Rep. Jim Costa

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 6950, the Working Dog Health and Welfare Act of 2024, requires federal agencies and their contractors managing working dog programs to implement specific health and welfare recommendations from a 2022 Government Accountability Office report within 180 days of the law's enactment. It directly affects all federal agencies (including Congress and courts as defined), their contractors, and the Department of State when providing working dogs to foreign partners. Key mechanisms include mandatory implementation of the GAO's recommendations, a 60-day reporting requirement to Congress on steps taken, and ensuring new programs established after enactment follow these standards. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to standardize care for working dogs used in federal operations, without altering existing program structures or outcomes.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 81 is a symbolic concurrent resolution recognizing the anniversaries of multiple United Nations-designated international days focused on peace, such as the International Day of Peace (September 21), International Day of Non-Violence (October 2), and others. It commemorates specific milestones, including the 42nd anniversary of the International Day of Peace and the 5th anniversary of the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The resolution encourages U.S. citizens to observe these days and supports activities promoting peace, nonviolence, and cooperation throughout the year. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but expresses congressional support for global peace efforts.

Hydrogen for Trucks Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish a grant program that assists eligible entities in purchasing (1) heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles (e.g., trucks) that use hydrogen as a fuel source, and (2) related equipment. Certain entities that control heavy-duty truck fleets or public hydrogen fueling stations may apply for grants. Grant recipients must use the funding to demonstrate the performance of at least seven heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel source or at least one hydrogen fueling station for use by such vehicles.

Maddy summaryHR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023, allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer whole milk as an option during lunch. It amends the school lunch law to explicitly permit schools to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk alongside reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk choices for students. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust meal regulations to account for saturated fat from whole milk, ensuring it doesn't count against meal fat limits. This change directly affects participating schools and the students who receive school lunches, expanding their milk beverage options.

Maddy summaryThe Restore Honor to Service Members Act of 2023 establishes a Department of Defense "Tiger Team" to improve outreach to veterans with certain discharge statuses (specifically those discharged under "former section 654" before 2011, often related to policies like the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era). The team will collaborate with the VA, veterans' groups, and other stakeholders to identify eligible veterans, share contact information, and guide them through the existing review process under Section 527 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill requires the team to submit regular progress reports to Congress and a final report within three years, tracking how many veterans successfully changed their discharge status to "honorable" through the review process. This focuses on streamlining access to an existing review mechanism, not creating new benefits or altering discharge standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Elk River Trail in California's Headwaters Forest Reserve as the "Senator Dianne Feinstein Memorial Trail." It updates all official federal references - such as laws, maps, and documents - to reflect this new name. The bill directly affects the Elk River Trail and federal records mentioning it. No substantive policy changes or funding are involved; it solely honors Senator Feinstein through a trail naming designation.

Maddy summaryHR 6416, the "Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Tax Act," imposes a 100% tax on interest and dividends earned from frozen Russian and Belarusian sovereign assets held abroad. This tax revenue is directed into a new Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund, which must be used for Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid, economic development, and transparent governance. The bill requires U.S. financial institutions to withhold this tax from qualifying income and overrides international treaty obligations to ensure implementation. It also mandates annual reports on fund usage to Congress, specifying that all revenues from the tax must support Ukraine's recovery efforts as defined in the legislation.

Maddy summaryThe Innovative FEED Act of 2023 defines and regulates "zootechnical animal food substances" - substances added to animal feed to affect digestion, reduce foodborne pathogens, or alter gut microbiome without providing nutrition. It requires these substances to be approved as food additives by the FDA under existing rules, with specific data on intended effects and mandatory labeling stating "Not for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals." The bill excludes drugs, hormones, ionophores, and other substances from this category. This directly affects animal feed manufacturers, the FDA’s regulatory process, and the labeling requirements for these products.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Never Again Education program, which funds Holocaust education initiatives in schools. It extends the program's funding authorization period from ending after four fiscal years to continuing annually through fiscal year 2030. The bill modifies the existing law (Public Law 116-141) by updating the funding timeline without changing program requirements or eligibility. It directly affects the existing grant program supporting educational materials and teacher training on the Holocaust. The change ensures continued federal funding for these specific educational efforts until 2030.