Rep. Guy Reschenthaler

Maddy summaryThe DAIRY PRIDE Act would require food products using dairy-related terms (like "milk," "yogurt," or "cheese") to meet the FDA's definition of dairy - derived from animal milk - to prevent misleading labeling of plant-based alternatives. It directly affects producers of plant-based products currently marketed with dairy terms, such as almond or oat milk, which often lack comparable nutrition. The bill mandates the FDA issue enforcement guidance within 180 days and report to Congress on actions taken after two years. This policy change aims to align product names with the FDA's existing definition of dairy products under federal law.

Maddy summaryThe Dental and Optometric Care Access Act of 2023 (DOC Access Act) requires health insurance plans covering dental and vision care to allow providers (like dentists and optometrists) to charge patients the usual and customary rate for uncovered services, with a specific rule limiting dental cleanings to the network fee even if it exceeds annual coverage limits. It prohibits plans from restricting providers' choices of laboratories or suppliers for patient care. This law directly affects dental and vision care providers and the health insurance plans that offer these services. The bill establishes concrete billing and coverage standards to improve access to necessary dental and vision care.

USA Batteries Act This bill removes lead oxide, antimony, and sulfuric acid from the list of taxable chemicals subject to the environmental excise tax.

Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 allows individuals and families to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on their federal taxes. It covers gym memberships, fitness classes, and specific equipment used exclusively for exercise (like home workout gear), with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns). Expenses for activities like golf, hunting, or non-exercise-focused facilities (e.g., private clubs) are excluded, and equipment must be used solely for physical activity. This directly affects taxpayers who pay for qualifying fitness programs, making these costs partially tax-deductible under revised IRS rules.

Maddy summaryHR 1346, the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, requires the Director of National Intelligence to declassify specific information related to the origin of the pandemic within 90 days of enactment. It mandates releasing details about potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and COVID-19, including military connections, prior coronavirus research, and health records of researchers who fell ill in autumn 2019. The bill also requires the Director to submit an unclassified report to Congress containing this information, with only minimal redactions for security. This affects the Director of National Intelligence, who must act on the directive, and the public, who would gain access to the declassified materials.

Maddy summaryThe POWER Act of 2023 prevents the President from blocking or delaying new oil, gas, coal, or mineral leases on federal lands without explicit Congressional approval. It specifically stops executive actions that would delay or cancel permits for energy development on National Forests, public lands, the outer continental shelf, or energy-managed lands. The bill requires Congress to pass new laws if it wants to restrict energy leasing or withdraw land from development under existing federal land laws. This directly affects energy companies seeking to develop resources on federal property by limiting executive authority over lease approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.

This bill treats Hurricane Ian (occurring on and after September 22, 2022) as a qualified disaster area for purposes of the disaster-related personal casualty loss tax deduction.

Maddy summaryHR 1322 expands federal retirement benefits to include specific non-traditional law enforcement roles. It adds IRS employees focused on tax collection, U.S. Postal Inspection Service staff, Department of Veterans Affairs police officers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized property specialists to the definition of "law enforcement officer" under federal retirement systems. Current employees in these newly covered positions must elect to pay deposits for past service to receive full retirement credit, while their agencies must contribute additional funds for that past service. The bill also temporarily prevents mandatory separation for current law enforcement officers for three years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 1321, the "More Homes on the Market Act," increases the tax exclusion for gains from selling a primary residence. It doubles the exclusion amount from $250,000 to $500,000 for single filers and from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for married couples filing jointly. The bill also adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to these amounts starting in 2023, ensuring the exclusion keeps pace with rising costs. This change directly affects homeowners who sell their primary residence and meet the ownership and use requirements under current tax law. The policy modifies the Internal Revenue Code to make selling a home less financially burdensome for qualifying homeowners.