The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through fiscal year 2031. This program, managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, will support the collection and analysis of subsurface data using advanced technologies like modern sensing and digital geochemistry to map critical minerals and geothermal resources. The bill also updates the initiative's scope to include the 3D Hydrography Program and allocates $84 million for operations between 2027 and 2031.
This bill updates federal regulations to allow for the targeted removal of sea lions and harbor seals in Washington and Oregon to protect endangered salmon and steelhead. It creates a new program to fund and develop technology that physically blocks these marine mammals from entering critical fish habitats while ensuring navigation remains unimpeded. The legislation also establishes a specific permitting process that allows state agencies and federally recognized tribes to carry out humane lethal removals of these animals under strict oversight. A key provision requires the government to review and potentially end this lethal removal authority after five years if the Secretary determines it is no longer necessary for fish recovery. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reports to Congress on sea lion populations and their impact on fish species, along with a long-term study on the effectiveness of these management actions.
The Common Sense 250 Act of 2026 approves the location for a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine within a specific designated area in Washington, D.C. This legislation overrides previous requirements to allow the project to proceed in Area I, as defined by a 2003 map of commemorative zones in the capital. The bill directly impacts the planning and placement of this memorial by confirming its site without altering other aspects of the Commemorative Works Act.
The Quiet Skies Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create new regulations banning voice calls on cell phones in the United States. This rule must be finalized within 180 days of the law's enactment and will apply to all air travelers. The bill aims to reduce noise on airplanes by prohibiting passengers from making or receiving phone calls while in flight.
This bill, titled the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act, extends federal funding for the African American Civil Rights Network by three years. The legislation directly affects the network's operations by amending the United States Code to change the authorization period from seven years to ten years. By updating this timeline, the bill ensures continued financial support for the organization's mission to promote civil rights and historical preservation. No new programs or policy changes are introduced; the measure solely focuses on renewing the existing funding authorization.
This bill requires group health plans to gain full, timely access to detailed claims data and pricing information from healthcare providers and administrators without restrictions. It mandates that these entities provide unmodified data in standard electronic formats within 15 days and prohibits contracts that limit access to payment formulas, audit rights, or fee structures. To ensure compliance, the legislation introduces annual attestation requirements for plans and establishes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations, while also banning contracts that attempt to shield violators from these fines.
This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 2102) to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retired pay for disability retirees with combat-related disabilities, and for other purposes.
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to equip specific contract air traffic control towers with advanced situational awareness tools within one year of enactment. It mandates the installation of Airborne Position Reference Tools at towers lacking these systems and ensures that towers without Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems receive necessary equipment and maintenance support. The legislation also updates funding rules to cover the costs of acquiring and operating these new tools and establishes training programs to help controllers effectively use the technology. Additionally, the bill provides financial reimbursement to airports that have already purchased similar systems before the federal government installs them.
This bill transfers ownership of three specific land parcels totaling approximately 836 acres into federal trust for the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians. Once taken into trust, the land will become part of the tribe's reservation and be managed by the Secretary of the Interior under standard federal regulations for Indian trust property. The legislation includes specific conditions to preserve existing public access for recreation and conservation, maintain current water rights and service agreements, and protect existing leases and easements. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits the use of these lands for any class II or class III gaming activities.
This bill, known as the Post-Disaster Protection Act, extends the time limit for appealing federal disaster assistance decisions from 60 to 90 days. It directly affects individuals and communities seeking aid after natural disasters by amending the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The change provides applicants with additional time to contest decisions regarding their eligibility or the amount of assistance they receive. This adjustment aims to give affected parties more time to review and challenge assistance determinations without rushing the appeals process.
This bill establishes a regional management framework for double-crested cormorants across four U.S. flyways, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop plans within 180 days that specify allowed hunting methods, time periods, and authorized entities including state and tribal agencies, lake managers, and pond managers. The framework must ensure cormorant populations remain sustainable while addressing impacts on fisheries, vegetation, other bird species, human safety, water quality, and endangered species. The bill mandates population surveys every five years and requires the management plans to be reviewed and updated every five years based on survey results and current data.
This bill establishes a framework for the Department of the Interior to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to restore and manage buffalo populations on Indian lands. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide contracts, grants, and technical assistance to support tribal buffalo restoration programs, commercial buffalo activities, and mobile meat processing facilities. The legislation also requires ongoing consultation between the Department and tribes on buffalo management initiatives and ensures that culturally sensitive tribal information remains confidential. Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of surplus buffalo from federal lands to Indian lands and explicitly preserves existing treaty rights of Indian Tribes, with all provisions set to expire seven years after enactment.
