Rep. Greg Casar

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to recognize college athletes as employees eligible for collective bargaining rights. It directly affects athletes receiving athletic scholarships (grant-in-aid) who perform services for their institution, including those at public and private universities. Key provisions establish that athletes meeting specific criteria (receiving compensation for athletic participation) are employees, allow multiemployer bargaining units across athletic conferences, and prohibit waivers of these rights in scholarship agreements. The bill explicitly states it will not change tax treatment of athletic compensation or affect eligibility for federal financial aid.

Maddy summaryHR 4696 amends Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to update eligibility for a registry program that provides a pathway to legal status for long-term residents. It changes the requirement from entering the U.S. before January 1, 1972, to entering at least 7 years before the application date. This adjustment bases eligibility on a rolling 7-year window instead of a fixed historical cutoff, allowing more recent long-term residents to qualify. The bill directly affects individuals who entered the U.S. after 1972 but maintained continuous residence for at least seven years prior to applying.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits companies from using automated systems to set prices or wages based on surveillance data about consumers or workers. It bans "surveillance-based price setting" (personalized pricing based on consumer tracking) and "surveillance-based wage setting" (using personal data to determine worker pay), with limited exceptions for standard discounts like student or senior citizen rates when properly disclosed. Companies must publish clear procedures about how their automated systems work, including how data is used and how consumers/workers can challenge inaccuracies. The Federal Trade Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will enforce the law, and individuals can file lawsuits to challenge violations. The bill also prohibits pre-dispute arbitration agreements that would prevent class action lawsuits.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15 billion in emergency funding for flood recovery in Texas following 2025 flooding events. The funds, designated as an emergency requirement under federal law, are for FEMA to cover costs under the Stafford Act, directly supporting Texas residents and communities affected by the floods. Key provisions include mandatory reporting every six months on fund distribution (geographically and by assistance type), unmet needs, and barriers to aid, with all funds required to be spent by September 30, 2028. The bill does not create new programs but allocates existing emergency funds for immediate recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryThe End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025 eliminates federal subsidies for fossil fuel production by repealing tax incentives, increasing royalty rates, and prohibiting federal funding for fossil fuel projects. It directly affects oil, gas, and coal companies by terminating tax credits like the enhanced oil recovery credit (Section 43), ending special tax treatments for fossil fuel activities, and increasing offshore royalty rates to 18 3/4 percent. The bill prohibits U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank funding for fossil fuel projects, ends interest payments on royalty overpayments, and terminates tax provisions allowing accelerated depreciation for fossil fuel infrastructure. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date, with specific provisions targeting coal, petroleum, and natural gas production.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 108 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove legal immunity for federal officials, including the President, from criminal prosecution for actions taken while performing official duties. It would prohibit the President from granting pardons to themselves and eliminate the defense that "official authority" excuses violations of federal or state law (with limited exceptions for certain congressional actions). If ratified, this amendment would require Congress to pass implementing laws to enforce these changes. The proposal is currently in the House Judiciary Committee and requires approval by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryHR 1522, the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, changes federal retirement rules to include temporary employees' service after January 1, 1988, in retirement benefit calculations. It directly affects temporary federal employees (including U.S. Postal Service workers) and Members of Congress who served after that date. The bill removes a previous cutoff date in retirement law, allowing their temporary service to count toward retirement eligibility. This means eligible temporary workers can now have their full service period considered when calculating retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 4542, the "No Cages in the Everglades Act," bans federal funding for any immigration detention facility within or adjacent to Florida's Everglades ecosystem - including construction, operation, or maintenance. It directly affects U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and any state/local governments operating such facilities. Key provisions include requiring DHS to submit a detailed report within 90 days on facility costs, construction history, compliance with detention standards, and ecological risks, while also granting Congress unannounced access to inspect all DHS detention facilities. The bill aims to prevent new immigration detention operations in the protected Everglades area and enhance oversight of existing facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 4497, the Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025, amends the Stafford Act to explicitly include "extreme heat" in the definition of a "major disaster" alongside events like floods and droughts. This change would allow communities experiencing severe, life-threatening heatwaves to qualify for federal disaster assistance under existing Stafford Act programs. The bill directly affects local governments and residents in areas hit by extreme heat events that meet the new definition, enabling them to access federal aid previously unavailable for heat emergencies. It does not create new programs or funding but adjusts eligibility criteria for current disaster relief mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThe Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2025 prohibits selling goods or services at grossly excessive prices during exceptional market shocks like natural disasters, energy shortages, or public health emergencies. It creates a presumption of violation when companies with "unfair leverage" (revenue over $1 billion, dominant market position, or other factors) increase prices beyond normal market fluctuations. The law requires public companies to disclose detailed pricing information in SEC filings during these emergencies, including explanations for price increases and how costs affected pricing. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general would enforce the law, with civil penalties up to 5% of a company's revenue for violations. The bill also appropriates $1 billion to fund FTC enforcement efforts.