Rep. Mark E. Amodei

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 3232 (Respect for Grieving Military Families Act), requires the military to automatically forgive overpayments of retired pay sent to a joint account after a service member’s death but before the end of the month of death. It directly affects military retirees’ families who have joint accounts with designated beneficiaries, preventing them from having to repay these accidental payments. The bill also adjusts Survivor Benefit Plan payments: if forgiveness doesn’t occur, the first 12 monthly annuity payments to the beneficiary will each be reduced by one-twelfth of the overpayment amount. This ensures grieving families aren’t burdened with repaying funds they weren’t meant to receive.

Direct Capital Access Act of 2023 or the DCA Act of 2023 This bill increases the number of daily round-trip flights allowed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Specifically, this bill adds 56 new slots at DCA to allow for 28 additional daily round-trip flights. (Airlines flying to and from DCA are subject to slot and perimeter rules set by federal law and regulation. The slot rules determine the total number of flight slots that can be handled in a given time period. In addition, a statutory perimeter rule limits nonstop flights to a 1,250-mile radius unless they are granted an exemption in law.) Current law limits DCA to a maximum of 67 hourly slots for flights both within- and beyond-perimeter; a round-trip flight serving DCA requires two slots (or a slot pair). Of those slots, 40 daily slots are exempt from the perimeter rule. Under the bill's slot increase, operations at DCA may not increase by more than eight flights per hour.

Maddy summaryThe Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act adjusts pay for Bureau of Prisons employees currently assigned to the "Rest of U.S." pay locality. It directs that if an employee's worksite is within 200 miles of another pay locality, they will be paid according to the nearest locality with the highest pay rate - replacing the lower "Rest of U.S." rate. This applies to correctional officers and other Bureau of Prisons staff, but excludes employees whose worksite is more than 200 miles from any other locality. The change takes effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryHR 3175, the Regulation Reduction Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to repeal two existing regulations before issuing a new rule, and three for "major rules" (those with significant economic impact). For major rules, the new rule's cost must not exceed the cost of the repealed rules, and the Office of Management and Budget must certify this. Agencies must also submit a 90-day review to Congress identifying costly, ineffective, duplicative, or outdated regulations. This bill directly affects federal agencies and the businesses, states, and local governments subject to federal regulations.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2023 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and K-12 teachers. It allows eligible first-time homebuyers in these professions to secure mortgages with 100% financing (no down payment required) for purchasing or repairing a primary residence. To qualify, applicants must be employed as law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, or K-12 teachers, have completed housing counseling, and meet specific employment history requirements (e.g., 4 years in the role or disability-related release). The program authorizes $660,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $160,000 annually through 2030, with authority expiring after 5 years.

Maddy summaryHRES 339 is a non-binding House resolution expressing that an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy - including oil, gas, nuclear, coal, hydropower, and renewables - is the most viable approach to U.S. energy policy. It states this strategy would strengthen national security, lower consumer energy prices, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution highlights that domestic energy production supports infrastructure funding, job creation, and energy independence, while noting U.S. energy sources like Gulf of Mexico oil and nuclear power provide clean, reliable electricity. As a statement of congressional opinion, it does not create new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new federal crimes for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers and public safety personnel while they're on duty or because of their status as officers. It establishes mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years for murder of officers, with higher penalties for assaults causing serious injury or using deadly weapons. The bill also creates a new offense for fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing officers and limits federal habeas corpus relief for those convicted of killing officers. Additionally, it expands law enforcement officers' authority to carry firearms in certain locations. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers, public safety personnel, and individuals who commit violent acts against them.

Maddy summaryHR 3125 raises the IRS reporting threshold for slot machine winnings from $1,200 to $5,000 per single play. This means casinos and other businesses operating slot machines no longer need to report winnings under $5,000 to the IRS for individual plays. The $5,000 threshold will automatically adjust annually for inflation starting in 2025. The bill affects casinos' reporting obligations but does not change tax liability for gamblers. It becomes effective for winnings after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryHR 3046 establishes a federal grant program to support medical education focused on primary care in underserved areas. It provides funding to eligible public colleges in states with severe primary care physician shortages, prioritizing institutions in regions with significant Indian Tribes and public-private partnerships. Grants require schools to use funds for hands-on community training, telehealth integration, mental health care coordination, scholarships, and programs specifically preparing students to serve Tribal, rural, or medically underserved communities after residency. The program authorizes $150 million annually for fiscal years 2023-2025 to expand this training pipeline.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Banking Act of 2023 would protect banks and financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses and hemp-related businesses by preventing federal regulators from taking adverse actions against them solely for serving these businesses. It clarifies that income from state-legal marijuana businesses can be considered for mortgage applications, and requires regulators to update guidance on suspicious activity reports related to these businesses. The bill does not require financial institutions to serve these businesses, but ensures they won't face penalties for doing so. It extends similar protections to hemp-related businesses, which have faced banking challenges despite being federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.