Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 4, 2025

S 1942: Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act

This bill establishes the Malheur County Grazing Management Program, allowing ranchers to adjust grazing schedules and water placement with written notice to improve ecological health on federal lands. It creates the Malheur C.E.O. Group, an 18-member advisory body representing ranching interests, environmental groups, tribal representatives, and government agencies to develop and monitor projects. The bill designates approximately 1.1 million acres of federal land as wilderness areas and transfers specific parcels to the Burns Paiute Tribe. The program requires monitoring plans, annual reports, and consultation with stakeholders to balance ecological health with grazing uses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 1.1M acres as wilderness, improves ecological health via grazing management, includes environmental reps in advisory body90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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passed · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 1142: Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act

S 1142, the Scarper Ridge Golden Gate National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Act, formally adds a specific parcel of land (known as Scarper Ridge) to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The bill amends existing law to include land depicted on a map titled "Golden Gate National Recreation Area Proposed Boundary Addition" (map number 641/193973, dated July 2024). This boundary adjustment incorporates Scarper Ridge into the recreation area, subjecting it to National Park Service management and protections. The change directly affects the Scarper Ridge land, which will now be managed as part of the protected recreation area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds Scarper Ridge to Golden Gate National Recreation Area, expanding protected land under NPS management for conservation, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 25, 2025

S 1107: MATCH Act of 2025

S 1107, the MATCH Act of 2025, allows states, local governments, and federally recognized tribes to pay for urgent emergency watershed protection measures (like flood prevention after disasters) before formally agreeing with the federal government. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to identify eligible emergency measures and create a state-level process for sponsors to request these upfront costs within 180 days of the bill's enactment. If an agreement is later made, these pre-agreement costs count toward the sponsor’s required contribution. However, sponsors bear the full risk of incurring these costs if no agreement is reached. The bill does not guarantee federal funding but streamlines cost-sharing for immediate disaster response.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables upfront funding for emergency watershed protection (e.g., flood prevention), directly advancing environmental conservation and natural resource protection through streamlined state/local action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Water Quality Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · House Jan 14, 2025

HR 383: End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2025

The End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2025 would eliminate several tax benefits currently available to oil and gas companies, including credits for enhanced oil recovery, deductions for intangible drilling costs, and percentage depletion allowances. It would also prohibit major integrated oil companies (defined as those meeting specific production and revenue thresholds) from using last-in, first-out accounting for inventory purposes. These changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly affecting oil and gas producers who currently claim these tax benefits. The legislation removes specific tax advantages that have been available to the oil and gas industry, potentially increasing their tax burden.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates tax subsidies for oil/gas companies, restricting corporate tax breaks and closing loopholes.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyEliminates tax subsidies for oil/gas companies, reducing financial support for fossil fuels and aligning with reducing fossil fuel dependence.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEliminates oil/gas tax subsidies, reducing industry financial support and aligning with environmental protection goals by discouraging fossil fuel reliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits Oil & Gas

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 2038: Wildfire Coordination Act

The Wildfire Coordination Act (S 2038) establishes a permanent federal advisory Board to improve how wildfire research is used in practice. The Board, composed of federal agency leaders and 18 non-federal experts (including state/local/Tribal representatives and fire departments), will coordinate wildfire research across agencies, translate findings into operational tools, and share best practices through online portals and workshops. It requires a congressional report within two years detailing progress, barriers, and future research priorities. The bill directly affects federal wildfire management agencies, researchers, and fire departments by creating a structured process to connect science with on-the-ground wildfire operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill coordinates wildfire research to improve prevention and management, protecting natural resources and ecosystems from wildfire impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 301: GEO Act

Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for the Department of the Interior to process applications related to geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior must process each application for a geothermal drilling permit or other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease within 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations (including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act) unless a U.S. federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the underlying lease.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpedites geothermal leasing permitting, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure development under geothermal energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes geothermal energy development, a clean renewable resource, by expediting permit processing to advance environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 9, 2025

S 2215: Restoring America’s Floodplains Act

S 2215, the Restoring America’s Floodplains Act, amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to update how federal floodplain easements are managed. It directly affects landowners who hold existing floodplain easements (where they’ve given up development rights on flood-prone land) and federal agencies managing these areas. The bill requires the Secretary to provide financial and technical assistance for restoring natural vegetation and water flow on these easements, and grants the Secretary sole discretion to manage them through agreements with landowners or organizations. This changes current management by adding specific restoration requirements and flexibility for ongoing maintenance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestores natural vegetation and water flow on floodplains, enhancing ecosystem conservation and protection per bill's restoration mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Jun 13, 2025

HR 4014: Preventing Lethal Agricultural and National Threats (PLANT) Act

The PLANT Act makes it a federal crime to import high-risk agricultural pathogens - such as harmful bacteria, viruses, or pests - without a U.S. Department of Agriculture permit. It directly affects importers, including businesses or individuals bringing in biological agents that could damage U.S. crops, livestock, or ecosystems. Violations carry up to 10 years in prison, with penalties increasing to 20 years if the offense involves concealing the pathogen’s origin, foreign government involvement, or over $1 million in economic harm. The Secretary of Agriculture will define "high-risk" pathogens through future regulations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new federal crime for pathogen imports with prison terms (up to 20 years), aligning with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents importation of pathogens threatening crops, livestock, and ecosystems, directly protecting natural resources and conservation as per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2025

HR 1781: To repeal certain executive orders.

HR 1781 repeals four executive orders issued on January 20, 2025, which covered energy development, international environmental agreements, a declared energy emergency, and a pause on offshore wind projects. The bill would prevent federal agencies from using funds to implement these orders, effectively halting their enforcement. This directly affects agencies like the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which had been directing actions under these orders. The repeal takes effect immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRepeals pause on offshore wind projects, removing barrier to renewable energy development95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRepeals orders pausing offshore wind projects and restricting environmental agreements, enabling clean energy development and international cooperation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 5, 2025

S 1311: Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire an independent research center to assess the clarity and paper use of notices sent to veterans filing claims. The assessment must determine how to make notices clearer, better organized, and more concise while reducing paper consumption and government costs. The VA must implement approved recommendations within one year and report the findings to Congress. This directly affects veterans receiving claims notices and the VA’s communication processes, focusing on improving written communication without changing benefit eligibility or amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates cost reduction via paper efficiency, directly promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly requires reducing paper consumption, conserving natural resources used in paper production, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransImproves VA claims communication clarity for veterans, enhancing service accessibility and efficiency without reducing benefits or costs to veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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