Rep. Scott Fitzgerald

Maddy summaryHR 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, requires the FDA to update regulatory language within one year of enactment. It directs the agency to replace all references to "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" in 22 specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations related to drug development and approval processes. The bill also adds a definition for "nonclinical test" into relevant FDA regulations to align with prior legislative changes. This update applies directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers and FDA reviewers who follow these regulatory guidelines during drug development. The changes aim to modernize terminology without altering current testing requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Lands Lawful Carry Act modifies federal law to allow individuals who are legally permitted to carry firearms under state laws to do so on specific federal lands open to the public. This change directly affects visitors to areas managed by agencies such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Forest System. Under the new provisions, carrying a firearm in these exempted areas is considered having a lawful purpose if the individual follows applicable state regulations and is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a weapon. The bill does not authorize carrying firearms in areas where state laws forbid it or in locations that remain closed to visitors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic pre-approval systems for medical services by 2028 and meet transparency reporting standards starting in 2027. Plans must publicly report data on approval/denial rates, appeal outcomes, response times, and technology use for pre-approval requests, including details on how denials relate to clinical criteria. It establishes a 24-hour response timeframe for certain requests and mandates annual reviews of pre-approval requirements based on data and input from seniors and providers. The law directly affects Medicare Advantage plans, seniors enrolled in these plans, and healthcare providers who submit pre-approval requests. These changes aim to make the pre-approval process faster, more transparent, and more accountable for seniors seeking covered medical services.

Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the U.S. Congress to present a gold medal to the Hmong people in recognition of their distinguished service during the Vietnam War. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for this presentation, while the Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with creating the medal and selling duplicate bronze versions to cover production costs. Following the award ceremony, the original gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation that it also be made available at locations significant to Hmong history. The act applies to the over 327,000 Hmong currently living in the United States, acknowledging their heavy casualties and displacement after the war.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets clear limits on class action lawsuits against credit reporting companies for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). For intentional failures to follow FCRA rules, it caps individual damages at $100,000 or 40% of total damages, and total class recovery at $500,000 or 1% of the company’s net worth. For negligent failures, it similarly limits total class recovery to $500,000, 1% of net worth, or 40% of actual damages. These changes directly affect credit bureaus (like Equifax or TransUnion) and creditors handling consumer credit data, preventing excessive damages in class actions. The bill harmonizes existing liability rules by adding specific, predictable financial limits to court awards.

Maddy summaryHR 4398, the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify the death of a veteran who dies of natural causes within 48 hours of learning of the death. This directly affects veterans' families, who previously faced delays of up to eight weeks in burial and access to survivor benefits due to slow death certifications. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on VA compliance with the 48-hour rule, including statistics on delays and their causes. The key change is establishing a strict timeline for death certification to prevent unnecessary delays in honoring veterans' final arrangements.

Maddy summaryThe Working Families Home Construction Act of 2026 allows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy and securitize specific construction loans designed to help build owner-occupied homes. These loans, which can cover costs like land acquisition and construction, are limited to $100,000 per unit and $2.4 million per project, and must be issued by approved lenders to builders who contribute at least 10% of the project's capital. To qualify, projects must receive local government approval and be sold to families earning between 90% and 130% of the area median income, with buyers required to live in the home for at least one year. The bill also directs that 22% of the available capital for these enterprises be allocated specifically to purchasing these qualifying construction loans.

Maddy summaryThe Sustainable Homeownership Act modifies the rules for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to limit their purchase of high-risk mortgages while introducing stricter insurance requirements for loans with high loan-to-value ratios. It mandates that private insurers guarantee specific portions of unpaid mortgage balances, with higher coverage percentages required for riskier loans, though it includes exceptions for refinancing, state programs, and low-income borrowers. The bill also establishes new financial oversight measures, such as setting a return on equity range between 9 and 13 percent and requiring enterprises to remit excess earnings to the Treasury if they exceed that range. Additionally, the legislation outlines a plan to eventually convert the government-sponsored enterprises' preferred stock into common equity and prepare for their exit from federal conservatorship.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Home Affordability Through Mortgage Simplification Act, aims to simplify rules for mortgage lenders and reduce costs for borrowers by updating regulations under the Truth in Lending Act. It introduces a new standard that allows closing costs to vary by up to $500 or 5 percent of third-party fees without penalty, while protecting borrowers from increases in interest rates, loan types, or origination charges. The legislation also permits lenders to issue up to two revised loan estimates for minor changes and allows borrowers to waive the mandatory three-day waiting period for corrected disclosures if they choose. Additionally, it limits lender liability for errors made by settlement agents if the lender exercised reasonable oversight and provides a one-time opportunity for lenders to fix violations without facing civil penalties.