Legislative Activity

The Geothermal Energy Advancement Act aims to accelerate geothermal energy development on federal lands by streamlining permitting processes, even when lawsuits are pending. It establishes cost recovery mechanisms for federal geothermal application processing and mandates the update of the BLM's "Gold Book" to include geothermal standards. Furthermore, the bill creates a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Permitting Task Force to improve efficiency and addresses royalty timing for geothermal electricity production.

The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act directs the transfer of Crystal Reservoir, its dam, ditch, water rights, and surrounding federal land to the City of Ouray, Colorado. In exchange, the City must assume full responsibility for the infrastructure's maintenance and permanently keep the area open to the public for recreation without charging fees. The transfer includes conditions to protect the natural features and restrict development, with a clause allowing the land to revert to federal ownership if the City violates these terms.

The Tribal Regulatory Reform Implementation Act of 2026 officially transfers all administrative responsibilities and jurisdiction concerning the Authority from the current Secretary to the Secretary of the Interior. This change is effective immediately upon the Act's enactment.

This act establishes a new categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to streamline certain forest health and wildfire risk reduction projects. This exclusion applies to tree density modification activities on areas under 5,000 acres, such as thinning and slash removal, exempting them from standard environmental reviews. The legislation specifically excludes large-scale regeneration harvests and vegetation conversions from this streamlined process.

The Western Tribal Water Act of 2026 addresses critical water infrastructure needs for Tribes in the Upper Colorado River Basin. This bill expands the existing Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program to include ten new eligible projects in the region. It authorizes $60 million in funding for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to support these vital water and drinking water infrastructure improvements.

The Small County PILT Parity Act revises federal law to expand eligibility for certain funding adjustments by significantly lowering the population thresholds for small local governments. This change ensures that even smaller counties can qualify for necessary financial support under the applicable program.

The Made in America Jobs Act of 2026 amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act to prioritize domestic job growth. It expands federal grant eligibility to support projects that relocate overseas employment back to the United States and strengthen the domestic manufacturing sector.

The Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act establishes a Department of the Interior program to support Indian Tribes in the restoration, management, and protection of buffalo herds on Tribal lands. Through grants, technical assistance, and the transfer of surplus buffalo from federal lands, the Act empowers Tribes to enhance their cultural, spiritual, and economic connections to the species. The program prioritizes the integration of traditional ecological knowledge while ensuring the protection of culturally sensitive information.

The Responsible Containment Reauthorization Act permanently extends the authorization for the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978. By removing the existing September 30, 2031, expiration date, this legislation ensures the continued oversight and management of uranium mill tailings.

The ASCEND Act establishes a permanent NASA program to purchase and distribute commercial Earth observation data for scientific, operational, and educational needs. This initiative aims to supplement existing government data by acquiring cost-effective commercial imagery, prioritizing U.S. vendors. The bill ensures purchased data can be widely published for scientific purposes and requires regular reporting on program agreements and data usage.

This bill reauthorizes and updates the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through 2031. It directs the program to focus on integrating advanced technologies for improved snowpack measurement and modeling to enhance water supply forecasts. The legislation also emphasizes building partner capacity and coordinating with other federal agencies to better inform water management decisions.

The Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 extends the period during which interest earned on obligations within the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund can be used. Specifically, this amendment moves the availability deadline for these funds from 2026 to 2033. This change aims to provide continued financial resources for wildlife restoration efforts.

This bill, the Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act, expands eligibility for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit assistance to a wider range of airport-related projects. It broadens the types of aviation facilities and equipment that can qualify for federal financing, regardless of revenue generation or public accessibility. Additionally, the legislation adjusts project selection criteria and raises the threshold for streamlined program administration.

The Indian Trust Asset Reform Amendment Act updates existing law to clarify participation in the Indian Trust Asset Management Project for federally recognized tribes and their organizations. This legislation grants tribes with approved management plans greater authority to manage their trust assets, such as leasing or forest management, without prior secretarial approval. The amendments also ensure that participation in the management project does not negatively impact a tribe's eligibility for federal funding.

The Holy Sovereignty Protection Act ensures that any U.S. citizen elected as the Pope cannot have their citizenship revoked by the United States. Furthermore, this legislation grants federal income tax exemption to any U.S. citizen serving as Supreme Pontiff for any tax year they hold the position. This protection and tax break take effect upon the bill's enactment.

The Hauling Exemptions for Livestock Protection Act (HELP Act) exempts commercial drivers transporting livestock, insects, or aquatic animals from federal electronic logging device (ELD) requirements and hours of service regulations. This exemption applies whether the vehicle is loaded or traveling empty to pick up or return from a delivery. The goal is to provide flexibility for those involved in the transportation of live animals.

The Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act mandates the Secretary of the Army to eliminate the existing backlog of applications for certain permits and jurisdictional determinations with the Army Corps of Engineers. Within 60 days of enactment, the Corps must prioritize and expedite the review of all pending applications existing as of June 5, 2025. This is achieved by immediately shifting or adding necessary staff and resources to clear the accumulated workload.

The Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 establishes numerous new protected zones, including Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, and Recreation Management Areas, across federal lands in Gunnison County, Colorado. The bill mandates conservation and protection for the natural, scenic, and wildlife resources within these designated areas. It also significantly restricts off-highway vehicle and bicycle use to pre-existing trails, while simultaneously expanding certain Wilderness Areas. Finally, the Act addresses specific land management issues, including oil and gas restrictions in the North Fork Valley and the transfer of certain tribal lands into federal trust status.

The Productive Public Lands Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to promptly reissue nine specific Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land management plans finalized between late 2024 and early 2025. This reissuance requires the BLM to formally update its preferred alternative for each plan. Crucially, these reissued documents are automatically deemed compliant with major environmental review and administrative procedure laws, bypassing further environmental analysis.

The Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025 allows individuals and businesses harmed by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill to receive compensation from the federal government for specific, documented losses, such as injury, lost business income, and agricultural damages. Claimants must have submitted a claim by August 5, 2017, and meet specific criteria to be considered an "injured person" under the Act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator will investigate and settle claims, adhering to Colorado state law for calculating damages, with a limited fund of $3,300,000 appropriated for this purpose. Claimants can challenge the Administrator's final decision in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.