The FLOOD Act amends the Food Security Act to incorporate specific emergency watershed protection measures from the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. This change directly affects farmers and agricultural operations by integrating existing disaster response protocols into the broader food security framework. The bill does not create new programs but rather expands the scope of current emergency measures to include watershed protection. By linking these two statutes, the legislation ensures that watershed safeguards are formally recognized as part of the emergency response options available to the agricultural sector.
The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to officially recognize prescribed fires and cultural burning as "exceptional events," meaning air quality issues caused by these deliberate, managed burns will no longer be counted as violations of pollution standards. The bill requires the EPA to update its regulations within a year to clarify how these fires are defined and to streamline the process for states to petition for exemptions when wildfires or prescribed fires impact air quality. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new "Smoke Ready Communities" grant program that provides up to 90 percent federal funding to states, tribes, and local entities to help communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire smoke hazards in public buildings like schools.
The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct numerous feasibility studies and modify existing projects focused on flood risk management, coastal storm protection, navigation improvements, and ecosystem restoration across the United States. It establishes new grant programs and funding authorizations for the Environmental Protection Agency to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including specific provisions for small and disadvantaged communities, lead reduction, and cybersecurity resilience. The legislation also directs the EPA to create initiatives for water sector cybersecurity, combats plastic waste, and updates regulations regarding nonpotable aquifer use for industrial wells.
The Methane Removal Research and Innovation Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to create a research initiative aimed at developing methods to remove methane from the atmosphere. This program will fund multidisciplinary teams to study various scientific approaches, including biological methods, chemical reactors, and new materials, while also assessing costs and social barriers. The initiative is authorized to receive $25 million annually from 2027 to 2031 and requires the Secretary of Energy to report progress and scientific findings to Congress every three years.
This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.
The GROUSE Act of 2026 establishes a new federal program to financially support private landowners in restoring habitats for upland wildlife species. Under this initiative, eligible landowners can receive payments covering 75 percent of the costs associated with planting native trees, shrubs, and other vegetation on forest land that has been recently logged or affected by natural disasters. To qualify, the land must be at least 10 acres, and payments are limited to the lesser of 5 percent of the total eligible land or 250 acres per owner. Contracts for these restoration activities will last up to five years and require a habitat plan developed with the help of wildlife experts or foresters.
This Senate resolution designates May 16, 2026, as "Kids to Parks Day" to encourage families to visit national, state, and local parks. The bill aims to promote outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and healthy lifestyles for young people across rural, suburban, and urban communities. By officially recognizing this date, the Senate encourages Americans to take part in safe, active family trips to public lands.
This bill extends the tax credit period for producing refined coal, which is used as fuel in the steel industry. It directly affects companies that manufacture refined coal and sell it to steel producers. The key change allows these companies to claim a tax credit for coal produced and sold after December 31, 2025, instead of the previous 10-year limit from when the facility started operating. The credit can now be claimed for production before January 1, 2033, and during the taxable year in which the coal is sold.
This joint resolution eliminates new, more stringent energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. Under the joint resolution, such equipment is no longer required to comply with the new standards. Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers and published by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy on January 21, 2025. Under the rule, the office adopted new energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. The rule required the equipment to comply with the those standards by January 22, 2029.
This bill (SJRES 55) is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA rule, published in January 2025, established safety standards for hydrogen fuel systems in vehicles. The resolution aims to nullify this rule through a formal disapproval process under federal law, meaning the safety standards would not take effect. This directly affects hydrogen vehicle manufacturers and dealers who would have been required to comply with the NHTSA rule.
