Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez

Maddy summaryHR 2235, the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2025, amends key USDA conservation programs to prioritize wildlife habitat connectivity, particularly for big game species like deer and elk. It adds habitat connectivity and migration corridors as conservation goals in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), allowing payments for activities like planning and maintenance on grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that are ecologically significant. The bill increases the maximum rental payment limit for CRP grasslands from $50,000 to $125,000 per year and requires the USDA to incorporate nonstructural methods (like virtual fencing) into conservation standards. It also directs research grants to study virtual fencing technology and its impacts on sensitive habitats used by big game species.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates approximately 12,295 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in Taos County, New Mexico, as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. It modifies the boundary of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument to align with this new wilderness area. The bill permits the maintenance of existing wildlife water structures (like guzzlers) within the wilderness if they enhance wildlife values and minimize visual impacts, and requires the federal government to establish a cooperative agreement with New Mexico State within one year to outline wildlife management terms. These changes directly affect federal land management practices and wildlife conservation activities in the designated area.

Maddy summaryHRES 326 is a non-binding resolution designating April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day" to honor the late labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. It recognizes her foundational work co-founding the United Farm Workers, leading grape boycotts that secured union contracts, advocating for farm workers' safety, and championing women's rights and Latino political representation. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any group, as it solely serves to commemorate Huerta's legacy. It was introduced by multiple House members in recognition of her contributions to civil rights and equality.

Maddy summaryThe Neighborhood Homes Investment Act creates a new tax credit for developers who build or rehabilitate affordable homes in distressed communities. The credit is calculated as the lesser of (1) the difference between development costs and sale price, (2) 40% of development costs, or (3) 32% of the national median home price. It applies only to homes sold to qualified homeowners with income up to 140% of area median income in designated "qualified census tracts" (areas with high poverty rates, low median home values, and low median family income). Developers must meet quality standards and repay the credit if the home is sold within 5 years of the affordable sale. This credit aims to address the "value gap" that prevents housing development in distressed communities by incentivizing affordable home construction and rehabilitation.

Maddy summaryThe Buffalo Tract Protection Act (HR 2893) permanently withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in New Mexico from mining and mineral leasing under federal law. This directly affects the Bureau of Land Management (which administers the land) and prevents new mining claims or mineral development on the specified Tracts A-D. The bill allows the surface rights of this land to be conveyed (sold or transferred) under existing federal land laws, but requires the federal government to retain all mineral rights. This is a permanent land protection measure focused on preserving the land's surface use potential while safeguarding mineral resources for the federal government.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route within 10 years of enactment, using existing land acquisition authorities under the National Trails System Act. It establishes a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management "Trail Completion Team" to coordinate with federal, state, Tribal, local governments, and landowners to identify trail gaps, explore land agreements, and develop a comprehensive 3-year plan. The plan must detail trail gaps, opportunities for land easements, and specific development costs. The bill explicitly states it does not create new land acquisition authority or prioritize trail land purchases over other federal land needs.

Maddy summaryThe M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act designates specific segments of rivers in New Mexico - including the Gila River system, Apache Creek, and Black Canyon Creek - as "wild" or "recreational" rivers under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers system. It withdraws federal lands within these designated segments from mining, grazing, and other development activities while preserving existing rights like water rights, grazing permits, and mining operations outside the designated areas. The bill also modifies boundaries of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and Gila National Forest by transferring approximately 440 acres from the Forest Service to the National Park Service. Management plans must be created for these rivers, requiring consultation with tribal governments and local communities. The bill ensures existing water infrastructure, native fish habitat projects, and treaty rights for Native American tribes are protected.

Maddy summaryHR 2812, the Youth Lead Act, amends an existing agricultural act to allocate $5 million annually for youth organizations from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. This funding is specifically designated for youth organizations under the amended section of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998. The bill does not create new eligibility rules or define "youth organizations," but directs existing federal funds toward this purpose. It directly affects qualifying youth organizations that receive these annual grants. The provision is a straightforward funding mechanism with no other substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 2861, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2025, blocks oil and gas development on federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. The bill terminates non-producing oil and gas leases on these lands and withdraws them from future mineral leasing, protecting the area’s cultural resources and dark skies. It directly affects oil and gas companies holding leases in the designated area and aims to safeguard sacred sites, prehistoric roads, and the park’s status as an International Dark Sky Park. The law preserves the cultural landscape for Pueblo Tribes, Navajo Nation, and Hopi Tribe, who have ongoing ceremonial ties to the region.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act (HR 2763) establishes a new refundable child tax credit that provides monthly payments to eligible families with children. It would pay $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $360 per month (120% of $300) for each child age 6 or older, with income limits of $150,000 for joint filers and $112,500 for other filers. The bill creates a "period of presumptive eligibility" to determine eligibility for monthly payments, allowing families to receive advance payments based on information from previous tax returns. This would directly affect millions of families with children who meet the income requirements, providing more consistent financial support throughout the year rather than an annual tax credit.