Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of federal law (18 U.S. Code § 1791(b)) to update the legal references regarding prohibited phone possession in prisons. It specifically modifies the code to include a new subsection "(d)(1)(F)" in paragraph (3) and adjusts the list in paragraph (4) to remove outdated references. The change directly affects the enforcement of existing rules about cell phones in federal correctional facilities. This is a technical citation update to the law, not a new policy or rule change.

Maddy summarySRES 645 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating April 20-28, 2024, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect any group directly; instead, it formally recognizes this week to highlight the National Park System. The resolution encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks, referencing the system’s history, visitor statistics (325 million visits in 2023), and economic impact ($50.3 billion in 2022). As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to promote awareness of national parks.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 updates the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to create more affordable housing options. Key provisions include increasing state funding allocations through revised per capita and minimum amount calculations, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better protect vulnerable populations (including domestic violence victims), and expanding the program's reach to Native American communities and rural areas. The bill also changes the program's name from "Low-income Housing Credit" to "Affordable Housing Credit" and makes administrative improvements to enhance transparency and accountability. These changes aim to make it easier for developers to create and maintain affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income households.

Maddy summaryThe Neighborhood Homes Investment Act creates a new tax credit to encourage rehabilitation and construction of affordable homes in distressed communities. The credit, calculated as the lesser of the rehabilitation cost difference or 35% of development costs, is designed to address the "value gap" preventing housing revitalization. It requires homes to be sold to qualified homeowners (earning no more than 140% of area median income) in designated census tracts with high poverty rates and low homeownership. Homeowners must keep the homes as their primary residence for five years, after which they may sell but must repay a portion of the credit if sold within that period. The bill aims to generate 500,000 new homes over 10 years while promoting fair housing practices and neighborhood revitalization.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program, which incentivizes private investment in low-income communities. It modifies the tax code to keep the credit available indefinitely (replacing the previous 2020-2025 timeframe) and adds automatic annual inflation adjustments to the credit amount. The extension specifically benefits community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and investors who make qualified equity investments in designated low-income areas. It also provides relief from the alternative minimum tax for credits tied to investments made after December 2022.

Maddy summarySJRES 61 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration rule that established performance measures for the National Highway System, including a requirement to track greenhouse gas emissions from highway activities. The rule, published in December 2023, would have mandated that states and federal agencies assess highway performance using this emissions metric. If enacted, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the implementation of the emissions tracking measure. This action is pursued under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to reject federal regulations with a simple majority vote.

Maddy summaryThe FARMER Act of 2024 increases federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums for farm producers who select revenue and yield protection plans, raising the subsidy rate to 77% for one coverage level and 68% for another. It also boosts the premium subsidy for the supplemental coverage option from 65% to 80% and adjusts coverage levels for that option. Additionally, the bill requires a study to evaluate expanding the supplemental coverage to counties larger than 1,400 square miles at a level between individual and county-wide coverage, with a report to Congress due within one year. These changes directly affect farmers purchasing crop insurance under these specific plans.

Maddy summaryS 4075, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, prohibits payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) and covered entities (such as banks or processors) from using or requiring special merchant category codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general stores. This directly affects firearms retailers (businesses selling guns or ammunition) and payment networks by preventing them from assigning codes that could flag gun purchases for tracking. The bill requires the Attorney General to investigate complaints about violations and enforce the ban, with potential court action if violations aren't fixed within 30 days. It also preempts state or local laws on this issue and mandates annual reports on enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 608), not a bill with policy changes. It formally denounces the Biden administration's immigration policies by listing grievances, such as claims about border security, termination of asylum agreements, and alleged failures to use existing legal authorities. The resolution urges the administration to immediately implement specific actions under current law, including ending "catch-and-release" policies, reinstating Migrant Protection Protocols, and using expedited removal. It does not create new laws or alter policy - it is a statement of disapproval by the Senate. The resolution has no legal effect on immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryS 4034, the "No Bystanders at the United Nations Human Rights Council Act of 2024," requires the U.S. to withhold annual contributions to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) until the Council establishes an independent body to investigate human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China. The bill’s key mechanism mandates that the Secretary of State withhold U.S. funding for the UNHRC budget until certification is provided to Congress that the Council has mandated such an investigation. It directly affects the UNHRC’s funding by the U.S., the largest UN contributor, and targets the Council’s failure to investigate CCP abuses despite previous investigations into Israel. The bill does not alter U.S. funding for the broader UN system, only the UNHRC budget.