Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 3851: A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to ensure adequate staffing and resources for the Institute of Tropical Forestry and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

This bill sets minimum staffing requirements for two federal forestry research institutes. It mandates that the Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico maintain at least 50 staff members, and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry must have at least 30 staff members, both with adequate resources. These provisions aim to ensure both institutes can effectively advance scientific research, demonstration, and knowledge exchange in tropical and Pacific Islands forestry. The bill directly affects these two specific research entities under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates minimum staffing/resources for forestry research institutes, advancing conservation and scientific knowledge in tropical/Pacific ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2025

HR 5123: Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025

This bill requires the EPA to establish guidelines for indoor air contaminants like radon, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide that affect schools and childcare facilities. It mandates a national assessment of indoor air quality in these buildings, with updates every five years, and provides technical assistance to schools and childcare providers to implement air quality improvements. The EPA must publish science-based guidelines with recommended concentration limits for key contaminants and support voluntary building certifications for healthier indoor environments. These provisions directly impact local schools, childcare centers, and state/local governments responsible for building maintenance and health standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires EPA guidelines for school air quality, improving physical learning environments and safety, directly supporting school infrastructure as per education policy indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates EPA guidelines to reduce indoor air pollutants (radon, formaldehyde) in schools, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection in public spaces.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates EPA guidelines for indoor air quality in schools, directly reducing health risks from contaminants like radon and formaldehyde, aligning with public health protection indicators.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates EPA guidelines to reduce workplace contaminants in schools/childcare facilities, directly improving worker safety in employment settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Testing & Assessment Air Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 7, 2025

HR 2673: Florida Coastal Protection Act

This bill prohibits new federal oil and gas leasing and drilling in specific offshore areas near Florida. It directly affects federal energy leasing decisions by banning exploration, development, and production in three designated zones: the eastern Gulf of Mexico (per a 2006 law), a portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area south of 30°43'N latitude, and the Straits of Florida. The key mechanism is an amendment to federal law that blocks new leases in these areas, though existing leases remain unaffected. This policy change prevents future offshore drilling in these environmentally sensitive Florida coastal waters.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks new oil/gas leasing/drilling in offshore zones, directly restricting fossil fuel development per bill's prohibitions on exploration and production.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits new offshore drilling in ecologically sensitive Florida zones, preventing potential pollution and habitat damage from oil/gas activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection

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in committee · United States · House Jan 22, 2025

HR 583: BEACH Act of 2025

Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2025 or the BEACH Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and expands an existing program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that awards grants to states and local governments to (1) monitor the water quality of coastal recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public; and (2) notify the public, local governments, and the EPA when the water is not safe for recreational activities. Specifically, the bill expands the program to allow the EPA to award grants for identifying sources of contamination (i.e., pathogens) for coastal recreation waters. It also allows grants to be used for monitoring and notification of contamination in (1) shallow waters upstream from recreational waters, and (2) recreational waters on beaches.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes EPA grants for coastal water quality monitoring and public safety notifications, directly protecting recreational waters from pollution per BEACH Act summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jan 9, 2025

HR 313: Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act

HR 313, the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act, repeals Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, which established a methane emissions reduction program for natural gas systems. The bill also rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated for this program. This directly affects the natural gas industry by removing a requirement to reduce methane emissions from their operations. The legislation makes no new policy changes but eliminates an existing regulatory program and its associated funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill rescinds unobligated funds for methane emissions program, defunding a regulatory initiative and reducing government spending on environmental compliance.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals methane emissions program for natural gas, removing regulatory requirement that would reduce fossil fuel emissions. Weakens clean energy standard by eliminating existing emissions controls.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals methane emissions program and rescinds funding, removing regulatory requirements that would reduce emissions from natural gas systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Air Quality Climate Change

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2421: CLEAR Waters Act

The CLEAR Waters Act (S 2421) clarifies the definition of "navigable waters" under the Clean Water Act by explicitly excluding certain water features from federal regulation. It directly affects wastewater treatment facilities (like lagoons and ponds), seasonal streams that flow only after rain, and groundwater by removing them from the Clean Water Act's jurisdiction. Key provisions add specific exclusions to the definition, including waste treatment systems, ephemeral features, groundwater, and future exclusions determined by the EPA and Army Corps. This changes which water bodies require federal permits for pollution control, shifting oversight away from these excluded features.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes seasonal streams, groundwater, and wastewater systems from Clean Water Act jurisdiction, directly weakening federal environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 2042: Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 would maintain existing protections for designated roadless areas within the National Forest System by prohibiting new road construction, reconstruction, or logging in those areas. It directly affects National Forest lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, where the Roadless Rule already restricts such activities. The bill’s key mechanism requires the Secretary of Agriculture to enforce these current restrictions without adding new limitations. This policy change preserves existing protections for watersheds, wildlife habitats, recreation opportunities, and culturally significant sites within these roadless areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMaintains roadless area protections by prohibiting new roads/logging, directly conserving National Forest ecosystems per current regulations95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationProhibits new road construction in National Forests, restricting transportation infrastructure development per bill's core mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2093: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to permitting terms, and for other purposes.

HR 2093 sets new maximum terms for wastewater pollution permits under the Clean Water Act. It limits permits issued to states or municipalities to 10 years and permits issued to other entities (like factories or businesses) to 5 years. This directly affects all facilities requiring federal permits to discharge pollutants into waterways. The bill also makes minor technical corrections to existing permit language to clarify references within the law. These changes update the duration rules for pollution permits without altering the core permitting process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShorter permit terms (5 years for businesses) require more frequent compliance reviews, strengthening regulatory oversight under Clean Water Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jan 9, 2025

HR 312: Restoring Vehicle Market Freedom Act of 2025

HR 312, the Restoring Vehicle Market Freedom Act of 2025, repeals five tax credits related to clean and alternative fuel vehicles from the Internal Revenue Code. Specifically, it eliminates credits for previously owned clean vehicles, alternative motor vehicles, alternative fuel refueling property, new plug-in electric vehicles, and commercial clean vehicles. This change means individuals and businesses purchasing or installing qualifying vehicles or infrastructure will no longer be eligible for these tax incentives. The repeal applies to vehicles or property acquired or placed in service after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals five clean vehicle tax credits, defunding government tax incentives and reducing tax benefits for eligible purchases.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals tax credits for clean alternative fuel vehicles, removing financial incentives for renewable energy adoption in transportation.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals tax credits for clean vehicles and infrastructure, removing financial incentives that promote environmental protection and clean energy adoption.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRepeals tax credits for plug-in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, defunding EV technology adoption and reducing incentives for clean vehicle tech.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill repeals tax credits for clean/alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, eliminating financial incentives that support sustainable transportation programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Procurement Tax Credits Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 29, 2025

SJRES 69: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy; Washington, Oregon, and California".

Senate Joint Resolution 69 (SJRES 69) seeks to disapprove a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule titled "Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy" in Washington, Oregon, and California. The rule, issued in September 2024, outlines a plan to manage barred owl populations to protect endangered spotted owls by controlling their numbers in the region. Under the Congressional Review Act, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, voiding its implementation. This directly affects the federal agency's ability to carry out the barred owl management strategy in the three states.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to disapprove a rule managing barred owls to protect endangered spotted owls, weakening conservation efforts under the Congressional Review Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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