Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 3979: LEAPS Act

The LEAPS Act requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create and share practical resources to help farmers and ranchers improve energy efficiency in their irrigation and livestock watering systems. Specifically, it mandates USDA to develop publicly available educational materials about cost and energy savings from efficient pumps, pipes, and controls, plus a user-friendly online tool for farmers to assess their current systems and estimate potential savings. The bill also directs USDA to train energy auditors on pumping system efficiency to strengthen existing conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. These provisions directly affect agricultural operations using pumping systems, aiming to reduce energy use, water waste, and emissions through voluntary upgrades.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates USDA to develop energy efficiency resources for irrigation systems, directly promoting energy savings through practical tools and educational materials.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates USDA to create resources promoting energy efficiency in farming irrigation/watering systems, directly reducing energy consumption and associated emissions per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation Tags Agriculture

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 10, 2025

HR 2893: Buffalo Tract Protection Act

The Buffalo Tract Protection Act (HR 2893) permanently withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in New Mexico from mining and mineral leasing under federal law. This directly affects the Bureau of Land Management (which administers the land) and prevents new mining claims or mineral development on the specified Tracts A-D. The bill allows the surface rights of this land to be conveyed (sold or transferred) under existing federal land laws, but requires the federal government to retain all mineral rights. This is a permanent land protection measure focused on preserving the land's surface use potential while safeguarding mineral resources for the federal government.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks new mining claims and mineral development on federal land, restricting potential energy resource extraction (e.g., fossil fuels/minerals for energy infrastructure).95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPermanently withdraws 4,288 acres from mining/mineral leasing to protect land, directly conserving natural resources and preventing environmental harm from development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 21, 2025

HR 2971: YOUNG Act of 2025

HR 2971, the YOUNG Act of 2025, creates a new federal grant program to fund youth biodiversity monitoring projects using modern tools like drones, AI, and environmental DNA analysis. It directly supports schools, nonprofits, tribal governments, and local governments that run projects educating young people about wildlife science and conservation. The program allocates $1 million annually (2026-2032) to cover project costs such as supplies, transportation, and permits, with priority given to projects serving underserved communities facing systemic barriers. Grantees must report on participation and grant usage to Congress within two years of enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates federal grants for schools to fund biodiversity education projects, directly supporting K-12 educational programs and funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds youth biodiversity monitoring and conservation education, directly supporting environmental conservation through grants for schools and nonprofits.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds AI, drones, and environmental DNA analysis for youth biodiversity projects, directly advancing technology use in education and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Artificial Intelligence

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 530: WEST Act of 2025

S 530, the WEST Act of 2025, repeals a specific Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule titled "Conservation and Landscape Health" (88 Fed. Reg. 19583, April 3, 2023). The bill directly affects the BLM by nullifying the legal force of this 2023 regulation. It contains no new provisions or policy changes, only the repeal of an existing rule. This is a procedural legislative action with no direct impact on the public, businesses, or other entities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals BLM conservation rule, removing environmental protections. Directly weakens existing regulations without new provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 5, 2025

HR 4877: Central Coast Heritage Protection Act

The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act designates approximately 235,000 acres of federal land in California as wilderness areas, scenic areas, or a special management area. It incorporates specific lands into existing wilderness systems, designates river segments as Wild and Scenic Rivers, and establishes management guidelines including provisions for fire management, grazing, and recreation. The bill withdraws these lands from mining, mineral leasing, and other activities under public land laws. It also requires studies on trail connectivity, vehicle trails, and nonmotorized recreation opportunities within the designated areas. The bill directly affects land management by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service in California's Central Coast region.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 235k acres as wilderness/scenic areas, withdraws lands from mining/mineral leasing, directly conserving natural resources and protecting ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2566: Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act

This bill (S 2566) amends the Forest Legacy Program to allow states to authorize qualified conservation organizations to acquire, hold, and manage forestland conservation easements. It defines "qualified organization" as groups meeting IRS conservation criteria, holding Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation, and having no related legal issues. States must request authorization from the Secretary of Agriculture, and these organizations must demonstrate the ability to monitor and enforce conservation agreements. If an organization fails to meet requirements or modifies easements improperly, the land reverts to the state or another approved group. The change directly affects states administering the program and conservation nonprofits seeking to manage forestland protections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables conservation groups to manage forest easements, directly advancing land protection and conservation under environmental policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 29, 2025

S 1433: Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, focusing on protecting and restoring the marine ecosystem in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca (from the Canadian border to Snohomish County, Washington). It establishes a 14-member Commission - representing local counties, Tribal governments, and the State of Washington - to develop science-based restoration projects, monitor water quality and habitats, and coordinate with federal agencies like NOAA. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031 to fund these efforts, including habitat restoration, marine debris removal, and community outreach. The Commission must submit annual reports to Congress tracking progress on specific benchmarks, such as improving water quality and restoring marine species populations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes marine conservation initiative to protect Puget Sound ecosystem, establish science-based restoration projects, and monitor water quality/habitats95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 2548: Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025

S 2548 designates approximately 750 acres as Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establishes three Special Management Areas (totaling ~12,700 acres) within Illinois' Shawnee National Forest. The bill prohibits commercial logging, mining, and motorized vehicle use (except for emergencies or specific management needs), closes Forest Road 211 to vehicles, and withdraws all lands from mineral rights and public land laws. It requires the Forest Service to create a management plan within three years and allows scientific research, volunteer restoration, and limited hunting while banning trapping. These protections directly affect federal lands in the Shawnee National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Secretary of Agriculture.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts energy extraction by prohibiting mining and withdrawing lands from mineral rights, limiting fossil fuel development in the Shawnee National Forest.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits logging/mining/motorized use, withdraws lands from mineral rights, designates wilderness, and mandates conservation management plan for forest protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2025

S 1729: Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2025

This bill streamlines how conservation practice standards are developed and updated for U.S. agricultural programs. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a public, rolling review process for conservation standards every five years (replacing the previous annual requirement), prioritizing innovative technologies like precision agriculture and nutrient-efficient farming methods. Farmers, state agricultural agencies, and the public will gain clearer pathways to submit new conservation practices for consideration and provide input during reviews. The bill also mandates publishing all proposed changes, public comments, and final decisions online to improve transparency.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes innovative conservation technologies (precision agriculture, nutrient-efficient farming) to streamline standards, reducing pollution and conserving resources in agricultural programs.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly prioritizes innovative technologies like precision agriculture, advancing technology adoption in conservation practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Agriculture

Track

signed · United States · Senate Jul 12, 2026

S 629: Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

This bill increases financial assistance for farmers and forest landowners affected by emergencies. It raises upfront payments to 75% of costs for replacing damaged farm infrastructure (like fencing) and 50% for repairs, with a 180-day deadline instead of 60 days for using funds. The bill also expands wildfire eligibility to include fires spread by natural causes or caused by the federal government. These changes apply to the Emergency Conservation Program (Section 401) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (Section 407) under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands wildfire eligibility and increases funding for infrastructure repairs under Emergency Conservation Program, aiding natural resource recovery after environmental disasters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Agriculture