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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit any state or local government designated as a "sanctuary jurisdiction" from receiving grant funds distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A jurisdiction is defined as a sanctuary if it has laws, policies, or practices that restrict officials from sharing information about an individual's immigration status or from complying with federal requests to detain or notify about the release of individuals. The funding restriction would apply to grants distributed 180 days after the bill's enactment. To determine which jurisdictions qualify for this ineligibility, the HUD Secretary is required to consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
This resolution states that the House of Representatives condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States; reaffirms its support for free, fair, and secure elections and calls for enactment of the SAVE America Act; reiterates that American elections are for American citizens only; and recommits itself to upholding the U.S. Constitution.
Maddy summaryH.Res. 1497 is a House resolution that commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, in which 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The bill lists the names of the fallen soldiers and formally condemns the Biden-Harris administration for what it describes as dereliction of duty and the forfeiture of military property to the Taliban. It asserts that the withdrawal was a disastrous failure that ignored security warnings and left Americans at risk, while also criticizing the lack of accountability from officials involved in the decision-making process.
Maddy summaryThe Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 imposes comprehensive economic restrictions on the Russian Federation, including blocking assets of government officials, state-owned financial institutions, and entities supporting the defense sector. The bill prohibits new U.S. investments in Russia, bans the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and restricts the importation of uranium and energy products from the country. Additionally, it authorizes the imposition of tariffs up to 500 percent on goods imported directly from Russia and up to 100 percent on goods from foreign nations that continue to purchase significant volumes of Russian crude oil or natural gas. The legislation also extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031 and includes a five-year sunset provision for the new measures, subject to specific humanitarian and safety exceptions.
Maddy summaryThe Border Patrol Overtime Parity Act amends federal law to expand eligibility for special overtime pay rates for U.S. Border Patrol agents. Currently, these higher pay rates are restricted to agents occupying positions at the GS-12 grade level or above. By removing this specific grade requirement from the statute, the bill allows agents in lower-grade positions to qualify for the same overtime compensation. This change directly affects Border Patrol officers by broadening the group of employees who can receive additional pay for working beyond standard hours.
Maddy summaryThe Right to Worship Act makes it unlawful for individuals to knowingly disrupt religious services or prevent people from entering houses of worship within 100 feet of an entryway during the hour before and after a scheduled service. The bill applies to conduct that meaningfully interferes with a service's normal operation or unreasonably hinders participation, while explicitly allowing free speech as long as it adheres to these specific time, place, and manner restrictions. Violators face escalating civil fines ranging from $2,500 for a first offense to $10,000 for subsequent offenses, assessed by the Attorney General. Additionally, the act permits aggrieved individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, or state attorneys general to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney fees.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the United States from providing any voluntary or assessed funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The restriction applies directly to the U.S. government's financial contributions to the agency, effectively cutting off official U.S. support. However, the law allows for humanitarian aid to individuals who receive help from UNRWA if that aid is delivered through other organizations that do not promote violence, terrorism, or antisemitism. Ultimately, the legislation mandates a complete halt to direct U.S. funding for UNRWA while permitting indirect assistance under specific conditions.
Maddy summaryThe Lawful Hemp Protection Act establishes a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure safety, quality, and consumer protection. It defines specific hemp products, prohibits the sale of items containing artificially modified cannabinoids like HHC or THCP, and mandates strict labeling requirements including THC milligram counts and health warnings. The bill creates a new tax on these products, requires manufacturers and wholesalers to obtain federal permits, and enforces a three-tiered distribution system for hemp beverages to prevent market consolidation. Additionally, it allows Medicare Advantage plans to cover these products for chronically ill patients and directs funds toward impaired driving enforcement and consumer safety oversight.
Maddy summaryThe Main Street Capital Access Act reduces regulatory burdens for smaller banks, particularly those with less than $10 billion in assets. Key provisions include a 3-year phase-in period for new banks to meet capital requirements, lower leverage ratio requirements for rural banks (7.5% for the first 2 years), and a 30-day review process for business plan deviations. The bill also establishes an Office of Independent Examination Review, sets specific timelines for examinations (270 days) and reports (90 days), and creates a "least cost exception" for bank resolutions to prevent excessive concentration of the banking system. These changes aim to promote new bank formation, improve regulatory efficiency, and support community banking while maintaining financial stability.