Natural Resources, Water, and Public Lands
Bills in this category focus on water rights, tribal land trusts, federal land transfers, resource mapping, and environmental management.
H.R. 10136 (Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026)
Purpose: Transfers federal forest lands to Arkansas for sustainable management, research, and education.
Key Provisions: Requires Arkansas to submit a written request within 180 days; conveys the land without compensation via quitclaim deed; designates it as "Crossett State Forest" for research/education with the University of Arkansas; includes a reversion clause and NEPA exemption.
H.R. 10306 (Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025)
Purpose: Fixes a technical issue in a water rights settlement agreement.
Key Provisions: Authorizes the payment of $5,124,902.12 to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to be deposited into the Development Fund to address adjusted interest.
H.R. 4598 (Technical Corrections to Native American Water Trust Funds)
Purpose: Corrects technical issues in trust fund management to support water infrastructure for Native American communities.
Key Provisions: Authorizes specific adjusted interest payments for the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Trust Fund, Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund, and Aamodt Settlement Pueblos' Fund.
H.R. 7254 (Bay Area Ridge National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act)
Purpose: Evaluates the potential of the Bay Area Ridge Trail to become a national scenic trail.
Key Provisions: Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study within one year in consultation with stakeholders and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council.
H.R. 7954 (Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act)
Purpose: Supports Tribal governments in managing buffalo populations, habitats, and cultural reestablishment.
Key Provisions: Establishes coordination and capacity-building programs, authorizes grants and technical assistance, enables surplus buffalo transfers, protects confidential Tribal information, and preserves treaty rights (with a 7-year sunset clause).
H.R. 8195 (Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act)
Purpose: Balances double-crested cormorant population control with environmental and human safety interests.
Key Provisions: Mandates regional management frameworks with Regional Flyway Councils within 180 days; outlines allowed methods, times, and authorized entities for take; requires 5-year population surveys and framework updates.
H.R. 8483 (Barona Land Transfer Act)
Purpose: Expands reservation lands for the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians.
Key Provisions: Transfers specific parcels into trust for the Tribe, maintains public recreational access and emergency/wildfire access, restricts Class II and III gaming, and preserves existing water rights.
H.R. 9640 (Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026)
Purpose: Reauthorizes and expands the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI).
Key Provisions: Broadens data scope to include geophysical mapping, digital geochemistry, and the 3D Hydrography Program; reauthorizes funding through FY 2027–2031 at $84 million annually.
H.R. 9785 (South Dakota Water Feasibility Studies Act)
Purpose: Evaluates infrastructure viability to improve water access in the Missouri River basin.
Key Provisions: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies for three water supply projects with up to a 50% federal cost share; requires a feasibility report within 10 years.
Workforce, Technology, and Economic Policy
Bills addressing workforce data infrastructure, merchant mariner training, and economic stability regarding emerging technologies.
H. Res. 1642 (Refusing Bailouts for AI-Related Market Risks)
Purpose: Urges Congress to reject federal bailouts and regulatory relief for insolvent AI companies or financial institutions.
Key Provisions: Opposes special federal aid for reckless AI firms; highlights macroeconomic risks of inflated AI valuations and massive debt; calls for executive legal accountability and restitution; prioritizes workers, consumers, and market competition.
H.R. 3331 (Mariner Exam Modernization Act)
Purpose: Modernizes and improves the efficiency of merchant mariner credentialing exams.
Key Provisions: Establishes a merchant mariner credential examination working group; extends review timelines to 180–270 days; requires a modernization plan to eliminate outdated topics; mandates a congressional briefing within 1 year.
H.R. 8183 (The MATCH Act)
Purpose: Amends WIOA to establish data-driven talent marketplaces connecting individuals with employment and learning opportunities.
Key Provisions: Adds definitions for talent marketplaces, credential registries, and learning/employment records; allocates 5–10% of WIOA funds for a Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant program supporting interoperable data infrastructure and privacy standards.
Cultural Heritage, Commemorations, and Historical Preservation
Measures recognizing historical figures, military service, cultural networks, and national awareness months.
H. Res. 1643 (Honoring Hispanic and Latino Servicemembers)
Purpose: Honors the historical and ongoing contributions of Hispanic and Latino servicemembers to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Key Provisions: Acknowledges high representation on active duty and in reserves alongside disproportionately low representation in general/flag officer ranks; calls for addressing barriers to advancement and ensuring equitable leadership opportunities.
H. Res. 1644 (National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Designation)
Purpose: Designates October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to combat domestic violence through education and support.
Key Provisions: Highlights national prevalence, severe economic/physical consequences, and systemic hurdles for survivors; urges preventative education in schools and sustained support for shelters and victim services.
H. Res. 1645 (Designating "Oxi Day")
Purpose: Designates October 28 as "Oxi Day" to commemorate Greek resistance against Axis forces during WWII.
Key Provisions: Commemorates Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas' defiance in 1940; highlights Greece's strategic impact on delaying Nazi invasions; underscores the ongoing U.S.-Greece democratic alliance.
H.R. 9269 (Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act)
Purpose: Extends the operational authorization of the African American Civil Rights Network.
Key Provisions: Amends Title 54 to change the network's expiration date from 7 years to 10 years post-enactment, supporting ongoing civil rights preservation.
H.R. 9600 (Common Sense 250 Act of 2026)
Purpose: Authorizes a commemorative work honoring Founding Father Thomas Paine.
Key Provisions: Overrides standard Commemorative Works Act procedural requirements to approve the memorial's placement within Area I of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
S. 675 (Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Museum Artifacts Act)
Purpose: Supports the establishment and operation of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
Key Provisions: Authorizes up to $50 million in federal grants (contingent on a $100 million non-federal matching requirement); permits federal agencies to loan historical artifacts without monetary exchange; maintains non-federal operational independence.