Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1854: Climate Agricultural Conservation Practices Act

Climate Agricultural Conservation Practices Act This bill requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to consider climate benefits in reviews or revisions of its conservation practice standards. Climate benefits include a reduction in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, an increase in carbon sequestration, or mitigation against (or adaptation to) increased weather volatility. As background, NRCS administers most of the Department of Agriculture conservation programs, which assist producers and landowners who wish to practice conservation on agricultural lands. The NRCS conservation practice standards provide guidance and set out minimum quality criteria for implementing federally funded conservation practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires NRCS to consider climate benefits including reduced emissions and carbon sequestration in conservation programs, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Tags Agriculture

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passed · United States · Senate May 8, 2025

SRES 211: A resolution designating May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day".

This Senate resolution (SRES 211) symbolically designates May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day" to raise public awareness about migratory birds. It highlights the ecological and economic importance of migratory birds - such as their role in pest control, pollination, and contributing $279 billion annually to the U.S. economy through birdwatching. The resolution encourages Americans to support bird conservation through education and community engagement, aligning with the 2025 theme of creating "bird-friendly cities and communities." As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally recognizes an annual global observance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentResolution designates World Migratory Bird Day to raise awareness about bird conservation, highlighting ecological/economic benefits and encouraging conservation efforts, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Aug 26, 2026

HR 6788: Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

HR 6788, the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act, removes wilderness study area designations for three specific Montana lands: the 81,000-acre Middle Fork Judith area (managed by the Forest Service) and the 11,380-acre Hoodoo Mountain and 11,580-acre Wales Creek areas (managed by the Bureau of Land Management). These areas were previously evaluated and determined unsuitable for wilderness designation under federal law, with land agencies confirming this through collaborative reviews in 2021 and 2020. The bill directs land managers to instead follow existing land and resource management plans for these areas, which were developed through multi-year stakeholder processes. This change aims to improve management by enhancing sportsmen access, public recreation, and wildlife habitat projects while maintaining current protections under environmental laws.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves wilderness study area designations, weakening conservation protections for Montana lands previously designated for protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4636: SOIL Act

The SOIL Act increases payments for farmers participating in USDA conservation programs who implement practices that simultaneously improve soil health and wildlife habitat. It raises reimbursement rates to 90% of costs for specific activities like planting cover crops, restoring wetlands, creating riparian buffers, and establishing wildlife habitat plantings - listed in the bill as 26 distinct practices. The bill modifies program rules to prioritize applications and contract offers that address both soil and wildlife resource concerns. These changes directly affect farmers enrolled in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) who adopt dual-benefit conservation practices. The policy shifts focus toward integrated land management by financially incentivizing practices that deliver multiple ecological outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases USDA payments for soil/wildlife conservation practices (cover crops, wetlands, buffers), directly promoting environmental protection through enhanced funding and incentives for habitat and soil health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1853: CALL Act

The CALL Act (HR 1853) requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on barriers to conservation practice adoption on leased agricultural land. It examines factors like lease agreements, landowner awareness, and regional differences affecting farmers (who operate leased land but don’t own it) and landowners. The study will analyze existing data, including the TOTAL Survey, and assess how lease structures influence conservation efforts, with special focus on Black, Indigenous, and beginning farmers. The USDA must submit a final report by December 2026 with recommendations for improving conservation participation on leased land. This is a research-focused bill with no immediate policy changes, aiming to inform future USDA actions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates USDA study on barriers to conservation practice adoption, directly targeting environmental protection through improved conservation efforts on leased agricultural land.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 1, 2025

S 2643: Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025

This bill amends existing federal laws to expand funding for ecosystem restoration projects focused on native seeds and seedlings. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (via the Forest Service) to provide contracts, grants, or agreements to state forestry agencies, nonprofits, universities, tribes, and multistate coalitions for two specific activities: (1) collecting and maintaining native seeds (including from managed seed orchards), and (2) producing seedlings for revegetation. The funding supports habitat restoration efforts by directly enabling these entities to source and grow native plant materials. The bill does not create new programs but integrates seed and seedling production into current restoration frameworks under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal funding for native seed/seedling projects to restore ecosystems, directly advancing conservation and habitat protection per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 65: Armed Forces Endangered Species Exemption Act

This bill exempts military operations from key provisions of the Endangered Species Act. It prohibits designating military installations or lands used for defense purposes (like training or weapons testing) as "critical habitat" for endangered species and removes the requirement for the military to consult with wildlife agencies before such activities. Military personnel can now take, harm, or cause mortality to protected species during defense-related operations - including training, weapons testing, or other activities deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense - without violating the law. These changes directly affect how the Department of Defense manages land use and species protection across all military bases and defense-related activities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts military from Endangered Species Act requirements, removing habitat protections and consultation mandates, weakening conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3556: Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes a federal program providing funding for wildlife crossings - such as overpasses or underpasses - to help animals safely cross roads. It authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2031 from the Highway Trust Fund, making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language). Key provisions include requiring 90% federal funding for projects in small, rural, or disadvantaged communities (up to 100% if financial hardship exists) and allocating 0.5% of funds yearly to help tribes and other eligible groups apply for and access program funding more efficiently. The bill directly affects communities and tribes seeking to build wildlife crossings near highways.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect biodiversity and reduce roadkill, directly conserving natural resources through infrastructure projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings via Highway Trust Fund to enhance road safety and infrastructure, directly supporting transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3503: Wildlife Road Crossing Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes a federal program that funds wildlife crossings - structures like overpasses or underpasses designed to help animals safely cross roads - through fiscal years 2027 to 2031. It authorizes $200 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund to support these projects, directly affecting state and tribal governments, local agencies, and conservation groups that apply for grants. Key provisions include making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language), requiring 100% federal funding for tribal projects, and dedicating 0.5% of annual funds to provide tribal technical assistance for faster project approval and funding access. The bill also allows the federal government to retain up to 0.5% of funds for administrative tasks like grant reviews and project oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $200M/year from Highway Trust Fund for wildlife crossings, directly funding a program through budgetary allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect habitats and reduce animal-vehicle collisions, directly supporting conservation efforts per bill's conservation-focused purpose.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings via Highway Trust Fund to enhance road safety and infrastructure, directly supporting transportation policy as a safety-focused infrastructure project.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SJRES 4: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters".

This joint resolution would block a Department of Energy rule setting new efficiency standards for gas-fired instant water heaters. The rule, published in the Federal Register on December 26, 2024, would have required manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient models. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect, keeping current efficiency standards in place. The direct impact is on water heater manufacturers and consumers purchasing these products.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks DOE rule setting higher efficiency standards for gas water heaters, maintaining current (less efficient) standards and weakening energy conservation requirements.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks DOE rule raising efficiency standards for water heaters, maintaining current less efficient models that increase energy use and emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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