Rep. James R. Baird

Farm Credit Administration Independent Authority Act This bill specifies that the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is the sole regulator of the Farm Credit System (FCS) and establishes reporting requirements for FCS institutions. Specifically, the bill states that the FCA is the sole and independent regulator of the FCS and exempts entities that are supervised by the FCA from the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). (The bill addresses a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB] that would implement provisions of the ECOA by requiring covered financial institutions, including FCS lenders, to collect and report to the CFPB data on credit applications for small businesses, including the principal owner's race, sex, and ethnicity.) The bill also requires FCS institutions to (1) request that loan applicants and borrowers that are small farmers disclose information identifying their race, sex, and ethnicity; and (2) annually report the collected information to the FCA. If an FCS institution customer does not voluntarily report the requested information, the FCA may not require the institution to use other means to deduce the information.

Maddy summaryHR 1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to hold national hearings within 180 days of enactment to review the Federal milk marketing system, specifically focusing on the formula used to set the Class I skim milk price (the price for milk used in fluid products like milk and cheese). The bill mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture collect input from dairy producers and the industry on this pricing formula and other related matters during these hearings. It also amends federal law to require dairy processors to report detailed cost and yield information for all products made at their facilities, with the Secretary required to publish reports on this data every two years. This bill directly affects dairy producers, processors, and the regulatory framework governing milk pricing.

Maddy summaryHR 2541, the Ensuring Safer Schools Act of 2023, modifies federal COPS grants to prioritize hiring veterans and retired law enforcement officers as school resource officers (SROs). It adds preferential consideration for grant applications focused on this hiring, requires annual mental health screenings and training for SROs, and mandates annual student engagement activities by SROs. The bill directly affects schools receiving COPS grants, veterans seeking SRO roles, and law enforcement agencies partnering with schools. It also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to connect veterans with local SRO programs. These changes adjust existing grant rules without creating new funding or altering school safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the CDC to collect and publicly share information about concussions and brain injuries affecting public safety officers (including police, firefighters, and emergency responders). It directs the CDC to update its website with this information and develop targeted resources for medical professionals, employers, mental health providers, and families. The CDC must also consult with these groups to ensure the information meets their needs and support the creation of model treatment guidelines through grants. The law aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for brain injuries in this workforce.

Maddy summaryHR 2743 prohibits large financial institutions (over $100 billion in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on subjective political reasons, industry type, or reputational concerns. It requires these institutions to use objective, risk-based assessments for service decisions and provide written justifications for denials. The law applies to banks, credit unions, and payment networks, with civil penalties for violations including fines up to $10,000 per incident. It specifically ensures businesses operating legally under federal law receive fair access to financial services without discrimination. The bill mandates that denials be based on documented risk factors, not political bias or category-based exclusion.

American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures, thus allowing continued expensing of such expenditures in the taxable years in which they are incurred.

Maddy summaryHR 2693, the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2023, ensures Coast Guard members, civilian staff, and qualifying contractors receive pay and benefits during specific funding gaps. It requires Congress to appropriate funds for Coast Guard personnel pay, allowances, and key benefits (like death gratuities and housing allowances) if a Coast Guard-specific funding lapse occurs - when Coast Guard funding isn’t approved before a fiscal year starts but Department of Defense funding is. The bill mandates these payments continue until a full appropriation is enacted or for up to two weeks after the lapse begins, with costs charged to future appropriations. This addresses a gap in funding continuity for Coast Guard personnel during government shutdowns affecting only the Coast Guard.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends veterans' burial benefit rules to include veterans who die at home while receiving hospice care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It directly affects veterans who were in VA hospice care at home and had previously received VA hospital or nursing home care. The key change adds a new eligibility category, allowing burial allowances for these veterans if their hospice care followed VA hospital or nursing home care. This expands existing benefits without changing benefit amounts or creating new costs. The amendment retroactively applies to the 2020 law that originally created the related provisions.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryThe VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to schedule appointments for enrolled veterans during the same phone call when they request care. This applies to veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system who contact the VA by phone to request appointments. The law mandates that the VA must complete the scheduling during the call - without delay or future scheduling - regardless of the appointment date. The requirement takes effect 120 days after the bill is enacted.