Rep. Lance Gooden

Maddy summaryThe Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023 modifies the Internal Revenue Code to require health insurance plans to cover telehealth services without applying deductibles. It directly affects high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and their enrollees, ensuring telehealth visits aren’t counted toward annual deductibles. The key provision creates a "safe harbor" (Section 223(c)(2)(E)) so plans won’t lose HDHP status for excluding telehealth deductibles. This change applies immediately upon enactment and affects all plans offering telehealth services. It does not create new funding or services but adjusts tax code requirements for existing coverage.

Maddy summaryHR 4035, the Protecting Small Business Information Act of 2023, requires the Treasury Secretary to coordinate the effective dates of all rules under the Corporate Transparency Act. It mandates that all final rules related to beneficial ownership reporting must take effect on the same date, delaying implementation until the Secretary certifies to Congress that all rules are issued and will align on a single effective date. This directly affects small businesses required to report beneficial ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act. The bill’s key mechanism is creating a unified implementation timeline, preventing staggered rule deadlines that could complicate compliance for small entities. It does not change reporting requirements but ensures a synchronized rollout of the regulations.

End Child Trafficking Now Act This bill imposes restrictions related to adult non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) being admitted into the United States with a minor. Such an adult may not be admitted with a minor unless the adult (1) presents documents or witness testimony proving that the adult is a relative or guardian of the minor, or (2) submits to a DNA test that proves such a relationship. The Department of Homeland Security may request a DNA test only if the required relationship cannot be established by the presented documents or witness testimony. An adult who does not consent to a requested DNA test shall be inadmissible. If the required relationship cannot be established and the immigration officer believes the adult is guilty of a felony offense, the officer may arrest the adult. The bill makes it a crime for an adult to knowingly use a minor to whom the adult is not a relative or guardian to enter the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal agencies from using government funds to purchase or operate drones (unmanned aircraft systems) made by "covered foreign entities," primarily targeting entities linked to foreign governments, especially those tied to China as defined in the bill. It directly affects federal agencies and contractors receiving federal funding for drone acquisitions or operations. Key provisions include specific exemptions for national security research, counterterrorism, or cybersecurity needs, and a waiver process requiring approval from Homeland Security or Defense. The law aims to reduce reliance on potentially risky foreign drone technology by restricting federal funding for such systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large credit card issuers (with over $100 billion in assets) to allow merchants to choose which payment networks process credit card transactions, ending restrictions that previously forced merchants to use only one network. It prohibits issuers from blocking merchants from routing transactions through competing networks or penalizing them for choosing non-exclusive processing options. The Federal Reserve must create rules within one year to implement these changes, ensuring merchants have more choice in payment processing. The law does not apply to credit cards issued in a "3-party payment system" model.

This bill generally prohibits Title X grants for family planning services, research, and training from being used for a hotline, website, or other system that provides individuals with counseling and referrals regarding abortion services. However, the prohibition does not apply (1) in cases of rape or incest, or (2) when a physician certifies that the individual suffers from a physical condition that is life-threatening unless an abortion is performed.

Maddy summaryHR 3792 extends U.S. security funding for Israel through 2028 (Section 3) and expands energy cooperation to include advanced nuclear technologies and carbon capture (Section 5). It requires annual reports on regional security partnerships involving Israel (Section 6) and ensures countries in the Abraham Accords can access U.S. development programs (Section 8). The bill also mandates reports on diplomatic efforts against ICC investigations targeting the U.S. and Israel (Section 10) and encourages people-to-people programs to strengthen the Abraham Accords (Sections 7, 9). These provisions directly affect Israel’s diplomatic engagement, security partnerships, and economic cooperation in the Middle East.

Secure Testing Resources Instead of Prosecuting Act or the STRIP Act This bill exempts the possession, sale, or purchase of fentanyl drug testing equipment, including test strips, from criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for expenses related to "qualified access technology for the blind" under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) for costs paid for hardware, software, or IT that converts visual information into formats usable by blind individuals, covering the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent who is blind. The credit is limited to $2,000 over any three consecutive tax years per blind individual and expires after 2028. It directly affects blind individuals and their families who purchase qualifying assistive technology. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other tax deductions or credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all non-profit organizations receiving federal funds to certify they comply with anti-human trafficking, anti-smuggling, and fraud laws, and have no convictions under immigration law (8 U.S.C. 1324). Nonprofits must submit this certification within 60-120 days of the law's enactment; failure to certify or violation of the law results in repayment of funds and potential loss of tax-exempt status. The Department of Homeland Security must create compliance guides and publish violation data, while the GAO will report annually on non-compliance. The law applies to all nonprofits with federal contracts, grants, or agreements, aiming to prevent federal funds from supporting entities involved in trafficking or smuggling.