Legislative Activity

The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing any new leases for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in the Southern California Planning Area. This area is defined by the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to implement this prohibition.

The Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025 reauthorizes and expands programs aimed at protecting and restoring coastal and estuarine areas. It prioritizes projects that enhance ecological function, mitigate climate change impacts, and benefit underserved communities. The act also directs the establishment of new National Estuarine Research Reserves and promotes research and monitoring of climate change impacts on these vital ecosystems. Finally, it increases funding authorizations for coastal and estuarine conservation efforts.

This bill aims to boost renewable energy development on federal lands by setting a goal of 60 gigawatts by 2030, streamlining the permitting process for wind and solar projects, and directing revenues from these projects to a newly established Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund. It designates priority areas for renewable energy projects, updates environmental impact statements, and ensures fair rental rates and bond requirements. The bill also directs funds towards habitat restoration, recreational access, and other conservation efforts in areas impacted by renewable energy development.

The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 expands Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to National Guard members performing specific full-time duties. This expansion applies to service performed on or after September 11, 2001. The changes will take effect one year after the enactment of this Act, with the time limitation for using educational assistance applied as if enacted immediately after the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

The "Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2025" amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, changing how the Energy Secretary prioritizes accepting high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Priority is given to waste from decommissioned reactors, reactors in densely populated areas, areas with high earthquake risk, and areas with national security risks due to continued on-site storage. This aims to address the most urgent risks associated with storing nuclear waste.

This bill allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after 9/11 to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to eligible family members. It outlines the terms of benefit usage, including age limits for children, and what happens to the benefits in the event of the veteran's or dependent's death. The Department of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Defense, will create regulations for this program.

The Prevent Family Fire Act of 2025 introduces a tax credit for manufacturers, set at 10% of revenue (up to $400), from the sale of safe firearm storage devices, excluding those integrated into firearms or subject to recall. This credit, effective for sales until 2032, aims to encourage responsible gun storage by offsetting the cost of devices secured by combination, key, or biometric locks. The Treasury Secretary will oversee credit recapture and report annually on credit claims by state. This credit can be applied against regular income tax as well as alternative minimum tax.