Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 5016: Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates how federal funding for water pollution control is distributed among states, Indian tribes, and U.S. territories. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency to set aside specific portions of funds for oversight and tribes before calculating state shares, while also introducing a new formula that allocates money based on watershed needs, population size, and poverty levels. The bill includes safeguards to prevent funding amounts for any single state from changing drastically from one year to the next and allows states to use a small percentage of their grants to conduct the necessary assessments for this new formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that these changes do not affect existing infrastructure funds and expands the allowable uses of capitalization grants to include technical assistance and survey activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill modernizes funding for water pollution control and prioritizes watershed needs, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4976: Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026

This bill establishes the Native Children's Commission Implementation Act of 2026 to improve health, education, and safety outcomes for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children and families. It creates several new advisory committees within federal agencies to provide ongoing guidance on issues such as juvenile justice, maternal health, substance abuse, and environmental protection. The legislation also authorizes grants and pilot programs to expand access to mental health services, increase the perinatal workforce, support Native language schools, and provide housing assistance for homeless youth and families. Additionally, it modifies existing laws to allow Tribes greater flexibility in administering nutrition and child care programs while ensuring they receive adequate funding for administrative costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates advisory committees specifically for juvenile justice and funds programs to improve safety outcomes for Native children, indicating support for criminal justice reform.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to improve education outcomes for Native children through new advisory committees and authorized grants for educational access.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates advisory committees specifically for environmental protection issues, indicating support for the topic.60% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly creates advisory committees for maternal health and substance abuse, and authorizes grants to expand mental health services for Native children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Women's Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9690: Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act

The Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act expands federal funding and support for water systems facing emergencies that threaten public health. It increases the annual budget for drinking water emergency situations from $35 million to $50 million and adds a new program to provide grants for treating sewage overflows and other water crises. These funds are specifically intended for activities that would be too costly for local ratepayers to handle alone and are authorized for use through fiscal year 2031. The legislation also allows the EPA Administrator to offer technical assistance for emergencies caused by issues like cybersecurity events.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases federal funding for water emergencies and sewage treatment, directly strengthening public service budgets.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases funding for water emergencies and sewage overflow treatment, directly protecting public health and reducing water pollution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

SRES 806: A resolution designating July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month".

This resolution designates July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month" to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks associated with plastic waste. The bill recognizes that plastic pollution harms marine life and human health, citing statistics on ocean contamination and the presence of microplastics in the human body. It encourages all individuals in the United States to participate in activities aimed at reducing plastic use and cleaning up litter during the designated month. The measure does not create new laws or regulations but serves to highlight the issue and promote voluntary action.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates a month to raise awareness and reduce plastic pollution, directly supporting environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9740: Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act

This bill directs the Department of Energy to create a competitive facility called the Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed to develop and test new methods for processing essential raw materials. The Testbed will focus on improving technologies to reduce energy use, water consumption, pollution, and costs while enhancing worker safety and waste management. Funding of $150 million for 2027 and $25 million annually through 2031 is authorized to support the facility, which may be located at one or more sites involving national laboratories, universities, and private companies. The program includes requirements to transfer research results to industry and ensure that intellectual property remains within the United States.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill directs DOE to create a facility improving energy efficiency and reducing energy use in critical materials processing.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly aims to reduce pollution, energy use, and water consumption while enhancing waste management and worker safety.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to enhance worker safety and improve waste management in critical materials processing.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds a DOE testbed to develop and test new processing technologies, directly advancing tech innovation and efficiency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4949: Water Resources Development Act of 2026

The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct numerous feasibility studies and modify existing projects focused on flood risk management, coastal storm protection, navigation improvements, and ecosystem restoration across the United States. It establishes new grant programs and funding authorizations for the Environmental Protection Agency to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including specific provisions for small and disadvantaged communities, lead reduction, and cybersecurity resilience. The legislation also directs the EPA to create initiatives for water sector cybersecurity, combats plastic waste, and updates regulations regarding nonpotable aquifer use for industrial wells.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes ecosystem restoration, flood risk management, and provides EPA funding for water infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9616: EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026

The EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to create a program that investigates methods for finding and recovering critical materials from contaminated sites. This initiative allows the EPA to provide funding to states, local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and private entities to support these recovery efforts and monitor environmental cleanup. The program is limited to a total of $10 million per year, with no single recipient receiving more than $3 million, and grants are evaluated based on their potential to strengthen domestic supply chains and protect human health. The authority to run this program will end ten years after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill authorizes $10M annually for EPA to fund critical material recovery programs, directly increasing government spending and appropriations for environmental initiatives.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs EPA to fund recovery of critical materials from contaminated sites, directly advancing environmental cleanup and protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9663: State Standing Committee Act

This bill creates a new State Standing Committee within the Environmental Protection Agency to provide scientific and technical advice on major environmental laws. The committee will consist of unpaid, voluntary members from every state, federal district, territory, and federally recognized tribe, who must be employees of local environmental or natural resource agencies. Members will offer advice to the EPA Administrator and the Science Advisory Board on specific issues like air and water quality, with the Administrator required to publish these views online within 30 days. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements so the EPA must annually submit reports on the committee's activities to Congress. The Federal Advisory Committee Act will not apply to this new group, and the Science Advisory Board will also be required to report its activities to Congress.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a committee to provide scientific and technical advice to the EPA, strengthening environmental regulation and oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 9, 2026

HR 9631: Bear Poaching Elimination Act

The Bear Poaching Elimination Act prohibits the import, export, and interstate trade of bear internal organs and products, aiming to stop the commercial demand that drives poaching. This law specifically targets items like gallbladders used in traditional medicine and cosmetics, while explicitly excluding blood and brains from the ban. The legislation applies to individuals, businesses, and government entities, with exceptions only for wildlife law enforcement and specific Native American traditional rituals. Violations can result in criminal prison time, civil fines up to $25,000 per offense, and the seizure of the illegal items. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue international discussions to reduce the global trade in bear parts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects natural resources by banning bear organ trade to stop poaching and conserve wildlife populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9617: CHARM Act

The CHARM Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency to create a National Critical Mineral Recovery Strategy aimed at coordinating federal efforts to extract essential minerals from discarded materials and mining waste. This strategy requires the agency to identify existing programs, overcome legal and technological barriers, and ensure that recovery methods protect human health and the environment. The bill mandates that the EPA report its findings and actions to Congress every two years, including recommendations for future legislation to support these recovery efforts. Ultimately, the law seeks to strengthen domestic supply chains by systematically evaluating opportunities to reuse critical minerals found in waste streams.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes energy independence by recovering critical minerals from waste, reducing reliance on fossil fuel extraction and supporting clean energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates EPA to create a strategy for recovering minerals from waste, explicitly requiring methods that protect human health and the environment.95% confidence

Track