Maddy summaryHR 9604, the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act, requires states and trail sponsors to obtain landowner consent and provide fair market value compensation before temporarily converting abandoned rail corridors into trails. It mandates written notice to affected property owners and local governments, signed approval from landowners within 30 days, and ongoing financial responsibility for trail maintenance. The bill also requires a 90-day public comment period and a detailed cost-benefit analysis assessing safety, health, economic impacts, and the likelihood of future rail service before approval. An advisory committee of landowners, rail carriers, and trail sponsors will later recommend maintenance standards, but the core changes focus on protecting landowner rights during corridor conversions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to give states more control over where electric transmission lines are built. It requires that any proposed transmission project must minimize harm to farmers and landowners, provide adequate compensation for any damage, and show that consumer benefits outweigh agricultural impacts. The bill also prohibits the federal energy agency from reviewing or approving a project if a state has already denied a similar application or is actively considering one. This directly affects farmers, landowners, and state regulators by shifting siting authority to states and adding new requirements for project developers. The bill does not address the Green New Deal itself, but focuses solely on transmission line siting rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Council on Environmental Quality to annually publish detailed reports starting in 2024, tracking how the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) impacts federal projects. The reports will include data on lawsuits challenging NEPA compliance (listing agencies and case outcomes), the length of environmental impact statements (page counts over 5 years), and timelines for completing environmental reviews (over 10 years). These reports must be publicly available with underlying data, directly affecting federal agencies that manage NEPA reviews and providing transparency for Congress and the public. The bill focuses on collecting factual data about NEPA's implementation, not changing the law itself.
Maddy summaryHJRES 167 cancels a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that would have allowed electronic eartags as official identification for cattle and bison. The resolution directs that the rule published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 39540), has no force or effect. This directly affects ranchers and farmers who would have been required to use electronic identification systems for livestock. The bill halts the implementation of this specific regulatory change without creating new requirements.
This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.
Maddy summaryThe SAFER at the Border Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from temporarily admitting (paroling) certain individuals at the border. It defines "known terrorists" (those arrested, charged, or convicted for terrorism), "suspected terrorists" (reasonably suspected of terrorism), and "special interest aliens" (those with potential terrorism links based on travel patterns). The bill explicitly bans parole for these individuals, even for humanitarian reasons or public benefit, and also prohibits parole for refugees. Additionally, it allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security if they suffer financial harm exceeding $100 from the parole of such individuals.
Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2024 This bill prohibits states or localities from imposing a levy or collecting an excise tax on the sale of a firearm, ammunition, or any part or component thereof, by a manufacture or retailer.
Maddy summaryHRES 1371 is a House resolution condemning the Biden Administration and Vice President Kamala Harris for failing to secure the U.S. border. It cites statistics including over 9.7 million illegal immigration encounters since 2021 and the end of the Remain in Mexico program as evidence. As a symbolic resolution with no policy changes, it publicly expresses the House's disapproval of current border policies without altering any laws or enforcement actions.
Maddy summaryHR 9140 requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue a report within 180 days of enactment about how mine subsidence affects communities. The report must detail economic and welfare impacts on communities and describe current Department efforts to minimize subsidence risks. This procedural bill mandates a review of existing conditions but does not change laws or create new requirements. It directly affects communities near active or abandoned mines experiencing land sinking from underground mining.
Maddy summary# Summary of Water Resources Development Act This comprehensive legislation authorizes numerous water infrastructure projects across the United States, with a focus on flood control, water supply, wastewater management, environmental restoration, and shoreline protection. Key elements include: 1. **Project Authorizations**: The act authorizes funding for hundreds of specific water infrastructure projects across all 50 states, with significant allocations for: - Water and wastewater infrastructure ($200 million for San Diego County, $100 million for Kings County NY, $100 million for Mohawk River area) - Flood control and stormwater management (particularly in coastal and riverine areas) - Environmental restoration projects 2. **Key Amendments**: - Increased funding for the Upper Mississippi River restoration program ($15 million for FY 2024, $20 million annually thereafter) - Modified the Santa Ana River Mainstem project to treat Santiago Creek as a separable element - Reduced navigation as an authorized purpose for the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam - Increased funding for the Missouri River levee system ($65 million) 3. **Specific Project Highlights**: - $100 million for water infrastructure in Kings County, New York (addressing combined sewer overflows) - $50 million for environmental infrastructure in Broward County, Florida - $25 million for water infrastructure in Delaware's coastal communities - $20 million for water infrastructure in the Lake Tahoe Basin - $30 million for Oakland-Alameda Estuary water infrastructure 4. **Program Changes**: - Established a Western Washington State environmental assistance program - Modified the New York and New Jersey Harbor study to maximize public benefits - Added new projects to the lakes program (East Lake Tohopekaliga, Dillon Lake, etc.) - Authorized conveyances of property to local governments (e.g., Los Angeles fire station facility) 5. **Funding Details**: - The legislation contains numerous specific funding allocations ranging from $100,000 to $200 million for various water infrastructure projects - Includes provisions for cost-sharing arrangements, with Federal shares typically at 75% for new projects The legislation represents a significant investment in water infrastructure, with a focus on addressing aging infrastructure, improving water quality, reducing flood risks, and enhancing environmental protection across diverse geographic regions in the United States.