Rep. Lauren Boebert

Maddy summaryThe Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the federal government to include data collected by states when deciding whether to list or remove species from the endangered species list. This change directly impacts state agencies and conservationists who gather information about local wildlife populations. By mandating the integration of state-collected data, the bill aims to ensure that federal decisions are based on a more comprehensive set of regional observations. The legislation does not alter the overall process for listing species but modifies how evidence is considered during those determinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act, aims to stop foreign nationals from using U.S. surrogate mothers for commercial surrogacy arrangements. It would make any surrogacy contract void and unenforceable if the intended parents are foreign citizens or permanent residents, with a specific exception for married couples where at least one partner is a U.S. citizen or resident. Additionally, the law prohibits surrogacy brokers from facilitating these agreements and imposes criminal penalties, including fines and up to 10 years in prison, for those who knowingly or recklessly assist in such contracts. Children born through these invalid agreements would have their custody determined by the state where the surrogate lives, focusing on the child's best interests rather than the contract. Finally, the bill prevents foreign parents from using their U.S.-born children to gain immigration benefits or rights under U.S. immigration laws.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Kids from Creeps Act prohibits surrogacy agencies, their employees, and sex offenders from participating in surrogacy agreements, directly affecting fertility clinics, staff, and individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill mandates severe criminal penalties, including fines and prison sentences of at least 10 to 20 years, for knowingly or recklessly facilitating such agreements, while also stripping convicted agencies of their tax-exempt status and eligibility for federal grants. Any surrogacy agreement formed in violation of these rules is declared legally void and unenforceable, meaning it cannot be used to establish parental rights. In cases where a child is born from an illegal agreement, custody decisions will be made solely based on the best interests of the child under the laws of the state where the surrogate lives, ignoring any prior contracts. Additionally, the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties equal to the compensation received or offered for prohibited conduct.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 provides zero-interest loans to specific rural hospitals for building new facilities or renovating existing ones. To qualify, a hospital must be located in a county with fewer than 20,000 people, be at least 35 miles from the nearest hospital, have operated for at least 30 years, and demonstrate financial stability. The loans are initially interest-free for five years and can be refinanced later at standard rates if the hospital's financial situation improves, or renewed once under strict conditions if the hospital struggles financially. Additionally, receiving hospitals become eligible for technical assistance grants designed to help improve their operations and financial health.

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 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.

Hemp Planting Predictability Act This bill extends by two years the implementation of changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products. Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill extends the effective date to November 12, 2028. As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp . As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances and registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation. The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, include changing the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC, explicitly including industrial hemp, excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, and excluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the ASSIMILATION Act, fundamentally restructures the U.S. immigration system by replacing family-based and lottery-based admissions with a merit-based approach that prioritizes economic self-sufficiency and national interest. It directly affects prospective immigrants, current visa holders, and employers by establishing new requirements for entry, employment, and naturalization. Key provisions eliminate the diversity visa lottery, restrict family-sponsored immigration to spouses and minor children, and mandate that all immigrants demonstrate the ability to support themselves without relying on government benefits. The legislation also introduces stricter enforcement measures, such as making visa overstays a criminal offense, expanding E-Verify to all employers, and requiring higher English proficiency and tax compliance for citizenship. Additionally, it tightens asylum rules by adding a transit bar for those passing through other countries and limits parole to specific humanitarian cases rather than broad programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the federal government from providing funds to any local jurisdiction that has largely eliminated cash bail for serious crimes. Under the law, the Attorney General must review and publicly announce which areas have stopped using cash bail for offenses such as violent crimes, sex offenses, burglary, and looting. If a jurisdiction is found to be in violation of this rule, it loses access to federal funding until it either re-establishes cash bail or waits 180 days after the initial determination. The measure directly impacts state and local governments by linking their receipt of federal money to their pretrial release policies.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's appreciation for the Federal Protective Service and its law enforcement officers. It formally recognizes the dedication of these officers who protect over 8,500 federal facilities and honors those who have died in the line of duty. The resolution encourages continued collaboration between the service and the communities it serves to strengthen public safety and trust.