Rep. Jim Costa

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal water storage grant programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand eligibility for projects. It sets specific capacity limits: surface water projects must store 200-30,000 acre-feet, while groundwater projects must average 200-150,000 acre-feet annually. Eligible projects must increase storage, convey water to/from storage, or stabilize groundwater levels. The bill also increases the number of annual grants from 5 to 10 and explicitly states it does not override state water laws, federal water rights, or water rights protections.

Maddy summaryHR 6056, the International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025, establishes a permanent Special Envoy at the State Department to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the U.S. government to develop and update a biannual global strategy to prevent criminalization and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, mandate detailed reporting on such abuses in annual country reports, and ensure all U.S. foreign assistance programs include inclusive nondiscrimination policies. This legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation, federal agencies receiving funding, and LGBTQI+ communities facing persecution worldwide. The bill aims to coordinate U.S. government efforts across departments and with international partners to advance LGBTQI+ rights globally through concrete policy mechanisms.

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 summaryHRES 872 is a symbolic resolution supporting Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day, recognizing CJD as a rare, fatal brain disorder affecting approximately 1-2 people per million annually in the U.S. The resolution does not create new programs or policies but formally acknowledges the disease's impact and the importance of raising public awareness about CJD's rapid progression and challenges for patients and families. It specifically encourages recognition of CJD Awareness Day on November 12, 2025, as a way to highlight this condition. The resolution is non-binding and focuses solely on awareness, not medical research or funding.

Maddy summaryHRES 864 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. veterans on Veterans Day 2025. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes veterans' service and sacrifice, calling on all Americans to observe Veterans Day. The resolution references historical context about Veterans Day's origins (from Armistice Day to honoring all veterans) but contains no concrete policy changes. It directly addresses the general public, urging them to participate in the observance. As a non-binding resolution, it affects no specific individuals or groups through legislative action.

Maddy summaryHR 5965, the Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act, expands work-study eligibility for veterans pursuing education or rehabilitation programs at least half-time (instead of the current three-quarter-time requirement). The bill creates a 5-year pilot program allowing veterans to receive a work-study allowance from the VA while studying part-time, directly affecting veterans enrolled in qualifying programs. It requires the VA to submit annual reports tracking participation rates, four-year degree attainment, and full-time VA employment outcomes for participants. The law modernizes existing VA work-study rules without altering benefit amounts or creating new funding streams.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures continuous funding for SNAP (food assistance) and WIC (nutrition program for mothers/children) during government funding gaps. It authorizes emergency Treasury funds to cover SNAP/WIC benefits and reimburse states for costs if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations for the Department of Agriculture by September 30, 2025. The funding covers missed payments retroactively from September 30, 2025, through the bill’s enactment date, and continues until either regular appropriations pass or September 30, 2026. It directly affects low-income households relying on these programs and state agencies administering them during funding lapses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 5973, requires federal immigration enforcement personnel to follow strict limits on force use, including proportional application, mandatory de-escalation efforts, and prohibitions on equipment like flash bangs or rubber bullets except for specific public safety threats. It mandates body-worn and vehicle cameras for all operations, with footage retained for one year (three years for force incidents or complaints), and grants affected individuals the right to inspect recordings. The law also requires annual training on force policies, First Amendment compliance, and racial bias avoidance, while demanding detailed quarterly reports to Congress on force usage, assaults on agents, and equipment approvals. These provisions directly affect all federal immigration agents conducting enforcement actions, aiming to increase transparency and accountability during operations.

Maddy summaryHRES 846 is a symbolic resolution designating October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It expresses the House's support for raising awareness about domestic violence and its impacts, and calls for continued congressional attention to ending domestic violence through existing programs. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any specific groups - it is purely a statement of support. It references statistics on domestic violence prevalence but focuses on awareness rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution (HRES 844) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating October 2025 as "Crime Prevention Month." It encourages federal agencies to fund evidence-based crime prevention programs - like youth mentorship, mental health services, and neighborhood safety initiatives - and urges state/local governments to adopt strategies such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. The resolution also commends community workers and calls on all citizens to participate in public safety activities during October. It has no legal effect but aims to raise awareness and foster collaboration across communities, government, and private sectors to reduce crime.