Environment

in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2025

HR 1213: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Forest Service to update its forest data collection methods, including new timber product studies and woodland owner surveys. It mandates improved tracking of forest carbon (including soil carbon), standardized definitions for "forest" reporting, and integration of remote sensing technologies like LiDAR. The bill affects the Forest Service, woodland owners, and private sector entities that use forest data for planning or business decisions. Key provisions include strategic plans for data consistency, biennial public statistics reports, and enhanced data accessibility while protecting confidential information like plot locations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates forest carbon tracking and data standards, enhancing climate mitigation and forest conservation efforts through improved data collection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1858: Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act

HR 1858, the Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a national study on flood risks to agricultural lands within two years, analyzing economic losses, downstream effects, and existing data on various flood types. The bill expands watershed restoration authority by allowing the Secretary to implement long-term protective measures beyond immediate repairs if they are cost-effective and benefit watershed health. It also increases federal funding for rehabilitating aging structural flood measures from 65% to 90% of project costs. This legislation directly affects agricultural producers and watershed management programs by mandating new assessments and modifying funding thresholds for flood prevention infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates watershed restoration and protective measures to benefit watershed health, directly advancing environmental conservation and flood risk management per its summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1618: Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2025

S 1618, the Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2025, amends existing farm loan programs to specifically include funding for precision agriculture. It expands loan eligibility for farmers to adopt precision agriculture practices (like GPS-guided equipment) and acquire related technologies (such as soil sensors). The bill adds new provisions allowing these loans to also support participation in environmental incentive programs under the Food Security Act of 1985. It streamlines administration by enabling the Farm Service Agency's Deputy Administrator to handle these loans and simplifying approvals with conservation agencies. This directly affects farmers seeking to modernize operations with technology, with the program now authorized through 2029.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly links precision agriculture loans to participation in environmental incentive programs under Food Security Act, promoting resource-efficient farming practices that conserve natural resources.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds adoption of precision agriculture technology (GPS, sensors) via expanded farm loans, directly advancing agricultural tech use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1029: Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025

This bill expands the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) existing snow survey and water supply forecasting program to cover the Northeastern United States. It defines the Northeast as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and any other states the Secretary of Agriculture designates. The key provision directs the NRCS Chief to extend this program's geographic scope to serve these states. This change directly affects water resource managers and communities in the covered northeastern states by improving regional snowpack and water supply data collection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands NRCS snow survey program for water resource management, aiding natural resource conservation and water supply forecasting in the Northeast.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Apr 24, 2025

HR 3002: Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act

HR 3002, the Homeland Security Climate Change Coordination Act, creates a new Climate Coordinating Council within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The council, composed of at least 20 senior DHS officials from offices like FEMA, Customs, Coast Guard, and Cybersecurity, must identify climate impacts across DHS operations and develop risk-based strategies to address them. It will also report annually to Congress for ten years on actions taken, ensuring DHS aligns its efforts with Executive Order 14008 on climate. The bill directly affects DHS programs, assets, and personnel by mandating coordinated climate adaptation planning.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates DHS Climate Council to develop strategies addressing climate impacts across operations, aligning with environmental protection goals through risk-based planning and annual reporting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · House Jan 23, 2025

HR 644: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to strengthen federal efforts addressing harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia events. It requires a federal Task Force to develop a comprehensive Action Strategy every five years examining causes, ecological impacts, and economic consequences of HABs across marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems, including the Great Lakes and coastal waters. The bill establishes a National-Level Incubator Program to fund innovative prevention and control strategies, with priority given to solutions protecting public health, biodiversity, and vulnerable communities. It mandates enhanced coordination among federal agencies, states, Indian tribes, and local communities to improve monitoring, forecasting, and response capabilities for HAB events. The bill authorizes $19.5 million annually for NOAA and $8 million annually for EPA to implement these provisions from 2026-2030.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens federal efforts to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia through research, strategy development, and funding programs, directly protecting water ecosystems and public health from environmental harm.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SRES 289: A resolution recognizing the importance of pollinators to ecosystem health and agriculture in the United States by designating June 15 through June 22, 2025, as "National Pollinator Week".

SRES 289 designates June 15-22, 2025, as "National Pollinator Week" to recognize pollinators' critical role in U.S. agriculture and ecosystems. The resolution highlights that pollinators support over 100 crops and contribute more than $18 billion annually to U.S. crop production. It encourages the public to observe the week through conservation and educational activities. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness about declining pollinator populations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly recognizes pollinators' critical role in ecosystem health and agriculture, promoting conservation awareness to protect biodiversity and agricultural systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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passed · United States · Senate Oct 28, 2025

SRES 454: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2025, to October 31, 2025, as "Bat Week".

This resolution (SRES 454) expresses Senate support for designating October 24-31, 2025, as "Bat Week" to raise public awareness about bats' ecological and economic value. It highlights bats' role in controlling insect pests (saving U.S. farmers over $3.7 billion annually), pollinating crops, and maintaining healthy ecosystems, while acknowledging threats like white-nose syndrome. The resolution encourages public events during Bat Week and commits the Senate to continuing conservation efforts for bats and combating the disease. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to foster public engagement with bat conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentResolution promotes bat conservation awareness, highlighting ecological benefits (pest control, pollination) and threats, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Nov 21, 2025

HR 6256: Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act

HR 6256, the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act, simplifies regulatory processes for communities and landowners undertaking projects to restore natural floodplain functions. It exempts such projects from standard flood insurance map change fees and allows limited increases in flood levels (up to 1 foot) in designated floodways, provided projects don’t harm critical infrastructure and communities submit post-completion analysis within 180 days. The bill amends existing flood insurance law to prioritize ecosystem restoration by adjusting fee and approval requirements, directly affecting local governments managing floodplains and developers working on restoration projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestores natural floodplain functions, promoting ecosystem conservation and reducing flood risks without weakening environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 2890: GREEN Streets Act

The GREEN Streets Act (S 2890) requires states and metropolitan areas to establish specific targets for reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation systems. It mandates that states set minimum standards for decreasing per capita vehicle miles traveled through investments in transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, and land use planning that supports multimodal transportation. States failing to meet these targets must obligate 33% of their federal highway funds toward meeting the targets, with this requirement increasing by 2% annually until targets are achieved. The bill also requires analysis of projects that increase traffic capacity, particularly those affecting environmental justice communities, and establishes new performance measures for transit accessibility and multimodal transportation options.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates emission reductions via transit/bike infrastructure investments, directly reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation - a key energy policy objective.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates emission reductions via transit investments and land use planning, directly advancing climate goals and pollution control.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates investments in transit, sidewalks, bike lanes, and land use planning to reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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