Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryThe Farmland Security Act of 2023 amends the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act to strengthen oversight of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. It increases civil penalties for foreign-owned shell corporations (defined as entities with no real operations) to 100% of the land's fair market value and requires these entities to correct filings within 60 days to avoid penalties. The bill mandates annual audits of 10% of foreign land ownership reports and directs the Secretary to conduct annual research on foreign agricultural leasing, land purchases by shell corporations, and impacts on family farms. It also requires annual reports to Congress on these findings and authorizes $2 million yearly for implementation through fiscal year 2028.

Maddy summaryThe UNLEADED Act requires the FAA to create an education program about unleaded aviation gasoline for pilots, flight schools, airport operators, maintenance technicians, and fixed-base operators. The program must publish online information on fuel compatibility, availability, required certifications, safety, and federal incentives, plus maintain a real-time tracking system for authorized unleaded fuels. The FAA must also coordinate annual training for fixed-base operator staff on fuel handling and safety. The program runs until December 31, 2030, with annual updates provided to Congress on progress. This directly affects general aviation users transitioning from leaded 100LL fuel to new unleaded alternatives.

Maddy summaryHR 6415, the CARE for First Responders Act, creates targeted mental health support for first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 operators (previously excluded from many services). It establishes a 24/7 confidential mental health hotline integrated with the 988 Suicide Lifeline, funds mobile crisis teams for disaster response, and mandates specialized training to reduce stigma and improve access to culturally competent care. The bill requires the development of peer support programs and education for responders and their families on mental health coping strategies. It authorizes $5 million annually (2024-2028) for grants to states and organizations to implement these services, specifically addressing the higher rates of mental health challenges and suicide among first responders compared to the general population.

Maddy summaryHR 6433, the PARA-EMT Act of 2023, creates a federal grant program to address critical shortages in emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. It authorizes $50 million annually (2024-2028) for grants to EMS agencies to fund recruitment, training, and retention programs - including initiatives for veterans, rural communities, and youth - while requiring 20% of grants to support rural agencies. The bill also establishes a separate $20 million annual grant program to help veterans with military EMS training meet civilian certification requirements and mandates a federal study on projected EMS workforce needs through 2032. These provisions directly affect EMS agencies, training programs, and veterans seeking civilian EMS careers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to provide written information about Down syndrome outcomes and support resources within 60 days of a diagnosis. It directly affects individuals diagnosed with Down syndrome (or pregnant people receiving a fetal diagnosis) and their parents/guardians, as well as group health plans and individual insurance providers. The resources must include evidence-based, culturally appropriate information on physical and developmental outcomes, developed with medical and disability experts, plus contact details for Down syndrome support organizations like the National Down Syndrome Society. The requirement applies to all health plans starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund state-run telephone check-in services for older adults (60+) and adults with disabilities who are socially isolated and lack support systems, with priority for rural and medically underserved communities. States would use grant funds to provide regular phone calls from volunteers or staff, with voluntary referrals to services like mental health care or nutrition programs - never mandatory interventions. The program requires annual reporting on participation, call frequency, and satisfaction, while excluding personal data, and authorizes $5 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2027, effective October 2024. It directly affects vulnerable seniors and disabled adults facing isolation, particularly in areas with limited community resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a tax incentive allowing businesses to immediately deduct costs for cleaning up contaminated properties (brownfields). It modifies the tax code to permit these deductions for expenses paid between 2012-2022 and starting in 2027. The change directly affects developers and property owners involved in brownfields redevelopment projects, enabling them to reduce taxable income for cleanup costs. The policy update avoids requiring capitalization of remediation expenses over time, providing immediate tax relief during specified periods.

Maddy summaryHR 6424, the SIGHT Act, establishes a new Chief Innovation Officer for Health within USAID's Global Health Bureau to coordinate and advance research and development of health technologies specifically designed for low-resource settings in low- and middle-income countries. It creates a Global Health Research and Development Advisory Council to advise USAID on priorities, requires a dedicated budget line for these activities (ensuring funding is "additional" and not replacing existing programs), and authorizes grants to support technology development, evaluation, and capacity-building in partner countries. The bill directly affects USAID's global health programming, partner nations, and health technology developers working on diseases like malaria, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic preparedness. It aims to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of USAID's health programs by structuring innovation efforts around community and country needs in resource-limited contexts.

This resolution urges members of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to deny airport access and apply sanctions to certain Iranian airlines that are currently sanctioned by the United States. The resolution also advises EU and NATO members to consider the risks of doing business with companies that facilitate Iran's global sponsorship of terrorism and reminds airports worldwide that sanctions applied against Iranian airlines could be applied to individuals or entities that provide material support to those airlines.

Maddy summaryThe Hudson River Protection Act prohibits vessels from anchoring in a specific reach of the Hudson River unless they are within anchorage grounds established before January 1, 2021. This rule directly affects commercial and recreational vessels operating in that designated river segment, requiring them to use only pre-existing anchorage zones. The bill amends a section of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to mandate the Coast Guard Commandant enforce this restriction. It does not create new anchorage areas but limits anchoring to zones already authorized prior to 2021.