Shared Values Act
Sponsored By: Representative Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
Introduced
Summary
Boost federal funding for farmers markets and local food projects. This bill would raise yearly authorizations, reserve money to help start new markets, add a 25 percent grantee match, and require USDA and Inspector General reporting within three years.
Show full summary
- Local food groups and farmers‑market organizers would see bigger grant pools. The bill would raise the program authorization to $100 million per year for 2019–2026 and to $150 million per year from 2027 onward.
- New and underserved market starters would get priority access. Thirty percent of each year’s added authorization would be set aside for entities that have not received a grant in the prior three years and plan to establish a new farmers’ market.
- Grant recipients must cover part of projects. Eligible grantees would provide a cash or in‑kind match equal to 25 percent of the federal portion, with an exception for the priority new‑market grants.
- USDA and watchdog oversight would increase. Within three years USDA must publish application and award details online and the Inspector General must report on fraud, abuse, and participation effects.
*This bill would increase authorized federal funding for the program, raising potential federal outlays.*
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 15 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher SALT deduction cap for filers
If enacted, the bill would raise the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) itemized deduction. The individual limit would go to $15,000 and the limit for joint filers would go to $30,000. The change would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. You would likely pay less federal income tax if you itemize and pay large state or local taxes.
Annual CDC climate and health funding
If enacted, the bill would authorize $110 million to be appropriated each year starting in fiscal year 2026 for the CDC Climate and Health program. The Secretary would not be allowed to transfer or reprogram these funds to other programs, and would have to notify Congress if funds are moved to a successor program.
One-time nursing workforce funding
If enacted, the bill would appropriate $610 million for fiscal year 2026 for Nursing Workforce Development programs under title VIII of the Public Health Service Act. The funds would support nursing education and workforce activities in FY2026.
More family leave for congressional staff
If enacted, the bill would let employees covered by the Congressional Accountability Act qualify for Family and Medical Leave after 90 days of service instead of after 12 months and 1,250 hours worked. The change would take effect upon enactment. This would expand job‑protected leave eligibility for many congressional staff.
CISA public cybersecurity clearinghouses
If enacted, the bill would require CISA to maintain one or more public clearinghouses of voluntary security guidance and best practices for critical infrastructure owners and stakeholders. CISA would have to follow accessibility and plain‑language rules and publish an annual public report with outreach details by sector and region. The bill also defines certain nonprofits for this work and exempts required rulemaking or information collection under this section from the Paperwork Reduction Act.
U.S. help to protect LGBTQI+ abroad
If enacted, the bill would authorize the Secretary of State to provide assistance abroad to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ people. The Department of State could carry out programs for protection, prevention, and response using available resources.
Energy labs maintenance and modernization
If enacted, the bill would require the Energy Secretary to fund projects as needed to address deferred maintenance, critical infrastructure needs, and modernization at Department of Energy national laboratories. The bill does not set dollar amounts but directs funding to support repairs and upgrades.
Cut Byrne grants for noncompliant states
If enacted, beginning six months after enactment the bill would reduce by 25% the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant amount that would otherwise go to any State that does not have specified statewide laws limiting restraints on pregnant people in prison. Amounts not allocated because of the cut would be reallocated to States that have the required law.
More farmers' market grants, new match
If enacted, the bill would raise authorized funding for the Farmers' Market Promotion Program to $100 million per year for fiscal years 2019–2026 and $50 million per year from 2027 onward, available until spent. Most grantees would have to provide a 25% cash or in‑kind match, but priority grants to entities that have not had a grant in the prior 3 years to start a new market would be exempt. Thirty percent of each year's funds would be reserved for those priority new‑market grants. The Agriculture Secretary and the Inspector General would have to publish reports on applications, awards, and any fraud within three years.
Full-year contraceptive supply for veterans
If enacted, the bill would let a veteran enrolled in the VA annual patient enrollment system choose to fill a prescription for contraceptives as a full-year supply. A VA medical provider who prescribes the product would have to tell the veteran about the option. Covered products include contraceptive pills, patches, rings, and other approved devices or biologics.
Limit multi-year student loan contracts
If enacted, the bill would require master promissory notes for part D loans used for enrollment periods beginning after enactment to be called a 'student loan contract' and to cover loans only for the same award year as the initial loans. The change would limit use of multi‑year loan contracts for those borrowers.
Extend small tech partnership program
If enacted, the bill would extend the authorization date for the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program to September 30, 2030. The change preserves the program's authority through that date but does not itself provide new funding.
Baby changing tables on Amtrak trains
If enacted, the bill would require Amtrak‑owned passenger trains solicited after enactment to have at least one baby changing table in each car, including in ADA‑compliant restrooms. Restrooms would need signage identifying the tables. The rule would not apply to trains Amtrak operates but does not own.
Ban on member-staff sexual relationships
If enacted, the bill would bar a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the House from having a sexual relationship with a House employee they supervise, with committee staff, or with staff of a leadership office they occupy. The prohibition would not apply to married couples.
Cut disposable plastics in national parks
If enacted, the bill would require the National Park Service Director to start a program within 180 days to reduce disposable plastic products across the National Park System. Regional directors would implement the plan for parks in their region and parks could eliminate the sale or distribution of disposable plastics where applicable.
Infrastructure risk assessment training pilot
If enacted, the bill would require the Director to start a one‑year pilot within one year of enactment to train State, local, Tribal, and territorial officials to assess security and terrorism risk at critical infrastructure sites. The pilot would run for one year and the Director would report to Congress within 180 days after it ends.
More financial disclosure for certain advisers
If enacted, the bill would require special Government employees who are owners, controlling shareholders, or chief executives of companies that contract with the federal government to file the detailed financial disclosures in federal law. The change expands who must report under federal disclosure rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
IL • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov