Environment

H.Res. 1291 is a non-binding resolution that formally recognizes May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Wildfire Preparedness Week. The bill aims to raise public awareness about wildfire risks and promote educational initiatives regarding fire safety and evacuation planning. It highlights the dangers of smoke exposure for both the general public and firefighters while noting that human activity causes the majority of wildland fires. This measure does not change laws or allocate funding, but rather expresses the House of Representatives' support for these preparedness goals.

This bill requires federal agencies managing public lands to allocate at least 5 percent of their annual transportation funding toward active transportation projects. These projects include building trails for pedestrians and bicyclists, improving safety infrastructure for non-drivers, and converting abandoned railroad corridors into recreational paths. The legislation directly affects federal land management programs and aims to expand safe transportation options for people of all ages and abilities. By mandating this funding set-aside, the bill ensures consistent investment in non-motorized transportation infrastructure across federal lands.

Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2026 This bill expands the authority of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide technical assistance for farmer-to-farmer networks. USDA must use annual appropriations provided for Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation operations to implement this program. A farmer-to-farmer network means any affiliation or association of farmers that share information, technical assistance, or any other type of mutually beneficial support. Under the bill, USDA may enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to (1) provide assistance to farmer-to-farmer networks to build network capacity, connect farmers with mentors or group learning opportunities, and support goal setting; (2) increase technical assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners who use different farming models, practices, and scales; (3) establish and steward the networks; and (4) establish reporting requirements for these activities. Those eligible for the program include nonprofit entities, farmer-to-farmer networks, tribal entities, local governments, institutions of higher education, and states. USDA must prioritize agreements with entities that seek to meet the specific needs of certain farmers, ranchers, and forest owners who are historically underserved or operating in high-poverty areas. The bill also provides for subawards to plan and conduct events, as well as to identify and develop innovative activities, in order to increase farmer access to farmer-to-farmer assistance.

The ZELDIN Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain explicit approval from both chambers of Congress before dismissing any lawsuits or withdrawing referrals related to claims about the release of known or likely carcinogens. Additionally, the bill mandates that the EPA consult with its Office of General Counsel before terminating grants and prohibits agencies from penalizing recipients for delays caused by legal challenges to those terminations. The legislation also establishes a private right of action allowing harmed individuals to sue the EPA for injunctive relief and damages, while setting a specific sunset date of January 20, 2029, for the law's provisions.

The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026 updates federal programs to extend their funding periods through fiscal year 2031 and establishes a new Transportation Statistics Coordination Council to oversee data collection across the Department of Transportation. The bill also creates a study on the safety impacts of new headlamp technologies and requires a strategy to increase the use of reclaimed asphalt in road construction. Additionally, it expands rail research to address safety challenges in modern commuter and freight systems while ensuring data standards remain consistent.

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2026 amends existing federal energy conservation laws to formally recognize mechanical insulation as an energy efficiency measure in government buildings. This legislation defines mechanical insulation as materials used in mechanical systems that meet specific engineering standards and reduce energy loss. Under the new requirements, federal facilities must identify these insulation measures during their comprehensive energy and water assessments. The bill applies specifically to the management and reporting of energy usage within federal properties.

The Make DTE Pay Act amends the Clean Air Act to increase penalties for investor-owned electric and gas utilities that fail to comply with environmental regulations. Specifically, the bill requires that if a utility raises its rates within two years before or after receiving a penalty, the fine amount must be doubled. This provision directly affects utility companies by ensuring they cannot offset the financial cost of noncompliance with rate hikes passed on to consumers. The law aims to prevent utilities from using rate increases to recover the money they owe to the government for environmental violations.

This Senate resolution aims to raise public awareness about lake sturgeon, a large, slow-reproducing freshwater fish found across the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States. The bill encourages collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and Canadian partners to manage and restore lake sturgeon populations while protecting their habitats and controlling invasive species. It also calls for educating anglers and communities on proper handling of these fish and highlights their cultural significance to Indigenous communities.

The Advancing Water Reuse Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage investment in water recycling infrastructure. This 30 percent credit applies to businesses and utilities that install, replace, or modify onsite water recycling systems in industrial, manufacturing, data center, or food processing facilities. Eligible projects also include those that replace freshwater with recycled municipal water or build new municipal water recycling systems. To qualify, the construction of the project must begin within ten years of the bill's enactment, and the credit is calculated based on the cost of tangible property placed in service during the taxable year.

The Unlock American Energy and Jobs Act of 2026 streamlines federal permitting for energy projects by reducing environmental review requirements and setting strict deadlines for agency actions. It modifies the Clean Water Act to limit state authority in certifying water discharges, mandates that certain energy and carbon dioxide pipeline projects be exempt from NEPA reviews, and establishes a 120-day limit for courts to decide lawsuits challenging these permits. The bill also extends nuclear reactor licenses to a maximum of 60 years, exempts new nuclear reactors at existing sites from NEPA compliance, and restricts judicial review of tribal trust resource projects to claims brought by the tribes themselves. Additionally, it creates a 150-day statute of limitations for most NEPA-related lawsuits and requires courts to issue final decisions on environmental challenges within 180 days.