Environment

in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2026

HR 8195: Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026

This bill establishes a regional management framework for double-crested cormorants across four U.S. flyways, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop plans within 180 days that specify allowed hunting methods, time periods, and authorized entities including state and tribal agencies, lake managers, and pond managers. The framework must ensure cormorant populations remain sustainable while addressing impacts on fisheries, vegetation, other bird species, human safety, water quality, and endangered species. The bill mandates population surveys every five years and requires the management plans to be reviewed and updated every five years based on survey results and current data.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aims to manage cormorant populations to protect fisheries, vegetation, and water quality, which are environmental concerns. Framework ensures sustainable populations while addressing ecological impacts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Mar 26, 2026

HR 8114: Endless Mountains National Heritage Area Act

This bill establishes the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania, covering Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, with potential expansion based on a feasibility study. It designates the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. as the local coordinating entity responsible for managing the area and requires a management plan to be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior within three years. Federal assistance for the heritage area would be available for 15 years after the bill's enactment, after which the Secretary's authority to provide support ends.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a National Heritage Area to protect natural resources and promote conservation through federal assistance and management planning.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Feb 13, 2026

HR 7578: TORCH Act

The TORCH Act streamlines wildfire prevention efforts on federal lands by expanding the scope of activities that can be conducted with reduced regulatory requirements. It allows forest managers to remove high-priority hazard trees more quickly, increases the acreage limits for certain wildfire mitigation projects from 3,000 to 10,000 acres, and enables the use of timber sales and grazing to reduce fuel loads. The bill also modifies rules for electric utility vegetation management, permits utilities to remove hazardous vegetation near power lines without separate timber sales, and exempts certain forest management activities from additional environmental review requirements. Additionally, it updates good neighbor agreements to include Indian tribes and clarifies how revenue from timber sales on these agreements can be used for restoration work.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens wildfire prevention and forest management to reduce fuel loads, protecting natural resources and preventing environmental damage from wildfires.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4239: Plug Offshore Wells Act

The Plug Offshore Wells Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit an annual report to Congress and the public detailing the status of decommissioning offshore oil and gas wells, platforms, and pipelines. This report must include data on the number of decommissioning applications received, wells left in place versus removed, pipeline lengths decommissioned, and enforcement actions taken by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The law applies to the Department of the Interior and affects the oversight of offshore energy infrastructure cleanup. The reporting requirement begins two years after the bill is enacted and continues annually thereafter.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires reporting on decommissioning offshore wells, promoting environmental protection and pollution control by ensuring proper cleanup of oil and gas infrastructure.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 8061: Forest Resources Accountability Act

This bill, the Forest Resources Accountability Act, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to protect winter wildlife habitat on specific federal land in Colorado's White River National Forest. It prohibits the construction of new year-round roads or utility corridors on a 680-acre parcel and requires any access routes to remain unpaved, seasonal, and limited to specific permitted uses. The legislation also mandates that the federal government attempt to purchase the parcel from willing sellers and incorporate it into the national forest for conservation purposes. Additionally, the bill requires a report within 180 days detailing efforts to acquire the land and coordinate with state and local partners.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects winter wildlife habitat, prohibits new roads, and restricts utility corridors on federal land, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Mar 13, 2026

HR 7928: Thermal Runaway Reduction Act of 2026

The Thermal Runaway Reduction Act of 2026 aims to improve the safety of lithium-ion battery transportation by requiring the Department of Transportation to update regulations on how these batteries are shipped and handled. The bill mandates that batteries be transported at no more than 30 percent charge unless special approval is granted, and requires the development of new impact tests to prevent batteries from overheating during accidents. It also establishes a $10 million grant program to fund research on fire suppression technologies and provides additional funding for fire departments to purchase safety equipment and diagnostic tools for managing lithium-ion battery incidents.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens safety regulations for lithium-ion batteries, reducing fire risks and potential environmental contamination from battery incidents during transportation.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by updating lithium-ion battery shipping regulations and establishing grant programs for impact testing.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 8027: Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026

This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states fund advanced wastewater treatment projects, with $1 billion authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Environmental Protection Agency will distribute funds based on a formula, requiring states to contribute at least 50 percent of project costs unless the project serves disadvantaged communities, which are exempt from this requirement. At least 49 percent of the funding must go to projects serving disadvantaged communities, rural or tribal facilities, or regional water providers that benefit multiple disadvantaged areas. The legislation also requires the EPA to conduct a study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to evaluate how well advanced wastewater treatment technologies remove emerging contaminants like nanomaterials and certain chemicals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1 billion in federal grants for wastewater treatment projects, directly funding public infrastructure and environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds advanced wastewater treatment projects to improve water quality and reduce pollution, directly supporting environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 8016: Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026

This bill establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework to phase out the production, use, and release of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as 'forever chemicals.' It directly affects manufacturers, users, and importers of these chemicals by requiring annual reporting, mandating phaseout plans within 10 years, and prohibiting the sale of specific consumer products like carpets, food packaging, and cosmetics on staggered timelines. The legislation creates Centers of Excellence at universities and national laboratories to advance detection and remediation technologies, while also modifying bankruptcy laws to prevent the discharge of liability for exposure to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals. Federal agencies must comply with state and local regulations, and the EPA is given expanded authority to enforce compliance through inspections, penalties, and citizen lawsuits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory framework to phase out forever chemicals, reducing pollution and protecting environment through stricter controls on hazardous substances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4234: Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2026

The Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2026 amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to expand Federal support for local watershed projects that address erosion, flooding, drought, and water quality issues. The bill defines "multibenefit works of improvement" as projects that deliver at least two public benefits, such as improved fish habitat, water conservation, flood risk reduction, or renewable energy production, and requires that at least 20 percent of project benefits relate to agriculture or conservation. It streamlines the approval process by delegating decision-making authority to State Conservationists and sets a 45-day deadline for the Secretary of Agriculture to approve or disapprove applications, while also requiring notification to Congress for projects exceeding $50 million in Federal funding. The legislation allocates at least 50 percent of available funds to multibenefit projects, increases the maximum loan amount to $10 million, and introduces new conditions for Federal assistance, including requirements for land acquisition, water rights, and repayment plans for future water storage demands.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill defines multibenefit works to include renewable energy production and requires 20% of project benefits to be renewable energy, indicating support for energy infrastructure.65% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal support for watershed projects addressing erosion, flooding, drought, and water quality issues, promoting environmental protection and natural resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4180: Forest Resources Accountability Act

This bill, the Forest Resources Accountability Act, addresses staffing reductions at the Forest Service and restricts road construction in Colorado's White River National Forest. It requires the agency to prioritize essential projects like wildfire risk reduction, trail maintenance, and wildlife habitat protection due to a reported 6,000 staff cuts. The legislation specifically prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from approving or funding any new year-round roads or utility corridors on designated federal land within the White River National Forest. Additionally, it mandates efforts to purchase the 680-acre Berlaimont Estates parcel from willing sellers and incorporate it into the national forest for conservation purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes wildfire risk reduction, trail maintenance, and wildlife habitat protection while restricting new road construction in a national forest, directly supporting environmental conservation.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts road construction and prohibits new year-round roads in White River National Forest, limiting transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

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