Rep. Roger Williams

Maddy summaryThe 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2026 amends the Small Business Investment Act to expand eligibility for federal financing programs, specifically allowing loans to support workforce training, disaster recovery areas, and small businesses with ten or fewer employees. The bill streamlines loan closing procedures by permitting certified development companies to make minor adjustments to project costs and borrower details without restarting the approval process, while also authorizing approved attorneys to handle closings for priority lenders. Additionally, it relaxes occupancy requirements for new facilities and existing buildings, allowing small manufacturers to lease up to 50 percent of a new facility and other businesses to lease up to 66 percent of an existing building under specific conditions. Finally, the legislation requires the Small Business Administration to implement a marketing plan to improve loan awareness and exempts certain development company loans from standard credit availability rules.

Maddy summaryThe Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration to create and distribute educational materials that help small businesses identify and protect against harmful activities by foreign adversaries. These materials must cover topics such as intellectual property theft, cybersecurity risks, forced labor in supply chains, and the dangers of specific commercial relationships with foreign-controlled entities. The bill requires the agency to review and update these resources annually starting in 2027 to ensure they reflect current threats and best practices. Additionally, if the agency determines that a specific activity poses a significant risk to national or economic security, it must notify the relevant congressional committees about the finding and its justification.

Maddy summaryThe Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026 significantly restructures the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection by subjecting it to the regular federal appropriations process and establishing an independent Inspector General appointed by the President. The bill restricts the Bureau's supervisory authority over banks and credit unions with assets under $30 billion, allowing these institutions to elect to remain under their existing prudential regulators instead. It also introduces a safe harbor for small-dollar loans of $3,500 or less that meet specific structural requirements, shielding compliant lenders from civil money penalties and private damages. Additionally, the legislation creates federal standards for earned wage access services, requiring providers to offer a no-cost option for early wage access and prohibiting them from treating these services as credit or debt under federal law.

Maddy summaryThe TRAPS Act establishes a federal Task Force on Payment Scams, chaired by the Treasury Secretary, to coordinate efforts across agencies like the FTC, Federal Reserve, and consumer groups. The Task Force will study current scam tactics (such as fake text messages or fraudulent payment platforms), evaluate prevention strategies, and develop recommendations to help consumers avoid and report scams. It must submit an initial report within one year and annual updates, focusing on improving federal-state coordination and education programs. This bill directly affects government agencies and stakeholders participating in the Task Force, with the goal of protecting consumers from evolving payment scams.

Maddy summaryHR 2978, the GUARD Act, allows state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to use existing federal grant funds for investigating elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" investment scams, and general financial fraud. The bill directs these funds toward hiring specialized staff, training on blockchain tools and transnational fraud, purchasing investigative software, improving data collection, and creating financial sector liaisons to coordinate with banks. It requires annual reports from law enforcement on fund usage and outcomes, and mandates federal agencies to submit comprehensive reports to Congress on scam statistics, enforcement actions, and funding allocation. The legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies and aims to strengthen efforts against fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals.

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 Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends federal education law to explicitly define the terms "sex," "female," and "male" based on biological characteristics. Specifically, it states that "sex" refers to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female, while "female" and "male" are defined by the presence of specific reproductive systems capable of producing ova or sperm, respectively. These definitions apply to all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance starting on the date the bill becomes law. The legislation aims to clarify existing statutes by removing ambiguity around biological sex definitions in the context of Title IX protections.

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.