Rep. Zachary Nunn

Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023 This bill amends the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Circuit Rider Program to include cybersecurity technical assistance for rural water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people. Under the program, USDA provides technical assistance to rural water systems that are experiencing day-to-day operational, financial, or managerial issues. Specifically, the program's cybersecurity technical assistance must (1) assess system efficacy in protecting against cyber threats; and (2) implement cybersecurity plans, procedures, and technologies to protect against cyber threats. The bill also reauthorizes the Circuit Rider Program through FY2028.

Maddy summaryHR 4413, the Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to sell a special semipostal stamp (where the price exceeds regular postage) to fund Lyme disease research. The extra revenue from stamp sales will be sent directly to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for tick-borne illness research, with funds specifically protected from being used to offset NIAID's regular budget. The stamp would be available for at least six years, beginning one year after the bill becomes law, and the proceeds cannot reduce other federal funding for NIAID. This bill creates a new public funding mechanism for research, directly affecting those who purchase the stamp and the NIAID research programs.

Maddy summaryHR 4498, the Jobs of the Future Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Science Foundation to produce two reports analyzing how artificial intelligence impacts the U.S. workforce. The reports must identify data gaps, industries most affected by AI, vulnerable worker demographics (like specific age, gender, or economic groups), and needed skills for AI-related jobs. They will also propose methods to reskill workers, expand access to AI education, and support community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The bill does not fund programs or change laws but mandates this analysis to inform future workforce policies.

Maddy summaryHR 4417, the "Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act," prevents state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products sold across state lines if those standards aren't already required by federal law or the state where the product is grown. It directly affects agricultural producers, distributors, and businesses operating in interstate commerce by allowing them to sue states in federal court to challenge such regulations. The bill creates a private right of action for affected parties to seek court invalidation of the regulations and damages for economic losses, with provisions for preliminary injunctions to halt enforcement during litigation. This aims to reduce regulatory barriers that could hinder the movement of agricultural goods between states.

Ukraine Reconstruction Accountability and Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Directors at each international financial institution to use their voice, vote, and influence to prevent such institutions from entering into contracts for reconstruction in Ukraine with companies in countries supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The international financial institutions include the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation. Specifically, the bill requires such instructions to prevent the institutions from contracting with firms, including subcontractors, that are located or have operations in designated countries or in countries whose government has provided material or diplomatic support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The bill also authorizes Treasury to waive such instructions for countries specified by the bill if the government of that country (1) publicly opposes the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or (2) provides material support to Ukraine to evict Russian forces from its territory.

Maddy summaryHR 4344, the ATRRS Act, requires the Army Secretary to allow reserve component soldiers to access the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS) on personal internet devices within one year of the law's enactment. This directly affects Army reserve members by enabling them to view real-time training course information using their own devices. The bill mandates this access unless the Secretary restricts it for security reasons to protect U.S. information systems. The ATRRS is defined as the Army’s online system for managing training courses, and this bill changes how reserve soldiers access that system.

Maddy summaryHR 4346, the Small Bank Holding Company Relief Act of 2023, requires the Federal Reserve to raise the asset threshold for small bank holding companies from its current level to $10 billion. This change would exempt smaller banks (with consolidated assets under $10 billion) from certain regulatory requirements they currently face. The policy update must be implemented within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a National Commission on Critical Supply Chains to study vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains for critical products. The Commission would examine dependencies on foreign sources for items including medical supplies, rare earth materials, semiconductors, defense components, and food products. It would identify risks to national security, economic competitiveness, and public health if these supply chains were disrupted. The Commission would produce annual reports with recommendations for Congress to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience. The Commission would operate for 10 years, with an annual budget of $6 million.

Maddy summaryHR 3519, the Hot Foods Act of 2023, amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used for hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption at participating retailers. This change directly affects SNAP recipients who purchase such hot foods and retailers that sell them. The key provision removes the previous exclusion of hot foods from SNAP eligibility, while adding a limit that no more than 50% of a retailer's total gross sales from SNAP can come from hot foods. The bill clarifies that hot foods can be purchased for home or immediate consumption, aligning SNAP rules with current retail practices for prepared foods.

Maddy summaryHR 3425 creates federal grants to community colleges and college consortia with agriculture programs, helping them expand workforce training, education, and research in farming and related fields. The bill prioritizes colleges partnering with local farms for hands-on student training and allows grant funds to cover equipment, faculty development, and apprenticeships. It authorizes $20 million annually from 2024-2029 for these programs and requires a 3-year evaluation report to Congress. The law directly affects community colleges offering agriculture-focused education, aiming to strengthen their capacity to serve students and the agricultural industry.