Legislative Activity

The Forest Service Accountability Act mandates that the President, with Senate approval, appoint the Chief of the Forest Service, choosing someone with expertise in forest and natural resources management. The Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Energy and Natural Resources will jointly review the nomination. Within 30 days of the Act's enactment, the President must submit a nomination for the Chief of the Forest Service to the Senate.

The Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 resolves water rights claims for the Fort Belknap Indian Community by ratifying a water rights agreement with the State of Montana, authorizing funding for its implementation, and allowing land exchanges. Additionally, it allocates funding for water and wastewater facilities for the Blackfeet Tribe.

The "Public Lands in Public Hands Act" restricts the federal government from transferring ownership of publicly accessible federal land to non-federal entities. Exceptions exist for transfers under 300 acres (or 5 acres if accessible by waterway) and those authorized by specific existing laws or land exchanges. This act aims to maintain public access to federal lands and prevent the government from subdividing land to circumvent these restrictions.

The "Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025" aims to improve wildlife connectivity by providing financial and technical assistance to enhance habitat in key movement areas. This will be achieved through grants to state and tribal agencies, research programs, and continued mapping efforts by the USGS. The Act prioritizes collaboration among federal, state, and tribal entities, and ensures that private property rights and existing land uses are protected. It reauthorizes funding for existing wildlife programs and establishes new initiatives to support wildlife migration and habitat conservation.

The FIR Act, or Forest Information Reform Act, aims to streamline environmental regulations by waiving the need for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to reinitiate consultations under the Endangered Species Act in certain situations, specifically when new species are listed, critical habitats are designated, or new information emerges regarding land management impacts. This waiver applies when land management or land use plans are already in place.