Rep. Brad Finstad

Maddy summaryHR 1207 transfers the administration of the Food for Peace Act's food aid programs from USAID to the Department of Agriculture. This means the Agriculture Secretary, not the USAID Administrator, will now handle all related functions, including managing assets, grants, and rules for distributing U.S. food aid overseas. The bill requires immediate implementation upon enactment, with references in law automatically updating to the Agriculture Secretary, and allows for swift interim rules to maintain program continuity. It also specifies that the Famine Early Warning Systems Network will continue under Agriculture, and the Department must consult with the State Department on certain aspects of the program.

Credit Union Board Modernization Act This bill reduces the required frequency of meetings held by the board of directors of certain credit unions. Under the bill, new credit unions and credit unions with a low soundness rating must meet monthly, as required under current law. All other credit unions must hold at least six meetings annually, with at least one meeting held during each fiscal quarter.

Maddy summaryThe Laken Riley Act expands mandatory detention for immigrants convicted of certain property crimes like burglary, theft, or shoplifting by adding these offenses to existing immigration detention criteria. It requires the federal government to issue detainers for such individuals and take custody if not detained by local authorities. The bill also grants state attorneys general standing to sue federal officials in federal court if they believe immigration enforcement actions (like releasing detained immigrants) cause the state financial harm exceeding $100. This creates new legal pathways for states to challenge federal immigration decisions through expedited lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHR 1131 exempts certain family farms and small businesses from being counted as assets when calculating financial need for federal student aid under the Higher Education Act. Specifically, it amends the law to exclude the net value of a family farm where the family resides and small businesses (with ≤100 employees) owned by the family from need analysis calculations. This change directly affects students from qualifying family farm or small business households when applying for federal financial aid. The exemption applies to need analysis conducted for award years beginning after the bill's enactment date. The bill modifies Section 480(f)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to implement this policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands 529 college savings account flexibility by allowing funds to cover costs for industry-recognized postsecondary credentials, not just traditional degrees. It defines "qualified expenses" to include tuition/fees for recognized credential programs (like certifications or apprenticeships), required testing fees, and continuing education needed to maintain credentials. To qualify, programs must meet specific criteria, such as appearing on state lists under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or being listed in VA or Defense directories. The change applies to 529 distributions made after the law's enactment, giving families more options to use these accounts for job-focused training.

This resolution supports the designation of Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 1086, the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025, increases funding for two key U.S. Department of Agriculture export programs to boost agricultural trade. It raises the Market Access Program budget from $255 million to $489.5 million annually and doubles the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program base funding from $200 million to $400 million, with cooperator funding increasing from $34.5 million to $69 million. These changes, effective through 2029, address years of stagnant funding while aiming to counter competitive disadvantages from foreign agricultural export programs. The bill directly supports U.S. agricultural producers - from apple growers to seafood exporters - by expanding access to international markets through these programs.

Maddy summaryHR 1046, the Marc Fischer Memorial Act, requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement digital mail scanning technology at all federal prisons to detect fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in inmate mail. It mandates a strategy within 90 days of an evaluation, including 100% scanning of all mail, digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours, and physical mail delivery within 30 days for non-contaminated items. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, inmates, and the Bureau of Prisons by aiming to reduce drug-related overdoses and alleviate staff workload tied to mail processing. Implementation must be completed within three years, with annual reports tracking detected drugs and strategy efficiency. The legislation focuses on concrete technological and procedural changes to enhance safety, referencing a successful pilot program at two facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC), a federal tax incentive that encourages private investment in low-income communities. It directly affects community development entities (CDEs) that channel capital into underserved neighborhoods for projects like housing, healthcare, and businesses. Key provisions include permanently extending the credit beyond 2025, adding annual inflation adjustments to the credit amount starting in 2026, and ensuring the credit isn't reduced by the alternative minimum tax for investments made after December 2024. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2024, providing long-term stability for community development financing.

Maddy summaryHR 1040, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, would stop taxing Social Security benefits for seniors by repealing the current tax rule that includes some benefits in gross income. It directly affects senior citizens who currently pay federal income tax on portions of their Social Security payments. The bill adds a provision stating Section 86 of the tax code (which taxes Social Security benefits) no longer applies after enactment. To offset the lost tax revenue, the bill requires the government to appropriate funds to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement trust funds, ensuring they remain fully funded without requiring tax increases.