This bill, titled the Agricultural Management Assistance Act of 2026, amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand education and risk management support for agricultural producers and crop insurance providers. It requires the inclusion of language translation services in educational programs and adds specific conservation practices like soil health improvements, sustainable water sources, and agroforestry to the list of eligible activities. The legislation also increases funding limits, raising the five-year payment cap to $200,000 and authorizing $20 million annually to support these expanded assistance programs.
This bill reauthorizes the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998, which provides funding to protect tropical forests and coral reefs around the world. It directly affects the U.S. government agencies responsible for implementing conservation programs, primarily through the Department of State. The key provision allocates $20 million annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to support ongoing conservation efforts. This legislation extends existing funding authority without changing the underlying conservation goals or program structure.
This bill, titled the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026, amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to expand federal conservation funding and technical support for wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors on private working lands. It defines native big game species such as deer, elk, and pronghorn to ensure conservation efforts prioritize these animals and increases payment limits for land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. The legislation also authorizes cost-share payments for habitat restoration projects on grasslands and mandates that conservation practice standards include nonstructural methods like virtual fencing to manage livestock distribution while protecting wildlife corridors. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance for implementing these practices and establishes virtual fencing as a high-priority research area to study its effects on natural resources and wildlife habitats.
The Red Snapper Act of 2025 (S 111) delays potential area closures for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery until specific scientific data is reviewed. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to wait until the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count study is complete and its data is integrated into the next stock assessment before implementing any area or bottom closures. This directly affects recreational and commercial fishermen in the South Atlantic region, particularly in Florida, where red snapper fishing supports billions in economic output and tens of thousands of jobs. The bill aims to ensure management decisions are based on the latest fishery survey data rather than current seasonal restrictions.
This bill redesignates the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes a separate Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve in Georgia. It allows voluntary land acquisition (via purchase, donation, or exchange) for both areas without eminent domain, and requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a management plan prioritizing cultural resource preservation for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The bill mandates tribal consultation, provides hiring preferences for tribal members, and ensures protection of sacred sites. It also places 126 acres of tribal land into federal trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide funding, contracts, and technical assistance to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for buffalo restoration and management on tribal lands. It requires the Department to consult with tribes on buffalo-related initiatives and allows tribes to receive surplus buffalo from federal land without cost. The law supports tribes in using buffalo for cultural preservation, subsistence, and economic development through programs like meat processing and habitat management. It explicitly protects tribal treaty rights and mandates that all actions align with tribal laws and management plans.
HR 3457 establishes a federal program to control and eradicate feral swine (wild pigs) that threaten agriculture, ecosystems, and public health. The program provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers in affected areas for eradication efforts and land restoration, while requiring coordination between federal agencies and contracts with eligible land-grant universities for research and technical support. It allocates $150 million over five years (2026-2030), with 40% funding producer assistance and 60% supporting population control methods, and limits administrative costs to 10% of the total funds.
This bill redesignates the existing Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes a new Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve in Georgia, to be created once the Secretary of the Interior acquires sufficient land. It authorizes the Secretary to acquire land for both areas only through voluntary means (purchase, donation, or exchange), prohibits eminent domain, and requires a management plan prioritizing preservation of cultural sites sacred to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The bill also creates an advisory council with tribal representation, mandates hiring preferences for tribal members, and sets rules for managing hunting and fishing within the preserve under federal and state laws.
This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand education and risk management assistance for agricultural producers, crop insurance providers, and other stakeholders. It requires the USDA to offer language translation services and update training programs to include diverse conservation practices like soil health improvements, sustainable water management, and agroforestry systems. The legislation increases funding limits, allowing producers to receive up to $200,000 over five years for these activities, while also authorizing $20 million annually in new appropriations. Additionally, it clarifies that payments for these programs do not count toward existing federal fund limits, ensuring producers can access multiple sources of support.
This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Osceola Turkey Day" to recognize the cultural and economic significance of wild turkey hunting in the United States. The bill highlights the role of turkey hunting in conservation efforts, particularly in Florida, where revenue from hunting permits supports habitat management through the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program. It notes that the Osceola subspecies is unique to peninsular Florida and is one of five wild turkey subspecies in North America. The resolution encourages Americans to observe the day with ceremonies and activities celebrating turkey hunting traditions.
