Environment

This bill, titled the Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026, amends existing federal agricultural law to establish specific research and extension grant priorities for land-grant universities. It directs funding toward four main areas: advanced mechanized harvesting technologies, particularly for specialty crops; artificial intelligence applications in agriculture to improve specialty crop production; methods for managing and eradicating invasive plant and animal species; and aquaculture techniques for valuable aquatic species. The legislation allows the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize grants in these areas when awarding funding to land-grant institutions for research and extension projects.

This bill would modify how the Endangered Species Act applies to the National Flood Insurance Program by exempting certain flood insurance actions from endangered species protections. It directly affects the Federal Emergency Management Agency and property owners seeking flood insurance coverage, as well as wildlife agencies that currently review flood insurance decisions. The legislation requires the removal of existing biological opinions that evaluate the program's impact on endangered species and adds language to ensure flood management actions are designed solely for protecting property and human health. These changes would allow the National Flood Insurance Program to operate without the usual environmental review requirements that could delay or restrict flood insurance coverage in areas with endangered species.

This bill would transfer approximately 860 acres of federal land in Riverside County, California, into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians. Once taken into trust, the land would become part of the tribe's reservation and be managed according to federal laws governing property held for Native American tribes. The legislation includes specific conditions requiring the land to remain open space dedicated to protecting archaeological, cultural, and wildlife resources, while explicitly prohibiting any gaming activities on the property. Existing water rights, service agreements, and current land use restrictions would remain unchanged, and the map identifying the land would be kept on file for public inspection.

This bill, known as the Connect the Grid Act of 2026, would require the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to connect its power grid with neighboring regional grid operators. The legislation removes current exemptions that have kept ERCOT largely independent from federal oversight and mandates the construction of new transmission lines to increase power flow capacity between Texas and surrounding regions. Key provisions include setting specific minimum power transfer levels, prioritizing the use of existing land rights and degraded sites for new infrastructure, and requiring environmental reviews for all projects. The bill also expands funding for transmission projects and directs a study on the benefits of connecting U.S. power grids with Mexico.

This bill, titled the Parks to People Active Transportation Act, directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a competitive grant program for building and improving greenway paths that connect communities. Eligible organizations such as state and local governments, regional planning councils, and Indian Tribes can apply for funding to construct hard-surfaced walkways, bikeways, or shared-use paths that cross jurisdictional lines and link to public transit. The program prioritizes projects that reduce vehicle congestion, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and address disparities in access to jobs, schools, and recreational opportunities for low-income and minority communities. Grants may cover up to 80 percent of project costs, with higher funding levels available for rural areas and communities with high poverty rates, and the legislation authorizes $300 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support these initiatives.

This bill, titled the Protect American AI Act of 2026, aims to speed up the environmental approval process for data centers and related infrastructure by limiting how lawsuits can delay or stop projects. It applies to facilities that process, store, or transmit digital information and any supporting infrastructure needed to operate them. The law prevents courts from canceling permits or approvals even if a lawsuit finds environmental violations, instead requiring agencies to fix the issues while continuing to process applications. Additionally, it moves legal review of these projects to local courts of appeals, sets strict 90-day deadlines for filing lawsuits, and requires faster court processing of any challenges.

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, a nonprofit organization focused on coastal protection and restoration. The Senate formally recognizes and congratulates the Association for its century-long work in promoting science-based coastal stewardship and policy advocacy. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the organization's contributions to preserving U.S. shorelines and beaches.

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.) First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects. Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers. Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community. Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.

This resolution formally recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, a nonprofit organization focused on coastal protection and restoration. It honors the group's century-long work in promoting science-based approaches to preserving shorelines and beaches across the United States. The measure directs the House of Representatives to acknowledge the association's contributions to coastal stewardship and congratulates its leadership on this milestone.

This bill extends the tax credit period for producing refined coal, which is used as fuel in the steel industry. It directly affects companies that manufacture refined coal and sell it to steel producers. The key change allows these companies to claim a tax credit for coal produced and sold after December 31, 2025, instead of the previous 10-year limit from when the facility started operating. The credit can now be claimed for production before January 1, 2033, and during the taxable year in which the coal is sold.