Rep. Kevin Kiley

Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act This bill allows National Forest System (NFS) units to keep the majority of ski area permit rental fees that were generated within their boundaries and outlines how revenues from those fees may be used. Such fees are collected by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from ski area operators on NFS land. Within the NFS unit where the fees were generated, USDA must expend (1) 60%-48% of the collected fees for activities such as administration of the ski area permit program, visitor information, or reducing the likelihood of wildfire in or adjacent to a recreation site; and (2) 20% of the collected fees for activities such as repair of a Forest Service-owned facility, habitat restoration, or search and rescue activities. The remainder of the collected fees must be expended by USDA at any NFS unit for any of the activities specified in this bill.

Maddy summaryHR 1007, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025, clarifies how the Department of Education enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address discrimination against Jewish individuals. It requires the Department to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating complaints involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics. This affects Jewish students and communities in K-12 schools and colleges receiving federal funding, as it ensures antisemitism is assessed under existing civil rights protections. The bill does not create new laws but specifies that the IHRA definition - already used by the Department since 2018 - must be applied in Title VI enforcement cases.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE HOME Act creates a refundable tax credit allowing homeowners to claim 25% of qualified wildfire mitigation costs, up to $25,000 annually. It directly affects primary homeowners in wildfire-prone areas - defined as locations with recent federal wildfire disaster declarations, FEMA hazard mitigation assistance, or designated "community disaster resilience zones." Qualifying expenses include fire-resistant roofing, ignition-resistant construction upgrades, vegetation clearing, and smoke prevention systems, but exclude government-funded projects. The credit phases out for taxpayers earning over $200,000 in adjusted gross income and expires after 2032.

Maddy summaryThe Student Empowerment Act (HR 939) expands the use of 529 college savings plans to cover more K-12 education costs. It allows families to use these tax-advantaged savings for tuition, curriculum materials, books, online learning, approved tutoring (by licensed instructors), standardized test fees, dual enrollment, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. Homeschooling expenses are included if they meet state requirements. This change applies to distributions made after the bill's enactment, enabling tax-free savings for a broader range of elementary and secondary education expenses.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Cooperate Act (HR 864) amends federal law to prevent states from restricting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It prohibits states from banning or limiting government entities from sharing immigration status information, complying with federal requests, or making inquiries about immigration status. The bill also clarifies immigration detainer procedures, requiring probable cause for detainers and setting a 48-96 hour window for transferring custody to federal authorities. It provides legal immunity for state/local law enforcement that complies with detainers, except in cases of bad faith. This directly affects state/local law enforcement agencies and individuals subject to immigration enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryHR 863, the National Human Trafficking Database Act, requires state law enforcement and public health agencies to collect and report human trafficking data to the federal government. Covered state agencies must gather annual data on prosecutions, survivor services, anti-trafficking organization locations, and anonymized trafficking trends by county, then submit it to the Justice Department. The data will be published online in a public database showing county-level rates, top trafficking areas, and federal prosecution numbers, while strictly protecting survivor identities. States will receive $50 million annually in grants to support this data collection effort. The law mandates confidentiality for survivors and prohibits using the data for funding decisions or publicizing personal details.

Maddy summaryHR 833 creates a federal tax credit for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) providing scholarships for elementary and secondary education. The credit allows taxpayers to deduct up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000 (whichever is less) for contributions to SGOs serving students from households with income up to 300% of the area median income. The bill establishes a $10 billion annual cap on the tax credit program, requires SGOs to verify student eligibility and maintain separate accounts, and prohibits government control over SGOs or private schools. It ensures scholarships can be used at public, private, or religious schools without discrimination based on religious character. The tax credit would be available for contributions made after December 31, 2025, with annual volume cap increases based on usage.

Maddy summaryHR 780, the Alexandra’s Law Act of 2025, amends the Controlled Substances Act to require courts to advise defendants convicted of drug-related offenses involving synthetic opioids (like fentanyl analogues) that caused death about the lethal risks of illicit drugs. It creates new evidence rules: prior convictions for similar drug offenses involving death can be used to prove a defendant knew the substance contained fentanyl analogues, and court advisements from state cases may be admitted in federal courts. The law directly affects individuals convicted of drug sales or distribution linked to overdose deaths involving these substances. It excludes minors from these evidentiary provisions, focusing on holding accountable those who knowingly distribute dangerous synthetic drugs.

Maddy summaryHRES 63 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of January 26-February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week." It expresses the House's support for raising public awareness about educational options - including public schools, charter schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling - and encourages parents to explore these choices. The resolution also urges the public to host events during this week to celebrate parental choice in education. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new policies or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 703, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes a key tax deduction permanent for small business owners. It removes the temporary sunset provision (subsection (i)) from Section 199A of the tax code, ensuring the qualified business income deduction remains available for eligible small businesses. This change directly affects pass-through business owners (like S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) who currently qualify for this deduction. The permanent change takes effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2025.