Maddy summaryThe Fair Credit for Farmers Act of 2023 provides immediate financial relief to economically distressed farmers and ranchers by deferring principal and interest payments on direct farm loans for two years, setting interest rates to zero percent during that period, and extending repayment dates by two additional years. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide clearer explanations in denial letters for farm loan applications and waives fees on guaranteed loans for historically underserved farmers (including socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers) for two years. Additionally, the legislation removes eligibility restrictions based on previous debt write-downs, allows refinancing of existing debt through farm loans, and establishes new equitable relief provisions for applicants wrongfully denied assistance due to administrative errors. These changes aim to improve access to credit for struggling agricultural producers while reforming administrative processes within the Farm Service Agency.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to improve the Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program for farmers. It directly affects producers who use this insurance, expanding eligible marketing methods to include direct-to-consumer sales, local/regionally sold products, and identity-preserved crops. Key changes include requiring crop rotation (replacing "may" with "shall"), allowing IRS Schedule F tax forms as sufficient revenue proof (with limited exceptions), reducing paperwork for farms with $1 million+ gross revenue, and expanding discounts to cover at least 10 commodities. The bill also sets a $500,000 limit on revenue growth adjustments and includes provisions to better account for disaster payments in revenue calculations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to maintain all northern border ports of entry (between the U.S. and Canada) open for equal or more hours daily than they operated before the pandemic. It directly affects CBP operations and travelers/businesses using these ports, mandating that hours return to pre-COVID-19 levels. The key provision specifies that operating hours must match those in effect immediately before the March 2020 public health emergency declaration related to the pandemic. The bill does not change border security policies but reverses pandemic-era reductions in port availability.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most employers from using credit history reports when making hiring decisions or taking adverse employment actions (like denying a job). It directly affects job applicants and current employees by preventing employers from considering their credit scores for these purposes. The law includes narrow exceptions for positions requiring national security clearances or when required by other laws. Employers cannot deny employment or take negative employment actions simply because an applicant refuses to authorize a credit check. The bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to implement these changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill defines "ghost guns" as firearms (including frames and receivers) without a unique serial number from a licensed manufacturer or importer. It requires all new firearms to have a serial number engraved by a licensed maker and prohibits unlicensed individuals from manufacturing, selling, transferring, or possessing ghost guns after a one-year transition period (starting one year after enactment). The bill also bans unlicensed engraving of serial numbers on firearms and updates rules to ban undetectable firearms, with penalties including fines and up to 5 years in prison for repeat violations. These changes directly affect unlicensed gun builders, sellers, and possessors of ghost guns, while allowing licensed dealers a grace period for compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Office of the Farm and Food System Workforce within the Department of Agriculture to improve access to USDA programs for farm and food system workers. The office, led by a Coordinator, will coordinate outreach, develop language-accessible communications, and provide recommendations to improve services for workers in food production, processing, transportation, and related fields. It establishes an Advisory Committee with worker representation and an Interagency Council to coordinate across federal departments. The office will issue annual reports on worker demographics, health outcomes, and barriers to accessing USDA programs. The bill terminates the existing Farmworker Coordinator position once the new office is fully operational.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Connecticut River Watershed Partnership program to coordinate conservation efforts across federal, state, tribal, and local entities in the 5-state Connecticut River region (CT, MA, ME, NH, VT). It creates a grant program providing competitive matching funds to eligible entities - like states, tribes, nonprofits, and universities - to carry out restoration and protection projects, with 90% federal funding available for projects serving environmental justice communities. Key provisions include requiring equitable fund distribution, prioritizing nature-based solutions for climate resilience, and mandating public engagement with environmental justice communities. The program focuses on improving water quality, habitat restoration, public access, and tribal cultural practices while coordinating with existing watershed management groups.
Maddy summaryThe AG RESEARCH Act (S 2589) provides funding to modernize agricultural research facilities at schools of agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). It creates a competitive grant program to cover up to 100% of costs for construction, renovation, or equipment at schools of agriculture, requiring equitable distribution across geographic regions, institution types, and facility sizes while limiting any single state to 20% of funds. Additionally, it allocates $200 million annually (2023-2027) for direct payments to address deferred maintenance at ARS facilities, prioritizing the most critical structures based on a 2012 strategy. The bill is funded by mandatory annual transfers of $1 billion for schools of agriculture and $200 million for ARS, with no new appropriations required.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2647, SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) provides federal funding to improve stillbirth data collection, research, and education. It authorizes $5 million annually for states to collect stillbirth data using existing health records while protecting privacy, $1 million for developing standardized data collection guidelines and public educational materials, and $3 million for specialized training programs in perinatal pathology and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families impacted by stillbirth through improved data systems and educational resources. Key provisions require standardized data reporting, consultation with affected families and healthcare providers, and mandatory reports on program progress within five years of enactment.
Maddy summaryThe Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2023 allocates $20 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to fund improvements to public school facilities nationwide. It provides grants to states, which then distribute funds to local school districts based on need, prioritizing schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The bill requires projects to meet energy efficiency standards, address health and safety concerns (like lead in water or toxic substances), and use American-made materials when possible. It also includes specific provisions for repairing schools with foundations damaged by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration.