Rep. Dwight Evans

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new USDA program to directly connect fresh produce producers with community food programs serving low-income individuals. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to contract with eligible entities (like farms, distributors, and nonprofits) to buy U.S.-grown fresh produce - ensuring at least seven varieties per delivery, locally sourced when possible, and aligned with dietary guidelines - and distribute it to qualifying organizations (such as food banks, schools, and tribal programs) facing food insecurity. The program prioritizes contracts with beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veteran farmers, and small/mid-sized family farms, while mandating 30% upfront payment and requiring annual reports on distribution metrics and program effectiveness to Congress. It aims to strengthen local food supply chains, reduce farm waste, and improve access to fresh produce for vulnerable communities.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Small Business Contracting Fairness Act clarifies the definition of a small business concern within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by explicitly referencing the Small Business Act. This change directly affects government contracting programs that use these definitions to determine eligibility for set-aside contracts and other benefits. The bill removes ambiguity by aligning the terminology used in the Infrastructure law with the established definition in the Small Business Act. No new funding or program changes are introduced; the legislation only standardizes existing language to ensure consistent application across federal contracting rules.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 81 is a symbolic concurrent resolution recognizing the anniversaries of multiple United Nations-designated international days focused on peace, such as the International Day of Peace (September 21), International Day of Non-Violence (October 2), and others. It commemorates specific milestones, including the 42nd anniversary of the International Day of Peace and the 5th anniversary of the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The resolution encourages U.S. citizens to observe these days and supports activities promoting peace, nonviolence, and cooperation throughout the year. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but expresses congressional support for global peace efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Brittany Clardy Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Act establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered Black women and girls in the U.S. The Office will collect and analyze data on these cases - including case resolution times, Amber Alert usage, and trafficking links - and create a public dashboard for tracking. It also creates a grant program for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate prevention services, law enforcement training, and victim support. The Office must submit biennial reports to Congress with findings and recommendations to improve the criminal justice response to these cases. This bill directly affects Black women and girls facing violence, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations providing related services.

Maddy summaryThe Rent Relief Act of 2023 creates a new refundable tax credit for renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their adjusted gross income. It directly affects low-to-moderate income renters in their principal residence, with credit percentages ranging from 100% (for incomes under $25,000) down to 0% (for incomes over $100,000). The credit is limited to rent within HUD's fair market rent guidelines, and the IRS will make monthly advance payments starting July 2024 for eligible taxpayers who elect this option. The bill requires no additional tax filing for the credit but includes $50 million for outreach to help eligible households enroll.

Maddy summaryHR 3063, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2023, modifies securities laws to clarify exemptions for certain retirement plans. It expands the definition of exempt retirement plans under the Investment Company Act, Securities Act of 1933, and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to include 403(b) plans used by charities and educational institutions. These plans must meet specific conditions, such as being subject to ERISA or having employers act as fiduciaries for investment choices. The bill directly affects eligible organizations by reducing regulatory barriers for offering retirement benefits to their employees. This change simplifies compliance without altering the core structure of retirement plans.

Maddy summaryThe Eviction Prevention Act of 2023 provides $125 million annually to states and local governments to fund legal counsel for eligible individuals (those with income below 125% of the federal poverty level) facing eviction. It establishes a national database requiring courts to collect detailed data on eviction cases, including tenant demographics, reasons for eviction, representation status, and case outcomes. The database will track court-ordered evictions, administrative evictions, and illegal evictions, with specific requirements for reporting by courts and law enforcement. This legislation authorizes $100 million annually for the database's operation through fiscal year 2028, aiming to improve understanding of eviction patterns and outcomes. The bill creates concrete mechanisms for increasing legal representation access and gathering comprehensive eviction data to inform policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 6713, the Corporate Crime Database Act of 2023, requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics to create a public database tracking federal enforcement actions against corporate offenses. It mandates federal agencies to submit data on corporate violations (including alleged violations by businesses or employees acting in their roles), detailing entities involved, offenses, laws broken, agencies involved, and case outcomes. The database, to be published online within one year of enactment, will be searchable and updated regularly, including historical cases. Agencies must begin submitting data within 180 days, and the Bureau will issue annual reports analyzing trends and recommending improvements to corporate enforcement.

Maddy summaryHR 6654, the Farewell to Foam Act of 2023, bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam food containers, packaging peanuts ("loose fill"), and coolers starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects food service providers (like restaurants and schools), manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who sell these foam products. The bill prohibits selling these items, with enforcement starting with a written warning for first violations, followed by escalating civil penalties ($250 for a second violation, up to $1,000 for fourth+ violations), while exempting small businesses with low annual revenue from repeated penalties within a 7-day period.