Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 3820: Soil CARE Act of 2026

The Soil CARE Act of 2026 requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to create a training program for its staff and third-party providers (like farming consultants and nonprofits) on soil health management practices. This training, delivered through online courses and in-person workshops twice yearly in each region, covers topics such as regenerative farming, soil biology, tribal considerations, and supporting small or underserved producers. The program must include specific curriculum units on soil health principles, organic production, diversified systems, and conservation practices that improve soil, water, and climate resilience. The law authorizes $10 million annually from 2027 to 2032 to fund this initiative, directly affecting how NRCS and its partners support agricultural producers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates NRCS training on soil health management, regenerative farming, and conservation practices to protect natural resources and support sustainable agriculture, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 10, 2025

S 913: Return to Sender Act

This bill repeals sections 70002 and 70003 of the Inflation Reduction Act (Public Law 117-169) and rescinds all unused funds allocated under those sections as of its enactment date. It directly affects the federal government's budget by canceling unspent money that was previously set aside for climate and energy programs. The key mechanism is a simple fiscal correction: it removes the authority to use those specific funds and redirects them away from future spending. This is a procedural budget adjustment with no direct impact on citizens or businesses.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds climate/energy programs by rescinding unspent funds from Inflation Reduction Act, directly reducing budget allocation for these areas.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly defunds climate/energy programs by repealing IRA sections and rescinding unused funds, directly weakening federal energy initiatives.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals climate funding sections of Inflation Reduction Act, rescinds unused funds for energy programs, directly defunding environmental initiatives.95% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 7376: Local Water Protection Act

HR 7376, the Local Water Protection Act, amends an existing provision in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the funding period for state nonpoint source management programs from fiscal years 2023-2027 to 2027-2031. This change directly affects states and local agencies that administer these programs, which address pollution from diffuse sources like agricultural runoff. The bill makes a procedural adjustment to the program's timeline without altering its core requirements or creating new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends funding period for state water programs, maintaining existing financial support without cuts or reductions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends funding for state nonpoint source pollution programs (addressing agricultural runoff) without weakening requirements, directly advancing environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6693: SALAMANDER Act

The SALAMANDER Act streamlines permitting for post-disaster recovery projects involving waterways (like rebuilding roads, bridges, or coastal infrastructure after hurricanes or floods) by creating pre-approved general permits. It directly affects communities recovering from federally declared disasters and the Army Corps of Engineers, which implements these permits. Key provisions require upfront coordination with wildlife agencies to agree on "best management practices" that protect endangered species and critical habitats, replacing individual environmental reviews under the Endangered Species Act for 18 months after a disaster declaration. This reduces delays while maintaining environmental safeguards, with the Corps required to work with state agencies and establish national guidelines for consistent use.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires coordination with wildlife agencies to implement 'best management practices' protecting endangered species, integrating environmental safeguards into disaster recovery permitting.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines permitting for rebuilding roads/bridges post-disaster, advancing transportation infrastructure recovery through faster project approval.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Wildlife Tags Emergency Management

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1497: Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act

This bill designates approximately 12,295 acres of federal land in Taos County, New Mexico (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness, using a specific map dated April 1, 2025. It modifies the boundary of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument to align with this new wilderness designation. The bill allows the maintenance of existing wildlife water structures (like guzzlers) if they enhance wilderness values and minimize visual impact, requiring a cooperative agreement with New Mexico within one year of enactment. This directly affects federal land management practices and wildlife conservation activities within the designated wilderness area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 12,295 acres as wilderness, protecting ecosystems and expanding conservation within Río Grande del Norte National Monument per BLM management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1066: Highway Funding Flexibility Act of 2025

This bill changes how unobligated funds from two federal transportation programs must be used. It restricts National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds to highway construction, bridge repairs, wildlife crossing structures, and commercial vehicle parking projects, while blocking prior uses. It also redirects unused charging infrastructure grant funds to states proportionally based on their existing highway funding apportionments. All funds remain available until their original expiration date and cannot replace other state transportation funding. The bill applies to both current unobligated funds and future fiscal year allocations under these programs.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts EV infrastructure funds to highway projects, blocking prior renewable energy development uses and diverting charging grants away from clean energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts EV infrastructure funds to highway/bridge projects only, blocking prior environmental uses and redirecting funds away from broader clean energy applications.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill redirects transportation funds specifically to highway construction, bridge repairs, and infrastructure projects, advancing transportation infrastructure funding without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Wildlife Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7523: Spent Petroleum Catalyst Recycling and Critical Minerals and Metals Recovery Exemption Act

This bill exempts facilities recycling spent petroleum catalyst for metal recovery (like vanadium) from certain waste regulations under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. It specifically removes the requirement for these facilities to comply with Boilers and Industrial Furnaces (BIF) rules, applying to thermal treatment units (e.g., roasters) and metallurgical units (e.g., furnaces) that process catalyst into intermediate products or recover metals. The exemption covers spent hydrotreating and hydrorefining catalyst (EPA hazardous wastes K171/K172) and allows third-party transfer for recycling. This aims to streamline domestic recovery of critical minerals - such as vanadium used in steel for defense and infrastructure - without adding new environmental regulations, as current air permits already enforce safeguards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts recycling facilities from BIF waste regulations, weakening environmental protections by reducing regulatory requirements for metal recovery processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 133: Protecting American Energy Production Act

The Protecting American Energy Production Act (HR 133) states that Congress believes states should maintain primary authority to regulate fracking (hydraulic fracturing) for oil and gas on state and private lands. It also prohibits the President from imposing a temporary ban (moratorium) on fracking without explicit approval from Congress. This prevents federal executive action from halting fracking operations without new legislation. The bill directly affects federal regulatory power and reinforces state control over energy production.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prevents federal fracking bans, protecting fossil fuel production and opposing federal restrictions on oil/gas extraction, favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents federal moratorium on fracking, prioritizing energy production over environmental regulations, weakening federal oversight of pollution and resource extraction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3863: Pay Less at the Pump Act of 2026

This bill terminates a specific tax rate (the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate) used to fund hazardous waste cleanup efforts after December 31, 2025, with the change taking effect January 1, 2026. It also modifies how the government repays advances from the Superfund, requiring quarterly payments from unobligated funds until fully repaid, effective upon the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects the federal government's funding mechanisms for the Superfund program, not consumers or businesses. It makes concrete changes to tax code provisions and repayment procedures without altering the program's core purpose or directly impacting gasoline prices (despite the misleading bill title).

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTerminates tax funding for Superfund cleanup, defunding essential environmental program.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTerminates Superfund tax funding (hazardous waste cleanup) after 2025, directly defunding a core environmental protection program without offsetting measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 1791: Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025

The Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 designates approximately 600,000 acres of federal land in Gunnison County, Colorado, as Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, Recreation Management Areas, and a Scientific Research Area. The bill limits off-highway vehicle and bicycle use to designated routes, requires winter travel management plans within three years, prohibits new road construction, and mandates ecological restoration projects prioritizing native vegetation and wildlife protection. It establishes seasonal closures in specific areas to protect wildlife habitat while allowing continued traditional tribal uses and limited recreational access. The legislation affects federal land managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across these designated areas, with specific management requirements for each type of protected area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates protected areas, restricts off-highway vehicles, prohibits new roads, mandates ecological restoration for conservation and habitat protection95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationProhibits new road construction and limits off-highway vehicle use, restricting transportation infrastructure access on federal land.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife Bicycle Infrastructure Roads & Highways

Track