Environment: Montana Congressional Delegation

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 4, 2026

S 5234: Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a federal program focused on developing and implementing nonlethal strategies to reduce conflicts between wildlife, humans, and livestock. The program will absorb existing nonlethal initiatives from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and prioritize efforts in states where these operations are already active, with a specific focus on protecting livestock from predators and preventing damage to agriculture and infrastructure. To support these goals, the Act authorizes the provision of assistance, training, and demonstration projects for landowners, agricultural producers, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations, while also requiring the development of state-level implementation plans. The legislation appropriates $20 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these activities, with a cap limiting research expenditures to no more than 10 percent of the total annual budget.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4992: A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to issue guidance relating to the review of applications for alteration or temporary or permanent occupation or use of certain hydropower projects, and for other purposes.

This bill requires the Secretary of the Army to create clear guidelines for reviewing applications to alter or use certain non-Federal hydropower projects. The new rules mandate a standardized checklist and specific criteria to determine if an application is complete, focusing only on whether required documents are present and formatted correctly. Under these procedures, reviewers are prohibited from conducting detailed technical analyses or evaluating the engineering design of the projects. The bill aims to streamline the administrative process by separating the initial completeness check from later technical evaluations.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5048: Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act

The Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act amends the Federal Power Act to modify how federal licenses for hydropower projects are issued. It requires project operators to reasonably mitigate direct adverse effects on Indian reservations and fish populations before a license is granted. These changes aim to ensure that environmental and tribal concerns are addressed as specific conditions within the licensing process. The bill directly affects hydropower developers and the agencies responsible for reviewing and issuing federal project licenses.

Topics ✓ Environment

Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4975: HEATS Act

The HEATS Act modifies the Geothermal Steam Act to allow companies to drill for geothermal energy on private land without needing a separate federal permit, provided the federal government owns less than half of the underground resources and the operator holds a valid state permit. This change exempts such projects from certain federal environmental reviews, including those under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, while still requiring royalty payments to the government for electricity production. The legislation explicitly excludes projects on Indian lands and allows federal inspectors to verify production data and royalty payments to ensure accountability.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Wildlife

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4944: American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026

The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026 streamlines the permitting process for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews and establishing strict deadlines for federal and state agencies to complete their portions of the review. The bill also modifies water quality laws to reduce the number of required certifications for discharges into navigable waters, extends the validity of certain nationwide permits for dredged or fill material from five to ten years, and creates a new fund to address abandoned hardrock mines. Additionally, the legislation updates the National Environmental Policy Act to limit the scope of environmental reviews to effects directly caused by a project, impose specific timelines for agency decisions, and restrict the ability of courts to issue injunctions that would halt construction while legal challenges are pending.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Water Quality

in committee · United States · House Jun 18, 2026

HR 9337: Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act

The Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act amends the Federal Power Act to modify how federal licenses for hydropower projects are issued. Specifically, it requires that license conditions include measures to reasonably mitigate direct adverse effects on federal reservations and fish populations within applicable river systems. These changes aim to ensure that new or existing hydropower projects address environmental impacts on protected lands and aquatic species before a license is granted. The bill directly affects hydropower project developers and federal agencies responsible for licensing and environmental oversight.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Tags Licensing

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2026

S 4812: FIRE SMART Act of 2026

The FIRE SMART Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to update its regulations regarding rural water infrastructure projects. Specifically, the bill requires the EPA to define "communities at high risk from fire or wildfire" and to prioritize funding for water system improvements that aid in fire suppression within these areas. Additionally, the legislation mandates that projects benefiting both drinking water and fire suppression receive priority if the community has adopted a wildfire protection plan or taken steps to reduce private property fire risks. These regulatory changes aim to ensure that federal funding for rural water systems explicitly supports wildfire prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Rural Communities

in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 9250: Great American Outdoors Act 250

This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

in committee · United States · House Jun 8, 2026

HR 9184: Local Data for Better Conservation Act

The Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the federal government to include data collected by states when deciding whether to list or remove species from the endangered species list. This change directly impacts state agencies and conservationists who gather information about local wildlife populations. By mandating the integration of state-collected data, the bill aims to ensure that federal decisions are based on a more comprehensive set of regional observations. The legislation does not alter the overall process for listing species but modifies how evidence is considered during those determinations.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4688: CHEERS Act of 2026

The CHEERS Act of 2026 allows restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to depreciate energy-efficient draft alcohol equipment, such as stainless steel or aluminum beer taps, over a 15-year period instead of the standard schedule. This tax incentive applies to new equipment installed in U.S. businesses after December 31, 2025, aiming to encourage the adoption of more efficient alcohol distribution systems. The legislation also directs the Treasury Department to create rules covering how this benefit applies to businesses that rent or lease this specialized equipment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

All environment bills