Rep. Adam Gray

Maddy summaryHR 7487, the Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act, expands hydropower development opportunities on Bureau of Reclamation water projects. It removes restrictions that previously limited hydropower to "small conduit" systems or pumped storage, now allowing all types of hydropower projects using Bureau facilities. The bill clarifies definitions for "transferred works facilities" (operated by non-federal entities) and "reserved works facilities," and updates rules for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorizations to remain active until expired or renewed. This directly affects developers seeking to build hydropower projects on federal water infrastructure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the United States Postal Service facility at 4640 Cass Street in San Diego, California, as the Mary Wilding Memorial Post Office Building. It directly affects the specific postal location by changing its official name to honor Mary Wilding. The key provision ensures that all future legal documents, maps, and records referring to this building will use the new memorial name. This is a commemorative measure that updates official records rather than changing operational policies or funding.

Maddy summaryThe CHILE Act of 2026 creates a new federal program to provide direct financial assistance to specialty crop producers facing adverse events like economic crises or market disruptions. Under this framework, the Secretary of Agriculture would calculate payments based on a producer's recent sales history and a specific payment factor designed to address crop losses. The bill sets a total funding limit of $5 billion for fiscal year 2027, which remains available until spent, and includes special rules to account for the higher input costs and diverse business structures common in specialty farming. Additionally, the legislation establishes a minimum payment threshold of $900,000 for large-scale farming operations that derive at least 75 percent of their income from agriculture.

Maddy summaryThe CURRENT Act modifies the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to streamline how states and federal agencies issue certifications for energy and transmission projects. It requires these agencies to publish clear certification rules, set a strict one-year deadline to decide on requests, and base decisions solely on whether a project will violate specific water quality laws. The bill also mandates that denials or conditions must be supported by clear and convincing evidence showing no reasonable way exists to meet environmental standards, while protecting applicants from having certifications reopened without a court order. Additionally, it establishes a fast-track judicial review process for energy projects, requiring courts to issue final rulings within 120 days.

Maddy summaryThe Public Safety Officers' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2026 modifies how public safety officers can claim federal benefits related to line-of-duty injuries. It simplifies the claims process by removing a requirement that injuries must be caused by factors other than pre-existing cardiovascular risks and extends the time limit for reporting certain incidents from 24 to 72 hours. These changes apply to any benefit claims that are pending or filed after the law is enacted. The bill directly affects public safety officers seeking compensation for work-related injuries.

Maddy summaryHR 4288 would rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic." The bill directly affects this specific VA facility, updating all official references to it. The key provision requires the clinic to be designated by this new name in all federal records, documents, and maps following the bill's enactment. This is a procedural naming bill honoring Corporal Tillman, a former NFL player and Army Ranger killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.

Maddy summaryThe HEATS Act eliminates the need for federal drilling permits for geothermal exploration and production on non-Federal surface land under specific conditions. It applies to operators who hold a state permit and where the U.S. owns less than 50% of the underlying geothermal rights. Key provisions include: no requirement for federal environmental reviews (NEPA), exemptions from the Endangered Species Act, and a 30-day start period after submitting the state permit. The bill maintains existing royalty payments for geothermal electricity production and explicitly excludes activities on Indian lands. It does not alter federal royalty rates or require additional federal oversight beyond state permitting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.

Maddy summaryThe Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 modernizes the H-2A visa program by transferring administrative authority to the Department of Homeland Security and introducing a unified online platform to streamline applications for employers and workers. Key provisions include establishing new housing standards with mandatory inspections, creating a system for staggered worker entry and exit, and allowing workers to transfer between employers without losing their status. The bill also defines specific job classifications for wage calculations, expands the scope of covered agricultural activities, and provides legal protections for employers who document the employment of workers seeking visa status. Additionally, it requires agencies to develop a heat illness prevention plan and allows for contract termination due to natural disasters.

Maddy summaryHR 4398, the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify the death of a veteran who dies of natural causes within 48 hours of learning of the death. This directly affects veterans' families, who previously faced delays of up to eight weeks in burial and access to survivor benefits due to slow death certifications. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on VA compliance with the 48-hour rule, including statistics on delays and their causes. The key change is establishing a strict timeline for death certification to prevent unnecessary delays in honoring veterans' final arrangements.