Rep. Glenn Grothman

Maddy summaryThe Interstate Commerce Simplification Act of 2024 clarifies the definition of "solicitation of orders" in the Uniform Commercial Code to include any business activity that helps facilitate order requests - such as advertising or sales calls - even if the activity serves other independent business purposes. This change directly affects businesses selling goods across state lines, particularly regarding state sales tax and regulatory compliance. The bill achieves this by adding a new definition paragraph to an existing legal section, explicitly stating that activities aiding order solicitation count as "solicitation" regardless of other functions. This aims to reduce ambiguity for businesses operating in multiple states without altering existing tax or regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryHRES 1148 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns the Iranian government for supporting terrorism, regional proxy conflicts, and internal suppression of dissent - including its crackdown on protests following Mahsa Amini's death in 2022. It specifically calls for maintaining sanctions against Iran, supporting the Iranian Resistance's Ten-Point Plan (which advocates for a democratic, secular, nonnuclear Iran), and protecting Iranian political refugees in Albania. The resolution also affirms the Iranian people's right to self-determination under international law and urges the U.S. to recognize their struggle for freedom. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional stance.

Maddy summaryHJRES 123 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule published on March 11, 2024, which would have required chemical facilities to implement new safety measures under the Clean Air Act to prevent accidental releases. The rule, titled "Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention," aimed to strengthen existing risk management programs at chemical plants. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect by invoking a federal process for disapproving agency regulations. It directly affects the EPA's regulatory authority and the chemical industry's compliance obligations under the Clean Air Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill would terminate 39 federal diversity, equity, and inclusion offices across multiple departments, including the State Department, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture. It specifically prohibits cabinet-level agencies from developing or maintaining any diversity-related initiatives or plans. The law would take effect immediately upon enactment, eliminating these offices without requiring new funding or implementation steps. This is a structural change to federal agency operations, directly affecting how government departments manage workforce diversity programs.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 116 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule finalized on January 10, 2024, which aimed to clarify how businesses classify workers as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If passed, this resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect, directly affecting businesses that use independent contractors and their workers, who rely on FLSA protections for minimum wage and overtime pay. The bill uses a specific congressional process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to disapprove the rule, rather than creating new policy. This action would maintain the existing classification standards until a new rule is established.

Maddy summaryHR 7873, the Firearm Due Process Protection Act, directly affects individuals denied firearm purchases through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill requires courts to hold hearings on challenges to NICS denials within 30 days and shifts the burden to the government to prove eligibility by "clear and convincing evidence." It also mandates annual FBI reports to Congress detailing the number of challenges processed, reversals of denials, and processing times. These provisions aim to expedite due process for people seeking to correct inaccurate NICS records affecting their firearm rights.

Maddy summaryHR 661, "Sarah’s Law," requires U.S. immigration authorities to detain certain immigrants charged with crimes causing death or serious injury. It applies to immigrants who entered without proper inspection, held revoked temporary visas, or fall under specific deportation categories, and who face charges for violent crimes. The bill mandates that immigration officials notify victims or their families (like parents or spouses) about the immigrant’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. This law does not change existing victim rights but adds specific notification requirements for these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill freezes new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers. It prohibits the Energy Secretary from proposing or implementing any rules different from the 2013 standards (published April 18, 2013) for five years after the bill's enactment. The law directly affects the Department of Energy and transformer manufacturers by maintaining existing efficiency requirements. It ensures no changes to the 2013 rule during this five-year period.

Maddy summaryHR 7801, the Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2024, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring the 1865 Sultana steamboat disaster - the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history, which killed nearly 1,200 people. The bill specifies three coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad) to be minted between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2027, with surcharges from sales directed to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for museum development and artifact preservation. The coins will be sold at face value plus surcharges ($5-$35 per coin), and the funds must support constructing a museum, exhibits, and preserving disaster-related history. This bill does not create new laws but enables commemorative coin sales to fund a specific historical preservation effort.

Child Tax Credit Integrity Act   This bill requires an individual taxpayer to provide social security account numbers to claim the child tax credit. The social security number must be that of the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse (for joint returns) and the child named on the tax return.