Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9933: South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026

This bill, titled the South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026, aims to temporarily close commercial fishing for red snapper in Federal waters whenever recreational fishing is prohibited. The legislation directly affects commercial fishermen, retailers, and other businesses by making it illegal to harvest, sell, or trade red snapper caught during these specific closed periods. By aligning commercial restrictions with recreational closures, the bill seeks to ensure that conservation burdens and access limitations are shared fairly between the two sectors. The Secretary of Commerce is required to issue regulations within 90 days to enforce these rules under existing federal fishery laws.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces fishing closures to conserve red snapper populations, directly protecting natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4962: Securing America's Water Supply Act

The Securing America's Water Supply Act directs the Army Corps of Engineers to create a new office dedicated to improving water supply, conservation, and drought resilience. This office will identify opportunities to use existing federal authorities to store and manage water for municipal and industrial needs, while also helping states and local groups access technical and financial assistance. Key actions include clearing backlogs on water supply studies, updating internal policies on how reservoir storage is allocated, and coordinating with other agencies to plan for future water shortages. The bill also requires the Corps to report annually on the office's progress, staffing levels, and the status of ongoing water projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a new office to improve water conservation and drought resilience, directly protecting natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Jul 2, 2026

HR 9572: BUFFER Act

The BUFFER Act modifies the eligibility rules for the Conservation Reserve Program to include farmland that is already subject to existing Tribal, state, or local environmental protection laws. Under this change, landowners can enroll such land in the program unless the requirement to follow those local rules was imposed by a court or administrative order. This provision aims to encourage the conservation of agricultural land while respecting current local regulations, directly affecting farmers and land managers participating in federal conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands Conservation Reserve Program eligibility to include land under existing environmental laws, promoting agricultural conservation and respecting local environmental regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4911: Investing in State Energy Act of 2026

The Investing in State Energy Act of 2026 requires the federal government to provide application guidance and publish funding allocations for state energy programs within 60 days of funds becoming available. Additionally, the bill mandates that financial assistance payments be sent to states and tribes within 30 days after they submit complete conservation plans. This legislation also increases funding for state energy initiatives by adding $100 million for each of the fiscal years from 2027 through 2031. These changes aim to streamline the process for states and tribes to receive and utilize federal energy conservation funds more quickly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases funding for state energy initiatives by $100 million annually, directly supporting budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly increases funding for state energy initiatives and mandates timely financial assistance for conservation plans.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases funding and mandates conservation plans for state energy initiatives, directly supporting environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HR 9590: SAFE for Manatees Act

The SAFE for Manatees Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study identifying potential new habitats for manatees in Florida as industrial sites are decommissioned and water temperatures change. This study must evaluate natural warm-water locations and explore methods for building artificial warm-water refuges in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers and Florida wildlife officials. The bill requires the Interior Department to publish a report on these findings within 180 days of enactment to inform future conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs study to identify and build artificial warm-water refuges for manatees, directly protecting endangered species and their habitat.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4938: Bycatch Reduction Act

This bill establishes the Bycatch Reduction Act to lower the accidental catch of marine species and protect seafloor habitats in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. It requires fishing vessels using trawl nets to install specific technologies, such as seafloor contact detection systems and salmon excluders, to minimize damage to the ocean bottom and reduce the capture of salmon and other important species. The legislation also creates new research task forces and funding programs to study marine ecosystems and develop innovative gear, while mandating greater transparency in how fishery management councils make decisions. Additionally, the bill prohibits the import of seafood from foreign vessels that do not meet U.S. conservation standards and sets up a new fund to help fishermen purchase or modify equipment that reduces environmental impact.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates technologies to reduce bycatch and protect seafloor habitats, directly advancing environmental conservation and marine resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4912: BUFFER Act

The Building Up Farmland Frontiers for Ecological Resilience Act modifies the eligibility rules for the Conservation Reserve Program to include specific types of land currently excluded. This change allows land that is subject to existing Tribal, State, or local environmental regulations to be enrolled in the program, provided those rules were not imposed by a court or administrative order. The bill directly affects farmers and landowners who wish to participate in federal conservation efforts while complying with local environmental laws. By removing the "or" and "as determined by the Secretary" restrictions, the legislation expands the scope of eligible land without altering the core purpose of the program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands Conservation Reserve Program eligibility to land under existing environmental regulations, strengthening conservation efforts and protecting natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Jun 9, 2026

HR 9226: Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act

This bill establishes a new partnership program to coordinate conservation efforts across the five-state Connecticut River watershed, involving federal, state, tribal, and local groups. It creates a voluntary grant system that provides up to 90 percent federal funding for projects focused on restoring fish and wildlife habitats, improving water quality, and supporting environmental justice communities. The legislation also mandates regular reporting to Congress and authorizes funding from 2026 to 2030 to support these restoration activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a partnership to restore habitats, improve water quality, and protect natural resources through significant federal funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4867: Small Farm Conservation Act

The Small Farm Conservation Act creates a dedicated subprogram within the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to provide financial and technical assistance specifically for small-scale agricultural producers. This new initiative allocates at least 30 percent of program funds between 2027 and 2031 to support farms that are smaller than their state's median size, with special eligibility for socially disadvantaged groups, veterans, and those in high-poverty areas. Key provisions include a minimum payment of $2,500, a 50 percent bonus for soil health management on operations of 50 acres or less, and a streamlined application process designed to reduce administrative burdens. To ensure effective delivery, the bill requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service to hire and train staff familiar with small farm challenges, designate coordinators in every state, and publish outreach materials in multiple languages.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates a dedicated subprogram to fund conservation efforts for small farms, directly advancing environmental protection and resource conservation.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans as a special eligibility group for financial and technical assistance under the Small Farm Conservation Act.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2026

S 4811: Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act

The Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to formally include tribal lands alongside state and local areas in federal conservation programs. Specifically, it updates provisions for environmental quality incentives, conservation stewardship, stewardship contracts, and critical conservation areas to ensure tribal regions are eligible for these initiatives. By adding the phrase "or on tribal land" to existing definitions, the bill ensures that tribal territories are treated with the same priority as other regions when determining conservation needs and funding. This legislative change directly affects Indian Tribes by expanding their access to federal resources aimed at protecting natural resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal conservation programs to include tribal lands, strengthening environmental protection and resource stewardship.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Tribal Nations

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