Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal program to address the invasive golden mussel, which threatens water infrastructure and ecosystems. It directs the Task Force to develop a demonstration program focused on research, control methods, and early warning systems for infested areas like the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, with a $15 million annual funding authorization from 2026-2030. Key provisions include grants for developing technologies to remove mussels from water intakes, pipelines, and boat hulls, plus guidelines for watercraft inspections to prevent spread. The program requires collaboration with states, ports, and research institutions to share control strategies and coordinate efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that direct sellers and qualified real estate agents (as defined under IRS rules) are not considered "employees" under federal labor law. It directly affects these workers by excluding them from FLSA protections like minimum wage and overtime pay. The key provision inserts a new definition into the law, changing how these professions are classified for labor rights purposes. This is a technical definitional change, not a new policy or program.

Maddy summaryThe Partnerships for Better Health Act directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to establish a grant program that funds local coalitions to integrate chronic disease prevention, management, and social support services. Eligible lead entities, such as community health centers, nonprofit hospitals, and food banks, must partner with clinical, nutritional, and public health organizations to deliver coordinated care, nutrition education, and "Food is Medicine" programs. Grant priority is given to communities facing high chronic disease prevalence, food insecurity, or persistent poverty, while recipients are required to serve populations with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and mandates that grantees use evidence-based models and report on specific health, social, and utilization outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to create a competitive grant program that funds innovative employment and training services. The bill directs federal resources toward initiatives that have demonstrated improvements in participant earnings and job placement, with specific attention to individuals facing barriers to employment and underserved communities such as rural areas. Eligible recipients include state and local workforce boards, tribal organizations, colleges, and nonprofit groups that design or implement these field-initiated programs. The legislation establishes a tiered funding structure based on the strength of existing evidence, offering early-phase grants for new pilots, mid-phase grants for refinement, and expansion grants for proven models. Grantees are required to partner with independent researchers to conduct rigorous impact evaluations, ensuring that at least 60 percent of each award is spent directly on program implementation rather than administrative costs. The bill authorizes appropriations for this initiative through fiscal year 2031.

Maddy summaryThe Mail Theft and Postal Key Crime Prevention Act of 2026 requires the Attorney General to designate a specific assistant United States attorney in every federal judicial district to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of organized mail theft and related fraud schemes. These coordinators are tasked with working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving stolen postal keys, identity theft, and financial fraud facilitated by intercepted mail. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General submit an annual report to Congress for five years detailing trends in these offenses and the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination efforts. Additionally, it directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines to ensure harsher penalties for crimes involving postal access devices, large-scale theft operations, or violence against postal workers.

National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. [ sic ] This bill temporarily directs the Department of the Interior to award a grant to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with operating and enhancing the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6444 San Fernando Road in Glendale, California, as the "Paul Ignatius Post Office".

Maddy summaryHR 2175 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the "Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building." The bill updates all official U.S. government references to this location to reflect the new name. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or services.

Maddy summaryThe READ Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve reading instruction by defining specific terms like "science of reading" and "high-impact tutoring" and requiring states to exclude certain teaching models that rely on context clues. The bill directs federal literacy grants to states, with mandatory funding for low-performing states, to implement evidence-based strategies such as universal early literacy screenings, professional development for teachers, and the adoption of high-quality instructional materials. It also mandates that states report data on student progress and teacher training while prohibiting the Department of Education from issuing regulations that dictate specific instructional content or curricula. Additionally, the legislation expands research initiatives to study reading development and requires the federal government to provide states with detailed reports on academic outcomes and achievement gaps.