Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month to honor those affected by brain tumors. It highlights the serious impact of these tumors, which are the leading cause of cancer death in children. The designation aims to increase public awareness, support ongoing research efforts, and encourage collaboration to find better treatments and improve survival rates.

The DRIVE Act prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from issuing any new rules that would mandate speed limiting devices on commercial motor vehicles. This legislation prevents the federal government from setting a maximum speed cap for eighteen-wheelers through future regulations.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It highlights the severe crisis of violence, homicide, and human trafficking disproportionately affecting American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. The bill calls for national recognition of this day to honor victims and urges the Department of Justice to conduct an updated study on the crisis. Ultimately, it acknowledges ongoing efforts while emphasizing that more action is urgently needed to address this national tragedy.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and extends the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its total authorized funding. This legislation adjusts funding priorities to favor projects receiving private contributions and streamlines the process for accepting and allocating public donations. Additionally, it mandates reporting on efforts to reduce the existing deferred maintenance backlog and improve future preventative maintenance across public lands.

The JOBS for Success Act of 2025 aims to boost employment and economic opportunity by expanding access to essential job training, supportive services, and benefits for workers. This legislation focuses on creating pathways to stable careers and improving overall workforce readiness.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week." It recognizes the historical significance and vital mission of the National Park Service in preserving America's natural and cultural treasures. The bill encourages the public to visit, experience, and support these cherished sites during this designated week.

This bill authorizes the mining of federal coal reserves on approximately 800 acres of federal land in Musselshell County, Montana, under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification within 30 days of the bill's enactment, facilitating mining operations on the specified land without alterations or delays.

The Small County PILT Parity Act revises federal funding distribution rules to better support very small local governments. It significantly lowers the population threshold defining a "low-population unit" from 4,999 residents to just 999. This adjustment broadens eligibility for special allocation considerations previously reserved for slightly larger, low-population areas.

The GAZA Act proposes to amend immigration law to make individuals holding passports issued by the Palestinian Authority inadmissible to the United States. This means they would be barred from receiving visas, admission, or parole into the country.

This bill resolves water rights claims for the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana by ratifying a water rights agreement, authorizing funding and land transfers to implement the agreement, and rehabilitating and expanding the Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project. Additionally, the bill authorizes \$250 million for water and wastewater facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana.

The "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow more flexibility for health plans covering telehealth services. This act ensures that offering telehealth services without a deductible does not disqualify a health plan as a high-deductible health plan. These provisions aim to expand access to remote healthcare services by reducing financial barriers. The changes will take effect for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Stop Russian Market Manipulation Act bans the importation of specific Russian-origin minerals, including platinum group metals, nickel, and copper, into the United States. This prohibition begins 90 days after enactment and remains in effect until one year after the President certifies that Russia has ceased all fighting against Ukraine. Crucially, the President has no authority to waive this specific ban.

The "Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025" allocates $150 million from 2025-2029 to improve public access to private lands for recreational purposes. A portion of the funds, $3 million, will be used to specifically enhance access to land covered by wetland reserve easements through agreements with state and tribal governments.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture from banning or regulating lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting and fishing. An exception is allowed in specific areas where lead is scientifically proven to be the primary cause of wildlife population decline, but any restrictions must align with state laws or have the approval of the state's fish and wildlife department. The reasoning for any such prohibition or regulation must be published in the Federal Register.

The "Supporting Made in America Energy Act" mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a minimum number of oil and natural gas lease sales annually for both onshore and offshore lands, including specific requirements for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska regions. It extends the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico until December 31, 2035, and sets deadlines for preparing subsequent oil and gas leasing programs. The Act also restricts the President's authority to pause or impede Federal energy mineral leasing processes without congressional approval.

The "Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act" eliminates an administrative fee charged under the Mineral Leasing Act, which will likely increase the amount of revenue states receive from mineral leasing on federal lands. It also makes necessary technical and conforming changes to other related laws, such as the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982, to reflect the elimination of this fee.

The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit, originally set to expire after 2025, to encourage investment in low-income communities. The bill also adjusts the credit amount for inflation after 2025 and provides alternative minimum tax relief for credits on qualified equity investments made after December 31, 2024. These changes aim to incentivize ongoing investment in economically distressed areas.

The "A PLUS Act" allows states to submit a declaration of intent to the Secretary of Education to consolidate certain federal education funds, excluding those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to improve academic achievement. States must ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these funds, focusing on enhancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged students. The Act limits administrative expenses and requires equitable participation of private schools in funded activities. This aims to provide states and local communities more flexibility in deciding how to improve academic achievement and implement education changes.

The "Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025" modifies how the Department of Veterans Affairs handles benefit payments after a beneficiary's death. It ensures that benefit reductions or discontinuances due to death are effective at the end of the month in which the death occurs. This act clarifies payment procedures for the month of the beneficiary's death, applying to deaths occurring on or after the Act's enactment.

This bill, named the "Crow Revenue Act," facilitates land and mineral interest exchanges involving the Bull Mountains Lease, the Hope Family Trust, and the Crow Tribe of Montana. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to accept the relinquishment of the Bull Mountains Lease, transfer mineral interests to the Tribe, and convey U.S. rights in the Bull Mountains Tracts to the Hope Family Trust. The conveyed mineral interests to the Tribe will be held in trust by the United States and are exempt from state taxation, ensuring that the Tribe's federal benefits remain unaffected by this Act.