Rep. Burgess Owens

Maddy summaryHR 1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act, expands tax-advantaged savings plans (529 plans) to cover costs for specific aviation training programs. It allows funds from these plans to pay for tuition, fees, and required materials at FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician schools (Part 147) or commercial pilot training programs (Part 61 or 141). This directly affects students pursuing careers as aircraft maintenance technicians or commercial pilots by making these training costs more affordable through existing tax-advantaged savings. The bill amends the tax code to include these programs under "qualified higher education expenses" for 529 plan distributions.

Maddy summaryHR 314, the FORCE Act, prohibits the President or Secretary of State from removing Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. It requires the President to first make a specific determination under the 1996 LIBERTAD Act before Cuba can be removed. The bill directly affects Cuba (by maintaining its current designation) and the executive branch (by restricting their authority to remove the designation). This is a procedural bill focused on preserving Cuba's current status on the terrorism list until the specified conditions are met.

Maddy summaryHR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, would require public schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with greater access to educational information. The bill mandates that schools post curricula online or widely distribute it to parents, include school budgets in report cards, and provide specific information about school activities including violent incidents and plans to eliminate gifted programs. It also guarantees parents the right to meet with teachers twice a year, review library materials, and address school boards. These requirements would apply to all local educational agencies and schools covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill amends existing education laws to strengthen parental transparency and involvement in their children's education.

Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act of 2023 This bill prohibits federal agencies from conducting or supporting, either directly or indirectly, research that will be conducted by China's government, the Chinese Communist Party, or any agent, instrumentality, or entity belonging to or controlled by either entity.

Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 30 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule that would have required retirement plan managers (like those handling 401(k)s) to follow strict "prudence and loyalty" standards when selecting investments and voting on company matters. The rule, published in December 2022, aimed to protect retirement savings by ensuring fiduciaries prioritize participants' interests. This resolution, if passed, would prevent the rule from taking effect, avoiding new compliance requirements for retirement plan managers and sponsors. It directly affects retirement plan administrators and the millions of participants in these plans.

Maddy summaryThe Kids in Classes Act requires states receiving Title I federal education funds to provide those funds directly to parents and guardians if in-person instruction is unavailable for more than three days during a school year due to public health emergencies or collective bargaining actions. This provision allows families to use the money for educational expenses such as tutoring, curriculum materials, online learning resources, private school tuition, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. The bill is designed to ensure that disadvantaged students, who are disproportionately affected by school closures, continue to receive educational support when regular classroom instruction is not available. By mandating that Title I funds follow eligible children, the legislation aims to prevent widening educational gaps between low-income students and their peers during periods when schools cannot operate normally.

Maddy summaryHR 1141, the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act, repeals a specific provision (Section 136) of the Clean Air Act that established an incentive program for reducing methane emissions and waste in natural gas systems. This bill directly affects natural gas producers and operators who previously participated in or were subject to the methane emissions reduction program. The key mechanism is the removal of this incentive program, eliminating federal requirements and financial incentives related to methane waste reduction for the natural gas industry. The bill also rescinds unobligated funds allocated for this program. This is a policy change removing a regulatory incentive, not a tax repeal.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryHR 1524 (FAIR Act of 2023) prohibits federal agencies, contractors, and recipients of federal funds from intentionally discriminating against or granting preferences based on race, color, or national origin. It directly affects federal contractors, state/local entities receiving federal aid, and educational institutions using federal funds by banning preferential treatment (including quotas or set-asides) in contracts, employment, and admissions. Key provisions require federal agencies to review and update policies within six months of enactment to comply with the ban. The bill does not impact immigration laws or pending cases/contracts but allows civil lawsuits for violations with remedies like back pay and attorney fees.