Rep. Kevin Kiley

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status, allowing nationals who have lived continuously in the United States since the law's enactment to apply for a legal stay until July 1, 2029. To qualify, applicants must pass background checks and submit biometric data, while the Department of Homeland Security is required to process these applications within 90 days unless national security concerns justify a brief extension. The legislation also permits eligible individuals to request fee waivers for their applications and allows for special travel consent in emergency situations that require a short trip abroad.

Maddy summaryThe Biomass Facility Construction Act reinstates federal investment and production tax credits for new open- and closed-loop biomass facilities. These tax incentives apply specifically to projects that begin construction after the bill is enacted, allowing eligible properties to be treated as energy property with a 30 percent energy percentage for investment credit calculations. Additionally, the legislation removes previous limitations on production credits for these new facilities, ensuring they remain available for biomass projects starting after the enactment date. The bill directly affects developers and operators planning to build new biomass energy plants, providing financial benefits to encourage such construction.

Maddy summaryHR 4288 would rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic." The bill directly affects this specific VA facility, updating all official references to it. The key provision requires the clinic to be designated by this new name in all federal records, documents, and maps following the bill's enactment. This is a procedural naming bill honoring Corporal Tillman, a former NFL player and Army Ranger killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.

Maddy summaryThe No Profiting from Public Service Act prohibits federal officials, including Members of Congress, judges, political appointees, and their families, from owning or trading specific financial investments like derivatives and futures. To comply, these individuals must sell or place such assets into a qualified blind trust within 90 days of taking office or acquiring the investment, with an additional restriction preventing them from controlling these trusts for 180 days after leaving office. The law explicitly bans officials from engaging in prediction markets tied to political events and imposes fines equal to 10% of the investment value along with the disgorgement of profits for any violations. Penalties cannot be paid using government funds or campaign contributions, and all fines must be publicly disclosed on a government website.

Maddy summaryThe Science of Reading Act of 2026 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require states receiving federal literacy development grants to align their reading instruction with "science of reading" principles. It explicitly prohibits the use of the "three-cueing model" (a method teaching word recognition through pictures, context, or guessing) and defines science of reading as evidence-based instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension. States must describe this alignment in grant applications, and federal funds for literacy programs will only support initiatives meeting these standards. This directly affects states and school districts administering ESEA-funded literacy programs starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryHR 3300 amends a permit requirement under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to exempt certain aerial fire suppression applications from needing a permit. It specifically allows the use of fire control products listed on the Forest Service's current Qualified Products List without a permit during wildfire operations. This directly affects wildland firefighters and federal agencies like the Forest Service when deploying approved suppression materials. The change streamlines access to critical firefighting tools during emergencies by removing a specific regulatory barrier.

Maddy summaryHR 7892, the "No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026," requires the U.S. Department of Education to implement an identity fraud detection system for federal student aid applications starting October 1, 2026. The system flags applications showing potential identity fraud, notifying both applicants and their designated colleges. Colleges must then verify applicants' identities in person or via live video call before disbursing aid, and maintain records of this verification. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress on the system's effectiveness and requires the Department to establish verification guidelines by October 2026. This directly affects students applying for federal financial aid and the colleges administering those funds.

Maddy summaryHR 7086 creates a federal grant program to help states improve charter schools' access to facilities. It provides competitive grants to state education agencies that submit detailed plans showing how they will increase charter schools' access to funding, public buildings, and adequate facilities - particularly in low-income and rural communities. States receiving grants must use federal funds (capped at 60% of costs) to support facility acquisition, leasing, renovation, or financing mechanisms, while ensuring these funds supplement - rather than replace - existing state resources. The bill directly affects charter schools and state education agencies, focusing on closing facility access gaps between charter schools and traditional public schools.

Maddy summaryThe Preventing Trafficking of Minors Act of 2026 strengthens federal laws against exploiting individuals under 18 by expanding the definition of prohibited conduct to include engaging in or soliciting commercial sex acts with minors. It removes the legal requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion when the victim is a minor and establishes that a defendant's lack of knowledge about the victim's age is not a valid defense if they had a reasonable opportunity to observe them. The bill also clarifies that law enforcement officers posing as minors cannot use this as a defense against prosecution and increases the minimum prison sentence to 15 years for offenses involving victims under 14. These changes apply to actions taken 180 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryHR 2616, the PROTECT Kids Act, requires public elementary and middle schools receiving federal education funding to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, or before assigning them to sex-based accommodations like locker rooms or bathrooms. The bill directly affects minor students in elementary school or middle grades (ages typically 5-14). Schools must secure this consent as a condition for maintaining federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The law focuses on specific administrative changes to student records and facility assignments, not broader educational content or curriculum.