Rep. Ashley Hinson

Maddy summaryThe SHOPP Act (HR 3127) expands the types of healthy foods SNAP participants can buy with their benefits. It allows fresh frozen fruits and vegetables to count toward nutrition incentives year-round and adds legumes (like beans and lentils) to the list of eligible items. This directly affects SNAP recipients by increasing access to affordable, nutritious options beyond just fresh produce. The changes take effect March 6, 2024, modifying the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act.

Maddy summaryHR 3036, the Increased TSP Access Act of 2023, amends conservation program rules to expand access to third-party providers (TSPs) who offer technical assistance to farmers on conservation practices. It creates new pathways for non-Federal entities like agricultural cooperatives or professional associations to certify TSPs, streamlines certification processes (requiring Secretary review within 10 business days), and sets payment rates for TSPs equivalent to government-provided technical assistance. The bill mandates public reporting on certification numbers, payment details, and a target utilization rate for TSPs to improve conservation program delivery. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by increasing options for technical support and requiring transparency in how TSPs are certified and compensated.

Maddy summaryHR 3769, the Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2023, requires the Attorney General, Homeland Security Secretary, and FBI Director to submit annual reports to Congress on gang activity. The reports must include specific data on gang membership trends, crime methods used by gangs (including cooperation between gangs), how state/local reporting affects federal data, agency initiatives and resource allocation for gang enforcement, and statistics on gang-related arrests, weapons seizures, and drug seizures. These reports are due 150 days after enactment and annually thereafter, with the first report covering the prior decade. The bill directly affects federal law enforcement agencies (DOJ, DHS, FBI) by mandating new data collection and reporting requirements, but does not change existing laws or create new enforcement powers.

Maddy summaryHRES 447 is a non-binding resolution expressing support for designating May 2023 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes renewable fuels' role in reducing carbon impacts, lowering fuel prices for consumers, supporting rural communities, and lessening reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution cites industry statistics, including over 78,000 direct jobs in ethanol production and greenhouse gas emission reductions of 44-52% compared to gasoline. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or impose obligations.

This resolution condemns all manifestations of expressions of racism and anti-Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander or ethnic intolerance. The resolution calls on federal law enforcement officials, working with state and local officials, to expeditiously and vigorously investigate all reports of hate crimes and threats against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States; work to improve the reporting of such hate crimes; and hold the perpetrators of those crimes, incidents, or threats accountable and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 443) is a symbolic gesture by the U.S. House of Representatives supporting National Poppy Day, observed on the Friday before Memorial Day. It formally endorses the tradition of wearing red poppies to honor veterans who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, referencing the poppy’s historical symbolism from World War I. The resolution encourages all U.S. citizens, residents, and visitors to wear a poppy that day as a sign of appreciation for military service. It does not create new laws, programs, or obligations - it is purely a statement of recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 3640, the "Informed Lawmaking to Combat Inflation Act," requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to analyze the potential inflation impact of "major legislation" before Congress can consider it. Major legislation is defined as bills or resolutions projected to affect at least 0.25% of U.S. GDP annually (excluding emergency relief, national security, or treaty-related measures). Committees must submit such bills to the CBO for an inflation forecast, and Congress cannot proceed without this analysis, creating a procedural point of order in both chambers. This bill does not change spending or tax policy but mandates a specific analytical step for major bills. It is purely procedural, focusing on requiring CBO input before legislative action.

Maddy summaryHR 3639, the After Hours Child Care Act, creates a new Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to improve access to child care for parents working nontraditional hours (such as evenings, nights, or weekends). The bill directly affects working parents with young children and eligible child care providers who serve these families. It authorizes competitive grants (ranging from $25,000 to $500,000) to providers or partnerships with businesses/community organizations to expand after-hours care programs, establish workplace child care, or improve existing facilities. Grantees must cover 25% of costs, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report biennially on program impact to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Rural Housing Accessibility Act, allows families using federal housing vouchers to move to a new area and continue using their voucher without losing assistance. It requires the new local housing agency (if it has budget space) to either cover the costs directly or charge the original agency for up to 12 months. After 12 months, the new agency must cover all costs without billing the original agency. This directly affects rural and urban families relocating with vouchers and the public housing agencies managing their programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that AM radio receivers be included as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) sold in the United States, with a rule to be issued by the Department of Transportation within one year. The rule must ensure AM radio is easily accessible on the dashboard and allows manufacturers to use digital AM radio technology instead of traditional AM. During the one-year period between the bill's enactment and the rule's effective date, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio. The bill also directs a study to evaluate whether an alternative system could deliver emergency alerts as reliably as AM radio across the country, especially during crises.