Rep. LaMonica McIver

Maddy summaryThe EDUCATE Act of 2026 directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to create a grant program for universities to research marijuana cultivation and processing, with a specific focus on soil health, sustainability, and economic opportunities for minority farmers. This legislation also establishes a scholarship program to support students pursuing careers in marijuana agriculture and requires that at least 25% of the research funding be reserved for Hispanic-serving institutions. To encourage participation, the bill includes protections ensuring that institutions and individuals conducting federally authorized marijuana research cannot face denial of benefits or federal prosecution solely for their work. The program is authorized for five years, with $5 million allocated annually for research grants and $100,000 annually for scholarships, and recipients must agree to comply with all applicable federal laws regarding marijuana.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as Black Music Month to honor the historical and cultural significance of Black contributions to American music. It acknowledges the wide-ranging influence of Black music across various genres and its central role in the nation's history, including the civil rights movement. The bill calls on the public to celebrate this month by promoting diversity, performing Black music, and spreading awareness of its legacy.

Maddy summaryThe All in For Attendance Act aims to reduce chronic student absenteeism by requiring schools to implement specific support strategies for students missing 10 percent or more of school days. It mandates the creation of data systems to track attendance reasons, establishes advisory programs to engage families, and requires schools to partner with community organizations to remove barriers like transportation or health issues. The legislation also prohibits schools from using suspensions, fines, or academic penalties as punishment for student absences. Additionally, it directs funds toward evidence-based interventions such as social and emotional learning programs, restorative justice, and high-impact tutoring to improve student engagement and attendance.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2026 establishes a program to allow noncitizen veterans who were previously removed from or barred from entering the United States to return and obtain permanent resident status. It requires government officials to reopen and terminate removal cases for eligible veterans, provided they were not deported due to violent crimes or serious offenses involving at least five years in prison. The bill also mandates that noncitizen service members and veterans cannot be removed unless convicted of a crime of violence, while granting them access to military benefits and a streamlined path to naturalization. Additionally, the law directs immigration authorities to identify at-risk veterans, seek supervisory approval before initiating removal proceedings against them, and annotate official records with specific details about their military service.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July 3 through July 10, 2026, as "National Extreme Heat Awareness Week" to educate the public on the dangers of extreme heat. The bill highlights how high temperatures threaten public safety, infrastructure, and agriculture, noting that heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. It encourages federal, state, and private entities to hold ceremonies and activities during this week to raise awareness about preventing heat-related illnesses and promoting community preparedness.

Maddy summaryThe Pedestrian Protection Act directs the federal government to update vehicle safety standards to better protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users. It requires the Secretary of Transportation to create new rules within three years regarding vehicle design features like hoods, bumpers, and weight, as well as minimum visibility standards within four years. Additionally, the bill mandates that the government publish comparative ratings for these safety technologies and develop a system to inform consumers about how well a vehicle allows drivers to see vulnerable road users. These changes aim to reduce collisions and injuries by establishing specific performance criteria that vehicle manufacturers must meet.

Maddy summaryThe Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 eliminates a federal tax credit that allowed parents to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations from their income. By removing these specific tax breaks, the bill prevents the use of public tax dollars to support private school vouchers and scholarship programs. This change directly affects families who currently rely on these tax incentives to fund education outside the public school system. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The bill calls on the public to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote awareness of gun safety. It highlights statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries to underscore the need for community discussions on making neighborhoods safer.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Critical Access Hospital RIP Act of 2026, aims to protect rural hospitals from losing their special status due to new road construction. It directly affects facilities designated as critical access hospitals that might otherwise fail to meet population requirements because a nearby highway or bridge was recently built or improved. The law mandates that if a facility qualifies for designation but fails the population test solely because of a completed roadway project, it will still be considered to meet the requirement. By ignoring the impact of these specific transportation upgrades, the legislation ensures these hospitals can continue operating without being forced to close due to infrastructure changes.

Maddy summaryThe Gig Is Up Act requires large companies with over $100 million in annual revenue and at least 10,000 independent contractors to withhold taxes from payments made to these workers. This provision treats the earnings of these specific contractors as wages for Social Security purposes, effectively doubling the employer's portion of the tax on their behalf. The law applies to payments made after December 31, 2026, and includes rules for grouping related businesses together to determine if they meet the size thresholds.