Rep. Jeff Hurd

Maddy summaryHR 2788, the End DWI Act of 2025, requires states to mandate ignition interlock devices for drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) for a minimum of 180 days. States that fail to implement this requirement risk losing 3% of federal highway funds in 2027 and 5% annually thereafter. The bill directly affects states (by tying funding to policy compliance) and DWI offenders (who must use interlock devices to regain driving privileges). Key provisions include a national standard for interlock use, defined exceptions (like employer vehicles), and mechanisms for restoring withheld funds once states comply.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to improve payment structures for participating farmers. It allows landowners to choose how annual payments are allocated across their contract term and creates special rules for agreements involving water rights retirement (paying irrigated rates) or dryland farming (paying the difference between irrigated and dryland rates). Existing agreements using these practices will receive retroactive payment adjustments if they were previously paid at lower rates. The changes directly affect farmers enrolled in CREP who retire water rights or use dryland agricultural methods on their land.

Maddy summaryHR 2665, the Trade Review Act of 2025, requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours whenever a new or increased import duty is imposed, including the reasoning and potential impact on U.S. businesses and consumers. It sets a 60-day limit on new import duties unless Congress passes a specific joint resolution approving the duty. Congress can block a duty by passing a disapproval resolution at any time after notification, or approve it during the 60-day window. This bill does not apply to existing antidumping or countervailing duties under the Tariff Act of 1930.

Maddy summaryHR 2666, the CBO Scoring Accountability Act, requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to annually analyze and publicly report on the actual costs and revenue impacts of major federal legislation for the first 10 years after it becomes law. It mandates that the CBO compare actual spending/revenue results against prior estimates, and if discrepancies exceed 10% for costs or revenue, the CBO must explain the causes in a report to Congress. This applies to bills projected to affect at least 0.25% of U.S. GDP in spending or revenue (defined as "major legislation"), and federal agencies must provide data to support these analyses. The bill aims to improve transparency around budget estimates without altering legislative processes.

Maddy summaryHR 2672, the Religious Workforce Protection Act, extends temporary nonimmigrant status for religious workers whose applications for permanent residency (green cards) are delayed due to visa backlogs. It directly affects religious workers (such as pastors or missionaries) who are principal or derivative beneficiaries of pending immigrant petitions under specific visa categories, allowing them to maintain their work status beyond the usual 5-year limit while their green card applications are processed. Key provisions include granting extensions until a final decision is made on their adjustment of status application, modifying rules to allow limited job flexibility for these workers, and exempting them from a 1-year foreign residence requirement if they left the U.S. due to the prior 5-year cap. The bill aims to prevent religious workers from losing their legal status during lengthy immigration processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2102 (Major Richard Star Act), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both full military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation simultaneously, without the previous offset that reduced retired pay. It directly affects veterans already eligible for both benefits due to combat-related injuries, removing the requirement that their retired pay be reduced by the disability compensation amount. The key provision amends Title 10 and Title 38 to eliminate the offset rule (sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38) for these veterans. The change applies to payments starting after the bill’s enactment date, effective for all qualifying veterans. This is a policy change to increase financial support for affected veterans, not a new benefit.

Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025   This bill imposes penalties on certain persons (individuals and entities) if the President determines that the Russian government or a person acting at Russia's direction is involved with (1) refusing to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine; (2) violating a negotiated peace agreement; (3) initiating another invasion of Ukraine; or (4) overthrowing, dismantling, or seeking to subvert the Ukrainian government.   If the President makes such a determination, the bill requires certain actions including the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on specified persons such as the Russian president, certain Russian military commanders, and any foreign person that knowingly provides defense items to the Russian armed forces; the President must increase the rate of duty on all goods and services imported from Russia into the United States to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services; the President must increase the rate of duty on all goods and services imported into the United States from countries that knowingly engage in the exchange of Russian-origin uranium and petroleum products to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services; the Department of the Treasury must impose property-blocking sanctions on any financial institution organized under Russian law and owned wholly or partly by Russia, and any financial institution that engages in transactions with those entities; and the Department of Commerce must prohibit the export, reexport, or in-country transfer to or in Russia of any U.S.-produced energy or energy product.

Maddy summaryHR 1762, the Forest Service Accountability Act, is a procedural bill changing how the Forest Service Chief is appointed. It requires the President to nominate a candidate with substantial forest management experience for Senate confirmation, with nominations referred jointly to the Senate Agriculture and Energy Committees. The bill also mandates that the President submit a new nomination within 30 days of enactment, applying to the current Chief. This affects the President, Senate committees, and the current Forest Service leadership.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2025 would prohibit states and local governments from imposing taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts during interstate or foreign commerce. This bill directly affects state tax policies and manufacturers or dealers selling these items across state lines. It explicitly states that the bill does not change the existing federal tax on firearms and ammunition that funds wildlife conservation programs. The key provision bans state-level taxes for these sales in interstate transactions while preserving current federal funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 2457, the Mining Schools Act of 2025, establishes a competitive grant program to fund education and training programs for the U.S. mining industry. It directs the Secretary of Energy to award up to 10 annual grants to eligible "mining schools" - defined as accredited engineering programs (including Tribal Colleges) or specific geology/engineering departments at public universities in states with significant mining GDP - to recruit students and enhance curriculum. Grants must support education in critical areas like critical mineral extraction, environmental reclamation, rare earth element processing, and reducing reliance on foreign mineral supplies. The program requires geographic diversity in grant selection and mandates an advisory board (with industry and academic members) to review applications and ensure funds are used for specified educational purposes, with no new federal funds authorized.