Environment

passed · United States · House Jan 24, 2025

HR 375: Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025

This bill continues federal efforts to combat Rapid Ohia Death, a fungal disease threatening Hawaii's native ohia trees (Metrosideros polymorpha). It mandates ongoing research on disease transmission, management of invasive animals (like goats) that spread the disease, and funding for forest restoration through collaboration between federal agencies (Interior, Agriculture), Hawaii state, and local stakeholders. The key provisions require the U.S. Geological Survey and Forest Service to sustain research, partner on land management, and provide financial assistance to prevent disease spread and restore native forests. The bill directly affects Hawaii's ecosystems, particularly the culturally significant ohia tree species and the state's native forest habitats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates research, invasive species management, and funding to protect ohia trees from fungal disease, directly conserving native forest ecosystems and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 3, 2025

S 3324: FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025

S 3324 (FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025) requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to evaluate environmental justice impacts and greenhouse gas emissions when reviewing natural gas pipeline projects. It mandates FERC to assess whether proposed projects disproportionately affect environmental justice communities (defined as communities of color, indigenous groups, or low-income areas facing pollution burdens) and to quantify emissions, including downstream effects from gas combustion. Projects with 100,000+ metric tons of annual CO2 equivalent emissions must undergo stricter review, and applicants must submit mitigation plans to address environmental effects. FERC must explain in writing if it approves projects without sufficient mitigation or if environmental effects outweigh benefits. This directly affects pipeline applicants, FERC, and communities near proposed projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires FERC to assess greenhouse gas emissions and environmental justice impacts for natural gas pipelines, promoting environmental accountability in energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates FERC to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and environmental justice impacts for pipeline projects, requiring assessment of disproportionate burdens on vulnerable communities and quantification of emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Climate Change Environmental Justice Tags Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 1228: A bill to amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to modify the cost-sharing requirement for conservation projects carried out by a qualified youth or conservation corps, and for other purposes.

S 1228 amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to change cost-sharing requirements for conservation projects run by qualified youth or conservation corps on public lands. It increases the federal government's required cost-share from 75% to 90% and decreases the non-federal partner's share from 25% to 10%. This directly affects conservation corps and their partners by reducing their financial burden for projects on public lands. The bill makes no other changes to the Act's provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases federal cost-share from 75% to 90% for conservation projects, reducing financial burden on corps and partners to advance public land conservation efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 6, 2026

HR 6939: Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026

The Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026 establishes a Bycatch Reduction and Research Task Force to guide research on reducing bycatch of Alaska-origin salmon. It requires new salmon migration research through tagging and genetic analysis, along with ecosystem studies on habitat impacts in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. The bill creates a Flume Tank Assistance Fund to support testing of fishing gear that reduces bycatch and habitat damage, and mandates improved electronic monitoring systems for fisheries. It also reauthorizes a Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program with $4 million annually and establishes a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes task force and fund to reduce bycatch of salmon and protect marine habitats through research and gear testing, directly advancing conservation and ecosystem protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 24, 2025

HR 6923: Jobs for a Carbon Free Transportation System Act

This bill creates a federal grant program to fund "low carbon corridors" connecting different transportation systems (like public transit, bike lanes, and electric vehicle infrastructure) to reduce emissions and improve connectivity. It establishes value capture financing mechanisms through tax increment districts to fund transportation infrastructure and expands tax-exempt bonds for transit-oriented development. The bill also creates a grant program to help workers transition from fossil fuel industries to sustainable jobs and establishes a National Employment Corps to guarantee employment for those displaced by the energy transition. Local governments, transit agencies, and communities near transportation hubs would directly benefit from these provisions, while requiring projects to follow prevailing wage laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses tax increment districts and tax-exempt bonds to fund transportation infrastructure, advancing public spending through fiscal mechanisms95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds low-carbon transportation infrastructure (EVs, public transit) to reduce emissions and transition workers from fossil fuels, directly advancing renewable energy adoption in transportation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly creates grant program for 'low carbon corridors' to reduce emissions, fund clean transportation infrastructure, and transition workers from fossil fuels.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax-exempt bonds for transit-oriented development (TOD), a housing strategy promoting affordable housing near transit hubs through infrastructure funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly creates a grant program to help workers transition from fossil fuel industries, directly supporting labor and employment through workforce assistance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds low carbon corridors, public transit, and EV infrastructure via grants and tax mechanisms, directly advancing sustainable transportation systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Property Development Electric Vehicles Public Transit

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2865: New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025

The New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025 prohibits the federal government from issuing new leases for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in offshore federal waters along the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This bill directly affects the Department of the Interior (which manages offshore leasing) and any companies seeking to drill in these areas by blocking new lease permits. The key provision amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to explicitly ban the Secretary from granting such leases in the specified coastal region. As a result, the bill prevents new oil and gas drilling projects in these offshore waters, though it does not impact existing leases or activities.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks new oil/gas leases in offshore federal waters, directly restricting fossil fuel development and opposing fossil fuel expansion in energy sector.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits offshore oil/gas leasing in New England coastal waters, preventing environmental damage from drilling and protecting marine ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 4, 2025

S 835: Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025

S 835, the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025, establishes a voluntary USDA certification program for organizations that reduce food waste. It directly affects food businesses (like restaurants and grocers), schools, government entities, and nonprofits that donate or redirect excess food. To earn certification, participants must document 12 months of food donations to those in need or alternative disposal (e.g., composting), verified by accredited third parties. The program promotes certified entities through voluntary labels and USDA website listings, with $3 million annually for implementation and coordination between USDA, FDA, and EPA.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes composting and food donation, reducing landfill waste and methane emissions, aligning with pollution control and conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 476: White Oak Resiliency Act of 2025

This bill establishes the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition to coordinate federal, state, and private efforts for restoring white oak forests across the U.S. It directs the Agriculture and Interior Departments to launch 5 pilot projects on public lands (including national forests and wildlife refuges) to improve white oak regeneration and health, and creates a voluntary grant program to help private landowners restore white oak forests through partnerships with organizations like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The bill also requires developing a national strategy to address white oak seedling shortages in nurseries and funds research at land-grant universities on white oak genetics, disease resistance, and reforestation techniques. These provisions directly affect federal agencies, land-grant universities, forest landowners, and conservation groups working on white oak ecosystem restoration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates federal initiative to restore white oak forests via pilot projects and grants, directly advancing forest conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2025

HR 3930: Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025

This bill codifies existing protections for designated roadless areas within the National Forest System by prohibiting new road construction, road reconstruction, and logging in these areas. It directly affects National Forest lands already identified as "inventoried roadless areas" under the current Roadless Rule, which covers roughly 58 million acres. The key mechanism requires the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce these prohibitions, maintaining current protections without expanding restrictions to other lands or altering existing multiple-use management. The bill does not create new protected areas but legally solidifies the existing regulatory framework to preserve ecological and recreational values.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts road construction and logging in National Forest areas, limiting access for energy exploration and infrastructure development.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMaintains 58M acres of roadless areas by prohibiting logging/roads, protecting forests per current rule.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill prohibits new road construction in national forest roadless areas, restricting transportation infrastructure development in designated zones.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 6568: Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

This bill, the Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act, ensures the federal government (specifically the Bureau of Reclamation) remains solely responsible for operating, maintaining, and funding the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel - a structure built to help endangered pallid sturgeon migrate around a dam. It directly protects the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District and Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project from being forced to cover costs or operations for this federally mandated conservation measure. The bill prohibits any federal agency from shifting these responsibilities to non-federal entities, authorizes $1 million annually for channel upkeep, and requires the federal government to report on its operations to Congress. This clarifies existing law to prevent future disputes over who bears the financial burden for this environmental mitigation project.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnsures federal maintenance of fish bypass channel to protect endangered pallid sturgeon migration, directly advancing conservation of native species and habitat.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track