Rep. Kevin Kiley

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 summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that direct sellers and qualified real estate agents (as defined under IRS rules) are not considered "employees" under federal labor law. It directly affects these workers by excluding them from FLSA protections like minimum wage and overtime pay. The key provision inserts a new definition into the law, changing how these professions are classified for labor rights purposes. This is a technical definitional change, not a new policy or program.

Maddy summaryHR 1869 creates a new DOJ task force within the Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute international trade crimes, such as customs evasion, smuggling, and trade-based money laundering. It requires the DOJ to hire specialized prosecutors, coordinate with agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and focus on specific violations covered under statutes like 18 U.S.C. §§ 541-546 and 21 U.S.C. § 331. The bill authorizes $20 million in funding for fiscal year 2026 (with 80% dedicated to criminal prosecutions), mandates annual reports to Congress on enforcement activities, and requires the DOJ to develop multi-agency partnerships to address these crimes. This directly affects federal prosecutors, border enforcement agencies, and industries impacted by trade violations.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15642 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine, California, as the "Mary Kageyama Nomura Post Office Building".

Maddy summaryThe Representation Act requires state redistricting authorities to identify and document "communities of interest" - geographically connected groups sharing cultural, historical, or social traits - before drawing new congressional district maps. The bill prohibits splitting these documented communities across multiple districts unless necessary to meet population equality requirements, comply with the Voting Rights Act, or preserve another community's integrity. It mandates that states publish written justifications for any divisions and allows residents to sue in federal court if their community is improperly divided or if proposed communities are not considered. Additionally, the Election Assistance Commission would be tasked with providing states with standards and tools to help map these communities effectively.

Maddy summaryHR 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, restricts Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing certain investments like stocks in publicly traded companies. It requires 7-14 days' advance public notice before selling any such investment, including the sale date, description, and number of shares. Exceptions apply for work-related transactions (e.g., employer compensation) and reinvesting dividends. Violations trigger a fee of $2,000 or 10% of the investment’s value (whichever is greater), plus any net gain, paid from personal funds - not congressional allowances or campaign donations. The bill aims to prevent conflicts of interest by increasing transparency around congressional financial dealings.

Maddy summaryHR 2175 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the "Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building." The bill updates all official U.S. government references to this location to reflect the new name. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or services.

Maddy summaryThe READ Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve reading instruction by defining specific terms like "science of reading" and "high-impact tutoring" and requiring states to exclude certain teaching models that rely on context clues. The bill directs federal literacy grants to states, with mandatory funding for low-performing states, to implement evidence-based strategies such as universal early literacy screenings, professional development for teachers, and the adoption of high-quality instructional materials. It also mandates that states report data on student progress and teacher training while prohibiting the Department of Education from issuing regulations that dictate specific instructional content or curricula. Additionally, the legislation expands research initiatives to study reading development and requires the federal government to provide states with detailed reports on academic outcomes and achievement gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the National Guard Bureau and the Corporation for National and Community Service to create a pilot program that combines military service with national service activities. The program aims to protect critical infrastructure like energy and transportation systems, improve cybersecurity for schools and local governments, and help communities prepare for disasters. It also seeks to build a nationwide training pipeline that connects part-time National Guard members with career opportunities to address economic insecurity. Before launching the pilot, the agencies must conduct a feasibility study to determine the costs, necessary legal changes, and potential benefits of integrating these two types of service.

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.