Rep. Scott DesJarlais

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new National Nuclear Forensics Center within the National Nuclear Security Administration to coordinate the federal government's efforts against nuclear terrorism. The center will oversee planning, research, and training to improve the nation's ability to analyze nuclear materials and attribute their origins. It also repeals a previous law and updates related statutes to officially transfer this authority from the Department of Homeland Security to the Department of Energy. Additionally, the legislation requires the development of a university program to train experts in nuclear forensics within one year of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026 eliminates federal transfer and making taxes on firearms, which directly affects individuals buying or manufacturing guns. By setting these specific taxes to zero, the bill removes the $200 fee previously required when transferring or making certain firearms. The law also adds a time limit to a special tax, ensuring it no longer applies to years beginning after the bill takes effect. These changes would become active on the first day of the first calendar quarter starting more than 90 days after the legislation is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend federal law to strengthen penalties for organized retail crime by expanding definitions of theft to include digital goods, gift cards, and setting a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for charges over a 12-month period. It would establish a new "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" under Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts against cross-jurisdictional theft groups. The Center would share information with retailers, transportation companies, and law enforcement agencies, track crime trends, and produce annual reports on organized retail crime. This legislation directly affects retailers, supply chain businesses, and law enforcement agencies, while targeting organized crime groups responsible for a 93% increase in larceny incidents and rising safety concerns for retail employees. The bill aims to address significant financial losses and supply chain disruptions noted in the National Retail Federation's 2023 data.

Maddy summaryThe Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and manufacture of vehicles and related technology from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to address national security concerns. The law defines prohibited items as connected vehicles, their software, and hardware components and sets different effective dates, with vehicle bans starting in 2027 and hardware restrictions beginning in 2030. A government official can grant exceptions for specific items after reviewing security risks and notifying Congress, while the agency must publish annual reports on enforcement actions and compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act," amends federal law to allow current and honorably discharged military special operations personnel to carry concealed firearms nationwide. It directly affects those who served in specific special operations roles across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The bill expands the existing Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) to include these "qualified special operators," granting them similar concealed carry privileges. Unlike law enforcement officers under LEOSA, these individuals would not be subject to annual firearms qualification requirements, and their authority would be permanent, contingent on maintaining honorable discharge status and federal firearm eligibility. To exercise this authority, they must carry proof of identity and qualification, which can include a new Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs photo identification or official service documentation.

Maddy summaryThe ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThe Save Struggling Hospitals Act adjusts Medicare reimbursement rates for hospitals in low-wage areas to help them remain financially viable. It directly affects hospitals located in regions where the average hospital wages fall below the 25th percentile nationally. The bill increases the area wage index for these struggling hospitals by half the difference between their current index and the 25th percentile threshold, starting with discharges on or after October 1, 2019. These adjustments are designed to be budget neutral, meaning the increased payments to low-wage hospitals are offset by reductions elsewhere without decreasing payments to hospitals in the top 75th percentile or reducing any hospital's payment by more than 5 percent from the previous year.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI), a trade organization founded in 1926. The bill commends SAAMI for developing industry standards that ensure firearms and ammunition are safe, reliable, and interchangeable. It acknowledges the organization's work in coordinating with government bodies, international standards groups, and industry stakeholders to maintain consistent safety practices. This measure is a ceremonial resolution that does not change any laws or regulations but serves to honor SAAMI's century of leadership in the firearms industry.

Maddy summaryThe CLEAR Act amends federal law to establish new criminal penalties for obstructing Federal law enforcement officers operating in or on their vehicles. This legislation directly affects individuals who forcibly assault, resist, or interfere with officers from the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Justice while they are performing official duties in a law enforcement vehicle. The bill introduces enhanced penalties of up to 20 years in prison or a fine for such obstruction, expanding existing protections for officers engaged in vehicle operations. These provisions apply specifically to interactions involving Federal law enforcement vehicles and do not alter penalties for other types of obstruction.