Legislative Activity

The Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act of 2026 amends the Endangered Species Act to grant specific consultation rights to contractors of federal water projects. This ensures that entities with Bureau of Reclamation contracts receive routine opportunities to discuss, submit information, and review assessments related to project operations affecting water delivery. The bill mandates increased engagement regarding biological assessments and opinions, especially when water deliveries might be reduced.

The Bonneville Power Leadership Recruitment Act modernizes the compensation structure for the Bonneville Power Administrator and agency employees. It requires the Secretary of Energy to set pay rates comparable to those of similar positions at consumer-owned utilities in the Western Interconnection. This initiative aims to ensure the agency remains competitive in recruiting and retaining the high-level talent necessary to fulfill its mission.

The National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act of 2026 exempts FEMA’s flood insurance program activities from Endangered Species Act review requirements and mandates the withdrawal of existing related biological opinions. Additionally, the bill narrows the scope of land management criteria to focus exclusively on the protection of property and human health.

The O&C Renewal Act of 2026 reaffirms permanent timber production as the primary purpose of O&C lands, managed for sustained yield to support county services. The bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior revise resource management plans within two years to reflect this priority. It also requires the Secretary to enhance fire protection on these timberlands to meet or exceed Oregon state standards.

The Oregon Owyhee Wilderness and Community Protection Act designates nearly one million acres of federal land in Malheur County as new wilderness areas and two Special Management Areas. The bill also establishes a Malheur County Grazing Management Program to provide operational flexibility for ranchers while maintaining resource objectives. Furthermore, it facilitates land transfers to the Burns Paiute Tribe and protects existing uses like grazing and fire suppression across the region's federal lands.

This Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a cooperative agreement with the City of The Dalles, Oregon, for watershed restoration work on National Forest System land. It also establishes a process for the City to acquire approximately 150 acres of National Forest System land for use related to its municipal water supply. The agreement includes funding authorization, and the land transfer requires the City to cover all administrative costs.

The Safe Social Media Act mandates that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, conduct a comprehensive study on the social media usage habits and associated mental health effects among individuals under 17. This study must detail the personal information collected by platforms, how algorithms use that data, and the impact of targeted advertising. The FTC is required to submit a final report to Congress, including any recommended policy changes, within three years of the Act's enactment.

The Pacific Northwest Gray Wolves Relief Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the final rule removing the gray wolf from the endangered and threatened species list. This delisting specifically applies only to gray wolf populations located within the states of Oregon and Washington.

The Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2025 mandates the creation of standardized, easy-to-read, one-page printed information accompanying all non-hospital prescriptions. This information must clearly detail essential safety warnings, usage instructions, and side effects in plain language, ensuring patients receive vital medication data regardless of electronic access. Failure to provide this required printed material will result in the drug being deemed "misbranded" under federal law. This aims to reduce adverse drug events and lower healthcare costs through improved patient understanding.

The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 authorizes and sets minimum standards for notary publics to perform electronic and remote notarizations for transactions affecting interstate commerce. It requires recognition of notarizations across state lines and in federal courts, while also allowing states to set their own standards and requirements under certain conditions. The Act does not mandate notaries to perform electronic or remote notarizations and includes provisions to protect against fraud and false advertising.

The Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act expedites the deployment of communications infrastructure in areas affected by wildfires by exempting certain projects from environmental and historical preservation reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act. This exemption applies to projects within declared disaster areas that replace or improve communications facilities within five years of a wildfire disaster declaration. The goal is to rapidly restore and enhance communication capabilities to aid recovery and prevent future emergencies in wildfire-affected regions.