Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
Republican · IN · 9 bills sponsored
Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act
# Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor—the nation's highest military decoration—to Nicholas Dockery for his actions during military service in Afghanistan. The Medal of Honor recognizes extraordinary heroism and bravery in combat. By passing this bill, Congress is formally recommending that the President present this award to Dockery for his service. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly affects Nicholas Dockery and his family. More broadly, it recognizes military personnel who have demonstrated exceptional valor. The Medal of Honor is rarely awarded and carries significant prestige within the military and veteran communities. **Current Status:** The bill has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate, meaning it has completed congressional action. It now awaits the President's signature to become law. Once signed, the President would have the authority to formally present the Medal of Honor to Dockery at a ceremony.
PART Act
# PART Act Summary I don't have access to the specific details of HR 5221 (the PART Act) from the 119th Congress in my training data, so I cannot provide you with an accurate summary of what this bill would do, who it affects, or its key provisions. To get reliable information about this bill, I recommend: - **Congress.gov** - Search for "HR 5221" to see the full text, summary, and current status - **Your representative's website** - Often includes information about bills they sponsor - **Legislative tracking services** - Sites like LegiScan or Ballotpedia track bills and their details If you can share the bill's text or a summary from Congress.gov, I'd be happy to help explain it in plain language.
Hemp Planting Predictability Act
# Hemp Planting Predictability Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Hemp Planting Predictability Act would delay new federal regulations on hemp products by two years. A recent agriculture law (passed in November 2025) is scheduled to reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products starting November 2026. This bill would push that deadline back to November 2028, giving the hemp industry more time to prepare for the regulatory changes. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily impacts hemp farmers, producers, and businesses that grow or sell hemp-derived products. Since the 2018 farm bill legalized hemp with low THC levels (0.3% or less), the industry has grown significantly. This delay would benefit those businesses by extending the current, more flexible regulatory environment for two additional years. **Key Provision & Current Status:** The main provision simply extends the implementation timeline for the new regulations. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. As a two-year extension, it's largely a procedural measure aimed at giving the hemp industry more predictability and time to adjust to coming regulatory changes.
To amend the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2026, to delay the implementation of amendments made by such Act to the hemp production provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.
# Summary of HR 7010 **What the Bill Does:** HR 7010 would delay new federal regulations on hemp products by two years. Congress recently passed rules (effective November 2026) that would impose stricter federal controls over certain hemp products. This bill pushes that implementation date back to November 2028, giving the hemp industry more time before the new rules take effect. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily impacts hemp farmers, businesses producing hemp-derived products (like CBD), and companies in the broader hemp industry. These groups would get a two-year extension before facing new federal oversight and restrictions. Consumers who use hemp products could also be affected, depending on what new regulations ultimately look like. **Key Background:** The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production as long as products contain no more than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana). Since then, a large legal hemp market has developed. However, the new 2026 appropriations law reimposed certain federal controls over some hemp products. This bill simply delays when those controls kick in—it doesn't eliminate them. **Current Status:** HR 7010 is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act
# NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act Summary **What the Bill Does** HR 3707 would establish a formal partnership between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to coordinate research efforts. The bill aims to improve collaboration on agricultural research projects that could benefit from both agencies' expertise, resources, and funding. By working together rather than separately, the bill intends to reduce duplication of effort and potentially deliver research results more efficiently. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily affect farmers, agricultural researchers, universities conducting agricultural science, and the food and agriculture industries. It could also impact taxpayers by potentially making federal research spending more efficient. Scientists and researchers at both agencies would need to coordinate their work under any new framework created. **Current Status** As of now, the bill remains in committee and has not been voted on by the full House. This means it's still in the early stages of the legislative process and faces several steps before it could become law, including committee review, debate, and votes in both the House and Senate.
No Official Palestine Entry Act of 2025
# Summary of HR 3208: No Official Palestine Entry Act of 2025 **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would prohibit the establishment of an official Palestinian diplomatic mission or embassy in the United States. If passed, it would prevent the U.S. government from recognizing or hosting formal Palestinian diplomatic representation at the federal, state, or local level. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill would primarily affect U.S. foreign policy toward Palestine and any future diplomatic arrangements. It would restrict the State Department's ability to authorize Palestinian official presence in the country. Currently, the bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. **Current Status** As of now, HR 3208 remains in committee consideration in the 119th Congress. No action has been taken beyond its initial introduction by Representative James Baird (R-Indiana). The bill has not advanced to a floor vote or received significant legislative movement.
Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025
# Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** This bill would support the development and commercialization of small modular reactors (SMRs)—a newer type of nuclear technology that produces electricity on a smaller scale than traditional nuclear plants. The legislation aims to help bring these reactors from the research phase into practical, commercial use by providing federal support and streamlining the regulatory process. **Who It Affects:** The bill would primarily affect nuclear energy companies developing SMR technology, utilities considering alternative energy sources, and communities that might host these reactors. It could also impact energy policy broadly by promoting nuclear power as a carbon-free electricity option. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (HR 2813) remains in committee and has not advanced to a full House vote. This means it's still in the early legislative stage and would need committee approval and broader congressional support to move forward.
Increased TSP Access Act of 2025
# Increased TSP Access Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What It Does:** This bill would make it easier for private businesses, nonprofits, and other outside organizations to become approved service providers for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's conservation programs. Currently, the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) certifies "Technical Service Providers" (TSPs)—third-party experts who help farmers and landowners with conservation planning and implementation. The bill would streamline this certification process, particularly for providers who already hold relevant professional certifications (like certified crop advisors), and allow nonfederal organizations to help certify these providers as well. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects agricultural service providers, farmers, and landowners. It would make it simpler for private consultants, nonprofits, and tribal organizations to get approved to work with USDA conservation programs, potentially expanding the pool of available expertise and reducing bureaucratic barriers. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 575) was introduced by Representative James Baird (R-IN) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
To require the Secretary of State to report an assessment of the Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau, including whether the Bureau should be maintained, explanations of its function, and cost analysis of the Bureau.
# HR 1516 Summary **What the Bill Does** HR 1516 would require the U.S. Secretary of State to provide Congress with a detailed report evaluating the Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) Bureau—a State Department unit that works on preventing and resolving international conflicts. The report would need to assess whether the bureau should continue operating, explain what it actually does, and provide a full accounting of how much it costs to run. **Who It Affects and Key Details** This bill would primarily affect the State Department and the CSO Bureau's operations and staff. It would also impact Congress, which would receive the assessment to help inform budget and policy decisions. The bill doesn't propose eliminating the bureau outright—instead, it seeks a formal evaluation to determine whether keeping it is worthwhile. This is a relatively straightforward oversight measure that asks for information rather than making immediate changes. **Current Status** HR 1516 was introduced by Representative James Baird (R-IN) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. No action has been taken to advance it further at this time.