Environment (Wildlife)

in committee · United States · House Apr 28, 2025

HR 3041: RIGED Act of 2025

The RIGED Act of 2025 ensures that expired federal permits for offshore oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico automatically continue with their original terms until new permits are issued, preventing operational disruptions for companies. It requires the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce to coordinate with other agencies through joint working groups - which must notify Congress and the President about their purpose and duration - to maintain permit continuity. The bill also extends the use of a 2020 biological opinion for Gulf oil and gas projects, meaning compliance with that opinion satisfies Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act requirements until a new opinion is approved. This directly affects oil and gas operators and federal agencies managing offshore energy permits and environmental compliance in the Gulf.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExtends offshore oil/gas permits, maintaining fossil fuel operations without promoting renewables or clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExtends oil/gas permits without environmental reviews, prioritizing industry operations over potential environmental safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2025

HR 5171: Pacific Northwest Gray Wolves Relief Act of 2025

The Pacific Northwest Gray Wolves Relief Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a 2020 federal rule that removed gray wolves from the endangered species list. This reissued rule would apply exclusively to gray wolf populations in Oregon and Washington, ending federal protections for wolves in those states. The bill mandates this reissuance within 60 days of enactment, directly affecting gray wolf management in Oregon and Washington. As a result, gray wolves in these states would no longer be classified as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnds federal protections for gray wolves under ESA, weakening species conservation regulations in WA/OR per bill's explicit mandate to remove endangered status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2025

S 386: Critical Water Resources Prioritization Act of 2025

This bill creates a temporary exemption process under the Endangered Species Act for water projects meeting "critical human water needs," such as municipal drinking water, firefighting, public health, or food security. Water management agencies (federal, state, or local) must first exhaust conservation measures and alternative water sources before seeking an exemption. Exemptions last up to 180 days and require monthly reports on water use, alternative development efforts, and species impacts, with annual reports to Congress. The Secretary of the Interior must issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects water agencies managing critical infrastructure during shortages while maintaining ESA protections through strict conditions and oversight.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires conservation first and species impact reporting for water project exemptions, ensuring environmental protection under Endangered Species Act.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill includes public health as a critical human water need, ensuring water access for health services and preventing health risks from water shortages.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Wildlife Public Health

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in committee · United States · House May 15, 2025

HR 3456: CHER Act of 2025

The CHER Act of 2025 bans the display, housing, management, and breeding of African and Asian elephants in U.S. zoos and safari parks after one year from its enactment. It requires existing elephants in these facilities to be transferred to authorized wildlife sanctuaries within three years. Authorized sanctuaries must be nonprofit, accredited, provide lifelong care without breeding or public entertainment, and meet specific space and veterinary standards. The bill also mandates a feasibility study and grant program to support the transition and care of elephants in sanctuaries.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates transfer to accredited sanctuaries with conservation-focused care, advancing species protection as part of environmental conservation.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 14, 2025

S 85: Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025

S 85 authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 to 2036 to address Rapid Ohia Death, a fungus killing over 1 million native ohia trees in Hawaii. The bill directs federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture Departments) to collaborate with Hawaii state officials on research, preventing the fungus's spread, managing animals that spread it, and propagating resistant trees for forest restoration. It specifically funds ongoing efforts like studying how the fungus spreads, partnering with local groups on land management, and supporting the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry for research. This funding directly supports Hawaii's native ecosystems and communities reliant on them.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $5M annually to combat Rapid Ohia Death fungus, protecting native trees and enabling forest restoration through research and collaboration, directly conserving natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Nov 17, 2025

HR 6053: SGLF Act of 2025

This bill authorizes $500 million over 10 years (2026-2035) to combat invasive mussels in the Great Lakes. It directs the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, in coordination with federal agencies (like the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA), to develop and implement strategies targeting invasive mussel species. The funding is specifically for efforts under the Great Lakes Fishery Act of 1956 and must be used in addition to existing appropriations. This directly affects the Great Lakes ecosystem and the Commission's management of invasive species.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $500M to combat invasive mussels in Great Lakes, directly protecting ecosystem and conserving natural resources through targeted environmental management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jan 22, 2026

HR 4255: Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025

HR 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025, would remove the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) from the U.S. Endangered Species Act protections. It directly affects ranchers in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area, who report livestock losses and safety concerns, and shifts regulatory authority from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to state and local management. Key provisions include formally delisting the wolf, nullifying two existing federal rules governing the species, and prohibiting future consideration of Mexican wolf populations in Mexico when making ESA decisions. The bill aims to streamline livestock compensation for ranchers by changing evidentiary standards for wolf depredation claims.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes Mexican wolf from Endangered Species Act, weakening federal environmental protections for the species and habitat, directly opposing conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House May 15, 2025

HR 3421: Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025

The Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 designates multiple protected areas across Gunnison County, Colorado, including nine Special Management Areas, eight Wildlife Conservation Areas, four Protection Areas, two Recreation Management Areas, and expands wilderness designations through amendments to the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993. The bill establishes specific management rules for these areas, limiting off-highway vehicle and bicycle use to designated roads and trails, requiring winter travel management plans within three years, and restricting vegetation management projects to protect ecological integrity. It also includes provisions for transferring approximately 19,080 acres to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in trust, withdrawing certain lands from mineral development, and establishing seasonal closures to protect wildlife habitat in specific areas. The legislation directly affects federal land management practices, recreational use, and tribal land rights across approximately 350,000 acres in Gunnison County. These changes will reshape how federal lands are managed for conservation, recreation, and tribal uses in the region.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates protected areas and restricts off-highway vehicle use to conserve natural resources and wildlife habitats per bill's management rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 4422: Don’t Feed the Bears Act of 2025

This bill prohibits bear baiting on federal lands by requiring the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to enforce existing bans on feeding bears for hunting purposes in National Parks and wildlife refuges, and to adopt new regulations banning baiting on Bureau of Land Management and National Forest lands within one year. It directly affects licensed hunters who currently use bait stations (piles of human-scented food like meat or fruit) to attract bears for hunting on federal lands where state law permits it. The bill aims to reduce bear habituation to human food, lower property damage costs, and decrease human-bear conflicts by ending baiting practices that make bears lose natural wariness. Exceptions are allowed only for extraordinary cases involving bear welfare, public safety, or authorized research.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits bear baiting on federal lands, strengthening wildlife conservation and protecting natural habitats per the bill's enforcement of bans on feeding bears for hunting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jun 13, 2025

HR 3927: Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act

HR 3927, the Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act, extends the term of nationwide permits for environmental projects from five to ten years and creates a new category for "linear infrastructure projects" like pipelines and power lines. It allows these projects to receive nationwide permits if they discharge dredged or fill material into less than 3 acres of navigable waters, classifying such impacts as "minimal." The bill removes requirements for certain environmental reviews, including consultations under the Endangered Species Act and full National Environmental Policy Act assessments, replacing them with streamlined environmental assessments. This directly affects infrastructure developers and the Army Corps of Engineers, which administers the permitting process under the Clean Water Act.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves environmental review requirements for pipelines/power lines, classifies impacts as 'minimal,' and extends permits - reducing regulatory oversight for infrastructure projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality Wildlife

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