Rep. Cleo Fields

Maddy summaryHR 4719, the Freedom to Move Act, would create $5 billion in federal grants to help cities, counties, and transit agencies make public transportation free and improve service quality. Local governments applying for these grants must demonstrate how they will redesign bus routes to prioritize low-income and minority neighborhoods, eliminate criminal penalties for fare evasion, and address transit gaps in underserved communities. The grants cover lost fare revenue and fund specific improvements like safer bus stops, dedicated bus lanes, and better service frequency. This directly affects transit agencies and riders in communities currently lacking reliable, affordable transportation options.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit the detention of pregnant women, lactating women, and postpartum mothers (within one year of childbirth) in immigration custody, requiring their immediate release except in rare circumstances involving public safety threats. It bans the use of physical restraints on these individuals during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery, with only extremely limited exceptions. The bill mandates that facilities provide comprehensive reproductive health care including prenatal care, labor and delivery services, postpartum care, and access to abortion services. It requires facilities to maintain medical records, obtain informed consent for medical procedures, and conduct weekly reviews of any detained individuals under exceptional circumstances. The bill also establishes reporting requirements for facilities and creates transparency through public reporting of detention practices.

Maddy summaryHR 4717 creates a refundable tax credit of up to 10% of a home's purchase price (capped at $15,000) for first-time homebuyers purchasing a principal residence in the United States. The credit is subject to limitations based on modified adjusted gross income (phased out if income exceeds 150% of the area median income) and home price relative to area median purchase prices in the buyer's location. Homebuyers must meet age requirements (at least 18 years old), not have owned a home in the past three years, and purchase with a federally backed mortgage. The credit is subject to a four-year recapture period if the home is sold within that timeframe, and taxpayers may transfer the credit to their mortgage lender as a down payment or closing cost assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a system tracking all detentions or removals of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) during immigration enforcement. DHS must report these cases quarterly to Congress, including instances where minors were removed alongside undocumented parents. The system must also include cases involving citizens or LPRs detained by other agencies and transferred to DHS. A separate process for individuals to prove citizenship or LPR status during detention must be established within 180 days.

Maddy summaryHR 4702, the National Fire Academy Reporting Act, requires the National Fire Academy Administrator to submit an annual report to Congress by November 30 each year. The report must detail specific data about courses, programs, and funding from the previous fiscal year, including the number of fire departments and personnel (categorized as career or volunteer) that attended, the total courses offered and cancelled, and how funds were distributed to state/local training programs and student participants. This bill does not change funding levels or program requirements but mandates standardized reporting to Congress. The requirement begins after the bill's enactment, with the first report due November 30 of the first full year following enactment.

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 4606, the Ally’s Act, requires private health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored plans and individual coverage) to cover hearing implants and related services. It directly affects people with hearing loss who need cochlear implants, bone conduction devices, or external sound processors, as determined by a physician or audiologist. The bill mandates coverage for devices, maintenance, repairs, upgrades every 5 years, hearing assessments, surgery, and rehabilitation - without separate cost-sharing or stricter limits than other medical services. Insurers cannot deny coverage if a provider deems the service medically necessary. The law applies to all applicable health plans and takes effect for plan years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, or increasing premiums based solely on a person's status as a living organ donor. It directly protects living organ donors by preventing insurance discrimination unrelated to actual health risks. The bill also requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about organ donation benefits, risks, and insurance impacts within six months of enactment. These materials will include information on the new insurance protections established by the bill. The law relies on state insurance regulators for enforcement of the insurance provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and federal employee leave rules to clarify that recovery from organ donation surgery qualifies as a "serious health condition." It directly affects private-sector workers covered by the FMLA and federal civil service employees. The key change adds "including recovery from surgery related to organ donation" to the definitions of serious health conditions in both the FMLA and federal leave statutes. This ensures eligible employees can use their existing family and medical leave benefits to recover after donating an organ, without requiring new leave entitlements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create a free, standardized exam that individuals could take to qualify as accredited investors, replacing the current income or net worth requirements. It directly affects natural persons seeking accredited investor status who do not meet existing financial thresholds. The exam would test knowledge on securities types, disclosure rules, financial statements, private investment risks (like limited liquidity and information asymmetry), and conflicts of interest. The SEC must establish the exam within one year and have it administered free of charge by a registered securities association within 180 days of launch.