Land Conveyances & Public Lands Management
These bills involve transferring specific tracts of federal land to state, local, or non-profit entities to facilitate public safety, historic preservation, flood control, or civic development.
H.R. 10159
Purpose: Authorizes the conveyance of federal land at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the State of North Carolina.
Key Provisions:
Allows conveyance of ~20 acres of land without consideration for constructing a veterans' state home.
Requires North Carolina to cover conveyance costs (environmental and administrative due diligence).
Includes a reversionary clause if the land ceases to be used as a state veterans' home.
H.R. 3620
Purpose: Transfers ownership of federal property in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF).
Key Provisions:
Directs HHS to convey a 3.372-acre parcel to SCF via warranty deed within 2 years without monetary consideration.
Ensures SCF is not held liable for pre-existing environmental contamination.
Grants the Secretary necessary easements to manage retained liabilities.
S. 3695
Purpose: Modernizes Forest Service land acquisition authorities under the Santini-Burton Act (P.L. 96-586).
Key Provisions:
Streamlines Forest Service operations for acquiring and managing land in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Formally recognizes the Lake Tahoe Basin as the homeland of the Washoe Tribe.
Authorizes multi-agency partnerships and requires a comprehensive spending plan for environmental thresholds and forest health.
S. 5374
Purpose: Facilitates the conveyance of federal land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Key Provisions:
Allows conveyance of ~15.12 acres within 90 days following a disclaimer of interest by the Secretary of the Interior.
Explicitly excludes land located within the boundaries of the Kootenai Indian Reservation.
Conservation, Wilderness & Environmental Protection
Bills focused on designating wilderness areas, protecting wild and scenic rivers, preserving forest ecosystems, expanding national recreation areas, and managing natural resource extraction.
H.R. 1729 / S. 365
Purpose: Amends the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to expand maintenance access to water infrastructure in Colorado.
Key Provisions:
Grants maintenance eligibility for Bolts Ditch and Bolts Ditch Headgate in the Holy Cross Wilderness to the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, and a Colorado Special District.
H.R. 2317
Purpose: Facilitates land transfers, conservation, and economic development across northern Nevada.
Key Provisions:
Divides federal land governance into 12 distinct titles covering county-level development, fire protection, and flood control (e.g., Douglas, Elko, and Pershing Counties).
Resolves wilderness study areas and addresses state water rights and environmental restoration.
H.R. 7618 / S. 3524
Purpose: Reauthorizes and expands funding for the American Battlefield Protection Program.
Key Provisions:
Extends program grant deadlines out to 2035/2036.
Increases grant caps for Battlefield Interpretation Modernization and Battlefield Restoration to $75 million, authorizing $2 million annually.
Directs studies on sites associated with the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War.
S. 1005
Purpose: The Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, balancing conservation and development in Clark County, Nevada.
Key Provisions:
Transfers land in trust for the Moapa Band of Paiutes and Las Vegas Paiute Tribe (prohibiting gaming).
Adjusts boundaries of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and expands the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Facilitates municipal land conveyances for local public safety and water district projects.
S. 1341
Purpose: The Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act, expanding wilderness protections in Colorado.
Key Provisions:
Adds ~6,817 acres of Routt National Forest land to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness.
Protects tribal treaty rights and ensures continued tribal access for traditional and religious uses.
S. 1349
Purpose: Protects the Ruby Mountains and Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada from mining.
Key Provisions:
Withdraws ~309,272 acres of National Forest land and ~39,926 acres of National Wildlife Refuge land from federal mineral leasing laws.
Preserves all valid existing mineral rights.
S. 1476
Purpose: Designates portions of the Gila River system in New Mexico under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Key Provisions:
Incorporates numerous creeks and river forks (e.g., Apache Creek, Black Canyon Creek, Gila River forks) into the wild and scenic framework.
Reassigns administrative jurisdiction over specific federal lands in New Mexico.
S. 1737
Purpose: The Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, protecting ecosystems in Washington state.
Key Provisions:
Designates ~126,554 acres of Olympic National Forest as 14 new or expanded wilderness areas.
Designates segments of the Elwha and Dungeness Rivers as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
S. 1777
Purpose: Amends the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 to expand Joshua Tree National Park.
Key Provisions:
Expands park boundaries by ~20,149 acres, shifting management from BLM to the National Park Service.
Redesignates the Cottonwood Visitor Center as the "Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center".
S. 1870
Purpose: Expands the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California.
Key Provisions:
Incorporates the Rim of the Valley Corridor into the recreation area.
Directs utility and water resource developments to mitigate impacts on park resources.
S. 3526
Purpose: The Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act.
Key Provisions:
Establishes the 871,414-acre South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area to build wildfire resilience.
Creates the California Public Land Remediation Partnership to target illegal marijuana cultivation damage.
Establishes new wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and national recreation trails (e.g., Bigfoot National Recreation Trail).
S. 3542
Purpose: The Upper Raritan River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025.
Key Provisions:
Directs a 3-year study to assess the Upper Raritan River Watershed in New Jersey for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
S. 4103
Purpose: The Save Our Sequoias Act, addressing high-severity fires and threats to giant sequoias.
Key Provisions:
Codifies the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition and mandates a Health and Resiliency Assessment.
Mandates a shared stewardship agreement between federal agencies, California, and local tribes.
Establishes emergency response teams, restoration grant funds, and reforestation strategies.
S. 4200
Purpose: The Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act in Nevada.
Key Provisions:
Conveys public land to Douglas County and Nevada without consideration.
Transfers cultural lands to be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe.
Establishes the Burbank Canyons Wilderness.
S. 4595
Purpose: Authorizes a wild and scenic river study for the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey.
Key Provisions:
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 3-year study of the Mullica, Wading, and Batsto Rivers to evaluate their eligibility for wild and scenic river status.
S. 462
Purpose: The Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act for Washoe County, Nevada.
Key Provisions:
Conveys federal land to local cities (Reno, Sparks) for public parks and recreation.
Transfers land into trust for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, and Washoe Tribe.
Establishes new wilderness areas and National Conservation Areas.
S. 764
Purpose: The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act (CORE Act).
Key Provisions:
Expands existing wilderness areas in Colorado (Holy Cross, Hoosier Ridge, Tenmile, Eagles Nest).
Designates the Williams Fork Mountains Potential Wilderness and formalizes Curecanti National Recreation Area boundaries.
S. 888
Purpose: Expands wilderness and recreation protections in Oregon.
Key Provisions:
Expands the Wild Rogue Wilderness Area by ~59,512 acres.
Designates the Rogue Canyon and Molalla Recreation Areas while restricting new permanent road construction.
S. 945
Purpose: Expands the Smith River National Recreation Area into Oregon.
Key Provisions:
Incorporates Oregon lands (including Kalmiopsis Wilderness additions) into the recreation area.
Designates the North Fork Smith River as a wild river and establishes streamside protection zones.
Historic Preservation, Parks & Cultural Commemorations
Legislation designating new national parks, historic sites, memorials, and updating national park references or designations.
H.R. 1550
Purpose: The Strengthening America's Turning Point Act.
Key Provisions:
Redesignates Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park.
H.R. 1945
Purpose: Designates America's National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, as a National Historic Landmark.
Key Provisions:
Grants National Historic Landmark status to the museum at Westminster College.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 3-year special resource study to evaluate its potential as a unit of the National Park System.
H.R. 2306
Purpose: Reauthorizes the Adams Memorial Commission.
Key Provisions:
Extends commission authority to 2032 and authorizes $50 million in federal matching funds (1-to-1 non-federal match required).
Updates construction and design standards for commemorative works within designated areas.
H.R. 249
Purpose: Redesignates features within Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in New Jersey.
Key Provisions:
Renames the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and Overlook Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
S. 1088
Purpose: The World War II Women's Memorial Location Act.
Key Provisions:
Authorizes placing a memorial on the National Mall (Area I or The Reserve) to honor women who served on the home front during WWII.
S. 2970
Purpose: Regulates off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.
Key Provisions:
Applies Utah State traffic and vehicle laws to OHV operation on covered roads within the park instead of federal park default rules.
S. 3371
Purpose: Designates the Museum of the Blind People's Movement in Baltimore, Maryland, as a national museum.
Key Provisions:
Formally recognizes the facility at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute as the "National Museum of the Blind People's Movement".
S. 3925
Purpose: Establishes the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park.
Key Provisions:
Creates a new National Park System unit encompassing the Sears Roebuck Complex in Chicago and select historical Rosenwald Schools in MD, SC, and VA.
Establishes an educational network to preserve the legacy of Rosenwald's contributions to African American education.
S. 791
Purpose: Establishes the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site in Baltimore, Maryland.
Key Provisions:
Designates Primary School No. 103 (attended by Thurgood Marshall) as an affiliated area of the National Park System.
Retains local ownership with Beloved Community Services Corporation while allowing National Park Service technical/financial assistance.
Energy, Water Resources, Infrastructure & Supply Chains
Legislation addressing energy grid security, water conservation, geothermal development, weatherization, and public utility rules.
H.R. 331 / S. 1254
Purpose: Clarifies rules governing existing rights-of-way for aquifer recharge projects under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act.
Key Provisions:
Permits right-of-way holders to conduct aquifer recharge operations without seeking new authorizations, provided operations do not expand.
Requires a 30-day prior notice to the BLM and waives additional rent obligations.
H.R. 3638 / S. 3499
Purpose: The Electric Supply Chain Act, focused on securing electricity generation and transmission infrastructure.
Key Provisions:
Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct assessments and submit periodic reports on critical materials, vulnerabilities, foreign reliance, and workforce barriers in the electric supply chain.
H.R. 7257 / S. 4166
Purpose: Enhances physical security, cybersecurity, and grid resilience for local distribution systems.
Key Provisions:
Amends EPCA to require state energy security plans to cover local distribution systems (<100 kV).
Directs states to formulate risk-mitigation strategies covering physical attacks, severe weather, and supply chain disruptions.
H.R. 9340
Purpose: The Ratepayer Protection Act, establishing grid upgrade cost-recovery standards.
Key Provisions:
Mandates that electric utilities recover the full incremental cost of infrastructure upgrades directly from large-load customers (peak demand $\ge$100 MW) rather than passing costs to general ratepayers.
S. 1342 / S. 2570
Purpose: Reauthorizes and updates the Weatherization Assistance Program under the Energy Conservation and Production Act.
Key Provisions:
Reauthorizes funding through 2030 and increases the state average cost-per-unit limit from $6,500 to $15,000.
Creates a Weatherization Readiness Fund ($30M annually) to repair structural dwelling defects prior to weatherization.
S. 1568
Purpose: The Liberating Incandescent Technology Act of 2025 (LIT Act).
Key Provisions:
Repeals specific Department of Energy regulations and updates efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act regarding general service incandescent lamps.
S. 3737
Purpose: The GROW SMART Act, providing water conservation assistance.
Key Provisions:
Authorizes financial/technical support for voluntary water partnership agreements between agricultural entities, municipalities, and conservation groups.
Prioritizes innovative technologies like agrovoltaics, hydroponics, and regenerative practices.
S. 4116 / S. 4406
Purpose: Advances research, development, and commercialization of next-generation geothermal energy systems (Geo POWER Act and Next-Generation Geothermal R&D Act).
Key Provisions:
Establishes milestone-based competitive financing for demonstration projects in low-permeability reservoirs and supercritical conditions.
Focuses R&D on closed-loop and enhanced geothermal systems to lower upfront capital risks.
S. 4312
Purpose: The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2026.
Key Provisions:
Amends NECPA to classify mechanical insulation installations as official energy/water efficiency measures in federal buildings.
S. 4351
Purpose: The Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026, strengthening market enforcement.
Key Provisions:
Authorizes FERC to prohibit or suspend violators of market manipulation provisions from trading electricity products or transmission capacity.
Prohibits submitting false information under the Natural Gas Act and establishes civil penalties.
S. 465
Purpose: The GRID Power Act, reforming the grid interconnection queue process.
Key Provisions:
Directs FERC to revise Large Generator Interconnection Procedures to prioritize dispatchable power projects that enhance grid reliability and resource adequacy.
S. 4846
Purpose: The Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act (TAAP Act).
Key Provisions:
Reauthorizes joint US-Mexico assessment programs for shared border aquifers through 2036 across NM, TX, and AZ.
S. 4870
Purpose: Reauthorizes the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative.
Key Provisions:
Reauthorizes program funding from 2027 through 2031 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Expands data collection to include digital geochemistry, real-time sensing, and integration with the 3D Hydrography Program.
S. 5352
Purpose: Reauthorizes federal water desalination research and infrastructure programs for 15 years.
Key Provisions:
Reauthorizes programs under the Water Desalination Act of 1996; sets a 25% federal cost-share cap on eligible desalination construction projects and authorizes pilot R&D grants.
S. 5360
Purpose: Reauthorizes the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program.
Key Provisions:
Authorizes $250 million (FY 2027–2031) for cyber threat information sharing and deployment of defense tools for rural electric co-ops and municipal utilities.
Native American & Tribal Affairs
Legislation focused on expanding tribal land trust holdings, economic autonomy, self-governance, and jurisdiction.
S. 1574
Purpose: Amends the Stored Communications Act to grant tribal courts search warrant authority.
Key Provisions:
Equates tribal courts (issuing warrants under Indian Civil Rights Act procedures) with state courts for compelling electronic communication record disclosures.
S. 3383
Purpose: The Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025.
Key Provisions:
Modernizes Indian land leasing laws, allowing tribes to grant rights-of-way and lease trust lands without requiring individual approval steps from the Secretary of the Interior.
Social Welfare, Agriculture, Health & Education
Legislation targeting public safety net eligibility rules, child nutrition, higher education pipelines, and agency terminology.
H.R. 5284
Purpose: The Claiming Age Clarity Act, updating Social Security Administration terminology.
Key Provisions:
Replaces "early eligibility age" with "minimum monthly benefit age".
Replaces "full/normal retirement age" with "standard monthly benefit age".
Replaces "delayed retirement credit" with "maximum monthly benefit age".
S. 5184
Purpose: The Feeding Our Rural Kids Act of 2026 (FORK Act).
Key Provisions:
Establishes a $1 million/year pilot program providing grants (up to $100,000) for rural communities to purchase or retrofit vehicles to deliver non-congregate summer meals to needy children.
S. 5186
Purpose: The Allowing Steady Savings by Eliminating Tests Act (ASSET Act).
Key Provisions:
Eliminates asset/resource limits for low-income beneficiaries participating in means-tested assistance programs, including TANF and SNAP.
S. 5187
Purpose: The Promoting High-skilled Doctoral Talent Act of 2026 (PHD Talent Act).
Key Provisions:
Establishes a 5-year Department of Energy pilot grant program to support domestic STEM doctoral students through accelerated degree pathways, industry partnerships, and National Lab rotations in critical fields (AI, quantum, clean energy).
Public Safety, Emergency Response & Military/Veterans
Bills addressing disaster mitigation, wildland fire management, law enforcement oversight, and recognition of military personnel.
H.R. 5729
Purpose: The North Rim Restoration Act of 2025, granting emergency recovery flexibilities to the National Park Service.
Key Provisions:
Authorizes emergency procurement authorities for 5 years to clear, rebuild, and restore Grand Canyon National Park areas damaged by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
S. 5045
Purpose: The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026, streamlining air quality reporting for prescribed burns.
Key Provisions:
Directs the EPA to simplify "exceptional event" filing procedures for states and tribes using prescribed fires or cultural burns.
Authorizes competitive grants under the Smoke Ready Communities Program to protect buildings from smoke hazards.
SRES 662
Purpose: Honors the memory of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Nicholas Douglas Quets.
Key Provisions:
Expresses condolences to the veteran's family following his death from cartel violence in Mexico.
Condemns the Sinaloa Cartel and reasserts U.S. commitments to combat transnational criminal networks.
SRES 922
Purpose: Designates October 26, 2026, as the "Day of the Deployed".
Key Provisions:
Honors deployed members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families and encourages national recognition.
Foreign Relations, Civil Rights & Immigration
Bills targeting international human rights reporting, foreign consular access, civil rights, and immigration protections.
H.R. 1744
Purpose: Reauthorizes the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Key Provisions:
Extends annual appropriations and reporting deadlines for USCIRF through FY 2028.
SRES 852
Purpose: Requests a formal State Department report on human rights practices in Israel and the West Bank.
Key Provisions:
Cites deaths of U.S. citizens (e.g., Shireen Abu Akleh, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi) and requests an unclassified investigation into human rights accountability and detainee treatment.
S. 5131
Purpose: The CORE Pacific Act, evaluating consular access expansion in the Pacific.
Key Provisions:
Mandates a State Department feasibility study on attaching consular officers to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels deployed to Pacific Island nations.
S. 5138
Purpose: The Fairness for Immigrant Families Act of 2026.
Key Provisions:
Eliminates 3-year and 10-year reentry bars for certain long-term undocumented residents.
Provides removal relief for crime victims/asylum seekers and establishes consumer protections against immigration consulting fraud.
Ethics, Governance, Financial Regulation & Commerce
Legislation regulating financial markets, congressional ethics, federal accountability, and agency operations.
H.R. 1190
Purpose: Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to expand capital access for rural small businesses.
Key Provisions:
Includes rural-area small businesses alongside women-owned small businesses within SEC small business development capital access initiatives.
H.R. 7008
Purpose: Restricts financial investments made by Members of Congress, spouses, and dependent children.
Key Provisions:
Bars purchase of publicly traded stock and mandates a 7-to-14-day advance notice filing prior to selling existing assets.
Imposes financial penalties ($2,000 or 10% of transaction value) for violations.
S. 4005
Purpose: Amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978.
Key Provisions:
Extends operational authorization for a radioactive disposal site in Mesa County, Colorado, until filled to capacity.
S. 4023
Purpose: The America's Living Library Project Act.
Key Provisions:
Establishes a pilot program managed by the Department of the Interior to systematically collect, store, and publish genomic data of species across National Park units.
S. 5140
Purpose: The Digital Equities and No Automatic Disqualifications Act.
Key Provisions:
Prohibits automatic statutory disqualifications from taking effect against corporate entities under CFTC/SEC jurisdiction without formal agency determinations and joint rulemaking.
S. 5144
Purpose: Eliminates IRS installment agreement fees for low-income taxpayers.
Key Provisions:
Waives installment setup fees for individuals with adjusted gross incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty line.
S. 5163
Purpose: The No Bonuses for Bad Service Act.
Key Provisions:
Bars executive performance bonuses for the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General if USPS fails to achieve a 95% on-time delivery rate across market-dominant products.
S. 5183
Purpose: Establishes an independent Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Key Provisions:
Creates an executive agency empowered to investigate ethics, campaign finance, and civil service violations.
Establishes a private right of action enabling citizens to sue over corrupt practices.
S. 5185
Purpose: The Audit the Pentagon Act.
Key Provisions:
Mandates a 2.0% pro-rata budget reduction for the Department of Defense if it fails to achieve an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements.
Commemorative Resolutions & Awareness Months
Senate resolutions designating specific periods or observances to build public awareness.
SRES 926
Purpose: Designates September 2026 as "National Literacy Month".
Key Provisions:
Calls upon governments, schools, and civic organizations to host literacy programs and address reading achievement disparities.
SRES 927
Purpose: Designates the week of October 18, 2026, as "National Character Counts Week".
Key Provisions:
Promotes character education initiatives focusing on trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship among youth.