Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro

Maddy summaryThe ACPAC Modernization Act (HR 3780) updates the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) by adding "ticket agents" as a new member category and extending the committee's term from 2023 to 2028. This change directly affects ACPAC's composition, which advises the Department of Transportation on airline consumer issues. The bill modifies existing membership rules to include representatives from the ticket purchasing industry - such as travel agencies and online booking platforms - who help consumers buy flights. The update ensures ACPAC's structure better reflects current airline industry stakeholders without altering the committee's core advisory role.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes voluntary date labels on most packaged foods by requiring uniform phrases: "BEST If Used By" for quality dates (indicating quality may decline) and "USE By" for discard dates (indicating when food should be discarded). It applies to manufacturers of non-infant formula foods who choose to include dates, with no requirement to use them. The law mandates clear, conspicuous placement of these phrases and prohibits states from creating conflicting labeling rules. It excludes infant formula and takes effect two years after enactment, with federal agencies required to educate consumers about the new labels.

Maddy summaryThe SHOPP Act (HR 3127) expands the types of healthy foods SNAP participants can buy with their benefits. It allows fresh frozen fruits and vegetables to count toward nutrition incentives year-round and adds legumes (like beans and lentils) to the list of eligible items. This directly affects SNAP recipients by increasing access to affordable, nutritious options beyond just fresh produce. The changes take effect March 6, 2024, modifying the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to exclude income earned through specific job training programs from being counted toward household income limits. It adds a new provision (paragraph 20) that excludes earnings from vocational rehabilitation programs, refugee employment programs, and other defined training initiatives. This change directly affects SNAP households where members participate in these programs, as the income from such participation will no longer reduce their food assistance benefits. The policy update simplifies eligibility by ensuring these earnings do not trigger benefit reductions under SNAP rules.

Maddy summaryHR 3036, the Increased TSP Access Act of 2023, amends conservation program rules to expand access to third-party providers (TSPs) who offer technical assistance to farmers on conservation practices. It creates new pathways for non-Federal entities like agricultural cooperatives or professional associations to certify TSPs, streamlines certification processes (requiring Secretary review within 10 business days), and sets payment rates for TSPs equivalent to government-provided technical assistance. The bill mandates public reporting on certification numbers, payment details, and a target utilization rate for TSPs to improve conservation program delivery. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by increasing options for technical support and requiring transparency in how TSPs are certified and compensated.

Maddy summaryHR 3773, the Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act, requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to prohibit any event promoting antisemitism on campus. This includes not hosting, facilitating, funding, or supporting such events. The bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 definition of antisemitism - including contemporary examples - as the standard for determining prohibited conduct. The law directly affects all institutions covered by the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Maddy summaryHR 3713 creates federal grants to fund comprehensive school-based mental health programs for students in grades K-12, including those in Bureau of Indian Education schools. It requires partnerships between schools and community mental health providers to deliver trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services addressing suicide risk, grief, violence, and trauma exposure. The bill authorizes $300 million annually (2024-2027) for these programs, mandating privacy protections under HIPAA and FERPA, and requires annual reporting on program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHR 3693, the Migrant Relocation Transparency Act, requires federal agencies (HHS for minors, DHS for adults) to consult with state governors and local leaders at least three business days before moving non-detained migrants. It mandates monthly reports to Congress, state governors, and the public detailing migrant numbers by family status, age, gender, country of origin, housing types, work permits, federal spending, and security screenings. The reports must be published online and include specific data on resettlement methods, educational resources, and whether relocations are temporary or permanent. This bill directly affects state/local officials and federal agencies managing migrant relocation, aiming to increase transparency in federal migration policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the adoption tax credit refundable, meaning adoptive parents who claim the credit can receive a cash refund even if they owe no federal income tax. Currently, the credit is non-refundable, so any excess credit beyond taxes owed is lost. The bill redesignates the credit in tax code (from section 23 to 36C), adds new requirements for third-party affidavits to verify adoptions, and applies to tax returns filed for 2024 and later. It directly affects adoptive parents who qualify for the credit but have no tax liability.

Maddy summaryHR 3711, the "Schools Not Shelters Act," prohibits elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions receiving federal funding from using their facilities to shelter certain immigrants - specifically those unlawfully present in the U.S. or in removal proceedings - unless the shelter is a dormitory where the individual pays standard room and board fees. The bill applies to all federally funded school facilities except dormitories (including dining facilities) where the immigrant covers costs like regular residents. It explicitly excludes short-term emergency shelters needed during natural disasters. The law does not change immigration status but restricts school facilities from serving as housing for targeted immigrants without payment.