The COWS Act of 2026 amends the Food Security Act to expand federal conservation programs by formally recognizing alternative manure management practices and on-farm composting as eligible activities for financial assistance. These provisions directly affect dairy and livestock producers, particularly small and medium-sized operations, who can receive payments covering up to 100% of the costs associated with planning, equipment, installation, and labor for these new practices. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize applications that maximize greenhouse gas reductions and carbon sequestration while ensuring geographic diversity and support for beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers. Additionally, it allows groups of producers to submit joint applications for shared composting facilities and mandates the development of new conservation standards specifically for on-farm compost production within one year of enactment.
The RANCH Act establishes a program for the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll cropland that has been planted in at least four of the last six years, requiring its conversion to perennial grass and forb cover to support grazing. Landowners who enter into contracts lasting 10 to 15 years receive annual rental payments equal to 75 percent of the local average dryland cash rental rate, along with cost-sharing assistance for establishing vegetation. To participate, landowners must develop a site-specific grazing management plan within two years and are permitted to graze livestock, manage fire risks, and conduct emergency haying during declared droughts or natural disasters. The program prioritizes beginning farmers, wildlife habitat conservation, and highly erodible land, with a total enrollment cap of 20 million acres and an individual annual payment limit of $155,000.
The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing agencies and tribal entities for the comprehensive rehabilitation, energy upgrades, and modernization of public housing stock. These funds are intended to transform properties into zero-carbon homes by installing renewable energy systems, electrifying appliances, and repairing infrastructure, while also establishing workforce development programs that offer training, apprenticeships, and stipends to residents and local low-income workers. The bill mandates strict labor standards, including prevailing wages and the use of U.S.-made materials, and requires agencies to maintain or increase the total number of public housing units while prioritizing resident participation through elected councils and community engagement processes.
The GREEN Hospitals Act authorizes $100 billion in Hill-Burton grants for the construction or modernization of medical facilities, with priority given to projects that incorporate climate resilience features such as renewable energy systems, air quality improvements, and flood protection. The bill also establishes a separate $5 billion Planning and Evaluation Grant Program to help states, tribal governments, and nonprofits develop sustainability plans for hospitals and clinics. To receive funding, applicants must demonstrate that their facilities serve vulnerable populations or environmental justice communities and certify that they respect employee labor rights by maintaining collective bargaining agreements or non-interference policies. Additionally, the legislation requires that at least 50 percent of planning grant funds be allocated to projects located in environmental justice communities and prohibits the use of training repayment agreements for employees and apprentices.
The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act directs federal funds to public housing agencies and tribal entities to rehabilitate, modernize, and electrify the nation's public housing stock into zero-carbon homes within ten years. The bill establishes grant programs that require recipients to conduct deep energy retrofits, install renewable energy systems, upgrade water quality infrastructure, and provide high-speed internet access to residents. In exchange for these funds, agencies must commit to maintaining their total number of housing units, ensuring displaced residents can return to their original projects, and adhering to strict labor standards that prioritize hiring low-income individuals and supporting resident-owned businesses. Additionally, the legislation strengthens tenant participation by mandating the formation of elected resident councils in larger developments and providing stipends for volunteer officers who help manage community operations.
The Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a federal program focused on developing and implementing nonlethal strategies to reduce conflicts between wildlife, humans, and livestock. The program will absorb existing nonlethal initiatives from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and prioritize efforts in states where these operations are already active, with a specific focus on protecting livestock from predators and preventing damage to agriculture and infrastructure. To support these goals, the Act authorizes the provision of assistance, training, and demonstration projects for landowners, agricultural producers, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations, while also requiring the development of state-level implementation plans. The legislation appropriates $20 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these activities, with a cap limiting research expenditures to no more than 10 percent of the total annual budget.
The Water Technology and Resilience Reauthorization Act extends the funding authorization for advanced drinking water technologies from 2027 through 2031. This change directly affects federal agencies responsible for implementing these programs by providing continued financial support for five additional years. The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure that resources remain available for developing and deploying new water treatment methods.
The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to fund forest restoration projects on National Forest System lands affected by mountain pine beetle outbreaks. Eligible sponsors, including state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and public utilities, can receive funding for activities such as removing hazard trees, reducing wildfire fuels, reforestation, and watershed stabilization. The bill prioritizes grants for projects that protect municipal water supplies, critical infrastructure, and communities in the wildland-urban interface. Additionally, it authorizes cooperative agreements between federal agencies and local entities to facilitate coordinated monitoring, data sharing, and technical assistance for detecting and mitigating beetle infestations.
The Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated fund within the existing Multinational Species Conservation Fund to provide competitive grants for the protection of animal species classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Secretary of the Interior will manage this program, awarding financial assistance to foreign wildlife authorities and qualified organizations to support projects such as habitat restoration, illegal trade enforcement, and scientific research aimed at recovering wild populations outside the United States. To ensure accountability and effectiveness, grant recipients must submit periodic progress reports that are generally made available to the public, while specific restrictions prohibit the use of funds for captive breeding unless it is strictly necessary for releasing animals back into the wild. The legislation authorizes $5 million per year in appropriations from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 and requires the Secretary to report on the program's results to Congress every two years.
The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to integrate environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling into federal fishery stock assessments through a multi-year pilot study and subsequent implementation plan. To support this transition, the bill establishes the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network, a multi-agency body tasked with developing national standards for eDNA collection, analysis, and data sharing across various aquatic environments. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding to expand NOAA’s workforce and laboratory capabilities, encourages partnerships with private-sector technology developers, and amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act to formally incorporate eDNA methods into fisheries management.
