Environment

# Summary of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 This comprehensive appropriations bill allocates funding for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies for fiscal year 2026. Key provisions include: 1. **Major Funding Allocations**: - Significant funding for the Indian Health Service, National Park System, and environmental programs - Specific allocations for National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities - Funding for the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and other cultural institutions 2. **Key Restrictions and Prohibitions**: - Ban on using funds for activities promoting public support/opposition to pending legislation - Prohibition on using funds for certain types of mineral leasing within National Monuments - Restrictions on using funds for certain environmental regulations (e.g., greenhouse gas reporting from manure management) - Ban on using funds for certain types of ammunition regulation 3. **Program Extensions**: - Extension of various programs through 2026 (e.g., Forest Service Facility Realignment, Tribal Leases, Alaska Native Regional Health Entities) - Extension of the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program 4. **Administrative Provisions**: - Requirements for quarterly reporting on fund balances - Restrictions on reprogramming funds without committee approval - Requirements for posting reports on agency websites - Specific guidelines for grant awards and cancellations 5. **Rescissions and Repurposing**: - Permanent rescission of $41 million from Environmental Protection Agency Buildings and Facilities - Permanent rescission of $50 million from John F. Kennedy Center Capital Repair - Repurposing of $764.5 million from unobligated balances for wildland fire management The bill contains numerous specific provisions governing how funds may be used across various programs, with particular attention to environmental protection, cultural institutions, Native American health and land management, and forest management. It includes numerous restrictions on fund usage and specific requirements for reporting and transparency.

HR 7487, the Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act, expands hydropower development opportunities on Bureau of Reclamation water projects. It removes restrictions that previously limited hydropower to "small conduit" systems or pumped storage, now allowing all types of hydropower projects using Bureau facilities. The bill clarifies definitions for "transferred works facilities" (operated by non-federal entities) and "reserved works facilities," and updates rules for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorizations to remain active until expired or renewed. This directly affects developers seeking to build hydropower projects on federal water infrastructure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

HR 3559, the Save Our Forests Act of 2025, requires the U.S. Forest Service to increase staffing for National Forest System lands within 30 days of enactment to support forest health and productivity. It mandates reinstating Forest Service employees terminated between January 20, 2025, and the bill’s enactment date. The bill also directs the continuation of specific existing projects funded under laws like the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These provisions directly affect Forest Service operations, workers, and the management of national forests.

This bill establishes the Chesapeake Bay States Partnership Initiative to help agricultural producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (covering parts of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and D.C.) implement conservation practices that improve water quality, restore soil resources, and increase climate resilience. It provides targeted funding for erosion control, nutrient reduction, and habitat restoration on agricultural land, with special consideration for practices that reduce nitrogen and sediment. The bill creates a "turnkey pilot program" allowing technical service providers to establish and manage conservation practices on farmland without requiring landowners to pay costs or submit additional paperwork. Additionally, it updates conservation programs, enhances agricultural education funding, and adjusts regulatory oversight for certain catfish species in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

This bill establishes a tax on imported oil and natural gas based on the methane emissions from their production in the exporting country. The tax amount is calculated using the same emissions charges that would apply to U.S. producers under Clean Air Act rules, scaled to the volume of the imported product. It aims to incentivize foreign producers to reduce methane emissions by making high-emission imports more expensive, while giving U.S. producers with lower emissions a competitive advantage. The tax would apply to imports after December 31, 2025, and includes provisions for international cooperation to align methane standards globally.

HR 3024, the "Stamp Out Invasive Species Act," creates a semipostal stamp sold by the U.S. Postal Service to raise funds for programs combating invasive species. The public can purchase this stamp at a slight premium (up to 25% above standard postage), with all proceeds split equally between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for invasive species management. The stamp would be available for sale for two years after enactment, with funds transferred to the agencies at least twice yearly. This bill directly affects the public through voluntary stamp purchases and the agencies through dedicated funding for ecosystem protection.

HR 4694, the Fighting Fibers Act of 2025, requires all new washing machines sold in the U.S. to include a microfiber filtration system by January 1, 2030. This system must capture fibers smaller than 100 micrometers (or meet an equivalent standard) and be labeled clearly with maintenance instructions for consumers. The bill also mandates a federal study on microfiber presence in humans and the environment, including health effects and impacts on environmental justice communities, with a report due to Congress within one year of enactment. Manufacturers and sellers must comply with these requirements or face civil penalties up to $30,000 per violation.

This bill amends a federal program to promote pollinator-friendly vegetation along roadsides and highway rights-of-way. It expands eligibility to include 501(c)(3) nonprofits managing such projects and requires consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service before finalizing plans. The bill increases annual funding from $150,000 to $500,000 for program administration and raises the annual funding cap for projects from $2 million to $5 million (for fiscal years 2026-2031). These changes directly affect state transportation departments, federal land agencies, and qualifying nonprofit organizations managing roadside vegetation. The key policy shift is broadening partnership opportunities while increasing funding and clarifying consultation requirements.

HR 5846 reauthorizes the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program by extending annual funding of $65 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2036. The bill directly affects local governments and communities by providing continued financial support for projects that improve recycling infrastructure, such as modernizing facilities or expanding collection systems. Key provisions include maintaining the $65 million annual funding level for a decade beyond the previous authorization period (2021-2025), ensuring stable resources for waste management upgrades. This concrete policy change allows communities to access federal grants for recycling infrastructure projects without interruption through 2036.

HR 4961, the Public Utility Remediation and Enhancement for Water Act, creates a federal grant program to help municipal water systems address harmful chemicals like PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water. The bill authorizes $200 million annually (2026-2028) to fund 75% of costs for planning, building, or upgrading treatment systems to prevent or treat these emerging contaminants. It directly affects publicly owned water treatment facilities by providing financial support to comply with federal water pollution standards for these chemicals. The program requires states to manage grants similarly to existing water fund programs, with non-federal funds covering the remaining 25% through local or private sources.