Rep. Tom Emmer

Maddy summaryHJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 277 would require Congress to approve major federal regulations before they take effect. Major rules are defined as those with significant economic impact ($100 million+ annually), major cost increases for consumers or industries, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, or innovation. Agencies must submit detailed information about these rules to Congress, including cost-benefit analyses, before they can take effect. Congress would have 70 session days to approve the rule with a joint resolution; if they don't act within that timeframe, the rule would not take effect. This would increase congressional oversight of federal regulations and require more detailed information about proposed rules before they become law.

SEC Stabilization Act of 2023 This bill expands the composition of the Securities and Exchange Commission from five commissioners to six, extends the term of the commissioners from five years to six, and creates an executive director position. If appointing two commissioners whose terms end on the same date, the President is prohibited from appointing individuals from the same political party.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the definition of "accredited investor" under securities law to expand who qualifies. It adds four new categories: individuals with net worth over $1 million (excluding primary residence value), those with high income ($200,000 individually or $300,000 jointly), licensed financial professionals, and individuals with verified investment expertise. The bill requires the SEC to update Regulation D to reflect these changes, with the $1 million net worth threshold adjusted for inflation every five years. This directly affects investors seeking to participate in certain private securities offerings by lowering the accreditation barriers for qualified professionals and high-net-worth individuals.

Maddy summaryThe Securities Clarity Act (HR 3572) clarifies that digital assets sold through certain fundraising arrangements - like initial coin offerings (ICOs) - do not automatically become securities under federal law, if they aren’t securities by their own nature. It directly affects digital asset projects and investors participating in these arrangements by preventing the assets themselves from being classified as securities solely because they were sold via an investment contract. The bill amends key securities laws (including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940) to explicitly exclude "investment contract assets" from the definition of "security." This aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty in the digital asset sector, aligning U.S. policy more closely with international approaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that AM radio receivers be included as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) sold in the United States, with a rule to be issued by the Department of Transportation within one year. The rule must ensure AM radio is easily accessible on the dashboard and allows manufacturers to use digital AM radio technology instead of traditional AM. During the one-year period between the bill's enactment and the rule's effective date, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio. The bill also directs a study to evaluate whether an alternative system could deliver emergency alerts as reliably as AM radio across the country, especially during crises.

Affordable Homeownership Access Act This bill exempts from certain mortgage licensing and registration requirements a person (other than a depository institution) who engages in owner financing. Owner financers (1) originate a limited number of residential mortgage loans in a year, and (2) only originate residential mortgages with respect to property owned by the owner financer.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows utility companies (like electricity, gas, and internet providers) and landlords to report payment history for essential services to credit bureaus, expanding credit reporting beyond traditional loans. It directly affects consumers who pay these bills regularly but may lack traditional credit history, potentially helping them build credit. Key provisions limit reporting to actual payment behavior (not usage data) and prevent utilities from reporting late payments if a consumer is on a valid payment plan. The bill also requires a government study to assess the impact of this reporting on consumers within two years.

Maddy summaryHRES 363 is a resolution expressing support for recognizing National Police Week, an annual observance established by law to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The resolution acknowledges 556 officers killed in the line of duty during 2022 and calls for ensuring law enforcement officers have necessary equipment, training, and resources to protect both themselves and the public. It encourages the American public to observe National Police Week by honoring law enforcement personnel and recognizing their essential mission in serving communities across the United States. This resolution does not create new law but formally expresses congressional support for an existing observance.

Maddy summaryHR 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023, updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the availability of affordable housing across the United States. The bill makes several key changes including increasing state funding formulas, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better serve vulnerable populations (such as domestic violence victims and students), and expanding credit eligibility for projects in rural and Native American communities. Specific provisions raise the credit for properties serving extremely low-income households, clarify rules around tenant income increases, and require housing providers to protect victims of domestic violence. The bill also updates terminology from "low-income" to "affordable" throughout the tax code and enhances program transparency through data sharing requirements. These changes aim to make the LIHTC program more effective at creating and preserving affordable housing units for low-income households nationwide.