Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · House Oct 17, 2025

HR 5785: Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025

HR 5785 establishes a voluntary program allowing ranchers in 16 Western states (Arizona through Wyoming) to permanently retire their federal grazing permits on designated land areas. Ranchers can submit permits for retirement, but the government will accept no more than 100 nationwide and 25 per state annually. Once retired, the land permanently ends livestock grazing, and no new permits are issued for that area; ranchers also surrender rights to fences and structures (range developments) on the retired land. The bill aims to reduce land-use conflicts while providing ranchers flexibility to exit grazing operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPermanently ends livestock grazing on retired land, promoting ecosystem recovery and conservation of natural resources in Western states.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2025

HR 5273: Broadband Competition and Efficient Deployment Act

This bill exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It specifically applies to projects involving the placement, construction, or modification of telecommunications facilities on "eligible support infrastructure" (like existing utility poles or buildings) that require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. The law removes these projects from being considered "major federal actions" under NEPA and "undertakings" under NHPA, streamlining the permitting process for broadband providers. This directly affects broadband companies, local governments, and tribes that handle infrastructure permits, by reducing federal review steps for FCC-approved installations on existing communication-supporting structures.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts broadband projects from NEPA environmental reviews, weakening regulatory protections for environmental impact assessments.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts broadband infrastructure from regulatory reviews to accelerate deployment, directly expanding internet access as a core technology policy goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2025

HR 5358: TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act

This bill exempts certain broadband network projects from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It directly affects projects replacing "covered communications equipment" (like equipment deemed insecure under existing law) with secure alternatives. The key mechanism removes the need for federal environmental reviews or historic preservation assessments when replacing banned equipment. This streamlines the process for deploying secure broadband infrastructure by bypassing these review steps for qualifying projects. The policy change specifically targets faster replacement of insecure equipment without altering security standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts broadband projects from NEPA environmental reviews, removing regulatory barriers that protect ecosystems and natural resources during infrastructure deployment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves regulatory barriers for replacing insecure broadband equipment with secure alternatives, directly advancing cybersecurity infrastructure deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Mar 24, 2025

HR 2298: Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act of 2025

HR 2298 exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects on federal lands from requiring environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act. It applies specifically to wireline or wireless broadband installations (like fiber lines or cell towers) by broadband providers on federal rights-of-way, such as areas adjacent to roads or highways. The bill removes the need for agencies to conduct full environmental assessments or historic site reviews for these projects, streamlining approvals. This directly affects federal land managers (like the BLM or Forest Service) and broadband providers seeking to expand service on public lands. The key change is eliminating specific regulatory hurdles for qualifying broadband projects on federal rights-of-way.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts broadband projects from NEPA environmental reviews, weakening protections by removing required impact assessments.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves regulatory barriers for broadband infrastructure deployment on federal lands, directly expanding internet access and advancing technology infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 3874: Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act

HR 3874, the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, expands the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by formally adding the "Rim of the Valley Unit" to its boundaries. This unit consists of specific land, water, and related interests depicted on two maps (2001 and 2023), directly affecting properties within this newly defined area. The bill ensures any new land acquired for this unit is managed as part of the existing recreation area, while allowing existing water and utility facilities to operate normally - provided their activities minimize harm to the park's resources. The legislation primarily adjusts park boundaries without changing land use or creating new regulations for affected landowners.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to preserve land, water, and natural resources per its title and summary, directly aligning with conservation and protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Feb 28, 2025

HR 718: Public Lands in Public Hands Act

This bill prohibits the U.S. Interior and Agriculture Secretaries from transferring title of certain federal lands to non-government entities. It specifically blocks transfers of lands that are publicly accessible (via roads, trails, or waterways) or adjacent to such lands, unless the land is under 300 acres or meets specific exceptions. Key exceptions include small parcels under 5 acres accessible by water, transfers authorized by historical laws like the Alaska Statehood Act, and land exchanges already permitted by federal law. The bill does not affect existing transfers under these authorized programs or prevent agencies from subdividing land to meet acreage thresholds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prevents transfers of publicly accessible federal lands to private entities, directly protecting conservation areas and public access per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBlocks transfers of lands accessible via roads/trails/waterways, preserving public access to transportation infrastructure routes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands Vehicle Registration

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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 Feb 4, 2026

S 446: A bill to prohibit Big Cypress National Preserve from being designated as wilderness or as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other purposes.

This bill prohibits Big Cypress National Preserve from ever being designated as wilderness or added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. It directly affects the preserve by preventing any future federal action that would change its status to wilderness. The key provision is a clear legal ban on such designations, ensuring the preserve remains outside the wilderness system. The bill does not create new management rules but blocks a specific potential change to its legal classification.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks wilderness designation for Big Cypress National Preserve, preventing stronger environmental protections and conservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6184: NOAA Data Preservation Act

This bill prevents the Secretary of Commerce from ending cloud storage contracts for NOAA data without meeting specific requirements. It directly affects the Secretary of Commerce and NOAA's data storage contracts with cloud providers. The law requires the Secretary to create a plan for transitioning data to another cloud provider and to work with NOAA's Administrator to maintain continuous data protection. This ensures NOAA's critical environmental and oceanographic data remains accessible and secure during any contract changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPreserves NOAA's environmental/oceanographic data access via cloud storage requirements, ensuring continuous protection of critical environmental monitoring data.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnsures continuous data protection for NOAA cloud storage contracts, safeguarding environmental data integrity and accessibility through mandated transition planning.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 20, 2025

S 3227: Protecting American Farmland Act

This bill prohibits federal funding for ground-mounted solar projects that convert prime farmland (defined as the most productive agricultural land under existing law) and excludes such projects from key tax credits like the residential clean energy credit (Section 25D), production tax credits (Sections 45, 45Y), and investment tax credits (Sections 48, 48E). It directly affects solar developers and property owners seeking to install solar facilities on prime farmland, blocking both federal financial support and tax incentives for these projects. The bill uses the existing definition of "prime farmland" from the Farmland Protection Policy Act to prevent agricultural land from being repurposed for solar energy generation. Its core mechanism is a dual restriction: no federal funds for covered projects and exclusion from tax credits for solar installations on protected farmland.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly restricts tax credits (Sections 25D, 45, 45Y, 48, 48E) and prohibits federal funding for solar projects on prime farmland, directly limiting tax incentives and defunding specific initiatives.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks federal funding and tax credits for solar on prime farmland, restricting renewable energy development as defined in the bill's summary.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks federal funding and tax credits for solar projects on prime farmland, restricting clean energy development that aligns with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts solar energy technology deployment on prime farmland by blocking federal funding and tax credits, limiting renewable energy technology adoption.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Conservation Tags Agriculture

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