Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates the personal casualty loss deduction for taxpayers affected by crimes, scams, or disasters, allowing them to deduct these losses from their taxable income again. It specifically applies to losses incurred in taxable years ending before January 1, 2022, for which deductions were previously suspended. The bill also extends the deadline for filing amended tax returns to claim refunds related to these deductions, pushing the window until the date set for filing returns in the year the bill is enacted. This change directly benefits individuals who suffered qualifying losses but couldn't claim tax relief due to the prior suspension of this deduction.

Maddy summarySRES 590 designates March 15, 2024, as "Long COVID Awareness Day" to recognize the condition affecting over 22 million Americans, including symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues. The resolution urges federal agencies to expand research, public education, and support for people living with Long COVID, which disproportionately impacts minorities, women, and those with lower incomes. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically highlights the need for greater attention to this health issue.

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2024 This bill modifies the first-time homebuyer tax credit. It allows a first-time homebuyer of a principal residence a tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of the residence, not to exceed $15,000. The bill revises the income formula for determining the maximum allowable credit amount, replaces the limitation on the credit based on purchase price (currently $800,000) with a limitation based on area median purchase price, and revises rules relating to transfer and recapture of the credit and to members of the Armed Forces.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit youth). It funds eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. The bill explicitly bans the use of grant funds for conversion therapy and requires the development of a federal survey measuring mental health outcomes among these youth. It also mandates reports on mental health care in foster care and social services programs within two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds phosphate and potash to the Department of the Interior's official list of critical minerals, which identifies minerals vital to U.S. economic and national security. It directly affects domestic mining companies seeking to develop these minerals, as the change could influence federal permitting and leasing processes. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate current policies related to mining projects for these minerals within 90 days of enactment and submit recommendations to relevant congressional committees. These recommendations aim to support increased domestic production of phosphate and potash. The policy changes are limited to updating the critical minerals list and initiating a review of development policies, with no immediate regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act (S 3961) reforms surveillance practices under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to better protect U.S. persons from warrantless surveillance. It requires the FBI to implement new training, approvals, and written justifications for queries of U.S. person data, prohibits warrantless access to communications of U.S. persons except in specific circumstances, and mandates enhanced reporting to Congress. The bill establishes accountability procedures for FBI employees who violate query protocols, reforms FISA Court procedures to include amicus curiae with privacy expertise, and limits how intelligence agencies can acquire and use personal data. These provisions directly affect the FBI, other intelligence agencies, and U.S. persons whose communications may be collected under FISA authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal highway safety funding to prioritize projects protecting pedestrians and cyclists. It allows states to use 100% federal funds for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure (new clause (xxix)) or reduce safety risks for vulnerable road users (new clause (xxx)), as defined in state safety plans. Qualifying projects include those using "Proven Safety Countermeasures" for cyclists/pedestrians or aligning with local plans like Complete Streets or Vision Zero initiatives. The law directly affects state and local governments designing transportation projects by expanding eligibility for full federal cost coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a tiered tax on large real estate investors purchasing single-family homes. Investors owning 16-25 homes pay a 1% tax, 26-100 homes pay 3%, and over 100 homes pay 5% on each new purchase. It excludes qualifying affordable housing organizations, government entities, public housing authorities, land banks, and community land trusts from the tax. Revenue generated will fund affordable housing programs: 65% to the Housing Trust Fund and 35% to the Capital Magnet Fund. The tax applies to purchases after December 31, 2023, with reporting requirements for investors.

Maddy summaryThe Grandfamilies Act of 2023 makes it easier for children living with grandparents or other relatives to access Social Security benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The bill removes the requirement that children must be dependent on a parent for benefits, instead allowing them to qualify if living with a relative for 12+ months and receiving at least half their support. It eliminates 5-year time limits on TANF assistance for children living with non-parent caregivers, exempts these caregivers from work requirements, and provides grants for states to develop support plans for grandparents raising grandchildren. The legislation specifically helps older caregivers and those caring for children with disabilities by disregarding their income when determining eligibility for assistance.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2023 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program allowing eligible first responders and K-12 teachers to secure home loans with **no down payment**. It directly affects full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and public/private K-12 teachers who have worked in their roles for at least 4 of the past 5 years. Key provisions include requiring housing counseling, verifying employment status, and prohibiting monthly mortgage insurance premiums (replacing standard FHA requirements). The bill authorizes $660,000 for 2024 and $160,000 annually from 2025-2030 to fund this program, which expires after 5 years.