Environment (Conservation)

in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 6388: Conservation Reserve Program Modernization Act

This bill modernizes the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which pays farmers to convert environmentally sensitive land to conservation uses. It clarifies definitions for "conservation buffers" (like riparian buffers, prairie strips, and wetland buffers), expands eligible land to include grasslands, wetlands (such as prairie potholes), and marginal pasture, and updates payment rules. Payments for establishing conservation practices (e.g., fencing, vegetation) remain at 50% of costs, but annual rental payments for reenrolled land decrease by 10 percentage points per renewal (starting at 85% for the first reenrollment). The changes directly affect farmers and landowners enrolled in CRP, as well as state/tribal partners proposing conservation plans.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands CRP eligibility to grasslands/wetlands and clarifies conservation buffers, strengthening environmental protection through land conservation programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 17, 2025

HR 3476: Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

The Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to conserve forest land through easements. The program provides cost-share assistance (50-75% of fair market value) for eligible entities to purchase forest land easements or for the Secretary to purchase forest reserve easements directly. It requires forest management plans for enrolled land, prioritizes protection of endangered species habitat, and sets aside 10% of annual funding for beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, and limited resource forest landowners. The program replaces the Healthy Forests Reserve Program and allocates $100 million annually from 2026-2030 for implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes federal program to conserve forest land via easements, requires management plans, prioritizes endangered species habitat, and funds conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Mar 11, 2025

HR 2063: To prohibit natural asset companies from entering into any agreement with respect to land in the State of Utah or natural assets on or in land in the State of Utah.

HR 2063 prohibits "natural asset companies" from entering agreements related to land or natural assets in Utah. These companies are defined as corporations managing defined areas for conservation, restoration, or sustainable use, or similar organizations. The bill directly affects such companies by banning all agreements involving Utah land or its natural assets. This creates a clear legal restriction on their operations within the state.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBans conservation-focused natural asset companies, restricting their operations in Utah and directly limiting environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate May 13, 2025

S 1724: Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends the map for Unit L06 of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System to exclude specific parcels in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, that are zoned for non-conservation uses under local regulations. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to correct the map within 30 days of enactment, removing these parcels from the system. This change directly affects the town's land by lifting federal restrictions on development and federal funding that previously applied to those areas. The amendment applies only to parcels within North Topsail Beach's municipal boundaries in Unit L06.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes parcels from CBRS, lifting federal conservation restrictions and development limits, weakening environmental protections for coastal areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1565: Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025

HR 1565, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025, directs $150 million in federal funds (from the Commodity Credit Corporation) to support public access to wetland conservation areas between fiscal years 2025 and 2029. Specifically, $3 million of this funding must be used to create voluntary agreements with states and tribal governments, encouraging public access to lands protected under wetland reserve easements. This bill directly affects landowners with these easements and state/tribal entities managing conservation programs. It provides a concrete funding mechanism to improve public access without mandating access or changing landowner obligations. The focus is on using existing federal resources to facilitate voluntary partnerships for recreation and education on conservation lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $150M in federal funds (Commodity Credit Corp) for wetland access, directly funding government spending under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirectly funds public access to wetland conservation areas via $150M allocation, supporting environmental protection through conservation easements and resource access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 909: La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after receiving a request from La Paz County, Arizona, to convey approximately 3,400 acres of identified land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the county for fair market value. Interior must exclude from the conveyance any federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources. As a condition of the conveyance, La Paz County and any subsequent owner must make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts; minimize impacts on tribal artifacts if they are disturbed; coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; and allow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at, or near, where they were discovered. The federal land is withdrawn from the operation of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirects BLM land conveyance for solar energy development, explicitly promoting renewable energy infrastructure and job creation as stated in bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes solar energy (clean renewable source) and requires exclusion of environmentally sensitive lands, protecting resources while advancing clean energy development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2025

SJRES 44: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers".

This bill (SJRES 44) seeks to block a Department of Energy rule that set new energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. It directly affects businesses that manufacture, sell, or operate these commercial refrigeration units, which would have been required to meet the new standards. The resolution uses a specific legal process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5 U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the rule, meaning it would prevent the rule from taking effect. The rule in question was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 7464). If passed, the rule would have no force or effect.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks DOE rule establishing energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration, weakening mandated efficiency requirements per bill's explicit disapproval intent.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks DOE rule establishing energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration, weakening environmental regulations on energy use and emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2025

HR 3714: Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025

HR 3714, the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025, amends federal fisheries law to protect small schooling fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies that serve as critical food for larger marine species. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to define "forage fish" within 12 months and mandates that fishery management plans consider ecosystem needs - such as ensuring enough forage fish remain for predators like tuna and seabirds - when setting catch limits. The bill directs regional fisheries councils to identify unmanaged forage fish stocks and prohibit new commercial fisheries until conservation plans are approved, with specific timelines for action (e.g., adding river herring and shad to management plans within 180 days). These changes directly affect federal fisheries managers, commercial fishing industries targeting forage species, and marine ecosystems dependent on these fish. The law aims to prevent overfishing by linking catch limits to ecological roles, not just fishery yields.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProtects marine ecosystems by requiring fishery plans to maintain forage fish populations for predators, strengthening conservation of natural resources per bill's ecosystem-based management mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Apr 17, 2025

HR 2944: Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act

This bill designates approximately 12,295 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in Taos County, New Mexico, as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. It modifies the boundary of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument to align with this new wilderness area. The bill permits the maintenance of existing wildlife water structures (like guzzlers) within the wilderness if they enhance wildlife values and minimize visual impacts, and requires the federal government to establish a cooperative agreement with New Mexico State within one year to outline wildlife management terms. These changes directly affect federal land management practices and wildlife conservation activities in the designated area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 12,295 acres as wilderness, protects natural resources, and maintains wildlife structures to enhance conservation values per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 20, 2025

S 681: Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2025

This bill designates five new wilderness areas in Wyoming (Encampment River Canyon, Prospect Mountain, Upper Sweetwater Canyon, Lower Sweetwater Canyon, and Bobcat Draw) and releases 17 wilderness study areas from further study under federal law. It establishes the Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area and creates seven Special Management Areas (including Bennett Mountains, Black Cat, and Sweetwater Rocks) with specific management rules. The bill restricts new road construction and limits motorized vehicle use in these areas, while allowing existing uses and activities like fire management, grazing, and limited oil and gas leasing with directional drilling restrictions. These designations and management provisions directly affect approximately 27,000 acres of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming. The bill also includes requirements for travel management plans and studies related to motorized recreation areas in specific counties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates wilderness areas, creates conservation areas, and restricts road construction, advancing environmental protection and resource conservation.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRestricts new road construction, directly limiting transportation infrastructure development as a core component of transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Roads & Highways

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