Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Maddy summaryThe ACRE Act of 2023 amends the tax code to exclude interest income from certain rural and agricultural loans from taxable income for eligible lenders. It directly affects banks, savings associations, and their wholly-owned entities that provide qualified loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate, including single-family homes in designated rural areas (with a $750,000 loan balance cap) or aquaculture facilities. The key provision allows these lenders to exclude interest earned on qualifying loans from their gross income, effectively reducing their tax liability on such lending activity. The bill applies to loans made after its enactment date and aligns with existing definitions of rural property from the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies administering the WIC program to publicly post details about infant formula bid solicitations online within 5 business days of posting the bid. Specifically, states must share the bid title, application website, contact information, and deadline via a central federal portal, which the Secretary must then publish publicly within 5 days. It directly affects state WIC agencies and the public by increasing transparency in how states purchase infant formula. The bill creates a new online information-sharing requirement under the Child Nutrition Act, without changing WIC eligibility or benefits.

Maddy summaryHRES 339 is a non-binding House resolution expressing that an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy - including oil, gas, nuclear, coal, hydropower, and renewables - is the most viable approach to U.S. energy policy. It states this strategy would strengthen national security, lower consumer energy prices, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution highlights that domestic energy production supports infrastructure funding, job creation, and energy independence, while noting U.S. energy sources like Gulf of Mexico oil and nuclear power provide clean, reliable electricity. As a statement of congressional opinion, it does not create new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Banking Act of 2023 would protect banks and financial institutions that provide services to state-legal marijuana businesses and hemp-related businesses by preventing federal regulators from taking adverse actions against them solely for serving these businesses. It clarifies that income from state-legal marijuana businesses can be considered for mortgage applications, and requires regulators to update guidance on suspicious activity reports related to these businesses. The bill does not require financial institutions to serve these businesses, but ensures they won't face penalties for doing so. It extends similar protections to hemp-related businesses, which have faced banking challenges despite being federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

This resolution urges transatlantic unity on a robust deterrence policy to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The resolution also (1) encourages NATO allies to work with their partners in the Indo-Pacific to address shared global security challenges; and (2) commends the people of Taiwan for their commitment to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights.

This resolution expresses U.S. support for Israel and its efforts to defend its right to existence. The resolution also declares that the United States and international community must prevent Iran from acquiring or building nuclear weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination by prohibiting life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums, or altering policy terms solely because someone donated an organ while alive. It also updates the Family and Medical Leave Act to include recovery from organ donation surgery as a qualifying health condition, allowing donors to take protected leave for this purpose. Additionally, the bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about living donation benefits, risks, and insurance protections within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect living organ donors, insurers, employers, and healthcare systems by ensuring fair access to insurance and workplace leave.

Maddy summaryHR 2955, the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, establishes a Federal Work Group to improve data collection and best practices for youth in residential programs (like therapeutic schools, treatment centers, and group homes). The Work Group, composed of federal agency representatives and diverse stakeholders, must develop national data standards, create risk assessment tools, and issue biennial reports with recommendations to enhance safety, reduce restraints, and expand community-based alternatives. It directly affects youth with mental health, substance use, or disability needs placed in these facilities, as well as agencies overseeing them. The bill also mandates a National Academies study to examine funding, oversight, and barriers to community care. These mechanisms aim to standardize data tracking and promote less restrictive, trauma-informed care for youth in residential programs.

Maddy summaryHR 2849 creates a tax credit for U.S. manufacturers producing rare earth magnets. The credit offers $20 per kilogram for magnets made with domestically sourced materials, or $30 per kilogram if at least 90% of the rare earth components are produced in the U.S. The credit phases out over time, reducing to 70% in 2033, 35% in 2034-2035, and ending after 2035. To qualify, manufacturers must not use materials from non-allied foreign nations and must produce magnets as part of their regular business operations.

Partner with Korea Act This bill creates an E-4 treaty trader visa category for up to 15,000 nationals of South Korea each fiscal year who are coming to the United States solely to perform specialty occupation services, subject to various requirements. The 15,000 limit shall only apply to principal recipients of such visas and not their accompanying spouses or children. (A specialty occupation is one that requires the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher.)