Rep. Burgess Owens

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the definition of "numismatic material" to explicitly include coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects under U.S. import rules. It requires importers to provide sworn declarations confirming such items were lawfully acquired, are of a known type (as documented in published numismatic references), and are not linked to illicit excavations. Customs officers must accept this documentation alone unless they have probable cause to suspect fraud, preventing unnecessary additional requirements. The changes primarily affect collectors, dealers, and importers of numismatic items by streamlining lawful import procedures.

Maddy summaryHR 578, "Sarah’s Law," requires mandatory detention for certain non-citizens (aliens) charged with crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It directly affects non-citizens facing such charges and their victims' families. Key provisions mandate that the Department of Homeland Security detain these individuals immediately and notify victims or their closest living relatives (like parents or spouses) about the alien’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. The bill adds specific categories of non-citizens to the mandatory detention list, including those whose visas were revoked or who are deportable for prior immigration violations. This creates a formal process for victim notification while expanding detention requirements under immigration law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. immigration law to deny entry to noncitizens convicted of or admitting to certain violent crimes, and to make them deportable. It directly affects noncitizens who have been convicted of or admitted to sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse/neglect, or violating protection orders involving threats of violence. Key provisions add these offenses as grounds for denying entry (inadmissibility) under Section 212(a)(2) and as grounds for deportation (deportability) under Section 237(a)(2). The law specifies that domestic violence and protection order violations are included regardless of whether the jurisdiction received specific federal grant funding.

This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.

Maddy summaryHR 551, the "Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2025," would require U.S. border officials to apply the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) to all eligible asylum seekers at the southern border, rather than allowing discretion. The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to change the language from "may" to "shall" in Section 235(b)(2)(C), meaning officials must send asylum seekers back to Mexico to await their immigration hearings. This directly affects asylum seekers who would no longer have the option of remaining in the U.S. during processing. The key mechanism is a technical legal change to make the existing MPP policy mandatory for all applicable cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Antiquities Act to require Congress, not the president, to authorize the creation or expansion of national monuments. It directly affects presidents and federal agencies by ending the current practice of presidentially designating monuments under the Antiquities Act. The key provision replaces the existing authority with a requirement for explicit congressional approval for any new monument or extension. This would change the legal process for establishing protected public lands, shifting decision-making power from the executive branch to Congress.

Maddy summaryHR 485, the Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award a gold medal in recognition of Muhammad Ali's lifetime contributions to sports, civil rights, and humanitarian causes. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal and present it to Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, following his death in 2016. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure with no policy impact, solely honoring Ali's legacy through a symbolic medal.

Maddy summaryHR 507, the Veterans Member Business Loan Act, amends the Federal Credit Union Act to explicitly include loans made to veterans as qualifying "member business loans" under credit unions. This change directly affects veterans seeking business financing through federal credit unions, allowing them to access these loans under the same framework as other small business borrowers. The key mechanism is adding a new definition category ("made to a veteran") to the existing eligibility criteria for business loans, using the standard military definition of "veteran" from Title 38, U.S. Code. The bill does not create new funding or programs but expands existing credit union lending options to include veterans. This definition change takes effect six months after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 47 is a House resolution calling on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to revoke its current policy allowing biological males who identify as transgender to compete on women's sports teams. The resolution states this policy discriminates against female athletes and violates Title IX by jeopardizing women's competitive opportunities and safety. It specifically urges the NCAA to implement a biological sex-based policy, requiring only individuals assigned female at birth to compete in women's sports, and to ensure all member conferences comply. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the NCAA change its eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 404, the "Hearing Protection Act," reclassifies firearm silencers (devices that reduce gunfire noise) as firearms for federal tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers, requires the destruction of all existing federal silencer registration records within one year, and preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers. The bill clarifies that silencers are treated as firearms under federal law, including for licensing and marking requirements, and defines "firearm silencer" to include specific components. Note: The bill’s title is misleading - it addresses firearm silencer regulation, not hearing protection for people.