This bill (SJRES 91) seeks congressional disapproval of a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule authorizing oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Coastal Plain. It directly affects the BLM's ability to implement this leasing program by aiming to block the rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The resolution would nullify the rule (issued December 2024) if passed, preventing the BLM from moving forward with leasing activities in the Coastal Plain area. The resolution references a Government Accountability Office opinion confirming the rule qualifies for disapproval under the CRA.
The Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025 establishes conservation measures for albatrosses and petrels in U.S. waters and lands. It requires the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce to protect habitats, manage invasive species threatening these birds, and implement fishing regulations to minimize bycatch in commercial fisheries. The bill creates mechanisms for international cooperation with other countries that are parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. It also establishes procedures for permits and exemptions for certain activities like scientific research while maintaining favorable conservation status for these birds.
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to create an exception for sturgeon farmed in captivity. It exempts legally held captive sturgeon and their offspring from certain Endangered Species Act requirements (like section 7(a)(2) protections) until they are intentionally released back into the wild. Farmers must maintain documentation proving their sturgeon qualify under this exception and submit records to the Secretary upon request. The bill directly affects sturgeon aquaculture operations by reducing regulatory burden for captive breeding programs.
This resolution (HRES 420) supports designating May 16, 2025, as "Endangered Species Day" to recognize conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It highlights the Act's success in preventing extinction for species like the bald eagle and loggerhead sea turtle, and acknowledges the cultural and economic value of protecting wildlife. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture to celebrate biodiversity conservation and the Act's role in addressing the global biodiversity crisis. It does not impose new requirements or directly affect any individuals, communities, or agencies.
This bill (S 1519) designates approximately 1.56 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as wilderness under federal law. It permanently protects this specific area from development like oil drilling or road construction by adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designation directly affects the refuge's management, ensuring this coastal plain ecosystem remains preserved in its natural state.
HJRES 131 blocks a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that would have allowed oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain. The bill uses the Congressional Review Act to formally disapprove this specific rule, making it legally void. It directly affects the BLM's ability to advance the leasing program and companies seeking permits for oil and gas development in that area. The resolution became law after passing both chambers of Congress in late 2025.
This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to publish proposed land protection plans in the Federal Register at least 60 days before finalizing them, giving the public a formal opportunity to submit comments. It applies to all land protection plans for National Wildlife Refuge System units, except for small expansions under 50 acres or 15% of a refuge’s total acreage. The law establishes a standardized process for public input on federal land management decisions, directly affecting how the agency engages with communities and stakeholders during planning.
This bill exempts the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its contractors from key environmental review laws - including the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Clean Water Act - for defense activities certified as countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party. It directly affects DoD readiness, training, infrastructure projects, and defense technology development when certified by the President or Secretary of Defense. The exemption eliminates mandatory environmental reviews or evaluations for these activities, prohibits substitute reviews by federal or state authorities, and retroactively cancels ongoing legal challenges related to such projects. The bill requires the DoD to review environmental best practices every five years but bars courts from reviewing or blocking certified defense activities.
HR 1676, the "Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025," requires the federal government to approve or deny state wildlife conservation plans within 180 days of receiving them. This directly affects states that submit comprehensive wildlife conservation plans under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. If the Secretary fails to act within that timeframe, the state's plan is automatically approved as of the 180th day. The bill streamlines the approval process to prevent federal delays from blocking state conservation funding.
HRES 233 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of April 2025 as "National Native Plant Month" in the United States. It recognizes native plants - species naturally adapted to specific U.S. regions - as essential for healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental resilience, highlighting their role in supporting wildlife and sustainable habitats. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and economic benefits of native plants. It directly affects public awareness and educational efforts, encouraging communities to promote native plant conservation. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Case, Neguse, Joyce, Soto, Moylan, and Tokuda and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
