Legislative Activity

This act transfers approximately 72 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Washington State into trust status for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation. The land will become part of the Quinault Indian Reservation, managed by the Secretary of the Interior, with restrictions against gaming use. This transfer upholds existing treaty rights and requires environmental disclosure before the land is fully transferred.

This act places approximately 1,082.63 acres of federal land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, expanding their reservation. The transferred land will be managed according to existing river restoration and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requirements. Importantly, this legislation explicitly prohibits gaming on the newly acquired trust lands and affirms that it does not alter any existing treaty rights.

The Emergency Responder Protection Act establishes a 1,000-foot protected zone around emergency response locations, severely restricting immigration enforcement activities near disaster sites and aid centers. Immigration officers generally cannot conduct enforcement actions within this zone unless facing exigent circumstances, such as imminent risk of death or violence. The bill mandates strict operational rules, annual training for officers, and detailed reporting requirements to the DHS Inspector General and Congress regarding any enforcement actions taken near these protected areas. Violations of this rule may result in the termination of removal proceedings and the inadmissibility of evidence gathered.

The EQUAL Parks Act codifies a previous Presidential Memorandum into permanent law, ensuring that federal policies regarding public lands and waters prioritize diversity and inclusion. This legislation solidifies the commitment to making these shared spaces accessible and welcoming to all Americans.

The TERRA Act establishes a framework allowing federally recognized Indian Tribes to consolidate funding from multiple eligible federal programs into a single, flexible plan for environmental resiliency and community needs. This grants Tribes significant self-determination by streamlining bureaucratic requirements, simplifying reporting, and providing strong authority to waive federal regulations that impede their plans. The legislation mandates federal agencies to coordinate their reviews and accelerate the transfer of funds to participating Tribes. Ultimately, the Act aims to increase efficiency and local control over federal resources while protecting sensitive Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

The ANCHOR for Military Families Act aims to significantly improve how the military informs service members and their families about available relocation assistance programs before a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). This bill mandates the delivery of comprehensive, accessible information packets covering housing, education (including school enrollment rules), and mental health support at least 45 days prior to a move. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Defense to report annually to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these new information delivery standards.

The Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act designates over 126,000 acres of new wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest and adds numerous river segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This legislation aims to permanently protect these federal lands and waterways in Washington State from future development. The Act also ensures that existing tribal treaty rights and valid private property rights are preserved.

This Act establishes a new, independent Office of the Inspector General (IG) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The IG will serve as an internal watchdog, auditing and investigating activities specifically assigned to the OMB by law. The President is required to appoint this Inspector General within 120 days of the Act's enactment.