Environment (Tribal Nations) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 3715: Chiricahua National Park Act

This bill redesignates Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument as Chiricahua National Park, maintaining its existing boundaries as shown on a 2021 map. It ensures all existing funding, laws, and administrative rules for the monument now apply to the park. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to protect tribal cultural sites by consulting with Native American tribes and providing access for traditional uses, with temporary public closures allowed only for minimal necessary areas and time. This directly affects tribal communities and park management under federal law.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · House Jul 29, 2025

HR 4810: BUILD Housing Act

HR 4810, the BUILD Housing Act, streamlines environmental reviews for HUD-funded housing projects by allowing the Secretary to designate such assistance as "special project" funds under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This change directly affects HUD housing programs, local governments, and federally recognized tribes by simplifying the review process for projects like affordable housing developments. The bill specifically adds "Indian Tribe" to the list of entities that can assume environmental review responsibilities, aligning with existing tribal housing laws. It does not create new funding or housing but modifies procedural requirements for existing programs.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · House Dec 11, 2025

HR 6615: Climate Justice Grants Act

The Climate Justice Grants Act establishes a federal program to provide grants of up to $2 million to Tribal governments, local governments, and community nonprofits. These grants fund locally driven projects addressing climate justice in environmental justice communities - defined as communities of color, indigenous groups, or low-income areas disproportionately impacted by pollution. Projects must focus on culturally appropriate solutions like community solar, energy efficiency, weatherization, natural infrastructure, and climate resilience planning, with applicants required to demonstrate community involvement and long-term sustainability. The program requires annual reports to Congress and the public, with $1 billion authorized annually from 2026-2035, excluding administrative costs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Environmental Justice Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 13, 2025

S 598: Unearth Innovation Act

The Unearth Innovation Act establishes a federal initiative within the Department of Energy to fund research and development of innovative technologies for responsible mineral extraction, processing, and recycling. It focuses on improving environmental outcomes (like reducing emissions and waste), increasing efficiency in mining operations, and enhancing community and tribal engagement - particularly through consultation with Indian Tribes and local communities. The initiative authorizes $100 million annually from 2026 to 2035, requiring coordination with agencies like the Interior Department and a congressional report after three years. This directly affects mining industry stakeholders, academic institutions (including mining universities), and communities near mining sites.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coal Recycling Tags Tribal Nations

passed · United States · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 5682: To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.

This bill transfers approximately 1,261 acres of federal land in Riverside County, California (administered by the Bureau of Land Management) into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians, making it part of their reservation under federal management. The land must remain open space, be used only for cultural/wildlife preservation, and cannot be used for any gambling (including class II or III gaming). The bill preserves existing water rights and service agreements, requires tribes to report MOU terminations to Congress and the Interior Department, and prohibits development that conflicts with open space or conservation goals.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · House Nov 22, 2025

HR 6229: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2025

This bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to make water infrastructure financing more accessible to small communities and rural water projects. It lowers the maximum eligible project cost from $5 million to $1 million, provides technical assistance for small communities (population ≤ 25,000) to develop project proposals, and clarifies definitions to include projects for federally recognized Indian Tribes. The bill introduces collaborative project delivery methods like design-build and construction management at-risk, and authorizes $68 million annually for the EPA and $15 million annually for the Army Corps of Engineers through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect small communities and rural water projects seeking federal assistance for water infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Rural Communities Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · House Oct 29, 2025

HR 5869: Tribal Water Infrastructure Grants Expansion Act

This bill allocates $30 million annually (from existing funds) plus $500 million yearly (2026-2031) specifically for tribal water infrastructure projects. It provides direct grants to federally recognized tribes for clean water treatment systems, maintenance, and related training without requiring tribes to cover project costs. Funds can support construction, operation, and management of water systems on tribal lands, aligning with existing federal water pollution control programs. The legislation targets tribes as the direct beneficiaries of these expanded funding streams.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1647: Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025

The Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025 establishes the "Climate Ready Tribes Initiative" to help tribal governments, health departments, and communities prepare for climate-related health threats. It requires the CDC, working with the National Indian Health Board, to translate climate science, create planning tools, and share resources for public health preparedness. The bill authorizes $110 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026 specifically for this initiative, with a strict rule that these funds cannot be redirected to other CDC programs. This funding directly supports tribal communities in building capacity to address health risks linked to climate change, such as extreme weather or disease spread.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Climate Change Public Health Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 3, 2025

S 3324: FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025

S 3324 (FERC Greenhouse Gas and Environmental Justice Policy Act of 2025) requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to evaluate environmental justice impacts and greenhouse gas emissions when reviewing natural gas pipeline projects. It mandates FERC to assess whether proposed projects disproportionately affect environmental justice communities (defined as communities of color, indigenous groups, or low-income areas facing pollution burdens) and to quantify emissions, including downstream effects from gas combustion. Projects with 100,000+ metric tons of annual CO2 equivalent emissions must undergo stricter review, and applicants must submit mitigation plans to address environmental effects. FERC must explain in writing if it approves projects without sufficient mitigation or if environmental effects outweigh benefits. This directly affects pipeline applicants, FERC, and communities near proposed projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Climate Change Environmental Justice Tags Tribal Nations

passed · United States · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 719: Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025

This bill amends the 2004 Tribal Forest Protection Act to expand protections for tribal lands and clarify restoration goals. It broadens the definition of "Indian forest land or rangeland" to include areas with historical forest cover capable of restoration and explicitly adds "restore" to the Act’s purpose (previously only "protect"). The changes directly affect federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and federal agencies managing land. It also authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031 to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Tags Tribal Nations

All environment bills