include digital goods, gift cards, and setting a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for charges over a 12-month period. It would establish a new "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" under Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts against cross-jurisdictional theft groups. The Center would share information with retailers, transportation companies, and law enforcement agencies, track crime trends, and produce annual reports on organized retail crime. This legislation directly affects retailers, supply chain businesses, and law enforcement agencies, while targeting organized crime groups responsible for a 93% increase in larceny incidents and rising safety concerns for retail employees. The bill aims to address significant financial losses and supply chain disruptions noted in the National Retail Federation's 2023 data.

Maddy summaryThe Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026 updates federal laws to clarify the roles, protections, and appointment requirements for Army, Navy, and Air Force chaplains, including those serving the Space Force. The bill establishes specific duties for chaplains to advise commanders on religious freedom, provide spiritual care, and manage religious accommodations while ensuring their work aligns with their sincerely held religious beliefs. It also creates new protections that prevent military members from forcing chaplains to perform rites or tasks contrary to their faith and prohibits retaliation against chaplains who refuse such orders. Additionally, the legislation defines the qualifications for chaplains and sets grade levels for deputy chief positions within each service branch.

Maddy summaryThe Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and manufacture of vehicles and related technology from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to address national security concerns. The law defines prohibited items as connected vehicles, their software, and hardware components and sets different effective dates, with vehicle bans starting in 2027 and hardware restrictions beginning in 2030. A government official can grant exceptions for specific items after reviewing security risks and notifying Congress, while the agency must publish annual reports on enforcement actions and compliance.

Maddy summaryThe Better Energy Storage and Safety Act expands federal efforts to improve the safety and reliability of energy storage systems used in homes and on the electrical grid. It directs government agencies to develop standardized testing methods, including stress tests that push systems to failure, to better predict how these technologies degrade and to mitigate risks like fires or explosions. The legislation also increases funding for demonstration projects and grants, requiring a focus on safer battery chemistries and advanced diagnostic tools. Additionally, it updates the program's goals to include the use of artificial intelligence and digital modeling to enhance the safety of installed energy storage units.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the review authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to include real estate transactions involving specific foreign nations and entities linked to them. It designates certain locations, such as military bases, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure, as "sensitive sites" where purchases or leases by foreign adversaries face stricter scrutiny. Under the new rules, these transactions are presumed to pose an unresolvable national security risk unless the committee provides clear evidence that the threat can be mitigated. The legislation also ensures that existing state laws restricting foreign ownership of farmland remain in effect and requires the committee to issue new regulations within 120 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Armed Forces Carry Rights Protection Act of 2026 modifies federal law to make it easier for military personnel to carry personal firearms on military bases when they are not on duty. Under this bill, commanders would face a legal presumption in favor of approving such requests, shifting the default stance toward allowing carry rather than restricting it. If a commander does deny a request, the law requires them to provide a written explanation that is specific to the individual and based on objective criteria. This change directly affects active-duty service members and the commanders who evaluate their requests for firearm authorization on installation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to share a veteran's history of opioid prescriptions with their community healthcare providers. The rule applies to veterans receiving care outside the VA system and mandates that this prescription data be sent to both the specific non-VA doctors treating them and any third-party administrators managing their care. By updating existing regulations, the legislation aims to improve coordination between VA medical records and private healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive treatment information is available.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act," amends federal law to allow current and honorably discharged military special operations personnel to carry concealed firearms nationwide. It directly affects those who served in specific special operations roles across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The bill expands the existing Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) to include these "qualified special operators," granting them similar concealed carry privileges. Unlike law enforcement officers under LEOSA, these individuals would not be subject to annual firearms qualification requirements, and their authority would be permanent, contingent on maintaining honorable discharge status and federal firearm eligibility. To exercise this authority, they must carry proof of identity and qualification, which can include a new Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs photo identification or official service documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the National Institute of Justice to disclose the specific countries where ballistic-resistant body armor and its fibers are made when listing certified products. It prohibits any such product from being labeled "Made in America" if its fibers were produced outside the United States. Additionally, the Department of Justice is barred from using federal funds to purchase this armor unless it is manufactured domestically, with exceptions only if domestic options are unavailable or fail to meet existing quality standards. The legislation also mandates training for government entities receiving grants to help them understand these new sourcing and labeling rules.