Environment

in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2026

HR 9497: Water Resources Development Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve rivers, harbors, and water resources across the United States while establishing new administrative offices to better manage inland navigation, water supply, and community outreach. It introduces specific mechanisms such as creating a new board for levee owners to advise on flood safety, allowing for categorical permissions to streamline certain environmental reviews, and mandating a prohibition on diverting water from the Missouri River without approval from all relevant state governors. The legislation also authorizes numerous specific projects for flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and water supply in locations ranging from Alaska to Texas, while simultaneously deauthorizing or modifying older projects that are no longer needed or require changes to better align with current environmental and safety standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes water resource management, flood safety improvements, and aquatic ecology protection via the Army Corps of Engineers.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HRES 1524: Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as "National Estuaries Week".

This House resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week to raise public awareness about the importance of these coastal ecosystems. The bill highlights that estuaries support a significant portion of the U.S. population and economy while providing critical services such as flood control, water filtration, and habitat for fish and wildlife. It acknowledges ongoing threats to estuary health, including pollution and sea level changes, and recognizes the efforts of government agencies, organizations, and individuals working to protect and restore these areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill designates National Estuaries Week to raise awareness about coastal ecosystems, highlighting their role in water filtration and habitat protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10061: Wildfire Response and Readiness Act

The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act establishes a national prescribed fire program that requires federal agencies to increase the acreage of controlled burns on public lands by 10 percent annually for a decade. It creates a ten-year national wildfire plan to coordinate landscape-scale forest restoration, reforestation, and watershed protection efforts across federal, state, tribal, and private boundaries. The bill also authorizes new funding for community resilience, including grants for home hardening, satellite monitoring technology, and a joint office dedicated to fire environment data and prediction. Additionally, it modernizes the firefighting workforce by establishing training academies, expanding civilian conservation centers, and providing liability protections for non-federal partners conducting prescribed fires.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates increased prescribed burns, forest restoration, reforestation, and watershed protection to enhance environmental resilience.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2026

HR 10255: Penalties for Polluters Act

The Penalties for Polluters Act significantly increases the maximum civil penalties for violations of federal mineral leasing, oil and gas royalty management, and offshore lands laws to better account for inflation. These higher fines apply to companies and individuals who fail to comply with regulations regarding natural resource extraction and environmental protection. The bill also establishes a Penalty Revenue Reinvestment Fund that collects the additional revenue generated by these increased penalties. Half of this fund is distributed to states, Indian tribes, and local governments harmed by violations, while the other half supports federal agencies in enforcing compliance and safety standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for violations of environmental protection and natural resource laws to enforce compliance.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9959: Green New Deal for Public Schools Act

The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act directs over $700 billion in federal funding to public schools, prioritizing those serving the most vulnerable communities based on CDC social vulnerability rankings. The legislation establishes a new Office of Sustainable Schools and authorizes grants for "healthy green retrofits" that convert school buildings into zero-carbon facilities with clean air, water, and energy systems, while also providing funds to hire additional educators, mental health professionals, and support staff. Additionally, the bill mandates increased federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and creates a climate resiliency program that allows schools to function as community centers during natural disasters. All grant recipients must adhere to strict labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, Buy American provisions, and local hiring goals that prioritize residents of the surrounding community.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs $700B to public schools for green retrofits and hiring educators, explicitly advancing funding and infrastructure.100% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds zero-carbon retrofits and clean energy systems in schools, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and efficiency.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds zero-carbon retrofits and clean energy systems in schools, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds healthy green retrofits for clean air/water and explicitly allocates resources to hire mental health professionals in schools.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Air Quality Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Sep 1, 2026

HR 10209: GREEN Hospitals Act

The GREEN Hospitals Act authorizes $100 billion in Hill-Burton grants for hospitals and other medical facilities to upgrade their infrastructure for climate resilience and emissions reduction. It also establishes a separate $5 billion Planning and Evaluation Grant Program that provides up to $500,000 per project to help states, tribes, and nonprofits develop sustainability plans before construction begins. To receive funding, applicants must demonstrate labor protections, including collective bargaining agreements or non-interference policies, and certify they do not impose training repayment debts on employees. The bill prioritizes projects in environmental justice communities and those serving high numbers of Medicare and Medicaid patients, requiring that at least half of the planning grant funds be directed to these areas.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds hospital infrastructure upgrades specifically for emissions reduction and climate resilience, directly advancing energy efficiency and clean energy goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds hospital upgrades specifically for climate resilience and emissions reduction, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides $100B in grants to hospitals and medical facilities for infrastructure upgrades, directly funding and strengthening healthcare institutions.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires applicants to demonstrate labor protections and collective bargaining as a condition for receiving federal infrastructure grants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice Hospitals Medicaid Medicare Collective Bargaining

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in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10063: Green New Deal for Public Housing Act

The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing agencies and tribal entities for the comprehensive rehabilitation, energy upgrades, and modernization of public housing stock. These funds are intended to transform properties into zero-carbon homes by installing renewable energy systems, electrifying appliances, and repairing infrastructure, while also establishing workforce development programs that offer training, apprenticeships, and stipends to residents and local low-income workers. The bill mandates strict labor standards, including prevailing wages and the use of U.S.-made materials, and requires agencies to maintain or increase the total number of public housing units while prioritizing resident participation through elected councils and community engagement processes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyThe bill explicitly funds energy upgrades, renewable energy systems, and electrification to create zero-carbon homes, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill explicitly funds energy upgrades and renewable systems to transform public housing into zero-carbon homes, directly advancing climate change mitigation and clean energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill directs HUD to provide grants for the rehabilitation and modernization of public housing stock, directly funding and strengthening affordable housing infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill explicitly establishes workforce development programs and training, directly advancing employment standards and worker skills in the green energy sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Community Development Property Development Labor Standards Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5273: Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026

The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to integrate environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling into federal fishery stock assessments through a multi-year pilot study and subsequent implementation plan. To support this transition, the bill establishes the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network, a multi-agency body tasked with developing national standards for eDNA collection, analysis, and data sharing across various aquatic environments. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding to expand NOAA’s workforce and laboratory capabilities, encourages partnerships with private-sector technology developers, and amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act to formally incorporate eDNA methods into fisheries management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill strengthens environmental protection by modernizing fishery science with eDNA sampling to improve stock assessments and conservation data accuracy.92% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9827: Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026

The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 updates the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of renewable biomass eligible for carbon credits. It specifically allows materials from forest management, such as slash, storm debris, and wood residuals, to be counted as renewable fuel if they come from sustainably managed lands or public forests designated for fuel reduction. The bill also includes vegetation cleared from defensible space around buildings and from wildfire risk reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface. By clarifying these categories and establishing certification requirements, the legislation aims to increase the supply of biomass available for generating renewable energy credits.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands renewable biomass eligibility for carbon credits using sustainably managed forest materials, directly advancing renewable energy and clean energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands renewable biomass definitions to include wildfire reduction materials, promoting carbon credits and forest management to reduce emissions and protect natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Air Quality Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jul 9, 2026

HR 9637: Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026

The Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026 allows specific federally recognized Indian Tribes with ancestral ties to the Columbia River to intentionally kill certain sea lions in the river. This change removes federal limits on how many California and Steller sea lions these tribes can take and when they can do so, while requiring that the killings be done humanely using methods chosen by the tribe. The law applies to the mainstem and tributaries of the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon from River Mile 0 to the McNary Dam. By designating specific individuals to carry out the task, the bill aims to support tribal rights under existing treaties without restricting other legal authorities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes federal limits on sea lion killings, weakening protections for a protected species and increasing potential harm to marine ecosystems.85% confidence

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