Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 3820: Soil CARE Act of 2026

The Soil CARE Act of 2026 requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to create a training program for its staff and third-party providers (like farming consultants and nonprofits) on soil health management practices. This training, delivered through online courses and in-person workshops twice yearly in each region, covers topics such as regenerative farming, soil biology, tribal considerations, and supporting small or underserved producers. The program must include specific curriculum units on soil health principles, organic production, diversified systems, and conservation practices that improve soil, water, and climate resilience. The law authorizes $10 million annually from 2027 to 2032 to fund this initiative, directly affecting how NRCS and its partners support agricultural producers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates NRCS training on soil health management, regenerative farming, and conservation practices to protect natural resources and support sustainable agriculture, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1497: Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act

This bill designates approximately 12,295 acres of federal land in Taos County, New Mexico (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness, using a specific map dated April 1, 2025. It modifies the boundary of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument to align with this new wilderness designation. The bill allows the maintenance of existing wildlife water structures (like guzzlers) if they enhance wilderness values and minimize visual impact, requiring a cooperative agreement with New Mexico within one year of enactment. This directly affects federal land management practices and wildlife conservation activities within the designated wilderness area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 12,295 acres as wilderness, protecting ecosystems and expanding conservation within Río Grande del Norte National Monument per BLM management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 1791: Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025

The Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 designates approximately 600,000 acres of federal land in Gunnison County, Colorado, as Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, Recreation Management Areas, and a Scientific Research Area. The bill limits off-highway vehicle and bicycle use to designated routes, requires winter travel management plans within three years, prohibits new road construction, and mandates ecological restoration projects prioritizing native vegetation and wildlife protection. It establishes seasonal closures in specific areas to protect wildlife habitat while allowing continued traditional tribal uses and limited recreational access. The legislation affects federal land managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across these designated areas, with specific management requirements for each type of protected area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates protected areas, restricts off-highway vehicles, prohibits new roads, mandates ecological restoration for conservation and habitat protection95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationProhibits new road construction and limits off-highway vehicle use, restricting transportation infrastructure access on federal land.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife Bicycle Infrastructure Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4428: Strong Farms, Strong Future Act

The Strong Farms, Strong Future Act amends the Conservation Stewardship Program to prioritize climate and soil health outcomes. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create "climate change mitigation bundles" - groups of conservation practices designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon sequestration - for different farm types (like cropland, pasture, and forest land) and ensures these bundles are equally available to organic and conventional farmers. The bill updates contract renewal rules to mandate producers adopt new conservation practices that improve soil health and reduce emissions over time, with payments tied to these outcomes. This directly affects farmers and ranchers enrolled in the program by changing eligibility for contract renewals and payments based on measurable environmental improvements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes climate mitigation bundles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via carbon sequestration in agriculture, aligning with energy policy goals of reducing fossil fuel dependence.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly prioritizes climate mitigation, requires emission-reducing practices, and expands conservation access for all farms to enhance soil health and carbon sequestration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 764: Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act

The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act designates new wilderness areas and conservation lands across Colorado, protecting approximately 50,000 acres of public land for conservation and recreation. The bill creates three Wildlife Conservation Areas (Porcupine Gulch, Williams Fork Mountains, and Spraddle Creek), adds several wilderness areas to the National Wilderness Preservation System, and establishes a pilot program to capture methane emissions from coal mines. It withdraws certain lands from mineral development, allows continued grazing under regulated conditions, and requires management plans for these protected areas. The bill affects federal land managers, local communities, tribal nations with traditional uses, and energy companies through the methane pilot program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates wilderness areas, creates conservation lands, and establishes methane capture program - directly advancing environmental protection and climate action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 7, 2025

HJRES 38: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons: Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes Under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020".

HJRES 38 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The rule manages the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning, under the AIM Act of 2020. If approved, this resolution would block the EPA rule from taking effect, preventing its implementation of HFC management requirements. This is a procedural disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, not a new law, and directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority over HFCs.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks EPA rule implementing HFC phasedown under AIM Act, weakening greenhouse gas regulations for refrigerants used in energy-intensive cooling systems.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks EPA rule implementing HFC phase-down under AIM Act, weakening climate protections by preventing management of potent greenhouse gases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

passed · United States · House May 19, 2026

HR 7567: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 This bill (commonly known as the farm bill) reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs that address commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, livestock and other animals, and foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly modifies USDA conservation programs, directly supporting environmental protection through land management and resource conservation initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Tags Agriculture

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 211: Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act

This bill allows ranchers with grazing permits or leases to temporarily use vacant public grazing land when their usual land becomes unusable due to disasters like droughts, wildfires, or extreme weather. The Secretary of Agriculture or Interior can make this temporary access available, subject to conditions ensuring it doesn’t alter the rancher’s original grazing rights or future allocations. Key provisions require the Secretary to consider ecological conditions, coordinate across agencies, and establish guidelines within one year to streamline this process. The temporary use is limited to the duration needed for the original land to recover, and it does not affect the rancher’s permanent access or terms to their original allotment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires ecological considerations during temporary grazing access, preventing environmental harm while enabling rancher resilience75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Natural Disasters Public Lands Tags Agriculture

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 5, 2025

HR 5902: Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act of 2025

The Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act of 2025 amends USDA conservation programs to better support soil health and carbon sequestration. It redefines "resource concern" to include soil health issues and adds greenhouse gas emissions reduction planning as a key component of conservation programs. The bill expands payment opportunities for perennial production systems like agroforestry and creates national and regional agroforestry centers to support these practices. Farmers participating in conservation programs must maintain or improve conservation activities and meet specific soil health targets to qualify for continued funding. The bill directly affects farmers and ranchers participating in USDA conservation programs who want to implement soil health practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly promotes soil health, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas reduction through USDA programs, advancing climate change mitigation and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 20, 2025

HR 4062: MONARCH Act of 2025

The MONARCH Act of 2025 establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund to address the critical decline of western monarch butterflies, which have dropped 99% over 30 years and reached a low of 1,914 in 2020. It authorizes $12.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to fund grants for conservation projects led by eligible entities like local governments, tribal agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions within the butterflies' range (California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah). Projects must focus on restoring milkweed, nectar plants, and habitat while coordinating with wildlife authorities and avoiding conflicts with food safety practices. Recipients must report project progress to the Secretary of the Interior and make reports publicly available, with annual updates to Congress on conservation efforts and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $12.5M annually for conservation grants, directly funding an essential environmental program through government appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds $12.5M annually for monarch butterfly conservation, addressing 99% population decline through grants to conservation entities within designated states.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track