Records
Law· HRH.R. 187 (119th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to the public's access to federal waterways for recreational use. Specifically, the Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for data collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to public outdoor recreational access of federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to collection and dissemination of such data. Within five years, the Forest Service and Interior must also digitize and make publicly available online certain geographic information system data about (1) federal waterway restrictions, (2) federal waterway access and navigation information, and (3) federal fishing restrictions. They must also update the data about waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information at least twice per year. Data about fishing restrictions must be updated in real time as changes go into effect. Finally, the Forest Service and Interior must develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data regarding waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information.
Bill· HRH.R. 178 (119th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
This bill sets out requirements for wildfire suppression and management activities carried out by the Forest Service. These requirements apply to Forest Service land that (1) has a severe, extreme, or exceptional drought intensity rating; (2) has a National Wildland Fire Preparedness level of 5 (i.e., the highest level of wildland fire activity); or (3) is located in a fireshed ranked in the top 10% of wildfire exposure. Within 24 hours of detecting a wildfire on such Forest Service land, the service must use all available resources to extinguish the wildfire. Additionally, the service may not inhibit the firefighting activities of state and local agencies that are authorized to respond to wildfires on the Forest Service land. Further, the service may only initiate a backfire or burnout as part of a fire suppression strategy if it is ordered by the responsible incident commander or is necessary to protect the health and safety of firefighting personnel. The service must use all available resources to control any initiated fire until it is extinguished. The bill also limits the service's use of prescribed fires (i.e., the controlled application of fire by a team of experts under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire). When using prescribed fires as a fire resource management tool, the service must comply with applicable laws and regulations and immediately suppress any prescribed fire that exceeds its prescription.
Bill· HRH.R. 150 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
People-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Act or the People CARE Act This bill establishes the People-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Commission within the legislative branch to review federal means-tested programs for potential reform. Under the bill, means-tested programs are those designed to provide assistance to low-income individuals, including, for example, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The commission is generally directed to review all federal means-tested programs with the exception of certain specified programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and certain veterans’ benefits programs. The commission is directed to identify and evaluate potential changes to federal means-tested programs, such as consolidation with other programs, delegation of certain functions to states, and the establishment of gradual benefit reductions tied to increases in beneficiaries’ income. The commission is also directed to consider changes that would allow caseworkers to identify all of the appropriate programs for individuals and families. The commission must establish a website through which members of the public may submit suggested reforms for consideration. The commission is to be comprised of eight members, with an equal number of members appointed by the majority and minority parties. At the conclusion of its term, the commission must report to Congress with its findings and proposed legislation implementing any recommended changes. Congress must consider the legislation under expedited procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 179 (119th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Proven Forest Management Act of 2025 This bill sets forth provisions to expedite the approval and implementation of forest management activities and establishes related requirements. First, the bill categorically excludes a forest management activity conducted on National Forest System land for reducing forest fuels from certain environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 if the activity (1) does not exceed 10,000 acres (including not more than 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning), (2) is developed in a collaborative manner, and (3) is consistent with the forest plan developed for the relevant National Forest System land. Next, the bill directs the Forest Service to conduct forest management activities in a manner that attains multiple ecosystem benefits unless the costs associated with attaining such benefits are excessive. Additionally, the Forest Service must (1) establish any post-program ground condition criteria for a ground disturbance caused by a forest management activity required by the applicable forest plan, and (2) provide for monitoring to ascertain the attainment of relevant post-program conditions. The bill also allows the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, as appropriate, to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with certain entities to provide for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, and similar activities on federal and nonfederal lands within land adjustment programs. Finally, the bill directs the Forest Service, when conducting a forest management activity on National Forest System land, to coordinate with impacted parties to increase efficiency and maximize the compatibility of management practices across such land.
Bill· HRH.R. 184 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Action Versus No Action Act This bill limits the scope of an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for forest management activity on certain public lands to only the following two alternatives: (1) the effects of the forest management activity, and (2) no action. The bill applies to any EA or EIS prepared by the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior for a forest management activity on public land that is suitable for timber production and that occurs on land designated as an insect and disease treatment area under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, is developed through a collaborative process, is proposed by a resource advisory committee, or is covered by a community wildfire protection plan. In the case of the alternative of no action, the Forest Service or Interior must consider whether to evaluate the effect of no action on forest health, potential losses of life and property, habitat diversity, wildfire potential, insect and disease potential, and timber production; and the implications of a resulting decline in forest health, loss of habitat diversity, wildfire, or insect or disease infestation on potential losses of life and property, domestic water supply in the project area, wildlife habitat loss, and other economic and social factors.
Bill· HRH.R. 185 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Responsible Legislating Act This bill establishes or modifies various federal programs and requirements, including those related to retirement accounts, penalties for certain sex offenses, foreign investment and ownership, and appropriations. The bill makes changes to retirement account contributions and distributions, including increasing the maximum amount that may be contributed to a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to include certain contributions to a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA) or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan, subject to limitations. The bill establishes an enhanced penalty—an additional prison term of up to five years—for certain interstate human trafficking offenses or coercion of sexual activity that occurs in a school zone or related area. The Department of Commerce must report on efforts to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production. The Federal Maritime Commission must evaluate the effect of foreign ownership of marine terminals at the 15 largest U.S. container ports on U.S. economic security. The bill provides additional appropriations for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, State, Defense, Homeland Security, and Energy. The bill extends mandatory livestock market reporting requirements through FY2025. The bill revises the required frequency of meetings held by a credit union's board of directors by decreasing the frequency for existing credit unions with satisfactory soundness ratings. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) enhanced-use leasing authority is reauthorized through 2033. The bill requires hearings on the bill's implementation within one year of the date of enactment.
Bill· HRH.R. 191 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Inflation Reduction Act of 2025 This bill repeals the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and rescinds any unobligated funds made available by the act.
Bill· HRH.R. 168 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards Act or the TORCH Act This bill establishes requirements concerning forest management on federal land, including provisions to expedite the approval of forest management activities. Specifically, it expands exclusions from environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for certain forest management activities, including by directing the Forest Service to develop a categorical exclusion for forest management activities that mitigate the risks associated with high-priority hazard trees. A categorical exclusion is a class of actions that a federal agency has determined do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and, thus, do not require an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement. The bill also exempts the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management from the requirement to reinitiate consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 on an approved, amended, or revised land management plan when (1) a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated, or (2) new information reveals that the land management plan may affect a listed species or critical habitat in a manner or to an extent not previously considered. It also creates and modifies requirements related to vegetation management practices and forest management activities, such as activities to reduce wildfire risks. For example, the bill modifies the treatment of certain revenue under good neighbor agreements, which allow federal agencies to partner with state and local governments to carry out certain restoration services.
Bill· HRH.R. 204 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions Act or the ACRES Act This bill establishes requirements regarding reports about hazardous fuels reduction activities and standardized procedures for tracking data for hazardous fuels reduction. Hazardous fuels reduction activities means any vegetation management activities that reduce the risk of wildfire but excludes the award of contracts to conduct hazardous fuels reduction activities. First, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior must include in the materials submitted in support of the President's budget each fiscal year a report on the number of acres of federal land on which such activities were carried out during the preceding year. Next, USDA and Interior must implement standardized procedures for tracking data related to such activities. The standardized procedures must include regular, standardized data reviews of the accuracy and timely input of data used to track hazardous fuels reduction activities; verification methods that validate whether such data accurately correlates to such activities; an analysis of the short- and long-term effectiveness of such activities on reducing the risk of wildfire; and for hazardous fuels reduction activities that occur partially within the wildland-urban interface, methods to distinguish which acres are located within and which located outside the wildland-urban interface. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must (1) conduct a study on this bill's implementation, and (2) submit a report to Congress with the results of the study.
Bill· HRH.R. 112 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Farewell to Unnecessary Energy Lifelines Reform Act of 2025 or the FUEL Reform Act This bill repeals Title IX (Energy) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (i.e., the 2002 farm bill). The title authorizes various energy programs that are administered by the Department of Agriculture and primarily provide support and incentives for renewable energy projects. For example, these programs include the BioPreferred Program; the Rural Energy for America Program; and the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.
Bill· HRH.R. 34 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Land And Social Security Optimization Act or the LASSO Act This bill requires 10% of revenue generated by public lands, including submerged lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to be deposited into the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which is used to pay Social Security benefits to retirees and their families and to survivors of deceased workers.
Bill· HRH.R. 183 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Law Enforcement Officer Recreation Pass Act This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to law enforcement officers.
Bill· HRH.R. 295 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act This bill requires manufacturers to report production cost and product yield information for all dairy products processed in the same facility or facilities to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program. Further, USDA must publish a report containing the information obtained under these new requirements and publish a report every two years thereafter. As background, under the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program, USDA must collect certain dairy product sales information from manufacturers and release the data on a weekly basis.
Bill· HRH.R. 290 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Rural Telehealth and Education Enhancement Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program through FY2030. This Department of Agriculture program provides grants to help rural communities gain the technology and training necessary to engage in telemedicine and distance learning.
Bill· HRH.R. 302 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Water Rights Protection Act of 2025 This bill limits the transfer of water rights from water users to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA). First, the bill prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements (e.g., permits and leases) on the transfer of any water right to the United States. Next, it prohibits Interior and USDA from requiring water users, including Indian tribes, to acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of the issuance or renewal of a land use or occupancy agreement. Finally, it prohibits Interior and USDA from conditioning or withholding the issuance or renewal of land use or occupancy agreements on (1) limiting the date, time, quantity, location of diversion or pumping, or place of use of a state water right beyond any applicable limitations under state water law; or (2) modifying the terms and conditions of groundwater withdrawal, guidance and reporting procedures, or conservation and source protection measures established by a state. Interior and USDA must also ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law. Further, Interior and USDA must not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights.
Bill· HRH.R. 294 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Dairy Farm Resiliency Act This bill updates the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. As background, the DMC program was enacted in the 2018 farm bill to support dairy operations by allowing producers to buy a guaranteed margin for their milk production. The margin is the difference between the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) national all milk price and a calculated feed cost, which provides producers optional risk protection on price and feed costs. The bill updates the current requirements that a participating dairy producer have an established milk production history with USDA's Farm Service Agency. Specifically, the bill requires that a dairy operation's production history for DMC be based on the most recent three-year history and be recalculated every five years. The bill also increases Tier I margin coverage for annual milk production to 6 million pounds or less (currently 5 million pounds or less) and Tier II margin coverage to over 6 million pounds (currently over 5 million pounds).
Bill· HRH.R. 292 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Grape Research And Protection Expansion Act or the GRAPE Act This bill requires the federal crop insurance program (FCIP) to provide for the research and development of a policy to insure table, wine, and juice grapes against losses due to a freeze event. (Under current law, the term policy means an insurance policy, plan of insurance, provision of a policy or plan of insurance, and related materials.) The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, the agency that finances FCIP operations, must make any resulting policy available that meets specified FCIP requirements. The FCIP must also submit a report to Congress on the research and any resulting policy.
Bill· HRH.R. 291 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Creating Access to Rural Employment and Education for Resilience and Success Act or the CAREERS Act This bill reauthorizes the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program and expands the program to include support for career pathway programs or industry or sector partnerships in industries in rural communities. As background, this Department of Agriculture (USDA) program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters, and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas. Under the bill, RISE grant program funds may be used to support career pathway programs (i.e., a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services) or industry or sector partnerships in industries in rural communities. These industries may include public utilities (i.e., telecommunications, broadband, water, wastewater, disposal, and electric supply services), conservation practices and management, health care, child care, manufacturing, and agribusiness. The bill removes the current requirement that the program provide grants (to the maximum extent practicable) for job accelerators in at least 25 states. Instead, USDA must ensure the regional diversity of grant recipients or participants in providing for job accelerators, career pathway programs, and industry or sector partnerships. The bill also includes additional reporting requirements for career pathway programs and industry or sector partnership grant recipients.
Bill· HRH.R. 293 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential Act (MAPLE) Act This bill includes maple syrup as one of the eligible foods under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). As background, the Department of Agriculture's SFMNP provides grants to participating states to provide low-income seniors with coupons/vouchers that may be used at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs to purchase eligible foods (i.e., fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey).
Bill· HRH.R. 289 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Supporting All Producers Act of 2025 or the SAP Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to solicit input from maple industry stakeholders with respect to the research and education priorities of the maple industry for the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). Specifically, the bill amends Acer to require USDA to consider the information provided through consultation with the maple industry when making program grants. The bill also extends the program's authorization through FY2030. As background, Acer provides competitive grants to states, tribal governments, and research institutions to support their efforts to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with, among other things, the promotion of (1) research and education related to maple syrup production, and (2) natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry.
Bill· HRH.R. 375 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 This bill establishes requirements to research and control Rapid Ohia Death, which is the disease caused by the fungal pathogen known as Ceratocystis fimbriata that affects the tree of the species Metrosideros polymorpha . Specifically, the Department of the Interior must partner with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Hawaii to control and address Rapid Ohia Death. In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry must continue to research Rapid Ohia Death vectors and transmission. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must continue to partner with USDA, Hawaii, and local stakeholders to manage ungulates (e.g., certain mammals such as deer) in Rapid Ohia Death control areas on federal, state, and private land, with the consent of private landowners. Finally, the Forest Service must provide (1) financial assistance to prevent the spread of the fungus and to restore the native forests of Hawaii, and (2) staff and necessary infrastructure funding to the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry to research the fungus.
Bill· HRH.R. 349 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
Goldie's Act This bill expands enforcement provisions under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to document and record detailed descriptions of violations of the act observed during inspections and investigations. USDA must provide a copy of all records documenting violations to state, local, and municipal animal control or law enforcement officials within 24 hours of such inspections or investigations. Inspections must be held at least once a year of each research facility, the premises of each animal dealer, and each exhibitor of animals. If violations are found during inspections, then USDA must conduct any necessary follow-up inspections until all the violations are corrected. Inspectors must confiscate or destroy in a humane manner animals found to be suffering physical or psychological harm as a result of failure to comply with the AWA. Violators are subject to civil penalties as outlined in the bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 372 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act This bill requires states participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and specified public housing programs to subject applicants to substance abuse testing or screening and to deny benefits for individuals who test positive for a controlled substance. Specifically, states administering these programs must determine whether an adult applicant for benefits has been arrested for a drug-related offense within the past five years. Applicants who have been arrested for such an offense must be tested for at least one controlled substance and must test negative to receive benefits. Applicants who have not been arrested for such an offense must be screened (via an interview, questionnaire, or other instrument) for risk of substance abuse. Applicants determined to be at high risk for substance abuse must be tested for at least one controlled substance and must test negative to receive benefits. Applicants who are determined not to be at high risk do not have to undergo testing. Applicants who test positive for a controlled substance at any point during this process are ineligible for benefits for one year, until they complete a treatment program, or until they test negative for the substance, whichever is later. Family members and households of individuals disqualified from receiving benefits under these provisions may generally continue to receive support. States that fail to enforce these provisions are subject to reduced federal funding for these programs the following fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 345 (119th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025 This bill requires standard operating procedures for reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreements, which are agreements between federal, state, and local governments to share the costs of suppressing wildfires that occur across multiple jurisdictions. The Departments of Agriculture, the Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense must establish standard operating procedures relating to payment timelines for fire suppression cost share agreements established under the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act. The departments must also review each agreement that is in operation within a year of this bill's enactment and modify an agreement as necessary to comply with the standard operating procedures. The standard operating procedures must require that (1) each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned with each of the cooperative fire protection agreements applicable to the entity subject to such fire suppression cost share agreement, and (2) the federal paying entity reimburse a local fire department if the fire department submits an invoice in accordance with cost settlement procedures.
Bill· HRH.R. 388 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract to evaluate the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. Under the program, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service works in coordination with the Texas Animal Health Commission to combat the spread of cattle fever ticks, which can spread a serious cattle disease called bovine babesiosis or cattle fever. Specifically, USDA must enter into a contract to review and report on the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program with a (1) land-grant college or university, or (2) non-land-grant college of agriculture. The review must include an evaluation of the program's (1) effectiveness with respect to preventing and reducing the spread of tick-borne illnesses in cattle; and (2) benefits, and the burdens of compliance, to cattle producers. The review must also evaluate the treatment protocols developed and implemented under the program. Further, the review must evaluate the federal and state funds allocated to support the program for the most recent fiscal year.
Bill· HRH.R. 389 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act This bill directs the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide payments to agricultural producers to implement certain conservation practices in counties at or near the Texas southern border. In general, this Department of Agriculture program provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns. Specifically, EQIP must provide payments to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices to address and repair damage to agricultural land and farming infrastructure that is in a county at or near the Texas southern border and contributes to natural resource concerns or problems.
Bill· HRH.R. 387 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to submit a report to Congress on USDA assistance available for agricultural producers in Texas related to Mexico's non-compliance with a 1944 treaty with the United States concerning water utilization. Specifically, the USDA report must list all of the existing USDA authorities and programs that are or could be made available to provide assistance to agricultural producers in Texas that have suffered economic losses due to Mexico not delivering water to the United States in accordance with the Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, including the Supplementary Protocol.
Bill· HRH.R. 442 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act This bill directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to review and revise quality loss adjustment coverage and provides for the establishment of a regional discount factor for soybeans, as needed. The FCIC is a government corporation that finances and administers the federal crop insurance program (FCIP) operations. Under the FCIP, farmers may purchase insurance coverage against financial losses caused by certain adverse growing and market conditions, including for quality losses. The federal government subsidizes the premiums that farmers pay for these insurance policies. The bill directs the FCIC to contract with a qualified entity to conduct a review at least once every five years of the quality loss adjustment procedures. Based on each review, the FCIC must make adjustments to the procedures. Each review must include engagement from regionally diverse industry stakeholders for each agricultural commodity for which a quality loss adjustment is offered. The bill also directs the FCIC, in certain circumstances, to establish a state or regional discount factor for soybeans to reflect the average quality discounts applied to the local or regional market prices of the soybean crop. The FCIC must take this action in the event of (1) specific emergency or disaster declarations for a state or region, or (2) the occurrence of a salvage market for soybeans in a state or region.
Bill· HRH.R. 416 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2025 This bill requires all households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to meet the program's income and asset requirements, thereby eliminating certain alternative SNAP eligibility pathways. Currently, a household may be eligible for SNAP by meeting program-specific federal eligibility requirements, which include both income and asset tests. A household may also be automatically or categorically eligible for SNAP based on eligibility for or receiving cash benefits from other specified low-income assistance programs (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF]). Under this categorical eligibility, households that already meet financial eligibility rules in a program like TANF are not required to go through a SNAP financial eligibility determination. A majority of states also provide broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE), a policy that makes most households with an income below a certain threshold categorically eligible for SNAP. Under BBCE, these states typically make households categorically eligible through receiving or being authorized to receive a minimal non-cash TANF benefit or service (e.g., a pamphlet). A state may set its own BBCE financial eligibility requirements for a household so long as the gross income requirement is below a certain level. A state's requirements do not have to match SNAP program-specific eligibility requirements. For example, most states that provide BBCE do not have an asset test for SNAP eligibility. The bill requires all SNAP households, including those that qualify under categorical eligibility, to meet the program's income and asset requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 435 (119th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Direct Hire To Fight Fires This bill provides permanent direct-hire authority to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to fill wildland firefighter and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service and Interior agencies. The bill also requires USDA and Interior to implement policies to recruit and retain wildland firefighters and related personnel, such as by streamlining the hiring process and reducing barriers for firefighters transferring between agencies. Further, the bill requires USDA and Interior to annually report related data to Congress, including the number of firefighters needed for the coming year, the number of firefighting vacancies in each state, and existing barriers to filling such vacancies. The report must also be made available on a public website.
Bill· HRH.R. 441 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Drought Assistance Improvement Act This bill modifies access to two Farm Service Agency (FSA) administered programs: the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). The bill modifies the LFP to allow for one monthly payment when a county has four consecutive weeks of a D2 rating (severe drought) and two payments for eight consecutive weeks of D2. Currently, one payment is available for eight consecutive weeks of D2. As background, LFP makes payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on drought-affected pastureland, including cropland planted specifically for grazing. The bill also expands coverage under ELAP for losses caused by adverse weather or drought. The bill includes under ELAP the loss of a crawfish harvest due to adverse weather or drought. As background, ELAP provides payments to producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish as compensation for losses due to disease, adverse weather, feed or water shortages, or other conditions that are not covered under other programs. The FSA must establish ELAP documentation standards for (1) collecting data, (2) the production of crawfish, and (3) defining loss conditions due to drought.
Bill· HRH.R. 471 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Fix Our Forests Act This bill establishes requirements for managing forests on federal land, including requirements concerning reducing wildfire threats, expediting the review of certain forest management projects, and implementing forest management projects and other activities. Specifically, the bill (1) designates certain firesheds at high risk for wildfires as fireshed management areas; (2) directs the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey to jointly establish an interagency Fireshed Center that is responsible for duties related to assessing and predicting fire, including maintaining a fireshed registry on a publicly accessible website that provides interactive geospatial data on individual firesheds; and (3) makes other requirements related to reducing wildfire. Next, the bill expedites the review of certain forest management projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and exempts certain activities from NEPA review. It also establishes intra-agency strike teams to accelerate the review and any interagency consultation processes under NEPA, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act. It also limits consultation requirements concerning threatened and endangered species under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Management and Policy Act of 1976. Finally, it limits litigation involving fireshed management projects and limits remedies that courts may provide. Additionally, the bill supports reducing community wildfire risks, carrying out forest restoration and stewardship activities (including watershed protection and restoration), conducting biochar demonstration projects, advancing technologies to address forest wildfires, and assisting wildland firefighters and their families.
Bill· HRH.R. 487 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act This bill directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct preclearance quarantine inspections for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials on persons, baggage, cargo, and any other articles destined for direct movement to or from the state of Hawaii. The visual, x-ray, and canine inspections must be conducted at airports, ports, and postal sorting facilities. APHIS must also consult with the state of Hawaii to develop and publish a list of items subject to inspection for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials. User fees must be prescribed and collected to cover the cost of the inspections.
Bill· HRH.R. 512 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act This bill establishes the Inspection and Consumption of Shrimp and Shrimp Products Fund. The fund consists of duties that are collected on shrimp and shrimp products that are imported into the United States. The fund must be used to support (1) the ability of the Food and Drug Administration to inspect imported shrimp and shrimp products in accordance with certain health and safety standards, including with respect to antibiotic contamination and fair labor standards; and (2) the Department of Agriculture in encouraging the domestic consumption of shrimp.
Bill· HRH.R. 534 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Creating Obstructions Necessary to Address Illegal and Nefarious Entry Rapidly Act or CONTAINER Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to allow border states to place temporary, movable structures on federal lands adjacent to the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders without a special use authorization. Border states may place these structures on such lands for the purpose of securing the northern or southern border for a period of not more than one year. Interior and the Forest Service must approve extension requests in 90-day increments if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that operational control of the border area has not been achieved.
Bill· HRH.R. 556 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025 This bill bars the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the FWS, the BLM, or the Forest Service determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.
Bill· HRH.R. 479 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Healthy SNAP Act of 2025 This bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to redefine the foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Under the bill, SNAP benefits may not be used for soft drinks, candy, ice cream, or prepared desserts, such as cakes, pies, cookies, or similar products. Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must designate by regulation foods and food products to include in the SNAP definition of the term food . USDA must consider food and products that (1) based on nutrition research, contain nutrients lacking in the diets of people in the United States; and (2) promote the health of the population served by SNAP, based on relevant nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. USDA must also, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the fat, sugar, and salt content of the food and food products are appropriate. At least every five years, USDA must review and amend the list. In addition, prepared meals purchased with SNAP benefits must have nutritional values consistent with standards developed by USDA for the list of food and food products. A state agency may substitute different foods for food USDA designated under this bill, with USDA approval, so long as the foods are nutritionally equivalent; this is permitted to allow for different cultural eating patterns.
Bill· HRH.R. 528 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of the Interior to carry out a program for post-disaster reforestation and restoration. Interior must identify covered lands requiring reforestation and restoration following unplanned disturbances that are unlikely to experience natural regeneration without assistance. Covered land means (1) any federal land or interest in land administered by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Forest Service, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and (2) any Indian Forest Land or Rangeland. Interior must propose a list that prioritizes projects for reforestation and restoration for each fiscal year. Interior may (1) carry out priority projects through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and (2) support any grant contract or cooperative agreement that may be necessary to ensure adequate and appropriate seed and seedling availability to further the objectives of priority projects.
Bill· HRH.R. 484 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Food Deserts Act This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. Underserved communities are communities that have (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate. The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store. In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values. Further, states must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to hiring workers from the underserved community, providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet, sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, and demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.
Bill· HRH.R. 598 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025
Forest Information Reform Act or the FIR Act This bill specifies that neither the Forest Service nor the Bureau of Land Management are required to reinitiate consultation on a land management plan when a new species is listed as threatened or endangered, critical habitat is designated, or new information reveals effects of the plan may affect a listed species or critical habitat in a manner or to an extent not previously considered.