Rep. Jason Crow

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for expenses related to "qualified access technology for the blind" under the Internal Revenue Code. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per year (adjusted for inflation) for costs paid for hardware, software, or IT that converts visual information into formats usable by blind individuals, covering the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent who is blind. The credit is limited to $2,000 over any three consecutive tax years per blind individual and expires after 2028. It directly affects blind individuals and their families who purchase qualifying assistive technology. The credit cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other tax deductions or credits.

Maddy summaryHRES 439 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for keeping the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) as an independent federal agency, not subject to privatization. It highlights USPS's constitutional role, self-sustaining nature (relying on service revenue, not taxpayer funds), and its importance to rural communities, e-commerce, and over 600,000 employees. The resolution urges Congress to take action to preserve USPS's independence, emphasizing that privatization could raise prices, reduce services, and harm the nation's mail infrastructure. As a procedural resolution, it does not change law but formally states the House's position.

Expanding Access to Affordable Credit for Small Businesses Act This bill establishes rules related to the authorization of lending institutions (including banks, small business lending companies, non-federally regulated lenders, and non-depository lending institutions) to make loans under the 7(a) Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Under the 7(a) Program, the SBA provides business loans and loan guaranties to small business borrowers unable to obtain financing elsewhere. Specifically, the SBA must ensure that these lending institutions and other entities (1) provide an independent audit that examines adherence to all applicable federal laws and regulations regarding anti-money laundering, counterterrorist financing, sanctions, and financial crimes; and (2) implement a compliance program that is designed to conform with relevant anti-money laundering laws and regulations.

Maddy summaryThe Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2023 creates a grant program providing small businesses with up to $75,000 to purchase technical assistance from eligible research institutions (like universities or nonprofit labs) for developing new products or services. At least 40% of annual funds must support small businesses in underserved markets, including rural areas, HUBZones, or those owned by veterans, women, or socially disadvantaged individuals. Grants cover 50-75% of costs (depending on amount) for projects requiring innovation, with recipients reporting on outcomes like new products or improved business practices. The program is funded at $10 million annually from 2023 through 2027, with strict reporting requirements for the Small Business Administration.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 436) symbolically designates the week of May 22-26, 2023, as "Educator Mental Health Awareness Week" to highlight mental health challenges faced by teachers and school staff. It directly addresses educators, citing pandemic-era data showing high rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among teachers compared to the general population. The resolution expresses support for recognizing educator well-being as critical to student success but does not create new policies, funding, or enforceable requirements. As a non-binding resolution, it serves solely as a symbolic gesture to promote awareness.

Maddy summaryThe Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act (HR 3437) designates approximately 30,000 acres of Colorado public land as new wilderness areas or wildlife conservation areas, protecting ecological, recreational, and cultural resources while withdrawing land from mineral leasing. It establishes a pilot program to capture and utilize methane emissions from coal mines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with specific provisions for land management and existing mineral leases. The bill directly affects Federal land managers (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management), existing mineral leaseholders, and tribal communities with treaty rights. Key provisions include creating specific wilderness areas like the Tenmile Wilderness, establishing the Curecanti National Recreation Area, and allowing continued grazing on designated lands subject to regulations.

Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act This bill extends through FY2033 and increases funding for the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund. The funding is provided from revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases, and awards from the fund are made to states and other entities, including tribes and nonprofits.

Maddy summaryHR 3165, the Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act, requires the military to create a new database tracking complaints about housing units occupied by service members and their families who do not own their housing. It mandates an annual report to Congress summarizing all complaints, categorized into specific types like mold or lead hazards (physiological), security issues (psychological), safety risks, and maintenance problems (timeliness and quality). This directly affects military members and their dependents living in government-provided housing. The bill aims to improve transparency by making complaint data publicly available and requiring the military to report on actions taken to resolve issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill would designate approximately 1.7 million acres of public land in Utah's Colorado Plateau and Great Basin regions as wilderness areas, protecting them from development while preserving traditional uses by Indigenous communities. It establishes specific wilderness areas across Utah's red rock canyons, including the Great Basin Wilderness Areas, Grand Staircase-Escalante Wilderness Areas, and others, with detailed acreage for each designated zone. The bill includes administrative provisions for managing these areas, such as maintaining existing livestock grazing rights, setting road setbacks to protect wilderness character, and reserving water rights for the wilderness areas. This legislation directly affects how the Bureau of Land Management administers public lands in Utah and defines the boundaries for public use of these designated wilderness areas.

Maddy summaryHR 3502, the Responsible Firearms Marketing Act, directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate deceptive advertising practices related to firearms. The FTC must study marketing that targets minors, implies illegal use, or promotes semiautomatic assault weapons, then report findings to Congress within two years. If the FTC identifies unfair practices, it must issue enforceable regulations within 18 months of the report to prohibit such marketing by firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers. The law aims to stop deceptive advertising through FTC enforcement under existing consumer protection rules, directly affecting the firearms industry.