Rep. Kathy Castor

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Ratepayer Protection Act, modifies federal energy laws to ensure that large industrial customers pay for the specific infrastructure upgrades needed to serve their high electricity demands. It directly affects non-residential facilities with a peak power usage of 100 megawatts or more, requiring utilities to charge these customers the full incremental cost of any necessary generation, transmission, or distribution improvements. Under the new rules, large customers must also provide financial guarantees or contributions before such upgrades are made, ensuring utilities can recover costs even if the customer leaves the contract early. State regulators have two years to implement these standards, though the bill exempts utilities in states that have already enacted similar measures or are actively considering them.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias starting January 1, 2028. It defines eligible tests as FDA-cleared genomic blood tests, blood product analyses, or equivalent medical imaging methods (like protein expression or whole genome sequencing) that detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. Medicare beneficiaries would receive this coverage without cost-sharing for these specific screenings. The bill amends Medicare coverage rules to explicitly include these tests under Section 1861(nnn) of the Social Security Act.

Maddy summaryHR 5967 establishes a federal task force led by the FTC and DOJ to combat scams. The task force, including agencies like the FBI, SEC, and Social Security Administration, will develop a national strategy using existing tools such as the Consumer Sentinel Network and Internet Crime Complaint Center. Key actions include public education, coordination with industry (like banks and social media platforms), and enforcement using current laws against fraud and money laundering. The task force must report to Congress within one year and dissolve after 10 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment (not an optional add-on) by 2027-2028, depending on manufacturer size. It mandates that AM radio receivers must be easily accessible to drivers and allows compliance through digital AM broadcast technology. During a transition period, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio but cannot charge extra for this feature. The bill also mandates a GAO study on AM radio's role in emergency alerts and includes a 10-year sunset provision for the rule. It preempts state laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to study sinkhole causes - including extreme weather, drought, and water management shifts - and create updated risk maps showing areas prone to sinkholes. It requires the USGS to use specific 3D elevation data from existing law and maintain a public website with these maps for community planners and emergency managers. The maps must be reviewed and updated at least every five years. This bill directly affects local officials and emergency responders by providing accessible, science-based hazard information to inform land-use decisions and safety planning.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution designates September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month to highlight the historical and ongoing challenges faced by various groups in exercising their right to vote. It encourages Congress to pass legislation that strengthens voting protections, specifically endorsing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 while opposing bills that could restrict voter eligibility. The resolution also recommends that public schools develop curricula on voting history and current suppression tactics, and it invites funding for public service announcements to promote voter registration and participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Post-Disaster Protection Act, extends the time limit for appealing federal disaster assistance decisions from 60 to 90 days. It directly affects individuals and communities seeking aid after natural disasters by amending the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The change provides applicants with additional time to contest decisions regarding their eligibility or the amount of assistance they receive. This adjustment aims to give affected parties more time to review and challenge assistance determinations without rushing the appeals process.

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.