Rep. Beth Van Duyne

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act, modifies federal energy laws to ensure that large industrial customers pay for the specific infrastructure upgrades needed to serve their high electricity demands. It directly affects non-residential facilities with a peak power usage of 100 megawatts or more, requiring utilities to charge these customers the full incremental cost of any necessary generation, transmission, or distribution improvements. Under the new rules, large customers must also provide financial guarantees or contributions before such upgrades are made, ensuring utilities can recover costs even if the customer leaves the contract early. State regulators have two years to implement these standards, though the bill exempts utilities in states that have already enacted similar measures or are actively considering them.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the American mastodon as the national fossil mammal and the Tyrannosaurus rex as the national fossil dinosaur for the United States. It achieves this by amending Title 36 of the U.S. Code to officially recognize these specific species within the legal framework for national symbols. The changes update the relevant chapter heading to include "fossil" and add a new section to formally establish these designations.

Maddy summaryThe Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends federal education law to explicitly define the terms "sex," "female," and "male" based on biological characteristics. Specifically, it states that "sex" refers to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female, while "female" and "male" are defined by the presence of specific reproductive systems capable of producing ova or sperm, respectively. These definitions apply to all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance starting on the date the bill becomes law. The legislation aims to clarify existing statutes by removing ambiguity around biological sex definitions in the context of Title IX protections.

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 summaryThe Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration, in partnership with federal cybersecurity agencies, to create and distribute resources that help small businesses improve their digital security practices. The bill specifically requires the administration to provide guidance on federal cybersecurity compliance standards to small companies seeking government contracts or subcontracting opportunities. This information must be made available through small business development centers, district offices, and the agency's website. Additionally, the Office of Advocacy is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing how many small businesses have contacted them regarding cybersecurity issues.

Maddy summaryHR 2555, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025, protects students who join or form single-sex social organizations (like fraternities or sororities) at colleges. It prohibits colleges receiving federal funds from taking negative actions against these students or organizations solely because they limit membership to one sex - such as denying housing, financial aid, leadership roles, or recognition. The bill ensures students can join such groups without coercion and stops colleges from imposing unfair recruitment rules on single-sex organizations compared to others. It does not require colleges to recognize single-sex groups, allow organizations to set their own membership rules, or override Title IX protections.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally honors the life and legacy of the late Representative Kay Granger from Texas, recognizing her historic achievements in public service. The bill highlights her roles as the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Committee on Appropriations. It also acknowledges her contributions to national defense, including her work on the F-35 fighter jet program and the naming of a Navy ship for Fort Worth. The resolution expresses sympathy to Granger's family and directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the document to her loved ones.

Maddy summaryThe Beverage Regulatory Parity Act establishes a federal framework for regulating hemp-derived non-alcoholic beverages containing naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as delta-9 THC and CBD. The bill assigns primary regulatory authority to the Tax and Trade Bureau, which will enforce a three-tiered distribution system requiring separate permits for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, while also setting strict labeling, advertising, and age-restriction requirements modeled after alcohol regulations. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration will oversee product safety by defining standards for adulteration and misbranding, ensuring that beverages do not contain synthetic cannabinoids or harmful additives like alcohol or nicotine. The legislation imposes a federal excise tax of 8 cents per milligram of intoxicating THC content on these products and explicitly preserves state and local authority to enact more stringent laws or prohibit the sale of such beverages within their jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThe RESCUE Act of 2026 updates how the federal government reimburses ground and air ambulance services by changing the payment schedule and data collection rules. Starting in 2028, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will adjust payment rates every three years based on new data regarding costs, labor, and uncompensated care, while years in between will see payments increase only by the standard inflation rate. The bill also requires air ambulance providers to submit cost information to the government at least once every three years, aligning this process with existing rules for ground ambulance services. Additionally, the law mandates a review by 2029 to gather expert recommendations on whether further changes are needed to ensure ambulance providers are paid appropriately. These changes directly affect ambulance companies and the federal programs that fund emergency medical transport.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Deputy Darren Almendarez Act, adds a new federal crime for knowingly possessing or purchasing catalytic converters removed from vehicles with the intent to sell or distribute them. It directly affects individuals involved in the removal and resale of these parts, as well as businesses like scrap yards and repair shops, by establishing penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 for first offenses. The law includes specific exceptions that allow for legal possession or purchase if the converter was removed by a vehicle owner, acquired during official duties by authorized entities, or bought from licensed businesses that follow state and local identification rules. For repeat offenders, the potential prison sentence increases to ten years and the fine limit rises to $200,000.