Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. federal agencies to prioritize native plants over non-native plants in landscape projects at federal facilities (like government buildings, military bases, and national parks). It mandates agencies to consider environmental benefits - such as supporting pollinators, reducing water use, and preventing soil erosion - when making planting decisions. Agencies must update design standards within 270 days and include these requirements in all relevant contracts. The Council on Environmental Quality will provide implementation guidance and publish biennial reports on native plant usage across federal projects.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HRES 933) symbolically opposes New York’s Clean Slate Act, which automatically seals certain criminal records (misdemeanors after 3 years, some felonies after 8 years) for eligible individuals. It argues the law would prevent employers from accessing background checks during hiring, though the resolution itself has no legal effect. The resolution urges New York to prioritize crime prevention and public safety over this policy, citing concerns about employer access and recent crime statistics. (Note: This is a non-binding expression of opinion, not a legislative change.)

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Defense Secretary to use cost-plus incentive-fee contracts for military construction at three specific ICBM bases (F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, and Minot) for the Sentinel missile program's initial production phase. It directly affects the Sentinel program's infrastructure development at these three Air Force bases by modifying standard contracting rules. The key provision permits a specific contract type (cost-plus incentive-fee) for one low-rate production lot of launch facilities and related infrastructure, which typically carries higher cost risk than fixed-price contracts. This change aims to reduce schedule and cost risks for the program's construction phase without altering the program's core mission or policy.

Maddy summaryHR 6735, the Fighter Force Preservation Act of 2023, requires the Air Force Secretary to develop a 12-year strategic plan for maintaining the tactical fighter force structure. The plan must detail specific actions for aircraft procurement, unit activation/deactivation, maintaining operational readiness during changes, and potential use of new capabilities like Collaborative Combat Aircraft and synthetic training systems. It mandates that the plan address the mix of aircraft needed to meet global operational requirements, with unit-level details for each active and reserve fighter unit. The Air Force must submit this comprehensive plan to Congress by April 1, 2024, in unclassified form with a potential classified annex. This bill directly affects Air Force leadership's planning processes for managing its fighter fleet.

Maddy summaryHR 6416, the "Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Tax Act," imposes a 100% tax on interest and dividends earned from frozen Russian and Belarusian sovereign assets held abroad. This tax revenue is directed into a new Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund, which must be used for Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid, economic development, and transparent governance. The bill requires U.S. financial institutions to withhold this tax from qualifying income and overrides international treaty obligations to ensure implementation. It also mandates annual reports on fund usage to Congress, specifying that all revenues from the tax must support Ukraine's recovery efforts as defined in the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing law to authorize the Starr-Camargo Bridge Company to expand the bridge near Rio Grande City, Texas, including adding adjacent spans and implementing multimodal tolls. It extends the construction deadline from 3 to 60 years and the operational period from 5 to 65 years. The changes specifically apply to the Starr-Camargo Bridge and its operators, without affecting the separate San Benito International Bridge (formerly known as the Free Trade International Bridge). The bill clarifies the company’s rights for expansion, control, operation, and maintenance of the bridge.

Maddy summaryHR 3063, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2023, modifies securities laws to clarify exemptions for certain retirement plans. It expands the definition of exempt retirement plans under the Investment Company Act, Securities Act of 1933, and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to include 403(b) plans used by charities and educational institutions. These plans must meet specific conditions, such as being subject to ERISA or having employers act as fiduciaries for investment choices. The bill directly affects eligible organizations by reducing regulatory barriers for offering retirement benefits to their employees. This change simplifies compliance without altering the core structure of retirement plans.

Maddy summaryHR 1553 (HALOS Act of 2023) updates securities rules to allow early-stage companies to present funding opportunities at specific events without triggering "general solicitation" restrictions under federal law. It specifically exempts presentations at events sponsored by universities, angel investor groups, nonprofits, or venture associations, provided no specific offering details (like pricing or terms) are shared and sponsors don’t provide investment advice or charge fees. This directly affects startups seeking seed funding and angel investor groups organizing such events. The bill requires the SEC to revise Regulation D within 6 months to implement these changes, removing a barrier for startups to connect with investors at organized gatherings.

This bill allows a new income-based tax credit for qualified organized sport equipment expenses, up to $200 for a taxable year. The bill defines qualified organized sport equipment expenses as expenses for the participation of a taxpayer dependent in an organized sport, game, or hobby program that is primarily for unrelated individuals who have not attained age 19 to engage in such sport, game, or hobby.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nonrefundable tax credit for eligible elementary and secondary school supply expenses paid by taxpayers with dependent children enrolled in public, private, or religious K-12 schools. It allows a credit of up to $200 per year for expenses like books, supplies, and equipment, but reduces the credit for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $150,000. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already used for Coverdell Education Savings Account withdrawals. It applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.