Rep. Burgess Owens

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Title IX to prohibit individuals assigned male at birth (based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth) from using locker rooms designated for females during active use in school programs. It directly affects transgender girls and schools implementing gender-segregated facilities. The key provision makes it unlawful under federal law to use such facilities when they are actively used by individuals of a different sex. The policy change takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges receiving federal financial aid to prohibit events promoting antisemitism, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition (including contemporary examples). It bans institutions from authorizing, funding, or otherwise supporting such events on campus. The policy change applies directly to all higher education institutions covered by the Higher Education Act of 1965. This amendment modifies existing federal funding requirements for colleges.

Maddy summaryThe Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse State homes or provide medications directly for certain high-cost drugs used by veterans in State-run nursing homes. A medication is defined as high-cost if its price (including a 3% fee) exceeds 8.5% of the VA's monthly payment for the veteran's care at that home. This applies specifically to State homes that provide such medications to veterans under VA contracts. The bill ensures veterans receive essential medications without financial burden on the State homes, using clear cost thresholds to determine eligibility.

TAP Promotion Act This bill requires that pre-separation counseling under the Transition Assistance Program include a presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also requires the VA to annually report on the presentation to (1) identify veterans service organizations that participate, (2) provide the number of members of the Armed Forces who attend, and (3) provide any recommendations for changes to the presentation.

Maddy summaryThe Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 allows state and federal correctional facilities to operate jamming systems that block cell signals from entering or leaving the facility, specifically targeting contraband devices used by inmates. It directly affects prisons and jails by enabling them to disrupt unauthorized wireless communications without FCC approval, provided the jamming is limited to housing areas within the facility. Key requirements include state facilities covering all costs themselves, consulting with local law enforcement before implementation, and notifying the Bureau of Prisons. The law aims to address security risks from smuggled phones while restricting jamming to only necessary areas and requiring transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Medicare coverage for home-based treatment of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disorder (a rare genetic condition causing lung and liver damage). It specifically covers "augmentation therapy" (replacement protein therapy) delivered at home by qualified suppliers to Medicare Part A and B enrollees with this diagnosis who aren't in Medicare Advantage plans. The bill establishes payment for intravenous kits and up to 2 hours of nursing services per session, set at 80% of the lesser of actual cost or a defined rate. It amends Medicare rules to include this treatment under coverage, effective January 2027.

Maddy summaryHR 2314, the FAIR Act, requires hospitals participating in Medicare-funded residency programs to annually report data on applicants and acceptances from both osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) medical schools. Hospitals must publicly affirm they consider applicants from both pathways equally and accept scores from either the COMLEX (for DOs) or USMLE (for MDs) exams. Non-compliant hospitals face a 2% reduction in Medicare payments starting in 2026 for each prior year of non-reporting. The bill directly affects hospitals receiving Medicare residency funding, aiming to increase transparency in admissions without mandating specific acceptance rates or federal oversight of medical education.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Congressional Fitness Challenge, a national program promoting physical fitness for students aged 6-17 in public, private, or home schools. It requires five standardized fitness tests (1-mile run, pull-ups, curl-ups, shuttle run, and sit-and-reach) administered by certified fitness professionals, with performance benchmarks set by age and gender. Participants meeting these benchmarks receive a certificate signed by congressional leaders, with recognition levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold) based on percentile performance relative to peers. The program is funded through existing congressional allowances for Members of Congress to organize local events, overseen by the House Administration and Senate Rules committees.

Maddy summaryHR 2271, the Change of Ownership and Conversion Improvement Act, establishes a fee system for institutions of higher education seeking to change ownership or convert from proprietary to nonprofit status. Institutions would pay fees equal to 0.15% of their revenue (0.30% for conversions) to fund expedited reviews by the Department of Education, which must process applications within 90 days. The bill creates a 5-year monitoring period for converted institutions, requiring annual fees to ensure compliance with nonprofit requirements and tax regulations. These fees would partially fund both Department of Education processing and Internal Revenue Service monitoring of financial relationships. The act aims to address current delays in processing (up to 5 years) while ensuring proper oversight of federal student aid funds during ownership transitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicare's physician self-referral rules to improve access for rural communities. It creates a new exemption for "covered rural hospitals" (defined as facilities in rural areas more than 35 miles from another hospital or critical access hospital) from certain restrictions on physicians owning hospitals. The bill also removes a prohibition on expanding existing physician-owned hospitals, allowing such expansions after the law's enactment. These changes directly affect rural hospitals seeking Medicare participation and physicians who own or operate hospitals in underserved areas.