Rep. Ken Calvert

Maddy summaryThe Fight Fentanyl Act increases annual funding for fentanyl-related law enforcement efforts to $333 million from 2025 through 2030. It requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy to report annually on how HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) funds target fentanyl trafficking, including seizure data and threat assessments. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl prosecutions by temporarily reassigning U.S. attorneys to these cases. These provisions directly affect federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies working on fentanyl interdiction and prosecution.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1362) to explicitly include broadband internet access service infrastructure under protections against destruction. It directly affects entities that operate or damage broadband facilities, such as internet service providers, infrastructure owners, and individuals who might intentionally destroy such infrastructure. Key changes expand the definition of protected "means of communication" to specifically cover broadband facilities and broaden liability to include "any other person or entity" beyond government-controlled systems. The amendment removes the prior exemption for infrastructure used in "military or civil defense functions," ensuring all broadband infrastructure receives equal legal protection. This strengthens existing penalties for damaging broadband networks but does not create new regulatory requirements for service providers.

Maddy summaryHR 2771, the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, allows states to authorize qualified organizations (like accredited land trusts) to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program instead of requiring states to handle all such easements directly. To qualify, organizations must meet IRS standards for conservation purposes, maintain Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation, and demonstrate ability to monitor and enforce easements. The bill includes safeguards requiring easements to revert to the state or another approved organization if the qualified organization fails to meet program requirements or modifies easements inconsistently. This directly affects states administering the Forest Legacy Program and eligible land conservation groups working on forestland protection.

Maddy summaryHR 2806 prohibits the Secretary of Energy from selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to entities under Chinese Communist Party control or if the products could be exported to China. It directly affects U.S. energy sales to Chinese-linked companies and the Department of Energy’s management of the reserve. Key provisions require the Secretary to block such sales and mandate that any sale not result in exports to China. This policy change restricts access to U.S. strategic oil reserves for China-related entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. government to strengthen measures against hostage-taking by Iran and other adversaries. It mandates annual reports on $6 billion in Iranian funds transferred to Qatar (including certifications on humanitarian use), reviews of past hostage cases in Iran to identify individuals for sanctions, and restrictions on Iranian diplomats at the UN who face terrorism-related sanctions. The bill also directs the Secretary of State to evaluate whether U.S. passports should be invalid for travel to Iran due to detention risks, and requires a strategy to deter hostage-taking by U.S. adversaries. These provisions aim to hold accountable those involved in hostage-taking while protecting U.S. citizens.

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 summaryThis bill amends immigration law to expand mandatory detention for non-citizen immigrants convicted of specific property crimes. It adds trespassing, vandalism, and arson to the list of offenses that trigger detention under Section 236(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, alongside burglary and serious bodily injury. Non-citizen immigrants convicted of these crimes would now face automatic detention without bond, rather than potentially being released pending removal proceedings. The key change modifies existing detention criteria to include these three property crimes as grounds for mandatory immigration detention.

Maddy summaryHR 2694, the Election Results Accountability Act, sets strict deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections. It requires states to count at least 90% of ballots within 72 hours of polls closing and complete full counting with official certification within two weeks. Exceptions apply for major disasters, cyberattacks, technical issues, or recounts, but states missing deadlines risk losing federal election administration funds unless they submit a compliance plan. This bill directly affects all states administering federal elections, aiming to standardize and expedite the certification process while maintaining flexibility for genuine emergencies.

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 EMBER Act establishes a 7-year program (2026-2032) to reduce wildfire risks along the U.S. southern border. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage vegetation on federal lands near the Mexico border - administered by agencies like the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management - to cut hazardous fuels, install firebreaks, and address invasive species. The bill also requires new protocols to prevent wildfires and environmental damage caused by people crossing the border without authorization, including reducing trash accumulation and protecting sensitive habitats. Funding of $3.66 million annually will support these efforts across border states, with reports tracking incidents and cleanup costs.