Legislative Activity

The "Expanding Regional Airports Act" establishes a grant program for the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to eligible regional airports. These grants will help improve passenger and flight capacity by expanding screening facilities, lengthening runways, constructing hangars, improving passenger facilities, and covering operational and security compliance costs. Between 3 and 10 grants will be awarded each fiscal year to eligible general aviation or nonprimary commercial service airports serving communities of at least 75,000 people. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 for each fiscal year to fund the program.

The "M. H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act" designates segments of the Gila River system in New Mexico as part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, protecting them from development and ensuring their natural state. It also modifies the boundaries of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the Gila National Forest by transferring approximately 440 acres to the Department of Interior to be added to the monument. The Act aims to balance conservation with existing rights, such as grazing and water rights, and respects tribal treaty rights. It allows for native fish habitat restoration and preserves New Mexico's jurisdiction over its lands and wildlife.

The "Tax Relief from Tariffs and High Costs Act" introduces a one-time tax credit for individuals in 2025, amounting to 10% of their federal income tax liability. This credit is designed to provide financial relief, but it is not available to individuals with a modified adjusted gross income exceeding $100,000. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include this new credit, ensuring its implementation and integration with existing tax regulations.

The "Boost the Middle Class Act" increases the earned income tax credit amounts and phaseout amounts, while also increasing the phaseout amounts for married individuals filing jointly. It updates inflation adjustments and goes into effect for taxable years after December 31, 2025.

The "Honor and Hire Veterans Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the work opportunity credit for employers who hire qualified veterans. The bill raises the credit to 50% of first-year wages and increases the wage limitations for calculating the credit. It also adjusts the credit percentages if minimum employment periods are not met. These changes aim to incentivize the employment of veterans.

The "Honor Farmer Contracts Act" ensures the Department of Agriculture upholds existing contracts with farmers and related entities by releasing committed funding, paying outstanding debts, and preventing unwarranted contract cancellations. It also requires a 60-day notice to Congress before closing any Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development local offices.

The "Healthy Foods for Native Seniors Act" allows Tribal organizations to contract directly with the USDA to purchase agricultural commodities for food distribution programs, prioritizing domestically produced and culturally significant foods. This demonstration project aims to improve the nutritional value and cultural relevance of food provided to Native seniors. The Act requires annual reporting to Congress and allocates specific funding for the project's implementation and administration.

The "Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2025" promotes wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors on working agricultural lands through various conservation programs. It expands the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, increases payment limitations for the conservation reserve program, and incentivizes wildlife habitat connectivity under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The Act also supports research and extension grants for virtual fencing and encourages conservation practices that support landscape corridors and hydrologic connectivity for native big game species and biodiversity.

The Farm Workforce Support Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive report on the H2A temporary visa program. This report will assess the program's effects on hiring domestic and guest workers, challenges in providing affordable housing, and the impact of wage requirements. It will also evaluate the economic consequences for guest workers' families and compliance with working condition guarantees. The findings will be submitted to key Congressional committees for review and action.

The "Ranching Without Red Tape Act of 2025" streamlines the process for grazing permit holders to make minor range improvements on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. Permit holders can proceed with improvements to fences, water infrastructure, and stock tanks after notifying the relevant agency 30 days in advance, provided they receive approval or no response within that timeframe. The Act mandates the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to respond to range improvement requests within 30 days and expedite approved projects.

The New Mexico Rural Veteran Health Care Access Act requires the Department of Veteran Affairs to redraw the boundaries of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to include Otero and Eddy Counties in New Mexico, in Veterans Integrated Service Network 17. This change must be implemented no later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

The "Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic Act" designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as the Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic. Any reference to this clinic in any document will now refer to it as the Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic.

The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and equipment for veterans under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program from $1,000 to $1,400. Beginning in 2026, this stipend will be subject to annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index.

The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 resolves water rights claims within the Zuni River Stream System for the Zuni Tribe by ratifying an agreement, establishing a trust fund, and allocating funding for water infrastructure. It also protects the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary by withdrawing federal land from development, restricting land use, and transferring land into trust for the Zuni Tribe, preserving its cultural significance and water resources. The Act requires the Zuni Tribe and the U.S. government to waive certain water rights claims, with specific protections for individual allottees' water rights. This comprehensive settlement aims to improve water management, resolve disputes, and support economic development for the Zuni Tribe.

The "Combating Rural Inflation Act" directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a monthly Consumer Price Index for Rural Consumers, starting in January 2026. This index will track changes in typical spending for people living in rural communities in the United States.