Mining Regulatory Clarity Act This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for activities ancillary to mining, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain mineral deposits valuable enough to be mined (mineral validity). It also establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The bill addresses a 2022 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona (commonly known as the Rosemont decision , described further in CRS Report R48166 ). The court held that mining claims are only allowed where mineral validity has been established and that mill site claims are more appropriate means for establishing a mining waste disposal site under the Mining Act. The bill allows a mining operator to (1) locate and include within its plan of operations as many mill site claims (e.g., areas for waste rock disposal) as are reasonably necessary for its operations, and (2) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations. Additionally, the bill requires any revenue generated from fees for such mill site claims to be deposited into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The Department of the Interior must use the fund for certain abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities.
Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025 This bill authorizes a land exchange between the Chugach Alaska Corporation (also known as Chugach, an Alaska Native regional corporation in southcentral Alaska) and the federal government. Specifically, if Chugach offers to convey to the Department of the Interior all right, title, and interest of Chugach in and to approximately 231,000 acres of subsurface estate within one year of the bill's enactment, then Interior must accept the offer and convey all right, title, and interest of the federal government in and to approximately 65,374 acres of fee simple land located in the Chugach region. (The Chugach region includes portions of land on the Kenai Peninsula and the coast of Prince William Sound in Alaska.) The bill directs Chugach to exclude from its conveyance to Interior all right, title, and interest in any land, not to exceed a total of 209 acres, for which a village corporation has retained development rights (other than timber development rights) or that has been designated for a shareholder homesite program.
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Young Fishermen’s Development Grant Program, which supports local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen.
This bill (S 2245) amends the Digital Coast Act to improve how coastal data is handled. It requires the program to make data "fully and freely available" (not just "readily accessible") and expands the data collected to include underground infrastructure like utility lines. The bill also extends the program’s funding and operations deadline from 2025 to 2030. These changes directly affect coastal communities, local governments, and agencies that rely on the Digital Coast program for accurate, accessible coastal data to support planning and resilience efforts.
This resolution designates February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to honor the National FFA Organization’s work in agricultural education. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing leadership and career skills for students (with over 1 million members nationally) and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association, which has 19 chapters and 493 members. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses Senate support for FFA’s mission.
This resolution designates February 16, 2026, as National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day to honor her role in passing the first anti-discrimination law in U.S. history (the 1945 Alaska Territorial Anti-Discrimination Act). It calls on the American public to recognize her legacy as a Tlingit civil rights leader who fought for equality and encourages continued efforts toward justice for Alaska Natives and Native Americans. The resolution has no binding legal effect but serves as a symbolic tribute to her advocacy.
SRES 613 is a Senate resolution (not a law) recognizing the Army-Navy football game as "America’s Game." It expresses the Senate’s view that the annual game between the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy - held since 1890 - should remain the only major college football game played on the second Saturday of December. The resolution urges broadcasters, athletic conferences, and universities to avoid scheduling competing games during this time slot to preserve the event’s national prominence and its role in honoring military service. It does not create new laws or funding but calls for federal agencies to review policies supporting the game’s civic significance. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with binding effects.)
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce two types of commemorative $2.50 coins for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: a circulating coin for everyday use and a numismatic (collector) coin. Both would feature designs based on the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin - showing allegorical liberty holding the Declaration on one side and Independence Hall on the other - with "1776-2026" inscriptions. The bill requires the Mint to issue these coins by July 4, 2026, if technically and economically feasible, but does not mandate their production or affect any specific groups beyond the public who may purchase them.
The Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 prohibits the National Marine Sanctuaries Act from requiring additional authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables that already have federal or state permits. It directly affects cable operators who have obtained licenses, leases, or permits from any federal or state agency for cable installation or maintenance in national marine sanctuaries. The bill prevents the Secretary from blocking or demanding new permits for these cables once they have valid existing authorization. This simplifies regulatory processes by eliminating redundant federal oversight for cables already approved by other agencies.
This resolution designates January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise public awareness about mentoring programs. It recognizes the benefits of mentoring for youth - including improved academic performance, mental health, career development, and reduced risk of delinquency - and highlights that 40% of U.S. youth lack a mentor. The Senate encourages community, school, and workplace efforts to expand existing mentoring programs and recruit volunteers to support young people. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote existing mentoring initiatives across the country.
SRES 585 is a commemorative resolution honoring Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a former U.S. Senator from Colorado and the first Native American to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It recognizes his military service, Olympic judo career, legislative work (including authoring the National Museum of the American Indian Act), and advocacy for tribal communities. The resolution has no policy impact - it formally expresses the Senate’s respect for his legacy, requests transmission to his family, and directs a moment of silence. It directly affects Campbell’s legacy and family, not any current policy or population. (Note: This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative provisions.)
