Legislative Activity

The Build Now Act aims to streamline infrastructure development by establishing a strict one-year deadline for completing environmental reviews required for federal permits related to Central Valley Project enhancement projects. If the deadline is missed, the permit applicant must approve an extension or the permit will be denied. This legislation seeks to accelerate crucial water infrastructure projects, including groundwater recharge and aquifer storage initiatives.

The Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act directs federal agencies to swiftly identify and address regulatory hurdles impeding major water-supply and storage projects in California. It mandates the designation of compliance officials to review and propose plans for suspending or revising regulations that unduly burden these critical water infrastructure projects. This process aims to streamline permitting and accelerate water delivery while ensuring compliance with necessary environmental and public interest standards.

The Central Valley Water Solution Act establishes a program to provide over \$4.5 billion in financial and technical assistance for 22 specific water infrastructure projects within California's Central Valley Project. This funding targets critical needs such as groundwater storage, water quality treatment, and major canal capacity corrections. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with implementing these projects in coordination with California and affected Indian Tribes. Importantly, the authorized funds are non-reimbursable, except for certain planning studies.

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025 repeals specific prior reconciliation health provisions. This bill significantly expands eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit by eliminating the 400% Federal Poverty Level income cap. It also updates the subsidy calculation formula to ensure a smoother, linear adjustment of assistance across various income levels.

The Stop Troubling Retroactive Invoices for Veteran Expenses Act of 2025 (STRIVE Act) prevents the VA from collecting health care copayments if the veteran was not properly notified within two years of receiving care, or if the total owed exceeds an inflation-adjusted threshold (starting at \$2,000). The bill also grants the Secretary of Veterans Affairs broad authority to waive any veteran copayment deemed appropriate. Finally, it extends the date for certain pension payment limits.

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to expand the criteria for federal agencies to seek exemptions from species protection requirements under Section 7. Exemptions can now be requested if compliance would negatively impact national security or cause significant adverse national or regional economic effects. The process requires initial reviews to ensure good faith efforts were made to find alternatives before the exemption is considered by the review committee.

The Stop Raising Prices on Food Act restricts the President's authority to impose new or increased tariffs on agricultural goods imported from the United States' top five agricultural trading partners. Under this bill, the President must receive explicit Congressional approval before implementing such duties. To gain approval, the President must submit a request detailing the goal, justification over other methods, and the impact on the U.S. agricultural economy.