Environment

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

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9618: DEF Act

The Diesel Engine Flexibility Act establishes a ten-year regulatory stability period for diesel engines used in on-road vehicles, non-road equipment, and heavy-duty trucks. During this time, the Environmental Protection Agency is prohibited from issuing new or stricter emission standards beyond the 2007 and 2010 rules for on-road vehicles, or the Tier 4 rules for non-road engines, unless specific exceptions for repairs or fraud enforcement apply. After the decade concludes, any new regulations must include a five-year delay before taking effect and must consider the financial and operational impacts on vehicle owners and manufacturers. The bill also provides legal protection for manufacturers using specific guidance documents to manage engine performance and monitor fluid quality without facing penalties.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts EPA from enforcing stricter emission standards, effectively blocking progress on reducing diesel pollution and limiting clean energy transitions.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits EPA from issuing stricter emission standards, effectively weakening environmental protections and limiting pollution control.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts EPA from issuing new emission standards, limiting regulatory improvements for vehicle safety and environmental protection in transportation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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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

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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

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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

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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

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9615: BRACE Act

The BRACE Act updates federal regulations to improve how lithium-ion batteries are managed and recycled in the United States. It requires facilities that store these batteries before recycling them to follow stricter safety and record-keeping rules similar to those for large industrial waste handlers. Additionally, the bill modernizes existing laws by replacing outdated references with current environmental protection standards. These changes directly impact businesses and organizations involved in the collection, storage, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental regulations by updating lithium-ion battery management and recycling standards to reduce pollution and protect resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4944: American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026

The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026 streamlines the permitting process for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews and establishing strict deadlines for federal and state agencies to complete their portions of the review. The bill also modifies water quality laws to reduce the number of required certifications for discharges into navigable waters, extends the validity of certain nationwide permits for dredged or fill material from five to ten years, and creates a new fund to address abandoned hardrock mines. Additionally, the legislation updates the National Environmental Policy Act to limit the scope of environmental reviews to effects directly caused by a project, impose specific timelines for agency decisions, and restrict the ability of courts to issue injunctions that would halt construction while legal challenges are pending.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill streamlines permitting for natural gas pipelines and energy projects, reducing regulatory barriers to energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines permitting for pipelines, designates FERC as sole lead for reviews, modifies water quality laws to reduce certifications, and establishes strict deadlines, indicating deregulation of environmental standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4887: Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026

The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help organizations transport materials removed during wildfire risk reduction projects on National Forest System lands. Eligible recipients include for-profit companies, nonprofits, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and universities, with funding available from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Grants can cover costs for transporting wood and biomass, maintaining transport equipment, and workforce training, but cannot be used for construction or buying timber. The program prioritizes projects in high-risk wildfire areas and offers higher funding percentages to Indian Tribes compared to other applicants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a competitive grant program to fund hazardous fuels transportation, directly increasing government spending for wildfire risk reduction.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds wildfire risk reduction projects and biomass transport, directly aiding forest conservation and reducing environmental hazards.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates a grant program to fund hazardous materials transportation for wildfire risk reduction, directly supporting transportation infrastructure and logistics.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jul 6, 2026

HR 9593: Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026

The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026 prohibits the sale of food packaging that contains intentionally added PFAS chemicals starting on January 1, 2027. This law directly impacts manufacturers and distributors by banning the introduction of such packaging into interstate commerce. The bill specifically defines PFAS as a group of fluorinated organic chemicals that include at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom. By amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the legislation ensures that food containers sold across state lines will not include these specific substances.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans PFAS chemicals in food packaging, directly reducing pollution and protecting the environment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBanning PFAS in food containers reduces exposure to harmful chemicals, thereby protecting public health and preventing potential long-term health issues.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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