Environment

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1376: Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study for designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail. The 287-mile trail, which runs through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina across federal lands and protected areas, directly affects the communities along its route and the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, assessing factors like the trail's current maintenance (95% on federal land, managed since 1980 by a nonprofit) and its economic benefits to rural areas. It does not designate the trail as a National Scenic Trail, only authorizes a study to determine if that step is appropriate.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a National Scenic Trail, which protects natural resources, promotes conservation, and preserves environmental areas through federal designation and maintenance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 3, 2025

S 3320: Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2025

This bill prohibits U.S. federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to purchase solar panels manufactured or assembled by entities linked to China’s government (defined as Chinese-owned or controlled by China’s government or Communist Party). It requires agencies to stop all such procurement within 180 days of enactment, including via contracts, grants, or government purchase cards. Agencies may request waivers only if they prove no other viable source exists and the State and Homeland Security Secretaries jointly approve, with quarterly congressional reports on all waiver requests. The bill also mandates a study on domestic solar production capacity and a report on federal solar panel purchases from covered entities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts solar panel procurement from Chinese manufacturers, potentially limiting clean energy deployment and environmental progress by prioritizing trade restrictions over renewable energy adoption.75% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 3, 2026

HR 7947: Agricultural Management Assistance Act of 2026

This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand education and risk management assistance for agricultural producers, crop insurance providers, and other stakeholders. It requires the USDA to offer language translation services and update training programs to include diverse conservation practices like soil health improvements, sustainable water management, and agroforestry systems. The legislation increases funding limits, allowing producers to receive up to $200,000 over five years for these activities, while also authorizing $20 million annually in new appropriations. Additionally, it clarifies that payments for these programs do not count toward existing federal fund limits, ensuring producers can access multiple sources of support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding limits for agricultural risk management and education programs, directly supporting fiscal allocation for essential services.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates USDA to include diverse conservation practices like soil health, sustainable water management, and agroforestry in training programs, directly advancing environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SRES 645: A resolution recognizing 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists".

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, acknowledging the ecological and economic importance of these lands to the United States. The bill highlights that rangelands cover a significant portion of U.S. territory and support domestic production of food, fiber, and energy while providing critical ecosystem services like carbon storage and wildfire risk reduction. It encourages federal agencies, universities, and organizations to engage in education, research, and outreach activities related to sustainable rangeland management during the designated year. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves to raise awareness and promote collaboration among stakeholders involved in rangeland stewardship.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill recognizes rangelands for supporting domestic energy production and ecosystem services like carbon storage, indicating positive stance on energy infrastructure.65% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes ecological importance of rangelands, highlighting carbon storage and wildfire risk reduction as ecosystem services, promoting conservation awareness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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passed · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SRES 647: A resolution designating March 21, 2026, as "National Osceola Turkey Day".

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Osceola Turkey Day" to recognize the cultural and economic significance of wild turkey hunting in the United States. The bill highlights the role of turkey hunting in conservation efforts, particularly in Florida, where revenue from hunting permits supports habitat management through the Wild Turkey Cost Share Program. It notes that the Osceola subspecies is unique to peninsular Florida and is one of five wild turkey subspecies in North America. The resolution encourages Americans to observe the day with ceremonies and activities celebrating turkey hunting traditions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill highlights hunting revenue supporting habitat management and conservation efforts for wild turkeys, indicating environmental protection benefits.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2025

HR 3742: Offshore Energy Modernization Act of 2025

The Offshore Energy Modernization Act of 2025 sets national offshore wind energy production goals of 30 gigawatts by 2030 and 50 gigawatts by 2035, creating a framework for developing offshore renewable energy projects on the outer Continental Shelf. Key provisions require offshore wind developers to meet domestic content requirements (65% U.S.-made components by 2033), establish project labor agreements for construction, and contribute to an Offshore Renewable Energy Compensation Fund that provides payments to affected communities like commercial fishing interests and Tribal groups. The bill establishes an Offshore Power Administration within the Department of Energy to coordinate transmission infrastructure development and requires more efficient environmental reviews while ensuring meaningful Tribal consultation for projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergySets offshore wind production goals, mandates domestic content, and funds renewable infrastructure development, advancing renewable energy expansion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSets binding offshore wind energy targets (30GW by 2030) and promotes renewable energy development, directly advancing clean energy goals per environmental protection indicators.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates project labor agreements for offshore wind construction, which supports collective bargaining and worker standards in the energy sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Transmission Wind

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2633: Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act

This bill prevents the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from implementing layoffs until full funding for its 2026 budget is secured. It bans reductions in force under specific federal personnel rules until Congress enacts the full fiscal year 2026 appropriations. The law directly affects all NOAA employees covered by those federal personnel provisions. The key mechanism is a mandatory funding deadline (2026 budget enactment) that triggers the layoff moratorium, ensuring workforce stability during budget negotiations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates full 2026 budget enactment to prevent NOAA layoffs, ensuring continued funding for essential agency operations per fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents NOAA layoffs until full 2026 funding, ensuring continued environmental protection work. NOAA's mission is core to environmental protection, so this supports the topic.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents NOAA layoffs until 2026 budget secured, directly protecting federal workers' job security under personnel rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1545: Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

This bill requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that repeatedly experience severe flooding to develop and implement flood mitigation plans. Specifically, it targets communities with at least 50 properties having multiple flood insurance claims totaling over $1,000 each in a 10-year period, or those with unmitigated severe flood damage to public/private facilities. Communities must assess flood risks, create community-specific plans for reducing those risks, and submit them to FEMA for review, with public access to these plans. Failure to comply may result in sanctions, including suspension from the flood insurance program, while FEMA must provide data assistance and consider compliance when distributing mitigation grants.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires flood mitigation plans for recurring flood zones, advancing environmental protection against climate-related risks.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes flood mitigation plans to protect housing from damage, indirectly supporting housing stability and property rights.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2025

HR 1264: USA Batteries Act

The USA Batteries Act (HR 1264) eliminates federal excise taxes on lead oxide, antimony, and sulfuric acid - key chemicals used in domestic lead battery manufacturing. This change directly affects U.S. battery manufacturers, particularly those producing lead-acid batteries, by removing a tax burden not applied to imported batteries. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to strike these chemicals from the Superfund tax table, aiming to reduce production costs for American manufacturers. This policy shift targets a specific tax provision to improve competitiveness in the domestic lead battery industry.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates excise taxes on domestic battery manufacturing inputs, providing direct tax relief to U.S. manufacturers per bill's explicit tax removal language.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves lead battery chemicals from Superfund tax table, reducing funding for environmental cleanup and weakening regulatory burden on manufacturers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hazardous Materials

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1464: Buffalo Tract Protection Act

S 1464, the Buffalo Tract Protection Act, withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in New Mexico (described as Tracts A-D on a 2019 map) from mining claims, mineral leasing, and other disposal under federal law. This directly affects the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which administers the land, by prohibiting new mineral development on the surface. The bill allows the surface estate to be conveyed (sold or transferred) under existing laws like the Federal Land Policy Act, but requires the federal government to retain all mineral rights permanently.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits new mineral development on federal land, restricting potential energy production from mining and leasing activities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 4,288 acres from mining/mineral leasing, prohibiting new development to protect natural resources and prevent environmental damage from extraction activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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