Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · House May 9, 2025

HR 3322: Solid American Hardwood Tax Credit Act

This bill adds a new tax credit for homeowners who install qualifying U.S.-grown hardwood products in their primary residence. It expands the existing energy efficient home improvement credit to cover "natural carbon sink expenditures," defined as flooring, paneling, cabinetry, or windows made from deciduous trees grown and processed in the U.S. The credit applies to products installed in a dwelling owned and used as the taxpayer’s principal residence, with the installation expected to last at least five years. The bill also extends the credit’s expiration date from 2032 to 2035.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for hardwood products, providing tax relief under existing energy-efficient home improvement framework.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill defines tax credit for hardwood as 'natural carbon sink expenditures', promoting carbon sequestration and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2903: M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act

The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act designates specific segments of rivers in New Mexico - including the Gila River system, Apache Creek, and Black Canyon Creek - as "wild" or "recreational" rivers under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers system. It withdraws federal lands within these designated segments from mining, grazing, and other development activities while preserving existing rights like water rights, grazing permits, and mining operations outside the designated areas. The bill also modifies boundaries of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and Gila National Forest by transferring approximately 440 acres from the Forest Service to the National Park Service. Management plans must be created for these rivers, requiring consultation with tribal governments and local communities. The bill ensures existing water infrastructure, native fish habitat projects, and treaty rights for Native American tribes are protected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Gila River system as protected wild/recreational river, withdrawing federal lands from mining/grazing to conserve natural resources and limit development impacts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 4422: Don’t Feed the Bears Act of 2025

This bill prohibits bear baiting on federal lands by requiring the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to enforce existing bans on feeding bears for hunting purposes in National Parks and wildlife refuges, and to adopt new regulations banning baiting on Bureau of Land Management and National Forest lands within one year. It directly affects licensed hunters who currently use bait stations (piles of human-scented food like meat or fruit) to attract bears for hunting on federal lands where state law permits it. The bill aims to reduce bear habituation to human food, lower property damage costs, and decrease human-bear conflicts by ending baiting practices that make bears lose natural wariness. Exceptions are allowed only for extraordinary cases involving bear welfare, public safety, or authorized research.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits bear baiting on federal lands, strengthening wildlife conservation and protecting natural habitats per the bill's enforcement of bans on feeding bears for hunting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Apr 8, 2025

HR 2734: Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act

HR 2734 designates approximately 6,817 acres in Routt National Forest as the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Addition, protecting this specific land from development. The bill directly affects the management of this newly designated wilderness area within the existing Sarvis Creek Wilderness. Key provisions include maintaining tribal treaty rights and permitting traditional tribal uses, while allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to manage fire, insects, and diseases within the addition under existing wilderness management rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 6,817 acres as wilderness, protecting land from development per bill summary. Directly advances conservation by expanding protected area within national forest.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4656: Path to Florida Springs National Park Act

HR 4656, the *Path to Florida Springs National Park Act*, authorizes a special resource study by the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate the potential for designating approximately 2,800 square miles of Florida land (including forests, springs, and conservation areas like Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs) as a National Park. The study must assess the area's national significance, feasibility of park designation, and alternative preservation options, while consulting with relevant agencies and stakeholders. It requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within three years, detailing findings and recommendations. This bill does not create a park but initiates a formal evaluation process; the area directly affected is the specified Florida region encompassing existing conservation lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes study to evaluate designating 2,800 sq mi of springs/forests as National Park, aiming to protect conservation areas and natural resources through federal preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 5111: CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2025

The CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2025 updates the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to give farmers more flexibility in managing enrolled land while maintaining conservation goals. It allows emergency haying during droughts or natural disasters under specific conditions (e.g., D2 drought designation or 40% forage loss) on no more than 50% of contract acres, without harming wildlife cover. The bill expands cost-sharing for grazing infrastructure like fencing and water systems and raises the annual rental payment limit from $50,000 to $125,000. These changes directly affect CRP participants by adjusting enrollment rules, management options, and payment structures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMaintains CRP conservation goals, explicitly prohibits harming wildlife cover, and expands cost-sharing for conservation infrastructure like fencing/water systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 20, 2025

S 670: Protect the West Act of 2025

The Protect the West Act of 2025 establishes a $60 billion Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to support ecological restoration projects across western U.S. landscapes. It creates two main programs: a $20 billion grant program to help eligible entities like state governments, tribes, and nonprofits plan and coordinate restoration projects, and a $40 billion partnership program focused on carrying out projects on Federal and non-Federal lands with high wildfire risk. The bill requires projects to improve forest conditions, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and reduce wildfire risks while creating jobs in outdoor industries, with special priority for projects in the wildland-urban interface and underserved communities. Projects must be coordinated with existing conservation programs and follow scientific best practices, with annual reporting requirements to track environmental benefits and job creation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes $60B Outdoor/Watershed Restoration Fund for ecological projects on western lands, directly advancing environmental protection through funding and restoration initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jul 25, 2025

HR 4764: Biochar Research Network Act of 2025

The Biochar Research Network Act of 2025 establishes a national network of up to 20 research sites to study how biochar (a charcoal-like substance) improves soil health, carbon sequestration, and farming practices. It directs the Agriculture Department to fund research testing biochar across diverse soils, climates, and agricultural systems to assess its impact on crop yields, climate mitigation, and profitability for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and land managers. The bill authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for this research, focusing on practical, science-based guidance for sustainable biochar use. The network will generate data to help land managers adopt biochar for soil health, carbon reduction, and resilience to extreme weather.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds research on biochar for carbon sequestration and soil health, directly advancing climate mitigation and environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3369: Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

This bill designates 14 new wilderness areas totaling approximately 126,554 acres in Washington's Olympic National Forest as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It also designates 22 river segments across western Washington as "wild," "scenic," or "recreational" rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, protecting them from development. The wilderness areas will be managed by the Forest Service under the Wilderness Act, while rivers will be managed by the Department of Agriculture or Interior depending on location. The bill preserves these natural areas for public enjoyment while respecting existing rights and treaty obligations, with management plans required to be updated within 3-5 years of enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates wilderness areas and rivers for protection from development, conserving natural resources under established environmental laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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passed · United States · House Mar 25, 2025

HR 1326: DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

HR 1326, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act, requires the Energy and Agriculture Secretaries to jointly conduct collaborative research focused on shared priorities like sustainable energy, agriculture, and climate resilience. It mandates a competitive grant process for federal agencies, universities, and nonprofits to fund projects in areas such as AI for farming/energy systems, biofuels, grid security, and rural technology development. The bill also requires a report to Congress within two years detailing research coordination, achievements, and future collaboration opportunities. This legislation directly affects federal agencies, research institutions, and agricultural/energy sectors through new funding mechanisms and joint projects, without altering existing regulations or creating new mandates for the public.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds collaborative research on sustainable energy, biofuels, grid security, and rural tech via competitive grants, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and climate resilience priorities.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds collaborative research on sustainable energy, climate resilience, biofuels, and AI for farming/energy systems, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals through federal grants.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AI for farming/energy systems, grid security, and rural tech development via competitive grants, directly advancing technology research.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Climate Change Forestry Artificial Intelligence Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

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