Legislative Activity

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act aims to grant qualified Tribal law enforcement officers the authority to enforce federal law within their jurisdiction under specific federal contracts or compacts. This requires Tribal officers and their departments to meet rigorous federal training and procedural standards comparable to those of Bureau of Justice Services employees. When acting under this authority, these Tribal officers will receive the same legal protections and benefits as federal law enforcement officers. The bill also mandates the Department of Justice to improve coordination and accountability for public safety efforts on tribal lands.

The Agricultural and Rural Road Improvement Program Act establishes a new federal program dedicated to repairing and improving critical local and rural roads essential for agriculture. This program aims to enhance access to farms and agricultural facilities, reduce weight-restricted bridges, and increase the safety and resilience of rural transportation networks. Federal funding for these projects will cover up to 90 percent of the total cost.

The Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act streamlines the process for farm workers by allowing states to establish online systems for renewing seasonal, restricted Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). This legislation also clarifies that implements of husbandry (farm equipment) are not classified as commercial motor vehicles for licensing purposes. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and simplify CDL requirements for those in the farm-related service industries.

This bill directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to assign a single, unique ZIP Code to 66 specific communities across numerous states. The USPS is required to complete this designation process within 270 days of the law's enactment. This measure aims to ensure these designated towns and areas each have their own distinct postal code.

The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act revises the federal cost-sharing requirements for the Arkansas Valley Conduit project in Colorado. It mandates that repayment for the conduit will equal 35% of the total cost, with flexible repayment terms for local entities based on financial hardship. Furthermore, the bill ensures local parties assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the water system.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" ensures that hunters and anglers can continue to use lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters managed by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. It restricts these departments from prohibiting or regulating lead in ammunition and tackle, unless the Secretary of Interior or Agriculture determines that lead ammunition is the primary cause of a wildlife population decline in a specific area. Any ban implemented must align with state laws or be approved by the state's fish and wildlife department.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The SAMS Act of 2025 codifies several previous Executive Orders into permanent law, specifically focusing on policies related to critical minerals. This action elevates existing presidential directives concerning these vital resources to the full force and effect of statutory law. The bill ensures the long-term legal standing of established critical mineral supply chain strategies.

The Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025 officially delists the Mexican wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species. This legislation voids previous management rules and mandates that future recovery plans for the species in the U.S. must exclude consideration of the wolf population in Mexico. The bill also addresses concerns regarding compensation standards for ranchers suffering livestock losses due to wolf predation.

The PERMIT Act aims to streamline and clarify federal regulations governing infrastructure and water quality projects. It focuses on making the permitting process more efficient by setting deadlines, factoring in the cost and availability of treatment technology, and clarifying judicial review timelines. The bill also revises definitions under the Clean Water Act, particularly regarding agricultural runoff and navigable waters, to reduce regulatory burdens on industry and agriculture.

The Fire Weather Development Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance wildfire preparedness and response by improving fire weather forecasting, detection, and information sharing through NOAA. The bill establishes new interagency and advisory committees to coordinate federal efforts and gather expert input on crucial needs. It also creates a dedicated fire weather testbed, addresses the incident meteorologist workforce, and mandates research into better communication systems for first responders.

This bill officially renames the Bureau of Land Management Foundation to the Foundation for America’s Public Lands and modifies its governing structure. It increases the size of the Board of Directors over four years while mandating specific expertise from various public land users and resource managers. Furthermore, the Act places strict prohibitions on the Foundation using funds for lobbying or litigation and authorizes $10 million annually for five fiscal years.

This bill aims to unleash America's access to critical minerals on the seabed by accelerating domestic exploration and recovery efforts. It mandates federal agencies to establish expedited processes, within 60 days, for issuing licenses and permits for mineral recovery on the Outer Continental Shelf and in international waters. The legislation seeks to secure vital supply chains for national security and energy while establishing U.S. leadership in responsible seabed resource development.

The Highway Funding Flexibility Act of 2025 redirects unspent federal funds originally designated for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program. These funds must now be used by states for traditional highway projects, bridge repair, and wildlife mitigation instead of EV charging infrastructure. The bill specifies how these redirected funds are distributed to states and clarifies that they are supplementary to existing highway funding.

This bill prohibits males from participating in any athletic program or activity at the U.S. military service academies that is designated for women or girls. It mandates that sex in this context is defined by reproductive biology and genetics at birth. While males may practice with women's teams, they cannot displace female athletes from rosters, competition opportunities, or scholarships.

The COAL POWER Act, officially the Combating Overregulation And Limitation of Proven, Operable, Working Energy Resources Act, directly repeals a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning emission standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants. This legislation effectively nullifies the specified EPA regulation, removing its legal standing.

This resolution formally condemns the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by an individual who was in the U.S. illegally. It uses this incident to call for stricter vetting of visa applicants and the swift removal of aliens who violate their visa terms. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the critical importance of communication between federal and local law enforcement agencies to prevent future acts of terrorism.

This resolution formally denounces the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by an individual who entered the U.S. illegally. It uses this event to emphasize the critical need for stricter vetting of visa applicants and improved cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies. The bill also specifically criticizes Colorado's sanctuary state laws for hindering immigration enforcement efforts. Ultimately, it affirms the importance of open communication between all levels of law enforcement to prevent future acts of terrorism.

The PROTECT Act of 2025 enhances Tribal sovereignty by formally recognizing Tribal courts as competent jurisdictions under federal laws governing electronic data requests, such as the Stored Communications Act. It also expands the scope of offenses over which Tribal courts have jurisdiction, specifically including defined controlled substance and firearms offenses on Tribal lands. Furthermore, the bill ensures that offenders convicted under this expanded Tribal jurisdiction can participate in the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.