Rep. Jill N. Tokuda

Improving Coordination of Agriculture Research and Data Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Agriculture Climate Scientific Research Advisory Committee and a Rural Climate Alliance Network.  The advisory committee, within USDA's Office of the Chief Scientist, must review and make recommendations on the agency's long-term and short-term national policies and priorities for (1) data collection for climate-specific agricultural research, extension, education, and economics; and (2) agricultural climate research. The Rural Climate Alliance Network must coordinate the provision of agriculture climate research, climate data, extension, and technical assistance for agricultural producers, the food and agricultural industry, nonprofit organizations, and researchers. The bill defines an  agricultural producer as an individual who is engaged in farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, or another occupation relating to agriculture. USDA must also submit a report to Congress that includes a long-term strategy for responding to the challenges faced by agricultural producers that may impact agricultural producers' climate change resilience. The report must also include recommendations for further action by federal departments and agencies that are based on best practices.

Maddy summaryHR 7015, the CAREERS Act, expands federal funding for workforce training programs to better serve rural communities. It modifies eligibility to include career and technical education schools and requires training programs to align with specific rural industry sectors like broadband, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and water services. The bill mandates grantees to report on employment outcomes for participants and addresses rural workforce challenges such as worker displacement and youth migration. This directly affects rural workforce development boards, training providers, and workers in designated rural industries seeking job skills and career pathways.

Maddy summaryThe ACE Veterans Act (HR 9094) requires the VA to provide female veterans enrolled in its healthcare system with the option to receive a full year's supply of hormonal contraceptives - such as pills, patches, or vaginal rings - instead of monthly refills, upon request. It directly affects veterans who are prescribed these specific contraceptive products through VA care. The bill mandates that VA providers notify these veterans about the full-year supply option at the time of prescription. This change simplifies access to consistent contraceptive care without requiring additional clinic visits for monthly refills. The policy applies to all eligible veterans enrolled in the VA’s annual patient enrollment system who receive such prescriptions.

Maddy summaryHR 9363, the Empowering Women in Agriculture Act, requires U.S. Department of Agriculture programs to prioritize support for socially disadvantaged women farmers and ranchers. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include gender prejudice in anti-discrimination definitions and defines "women’s nonprofit organization" for the first time. Key provisions mandate that at least 10% of funds under the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant Program must serve socially disadvantaged women farmers, and extend program funding periods through 2029. This directly affects women farmers facing systemic barriers and the nonprofit organizations serving them, with concrete policy changes focused on equitable resource allocation.

Maddy summaryHR 9337, the "Don’t STEAL Act," requires employers to pay employees the full wage rate specified in their employment contracts (including collective bargaining agreements) if it exceeds the minimum rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This directly affects workers engaged in commerce or production for commerce, ensuring they receive agreed-upon higher wages. The bill adds criminal penalties for willful wage theft, including fines and up to 5 years in prison for violations exceeding $1,000, with penalties based on severity and business size. It also directs fines collected from violations to fund the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforcement efforts. The law applies to unpaid wages or overtime violations occurring 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund school sports access for K-12 students. It provides grants to elementary and secondary schools that comply with Title IX, allowing them to expand athletic programs, cover costs like equipment/uniforms, or reduce participation barriers - especially for girls and women in underrepresented sports. Schools receiving funds must certify they won’t discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. The legislation directly affects public schools seeking to improve equity in youth sports, building on existing Title IX protections for transgender and LGBTQ+ students.

Maddy summaryThe SCOPE Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop standardized guidance for reporting scope 3 emissions - indirect emissions from a company’s supply chain and product use - within 12 months of enactment. It requires the EPA to establish reporting thresholds, calculation methods, monitoring frequency, data quality standards, and recordkeeping procedures for facilities already subject to EPA greenhouse gas reporting rules (like major industrial plants). The guidance will help direct emitters (facilities currently reporting under EPA regulations) understand how to measure and report these indirect emissions. This bill does not mandate reporting but creates a framework for future EPA rules on scope 3 emissions.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution expresses the House's support for keeping guns out of schools by stating federal funds should not be used to arm school personnel or provide them firearm training. It references existing laws like the STOP School Violence Act (2018) and research showing arming staff does not improve safety, citing data on failed interventions and disproportionate impacts on students of color. The resolution affirms current policy guidance without creating new legal requirements. It serves as a formal statement of the House's position based on evidence and existing legislative frameworks.

Maddy summaryHR 9196, the Pregnancy Empowerment Act of 2024, prohibits states from delaying or denying divorce petitions solely because a person is pregnant. This directly affects pregnant individuals - particularly women of color and those experiencing intimate partner violence - who face barriers to finalizing divorces during pregnancy, trapping them in abusive relationships. The bill mandates that states cannot consider pregnancy status when processing divorce filings, addressing findings that such delays increase risks of violence and reproductive coercion. It aims to remove legal obstacles that prevent pregnant people from accessing divorce, a critical step for safety and autonomy.

Feed the Community Act  This bill allows a tax exemption for charitable donations of food transportation vehicles and food storage equipment to tax-exempt charitable organizations for providing food to individuals and communities in need.