Rep. Burgess Owens

American Workforce Empowerment Act This bill allows tax-preferred college savings plans (529 plans) to fund certain postsecondary certificate programs and apprenticeship programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 29 is a procedural resolution that would amend House rules to create the "Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs." This committee would study and recommend cutting underperforming or nonessential federal programs, requiring annual reports listing such programs and submitting related legislation. The resolution also establishes expedited procedures for bills reported by this committee, including limiting debate to 10 hours and making motions to proceed highly privileged. It does not directly affect constituents but changes House committee structure and procedures.

Maddy summaryHR 287, the CRT Transparency Act, requires states and local school districts to publicly post all curriculum materials for every elementary and secondary school grade level on accessible websites. Specifically, it amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to mandate that states ensure local agencies post curricula online, and that local agencies themselves must make their grade-level curricula publicly available. This directly affects all public K-12 schools and their governing bodies by creating a new transparency requirement for teaching materials. The bill focuses solely on making curriculum content publicly accessible online, without specifying content types or subject areas. It does not alter curriculum content itself but requires existing materials to be posted online for public review.

Maddy summaryHR 263, the STOVE Act, prohibits federal agencies from creating or implementing rules that ban or restrict gas-powered stoves, cooktops, ranges, or ovens in the United States. It blocks agencies like the EPA or DOE from proposing or finalizing regulations that would limit the sale or use of these appliances. The bill directly affects federal rulemaking processes related to home energy appliances, preventing new restrictions from being enacted. This is a policy change that stops federal action on appliance bans, not a change to existing appliance use.

Maddy summaryHJRES 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently set the Supreme Court's size at nine justices. The bill would require any future changes to the Court's composition to follow this specific number, locking in the current structure. It does not alter the existing Court size (which has been nine since 1869) but aims to prevent future adjustments through legislative action. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to take effect. This is a procedural proposal focused on constitutional structure, not a direct policy affecting citizens or programs.

Maddy summaryHR 59, the SAVE Act, prohibits the sale of petroleum products drawn from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities headquartered in specific countries listed in federal regulations or to any entity based in Russia. This policy change directly affects energy companies and organizations operating in those designated countries or Russia, restricting their access to the government's emergency oil stockpile. The bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by adding a new section (170) that mandates this sales prohibition, with minor updates to existing law to reflect the change. The key mechanism is a direct ban on SPR petroleum sales to the specified entities, effective upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes nationwide recognition for valid concealed carry permits. It allows permit holders from any state to carry concealed handguns in states that either issue such permits or don't ban concealed carry, provided they carry a photo ID and their valid permit. Key provisions include making presentation of a valid permit and ID prima facie evidence of compliance, shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors if challenged, and requiring courts to award attorney fees to successful defendants. It does not override state laws prohibiting concealed carry on private property or government lands, nor does it affect restrictions on federal lands like national parks.

Maddy summaryHR 146, the "Old Glory Only Act," prohibits U.S. diplomatic and consular posts from flying any flag other than the U.S. flag above the buildings. This law directly affects all U.S. embassies, consulates, and other official diplomatic facilities abroad. The Secretary of State is required to ensure compliance with this rule, mandating that only the U.S. flag be displayed at these locations. The bill makes no exceptions for foreign flags or other symbols at these specific government properties.

Maddy summaryHR 130, the Thin Blue Line Act, amends federal death penalty law to add a new consideration for sentencing. It specifies that killing or targeting a law enforcement officer (including firefighters and other first responders) while they are performing official duties, because of their duties, or due to their status as a public official qualifies as an aggravating factor. This change directly affects defendants convicted of such killings, making the death penalty a potential sentence in these specific cases. The bill does not alter sentencing ranges but adds this circumstance as a factor judges must weigh during sentencing.

Maddy summaryHR 53 (FIND Act) requires federal contractors to certify they do not refuse to work with firearm manufacturers, dealers, ammunition sellers, or related safety device companies based on bias. It prohibits main contractors from awarding subcontracts exceeding 10% of a contract’s value to entities that fail to make this certification, and bans efforts to circumvent the rule through complex subcontract tiers. The law applies to all federal procurement contracts, directly affecting businesses bidding on government work. Violations risk contract termination and suspension from future government contracts.