Rep. Troy Downing

Maddy summaryHR 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system (NICS) solely because a court has appointed a fiduciary (like a guardian) to manage their benefits. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to mental health or cognitive challenges but are not deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill requires a court order finding the veteran poses a danger before any such information can be shared with the NICS. It changes VA procedures to block unnecessary barriers to firearm ownership for veterans who qualify for fiduciary support without a judicial determination of danger.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026, exempts small oil and gas wells from specific environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act. It directly affects owners and operators of marginal wells, defined as sites producing 15 barrels of oil or less per day, or 90,000 cubic feet of natural gas or less per day. The legislation removes requirements for monitoring, reporting, and leak detection for these smaller operations, while also mandating that the EPA approve any state plan revisions granting this exemption within 180 days. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to update its regulations to reflect these changes and to terminate any ongoing enforcement actions against marginal wells that were initiated before the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThe Accelerating Forest Management Act streamlines the environmental review process for salvage harvesting on Bureau of Land Management lands by categorically excluding certain actions from requiring an environmental assessment or impact statement. This change applies specifically to the removal of dead or dying trees caused by natural disturbances like fire or insects, provided the work stays within specific acreage limits and follows existing land use plans. The bill also permits the construction of limited new permanent roads, maintenance of existing roads, and the building of temporary roads for harvest operations, while mandating that operators disclose how they address environmental concerns such as erosion, soil compaction, and invasive species. Additionally, the legislation extends the funding period for the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund from 2020 to 2033 to support these management efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would cancel a 2001 federal rule that restricted road building on National Forest System lands and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to construct new roads on those lands. The legislation specifically nullifies the Roadless Area Conservation rule and prohibits the Agriculture Department from creating any similar restrictions in the future. Under the bill, the Forest Service must build permanent and temporary roads to support forest restoration, reduce wildfire risks in at-risk communities and municipal watersheds, replace roads harming forest health, and fulfill the intent of the 1897 Forest Management Act. The changes directly affect federal land management decisions and would impact communities and organizations that rely on forest access and wildfire prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.

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 summaryThis bill increases loan limits for small manufacturers under two federal programs. It defines "small manufacturer" as a business primarily in U.S. manufacturing sectors (31-33) with all facilities in the U.S. The bill raises the maximum Small Business Administration 7(a) loan limit for these manufacturers from $3.75 million to $7.5 million (capping at $10 million), and doubles the export loan limit from $5 million to $10 million. These changes directly affect qualifying U.S.-based manufacturing businesses seeking federal loan support for operations or exports. The policy modifies specific loan caps without altering other program requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 8745, the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act, authorizes the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to help build a water supply system for five counties in Montana and one in North Dakota. The bill allows the federal government to cover up to 75% of the costs for planning, designing, and constructing facilities like pumps, treatment plants, and storage tanks, while a local nonprofit authority retains ownership of the system. To operate the system, the bill provides for discounted electricity from the Pick-Sloan Program and authorizes $602 million in funding from 2027 to 2037, with provisions to adjust for rising construction costs.

Maddy summaryThe PARTNERS Act of 2026 allows individual states to directly enforce rules governing Medicare Advantage plans sold within their borders. Under this legislation, state officials would have the authority to require insurance companies to comply with federal standards for these plans, rather than relying solely on federal agencies. The bill also mandates that the federal government coordinate its enforcement efforts with states and permits the creation of collaborative agreements to streamline oversight. This change directly affects state regulators, Medicare Advantage insurers, and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by shifting some enforcement responsibilities to the states.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, updates federal definitions to classify nursing degrees as professional degrees. It directly affects students pursuing nursing education and the federal financial aid programs that support them. The legislation amends the Higher Education Act to explicitly list nursing degrees, such as the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice, alongside other advanced fields like medicine and law. By making this change, the bill ensures that nursing programs are recognized at the same level as other established professional disciplines within the federal student aid system.