Rep. Tom Emmer

Maddy summaryHR 2808, the Arnold Daniel Palmer Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce three commemorative coins in 2029 honoring golfer Arnold Palmer: $5 gold coins (50,000 max), $1 silver coins (400,000 max), and half-dollar clad coins (750,000 max). The bill requires coin designs to feature Palmer's image and includes surcharges ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) that fund the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. All surcharge revenue must support the Foundation's work in youth health, character development through golf, and nature wellness programs. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued in 2029, with all funds covering minting costs before surcharges are directed to the Foundation.

Maddy summaryHR 2743 prohibits large financial institutions (over $100 billion in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on subjective political reasons, industry type, or reputational concerns. It requires these institutions to use objective, risk-based assessments for service decisions and provide written justifications for denials. The law applies to banks, credit unions, and payment networks, with civil penalties for violations including fines up to $10,000 per incident. It specifically ensures businesses operating legally under federal law receive fair access to financial services without discrimination. The bill mandates that denials be based on documented risk factors, not political bias or category-based exclusion.

American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures, thus allowing continued expensing of such expenditures in the taxable years in which they are incurred.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryHR 2609, the SEED Act of 2023, creates a simplified exemption for small businesses to raise up to $250,000 in investment funds annually without full Securities and Exchange Commission registration. This directly affects small businesses seeking modest capital, allowing them to offer securities (like shares or debt) through a streamlined process. Key safeguards include disqualifying businesses with recent fraud convictions, regulatory bans in finance or banking, or final orders related to deceptive conduct within the past decade. The bill also permits states to maintain regulatory authority over these small offerings while aligning with federal standards.

Maddy summaryHR 2490 creates a new reward program for whistleblowers who provide original information leading to successful enforcement actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that result in monetary penalties exceeding $1 million. Whistleblowers can receive 10% to 30% of the collected penalties (minimum $50,000, maximum $5 million per person) for information that directly leads to enforcement actions against financial institutions violating consumer financial laws. The bill includes strong confidentiality protections to prevent disclosure of whistleblowers' identities and requires the CFPB to consider factors like the significance of the information and the whistleblower's cooperation when determining award amounts. The CFPB must also report annually to Congress on the program's activity, including the number of awards granted and case types.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) mission to prioritize fair and transparent markets while explicitly adding a focus on strengthening private sector competition without government interference or subsidies. It requires the CFPB to establish an Office of Economic Analysis to review all proposed rules, assess their impact on consumer choice, credit access, and pricing, and publish these findings in the Federal Register. The bill also mandates that new rules must identify the specific problem they solve and include measurable metrics - like changes in consumer access and cost of financial products - to evaluate success. Existing rules must be periodically reviewed (after 1, 2, 5, and 10 years) to determine if they effectively addressed their intended problem.

Maddy summaryHR 1831 would award Billie Jean King a Congressional Gold Medal to honor her lifelong advocacy for equal rights in sports and society. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and have it presented by congressional leaders, recognizing her pivotal role in advancing women's equality through tennis (including founding the Women’s Tennis Association and securing equal prize money) and her broader impact on society through initiatives like Title IX advocacy.

Maddy summaryHR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, would require public schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with greater access to educational information. The bill mandates that schools post curricula online or widely distribute it to parents, include school budgets in report cards, and provide specific information about school activities including violent incidents and plans to eliminate gifted programs. It also guarantees parents the right to meet with teachers twice a year, review library materials, and address school boards. These requirements would apply to all local educational agencies and schools covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill amends existing education laws to strengthen parental transparency and involvement in their children's education.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 28 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's view that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have long delivered critical community support. It states these societies, with about 7 million members nationwide, generate significant annual value through charitable work and volunteer activities (estimated at over $3.8 billion yearly). The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(8) of the tax code is essential for sustaining their volunteer-driven model and relieving pressure on government safety programs. As a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment, it does not alter existing laws or create new obligations.