Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the federal tax credit for rehabilitating historic buildings from 20% to 30% for projects under $3.75 million (or $5 million in rural areas), up from the current rate. It allows property owners to transfer unused credits to other taxpayers and expands eligibility to include more building types. The bill also removes certain tax adjustments for these projects and simplifies rules for tax-exempt properties. These changes primarily affect developers and owners of small historic properties, especially in rural communities seeking tax incentives for rehabilitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes exclusions for grazing crops and grasses from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), expanding eligibility for disaster aid to farmers who grow these crops. Previously, farmers raising crops used for grazing were excluded from NAP benefits, but this change would allow them to access the same disaster assistance as other farmers. The Secretary of Agriculture must issue new regulations within 90 days of the bill's enactment to implement these changes. The policy directly affects ranchers and farmers who rely on grazing land for livestock, providing them with access to federal disaster support during crop failures or natural disasters.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal meat and poultry inspection laws to allow state-inspected meat and poultry products to be sold across state lines. It removes the previous restriction that limited such products to sales only within the state where they were inspected, enabling interstate commerce for products meeting state inspection standards. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to permit interstate shipments of properly inspected state products and prohibits states from blocking the movement or sale of these items. It directly affects small meat and poultry producers, processors, and retailers who rely on state inspection programs instead of federal oversight. The change aims to expand market access for these businesses without altering inspection standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill withdraws approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed (Superior National Forest) from public land laws, mining claims, and mineral leasing. It directly affects the area by prohibiting new development, mining, and land disposal within the designated boundary. The bill allows limited removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite under Forest Service approval if environmental impacts on water, air, and habitat are deemed non-detrimental.

Maddy summaryThe BUMP Act (S 1374) bans devices that increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machineguns, directly affecting owners of modified firearms. It prohibits importing, selling, or possessing devices (like "bump stocks") that speed up firing or eliminate the need for separate trigger pulls, and requires registration of existing modified semiautomatics within 120 days. The law exempts government agencies and pre-enactment modifications that are registered. This targets specific firearm modifications, not all semiautomatic weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025, expands the Earned Income Credit (EIC) to make it more accessible and generous for low-income workers without children. It lowers the minimum age for the credit from 25 to 19 (with exceptions for students, former foster youth, and homeless youth), removes the maximum age limit, and increases the credit amount and income thresholds. The bill also adjusts these amounts for inflation and allows taxpayers to use their prior year’s earned income if it was higher, applying to taxable years starting after 2025. These changes extend the credit to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa without prior time limits.

Maddy summaryThe REPAIR Act requires motor vehicle manufacturers to provide consumers and repair facilities with access to vehicle data, repair information, tools, and parts necessary for maintenance and repairs. It prohibits manufacturers from using technological or contractual barriers that restrict consumers' ability to choose repair facilities or use alternative parts, including aftermarket, recycled, or remanufactured components. The law mandates that manufacturers make critical repair information available to repair shops and alternative parts manufacturers at fair, reasonable costs, and ensures owners can access vehicle data without restrictions. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these requirements, with penalties for violations, and an advisory committee will monitor implementation and identify barriers to competition. This legislation directly affects car owners, independent repair shops, parts manufacturers, and vehicle manufacturers by promoting competition and consumer choice in vehicle repair.

Maddy summaryThe Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025 establishes a new USDA initiative to coordinate and expand research on organic agriculture across multiple agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The bill requires the initiative to review existing research, develop strategic plans, and submit reports every 5 years with recommendations to improve organic farming practices, climate resilience, and ecosystem services. It increases annual funding for organic research from $60 million to $100 million by 2030, with specific provisions for traditional ecological knowledge and research on transitioning to organic production. The bill directly affects USDA research agencies, organic farmers, and researchers conducting organic agriculture studies. It also mandates an economic impact analysis of organic farming's effects on rural communities and the environment.

Maddy summaryThe American Family Act creates a new monthly child tax credit that would provide $300 per month for each child under age 6 and $300 per month for each child age 6 and older, with income-based eligibility limits. The credit would be refundable, meaning it could be paid even if a family owes no income tax, and would replace the current annual child tax credit. The bill establishes income thresholds ($150,000 for joint filers) above which the credit begins to phase out, with full phase-out at $400,000 for joint filers. It also includes provisions for "presumptive eligibility" to allow for advance payments based on previous tax returns or government program data. The bill would terminate the existing annual child tax credit after 2024, replacing it with this monthly payment system.

Maddy summaryS 1394, the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, provides federal funding to support clinics offering family planning services under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. It allocates $512 million annually (2026-2035) for grants to clinics and $50 million for clinic infrastructure like construction and equipment. The bill requires clinics receiving this funding to provide nondirective pregnancy counseling, ensuring patients receive neutral information about all options - including prenatal care, adoption, and pregnancy termination - with referrals upon request. This directly affects Title X clinics and their patients by increasing financial support and mandating specific counseling standards.