Legislative Activity

This bill, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025, extends the deadline for the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. Specifically, it amends existing law to change the application period from five years to ten years. This extension provides more time for eligible veterans to participate in the program.

This bill seeks to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System through fiscal year 2029. It specifically authorizes funding for the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to operate and maintain the system.

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transfer specific parcels of federal land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF). The transfer is generally made without monetary consideration, contingent on SCF using the land exclusively for health care and related services. Furthermore, the Act shields SCF from liability for pre-existing environmental contamination on the conveyed property.

This Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 180 acres of Federal land within the Tongass National Forest to the Cape Fox Village Corporation to finalize its land entitlement under ANCSA. The conveyance fulfills obligations to both Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation, while also waiving certain selection requirements. The transfer must include a reserved public access easement for inland National Forest System land.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management's rule regarding the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision. If enacted, this disapproval would prevent the submitted rule from taking effect.

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 Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025 extends the military withdrawal period for key training lands in Alaska, New Mexico, and California until 2051. This legislation also corrects the official acreage descriptions for the McGregor Range and Fort Irwin military lands. The bill ensures continued federal land availability necessary for Department of Defense training operations.

The Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025 aims to streamline pavement projects at smaller, nonprimary airports. This bill allows these airports to use state highway specifications for construction and improvement projects, provided the state agrees and the Secretary of Transportation confirms safety is maintained. This change applies specifically to airports serving aircraft under 60,000 pounds.

The Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act of 2025 mandates that the EPA require a cold weather operability additive in diesel fuel between November and March to prevent fuel gelling above 5°F. Additionally, the Act allows manufacturers to temporarily suspend emissions-related engine shutdowns below 32°F when necessary for safety or essential transport. It also grants year-round exemptions from Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system requirements for vehicles operating in extremely cold or high-latitude regions.

This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow for the importation of polar bear trophies from sport hunts in Canada. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for trophies legally harvested before specific dates in 1997 or 2008. These provisions apply even if the polar bear was later listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

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 Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act clarifies federal law regarding authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft. This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to permit the possession and sale of these handicrafts, even if they contain nonedible migratory bird parts. The exception applies unless the bird part was taken illegally or wastefully. The Act also requires the State Department to establish procedures with treaty partners to reflect this clarification.

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 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 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 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.

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.