Rep. Mark Harris

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 Flock-Off Act prohibits federal agencies, state and local governments, and other recipients of federal funds from using federal money to purchase, operate, or maintain automated camera systems that capture biometric data or license plate information. The bill requires these entities to remove any existing covered camera systems within 180 days of enactment, with violations resulting in the withholding of further federal funding until reimbursed. Specific exceptions allow for the continued use of such systems within one mile of the U.S. borders for security purposes and on toll roads strictly for toll collection and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHR 4499 makes technical amendments to update statutory references throughout the U.S. Code from provisions previously referenced in title 42 to title 34, United States Code. The bill corrects numerous technical errors in legal references across multiple titles of the U.S. Code, including titles 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 40, 42, 49, and 50. It does not change any substantive policy but ensures consistent reference to the correct titles and sections of the U.S. Code. This type of technical bill is routine and affects how legal documents, court decisions, and government agencies cite specific provisions. The bill directly affects all federal legal documents and agencies that reference the U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army to transfer approximately 20 acres of land at Fort Bragg in North Carolina to the state government without charge. The property is intended for the construction of a veterans' home under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The state is required to pay all costs associated with the transfer, including environmental reviews and administrative fees, with any excess prepayments refunded by the federal government. If the land is no longer used for the designated veterans' facility, ownership may revert to the United States at the Secretary's discretion.

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 summaryThe No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026 requires schools and universities receiving federal funds to treat antisemitism with the same seriousness as other forms of discrimination prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Under this law, institutions must use the official definition of antisemitism found in a prior presidential executive order to investigate complaints and enforce their own policies. The bill explicitly states that these requirements do not violate free speech rights or override existing state laws, ensuring that Jewish students and staff are protected from harassment and exclusion on campus.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends House rules to ban Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners from having sexual relationships with House employees, while allowing exceptions for married couples. It requires the Ethics Committee to create confidential procedures for requesting exemptions, which are only permitted if the employee does not report to the Member and does not work on their committee. The new regulations mandate that Members disclose these relationships privately and allow the Ethics Committee to take necessary actions to protect the integrity of the institution.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers the administration of various postsecondary education programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. It directly affects students participating in specific federal initiatives, such as TRIO programs, grants for historically black colleges and universities, and assistance for veterans and students with disabilities. The key mechanism involves moving all related duties, funding, and personnel to the Labor Department while repealing a few other specific programs. Once the transfer occurs, the Labor Secretary will manage these functions using the same authorities previously held by the Education Secretary, ensuring that existing applications and legal proceedings continue without interruption.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Less Bureaucracy, Better K-12 Education Act, transfers the responsibility for administering numerous federal K-12 education programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. These programs include funding for disadvantaged students, teacher development, literacy initiatives, and support for rural and homeless children, among others. The legislation mandates that all related personnel, funds, and legal authorities move to the Department of Labor, while ensuring that existing grants and pending applications remain valid during the transition. Once the transfer is complete, all future references to the Department of Education regarding these specific programs will legally refer to the Department of Labor instead.

Maddy summaryHR 7184, the PRESS Act, targets equipment used to manufacture illegal drugs by making it unlawful to sell specific items like tableting machines, gelatin capsules, or related chemicals when the seller knows the equipment will be used to produce controlled substances for unlawful U.S. importation. It directly affects manufacturers and distributors of these drug-making tools who have knowledge or reasonable cause to believe their products will facilitate illegal drug trafficking. The bill adds new prohibitions to the Controlled Substances Act and increases potential prison sentences for violations, with penalties reaching up to 20 years for major offenses involving large quantities of equipment or chemicals. These changes aim to disrupt the supply chain for illicit synthetic drugs by holding equipment sellers accountable for their intended use.