Legislative Activity

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a Bureau of Land Management rule that withdrew federal lands in specific Minnesota counties under Public Land Order No. 7917. By disapproving the rule, Congress renders it legally void.

The Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act of 2026 (HEATS Act) streamlines geothermal energy development by eliminating the federal drilling permit requirement for activities on non-federal surface land when the U.S. ownership interest in the subsurface is less than 50%. This change exempts qualifying projects from major federal reviews under NEPA and the Endangered Species Act, allowing operations to commence shortly after state permit submission. The Act maintains federal oversight regarding royalty collection and excludes all activities on Indian lands.

The Biological Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2025 aims to safeguard sensitive U.S. biotechnology by controlling the export of synthetic DNA and RNA sequences. This bill establishes a license requirement for transferring these digital sequences to foreign entities of concern, particularly those linked to adversaries like the People's Republic of China. Congress finds this action necessary to prevent intellectual property theft that supports foreign military modernization and strategic technology development.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act of 2025) establishes a public "black list" of foreign vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing or forced labor, banning them from U.S. ports and commerce. The bill mandates increased interagency cooperation to combat IUU fishing, including developing strategies to optimize data sharing and prevent seafood caught illegally or with forced labor from entering U.S. markets. Furthermore, it authorizes the Treasury Secretary to impose sanctions on entities engaged in these illicit activities and encourages international agreements to strengthen global enforcement.

The "Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act" repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, eliminating the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It also makes necessary technical adjustments to Title 31 of the United States Code, specifically sections related to financial recordkeeping and reporting of currency and foreign transactions, to reflect the repeal.

The CLEAN Act aims to expedite geothermal energy development by requiring the Department of Interior to hold replacement lease sales if scheduled ones are canceled, offer all eligible nominated parcels for geothermal development, and make timely decisions on geothermal drilling permit applications.

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 mandates significant safety upgrades across both civilian and military aviation to prevent midair collisions. It requires the FAA to implement advanced collision avoidance systems and new air traffic controller training, while also compelling the Department of Defense to equip most military helicopters with transponders for increased visibility. The bill establishes new transparency measures, including public tracking of safety rule implementation and enhanced reporting on near-miss incidents, particularly around major airports like Reagan National.

This bill amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to increase government transparency. It mandates that information regarding federal awards be published online within three days of issuance, significantly accelerating the current 30-day reporting requirement to provide the public with near real-time access.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act establishes a Department of the Interior program to support Indian Tribes in the restoration, management, and protection of buffalo herds on Tribal lands. Through grants, technical assistance, and the transfer of surplus buffalo from federal lands, the Act empowers Tribes to enhance their cultural, spiritual, and economic connections to the species. The program prioritizes the integration of traditional ecological knowledge while ensuring the protection of culturally sensitive information.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating its governing structure and expanding the scope of its oceanographic research and data-sharing capabilities. It also mandates improved collaboration between regional and federal observing systems to enhance data integration. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $47.5 million in annual funding for these initiatives from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Geothermal Royalty Reform Act amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to clarify how royalties are calculated for electricity generated from geothermal resources. This legislation refines existing language to ensure that minimum royalty payments and royalty rates are explicitly tied to each individual electric generating facility utilizing the steam. The goal is to provide clearer statutory language regarding financial obligations for geothermal power production.

The GEO Act aims to expedite geothermal energy development by requiring the Secretary to decide on geothermal drilling applications within 60 days of meeting federal requirements, even if there's a pending lawsuit. This applies to geothermal drilling permits, rights-of-way, and other necessary authorizations, unless a court intervenes. The Act does not alter the power of Federal courts to provide injunctive relief for a geothermal lease, drilling permit, or other authorization.

The Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act aims to accelerate geothermal energy development on federal lands. It streamlines environmental reviews for specific, small-scale geothermal exploration projects by exempting them from standard "major Federal action" requirements under NEPA. Furthermore, the bill mandates the designation of "geothermal leasing priority areas" and establishes specific environmental review protocols to expedite leasing decisions in those zones.

This bill seeks to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management's recent rule regarding the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan. If enacted, this disapproval would nullify the BLM's rule, preventing it from taking effect.

This act reauthorizes the Young Fishermen's Development Act through fiscal year 2031. It is named in honor of Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo.

The FERRIES Act authorizes and provides significant new funding from 2027 through 2031 to modernize, expand, and sustain passenger ferry services across the United States. This legislation strengthens critical infrastructure by increasing support for ferry boat construction, urban transit programs, rural connectivity, and fleet modernization. By establishing permanent grant programs and providing dedicated appropriations, the bill aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of essential maritime transportation.

The Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act prohibits federal agencies from providing funding or support for the creation and maintenance of state-level firearm ownership databases. This legislation ensures that federal resources cannot be used to track lawful gun owners, with a specific exception for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms.