Legislative Activity

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) rule on the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure voids the BLM's submitted decision concerning oil and gas leasing on the Coastal Plain. Essentially, Congress is nullifying the BLM's recent leasing program decision.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan." By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this action immediately nullifies the BLM's submitted rule. Consequently, the Central Yukon Resource Management Plan will not take effect as a regulation.

The Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act (ARTIST Act) creates specific exemptions under federal law for Alaska Natives residing on the coasts of the North Pacific or Arctic Oceans. This bill defines authentic Alaska Native handicrafts made using traditional skills and allows coastal Natives to take marine mammals for subsistence or to create and sell these authentic crafts. Furthermore, the Act prohibits states from restricting the import, sale, or possession of marine mammal ivory or bone incorporated into these certified Alaska Native handicrafts.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan. By utilizing the Congressional Review Act process, this action invalidates the BLM's recently finalized decision. Consequently, the disapproved rule will have no force or effect.

The Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 addresses land conveyance requirements for the Cape Fox Village Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. This bill waives a specific land selection requirement for Cape Fox while authorizing the transfer of approximately 180 acres of Federal land within the Tongass National Forest to Cape Fox for surface use and to Sealaska Corporation for subsurface rights. The transfer mandates a reserved public access easement across the conveyed land.

The Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025 extends the military's withdrawal period for key training ranges, including those at Fort Greely, Fort Wainwright, McGregor Range, and Fort Irwin, until 2051. This legislation also corrects outdated legal descriptions and updates the official acreage for certain military lands. The primary goal is to ensure continued, uninterrupted access for essential military training operations.

The Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transfer 3.372 acres of federal land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF) for health and social services programs. This transfer must occur within two years using a warranty deed, with SCF paying no consideration and receiving the property free of future government conditions. Furthermore, the Act shields the SCF from liability for environmental contamination that existed on the property prior to the transfer.

This bill, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025, extends the application deadline for the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. It increases the eligibility period for veterans to claim their land allotments from five years to ten years. This provides eligible veterans an additional five years to apply under the existing program structure.

The Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 clarifies and updates the process for land held in trust by the State of Alaska for the establishment of Native village municipal corporations under ANCSA. This Act allows Village Corporations to reclaim land previously conveyed into trust if a municipal corporation was never formed, subject to existing public rights-of-way. Furthermore, it eliminates any future requirement for Village Corporations to convey additional land for the purpose of establishing these municipal entities.

The Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act temporarily changes eligibility rules for certain federal assistance programs for aged, blind, or disabled individuals. For five years following enactment, distributions or interests from a Settlement Trust will not count against an individual when determining their eligibility for these specific benefits. This aims to ensure that Alaska Natives receiving trust distributions can still qualify for necessary aid.

The Save our Lone Emergency Services (SOLES) Act ensures that sole community hospitals in Alaska and Hawaii receive adequate Medicare reimbursement for outpatient services. If standard payments fall below 94% of the hospital's actual costs, Medicare must increase the payment to cover the difference. This targeted financial support is exempt from budget neutrality requirements to stabilize essential remote healthcare access.

This bill reauthorizes and updates the management structure for the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System. It extends the program's funding authorization period through 2030. The legislation also adjusts which federal officials are responsible for overseeing specific monitoring duties.

This Act facilitates a land exchange between Chugach Alaska Corporation and the U.S. Government to resolve complex ownership issues stemming from post-Exxon Valdez oil spill conservation acquisitions. The exchange allows the Federal Government to consolidate surface and subsurface rights for conservation lands while granting Chugach Alaska approximately 65,000 acres of fee simple land. This trade aims to perfect federal conservation efforts and help Chugach Alaska better manage its assets under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

The Safety from Aerial Technology (SAT) Act permits pipeline owners and operators to utilize drones and satellites for required surface condition inspections along pipeline rights-of-way. This modernizes inspection methods by allowing aerial technology instead of relying solely on ground crews. However, the use of these aerial systems must still comply with all existing drone and satellite operation regulations.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to eliminate the requirement that recipients of certain construction contracts must award subcontracts to businesses located within the county or state of performance. By repealing this outdated rule, the legislation removes a geographic restriction on subcontracting for small businesses awarded these contracts. This change aims to provide greater flexibility in awarding construction subcontracts.

The Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the air traffic control pipeline by improving the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program and establishing new grants for participating colleges. The bill also funds new training equipment and creates financial incentives to both encourage trainees to complete their certification and retain experienced controllers. Finally, it mandates improvements to mental health support for controllers and requires a report on the future of airport radar safety systems.

The DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act formalizes collaboration between the Department of Energy and NASA on critical research and development projects. This bill authorizes the two agencies to jointly pursue advancements in areas like advanced propulsion, quantum technology, and fundamental science through competitive awards. The coordination aims to leverage the unique capabilities of both agencies to achieve shared mission goals and requires a public report on progress two years after enactment.

The BITCOIN Act of 2025 establishes a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to secure and manage government-held Bitcoin, viewing it as a national asset for financial stability. The Act mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to initiate a five-year program to purchase 1,000,000 Bitcoins for long-term holding. Furthermore, it institutes strict public proof-of-reserve requirements and explicitly protects the private property rights of individuals to own and control their own Bitcoin.

The "Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act" allows Alaska Natives in Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell to form Urban Corporations and receive settlement land under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It ensures these new Urban Corporations' shareholders remain eligible for distributions from the Regional Corporation for Southeast Alaska. The Act authorizes the conveyance of approximately 23,040 acres of federal land to each Urban Corporation and addresses land use considerations, including subsistence, recreation, and existing special use authorizations. It also enables the establishment of settlement trusts to support the health, education, and welfare of trust beneficiaries and preserve Native heritage.