Legislative Activity

This bill expresses Congressional support for local law enforcement officers, acknowledging their dedication to protecting communities, upholding the law, and ensuring public safety. It extends gratitude to officers and their families for their service and honors the memory of those who died in the line of duty. The bill also encourages collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve to improve safety and trust.

This bill mandates that FEMA use licensed professionals for cost estimation, material acquisition, and other activities related to disaster relief projects under the Stafford Act. It requires FEMA to obtain consent from licensed professionals before disapproving plans and to approve purchases suggested by them, while also preventing FEMA from hindering contracts with these professionals. The bill also stipulates that FEMA employees managing rebuilding projects must be licensed professionals, and it assigns states the responsibility of hiring these professionals to develop the scope of work for covered activities.

The BRIDGE Production Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a minimum of 26 offshore oil and gas lease sales within 10 years, primarily in the Gulf of America and Cook Inlet Planning Area, and sets specific timelines and acreage requirements for these sales. It also modifies royalty rates, establishes a pilot program for royalty reductions, and streamlines compliance with environmental laws for oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. The act further ensures continuous offshore leasing programs and sets minimum lease sale requirements starting in 2035, with provisions for replacement schedules if these requirements are not met. Finally, it allows potential bidders to sue the Secretary of Interior if lease sales are not held on time.

The "Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025" establishes the position of Secretary of the Coast Guard, who will be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This new Secretary will report directly to the Secretary, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard will report directly to the Secretary of the Coast Guard, streamlining the chain of command.

The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the original depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities. The reissued order now applies to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. It also includes lake and pond managers licensed by a state to manage private lakes or ponds.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating references and adding a clause to develop requirements for data sharing. It also authorizes $56,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.

This bill disapproves and nullifies the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's rule concerning the protection of Marine Archaeological Resources. The bill aims to overturn the rule as published in the Federal Register.

The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025 establishes a commission to improve the management and sustainability of fishery resources in the Mississippi River Basin by fostering collaboration among states, federal agencies, and tribes. The commission will develop and implement fishery management plans, address aquatic invasive species, and administer a grant program to support interjurisdictional fishery projects. This act authorizes appropriations for the commission's establishment, management duties, grant program, and housing within the Department of the Interior. The commission will submit annual reports to Congress detailing its activities and progress.

The "Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act" aims to increase transparency in disaster relief efforts by requiring federal agencies to report detailed data on disaster assistance projects on a dedicated government website. This includes information on the total amount of assistance provided, project specifics, and recipient details, making it easier for the public to track how disaster relief funds are used. The Office of Management and Budget is responsible for creating this subpage, with the option to partner with a private entity. This act defines key terms such as "covered federal agency," "disaster assistance," and "eligible recipient" to ensure clarity and consistency in reporting.

The Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act aims to streamline federal disaster assistance by reducing the burden of information collection on applicants and improving the efficiency of preliminary damage assessments. It directs FEMA to conduct a study and create a plan to consolidate information collection, develop a public website for disaster assistance information, and explore the use of new technologies to speed up damage assessments. The Act also mandates the creation of a working group to identify overlaps or gaps in damage assessments and requires a comprehensive report to Congress with findings and recommendations, to be made publicly available on FEMA's website.