Rep. Mark E. Amodei

Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2023 This bill increases the rehabilitation tax credit and modifies certain requirements for the credit. The bill increases the rate of the credit for qualified rehabilitation expenditures in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020, and before January 1, 2028, after which the rate reverts to 20%. The bill increases the rate of the credit to 30% for certain small projects whose qualified rehabilitation expenditures do not exceed $2.5 million. The bill also expands the types of buildings eligible for rehabilitation by decreasing the rehabilitation threshold from 100% to 50% of project expenses. It also eliminates the basis adjustment requirement for the credit and modifies rules relating to tax-exempt use property eligible for the credit.

Maddy summaryThe Military Food Security Act of 2023 amends federal law to exclude the basic allowance for housing (BAH) from the gross household income calculation for eligible military members when determining eligibility for food assistance programs. This change directly affects active-duty service members and their families who rely on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The key provision removes BAH from income calculations, meaning housing payments will no longer reduce a military household's eligibility for food benefits. This adjustment aims to improve access to nutrition assistance for military families by ensuring their housing allowance isn't counted as income. The bill focuses solely on modifying a calculation method, with no new funding or benefits created.

Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute a payment of $25,000 to U.S. merchant marines who engaged in qualified service during World War II. To be eligible, an individual must apply for the benefit and must not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. The bill sets forth what constitutes qualified service, including time frame of service and licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 26 is a congressional disapproval resolution blocking the District of Columbia Council's approval of its Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-789). It directly affects the District of Columbia by preventing the new criminal code from taking effect, as Congress disapproved the Council's action under the Home Rule Act. The resolution formally rejects the Council's enactment of the code, which was transmitted to Congress on January 27, 2023. This procedural action stops the District from implementing the revised criminal code without further congressional action.

Discriminatory Gaming Tax Repeal Act of 2023 This bill repeals the excise tax on wagering. The term wager includes bets on a sporting event or contest that is conducted for profit and a lottery conducted for profit.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new section to federal law making murder of law enforcement officers a capital offense. It mandates death or life imprisonment for individuals who murder federal officers during official duties, or state/local officers when the crime involves interstate activity (like using a weapon that crossed state lines). Key provisions include specific aggravating factors considered for sentencing, such as ambush tactics, prior violent advocacy, or ties to extremist groups. The bill explicitly states it does not affect state court jurisdiction over such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 1388 authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to honor the 1865 Sultana steamboat disaster, the deadliest maritime tragedy in U.S. history. It specifies three coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar) with defined weights and compositions, to be sold at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively). All surcharges collected will fund the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for museum development, including exhibits, artifact preservation, and facility construction. The coins are legal tender but intended for collectors, with sales limited to a one-year period starting January 2023.

Maddy summaryHR 1310 (SHARE Act) requires the FBI to share criminal history records with state licensing agencies when needed for professional licensing checks across state lines through existing interstate compacts. It directly affects state licensing boards (like those for nurses or contractors) and individuals applying for licenses in multiple states. The bill mandates that states use this data *only* for license applications and prohibits sharing it with other agencies or the public, while allowing a simple "pass/fail" notification to the compact’s governing body.