Rep. Randy Feenstra

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 would reform the Low-Income Housing Credit program, which provides tax credits to developers of affordable housing. It would increase state allocations based on population with annual cost-of-living adjustments, modify tenant eligibility rules to allow higher income limits for some residents, and add protections for domestic violence victims in housing. The bill would simplify rules for rural and Native American housing projects, clarify credit eligibility requirements, and require greater transparency in program administration. These changes would directly affect developers, property owners, and low-income tenants in housing projects that receive LIHC tax credits.

Maddy summaryHR 2729, the "Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act," creates a new temporary work visa category for carnival and circus workers. It directly affects mobile entertainment providers (like traveling carnivals, circuses, and affiliated food/game concession services) and their workers who perform essential tasks such as transporting, assembling, operating, and maintaining rides and equipment at seasonal fairs and festivals. The bill amends immigration law to define "mobile entertainment workers" as those entering temporarily for functions integral to these operations, subject to labor program requirements similar to other temporary work visas. It requires the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to issue implementing rules within one year of enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 2660 exempts certain student loan bonds issued by state or local governments from two tax restrictions: the federal volume cap (which limits bond issuance) and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). This means states and localities can issue more of these bonds to fund student loans without hitting the volume cap limit or facing AMT calculations. The bill defines "qualified student loan bonds" as those meeting specific criteria under existing tax code, ensuring the exemption applies only to bonds directly supporting student lending. This change aims to make it easier for governments to finance student loan programs by reducing tax barriers for the bonds they issue.

Maddy summaryHR 2117, the "Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act," extends enhanced crop insurance support to beginning farmers and veteran farmers. It increases the definition of "beginning farmer" from 5 to 10 crop years and updates veteran farmer definitions similarly. The bill adds tiered premium reductions: for the first two years of participation, insurance costs are reduced by 15 percentage points each year, decreasing to 10 percentage points for years five through ten. This directly affects new and veteran farmers by lowering their insurance costs during early years of operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2102 (Major Richard Star Act), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both full military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation simultaneously, without the previous offset that reduced retired pay. It directly affects veterans already eligible for both benefits due to combat-related injuries, removing the requirement that their retired pay be reduced by the disability compensation amount. The key provision amends Title 10 and Title 38 to eliminate the offset rule (sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38) for these veterans. The change applies to payments starting after the bill’s enactment date, effective for all qualifying veterans. This is a policy change to increase financial support for affected veterans, not a new benefit.

Maddy summaryThe Future FARMER Act reauthorizes annual funding for agricultural education programs under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. It specifically allocates $40 million each year from fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for grants and fellowships supporting students and educators in food and agricultural sciences. This funding directly affects institutions like land-grant universities and their students participating in these programs. The bill makes no new requirements but ensures continued financial support for existing educational initiatives in agriculture.

Maddy summaryThe Radar Gap Elimination Act (HR 2646) establishes a program to replace the aging NEXRAD weather radar network with improved technology. It requires NOAA to develop a detailed plan by 2040, including performance standards, a testbed for phased array radar, and strategies to fill coverage gaps using commercial radars and partnerships. The bill directly affects the National Weather Service's radar infrastructure and aims to enhance coverage - especially in remote or topographically challenging areas - by prioritizing locations over 75 miles from existing stations. Key provisions include collaborating with meteorologists and emergency managers, testing new radar technologies, and ensuring data improvements for weather forecasts and warnings.

Maddy summaryHR 2596 creates a $1.00 per gallon tax credit for renewable natural gas (RNG) used as transportation fuel in vehicles, boats, or aircraft. The credit applies to producers and businesses that sell or use RNG meeting specific requirements, including registration under existing rules and producer certification. RNG must be derived from biomass and produced within the U.S., with blended fuel treated as RNG only under strict contractual and certification conditions. The credit expires for sales or uses after December 31, 2035, and applies to fuel sold or used after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes Federal Pell Grants tax-free for students, removing the tax burden on these federal education awards. It also expands the American Opportunity Tax Credit to cover eligible child care costs (for students enrolled in school) and up to $1,000 for computer equipment or internet access used for education. These changes apply to tax returns filed for 2025 and later. The bill directly affects students receiving Pell Grants and those claiming the American Opportunity Credit for educational expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies a "maximum pressure" policy toward Iran, requiring the U.S. to maintain all sanctions until Iran meets specific conditions related to its nuclear program, missile development, support for terrorism, and human rights violations. It expands sanctions on Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities supporting Iran's ballistic missile program, while prohibiting waivers of sanctions on these entities. The bill mandates regular reports to Congress on Iran's nuclear activities, support for terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and human rights abuses within Iran. It also directs the use of frozen Iranian assets to support victims of state-sponsored terrorism and prevents the release of funds that could benefit Iran's terrorist proxies. The bill aims to maintain economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until it changes its behavior across multiple fronts.