House Committee on Natural Resources

Orland Project Water Management Act

The bill addresses water management for the Orland Project, a water resource development area, likely involving how water is stored, distributed, or managed in that region. The specific details of what changes would be made are not yet clear from the current status, as the bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process. This would affect local communities, farmers, and water users who depend on the project's water supply.

Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act

Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the development of next-generation geothermal systems, such as closed-loop geothermal systems in supercritical conditions. Specifically, the bill expands the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to modify and establish geothermal energy programs, such as programs concerning research and development, grants, and data management. DOE must support a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for next-generation geothermal systems. DOE may administer grants for carrying out certain focus areas of the program. DOE must also ensure that at least one Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) field research site has the capabilities to include next-generation geothermal testing. Additionally, DOE must provide grants for (1) the continuation and expansion of research, development, demonstration, testing, and commercial application activities applicable to FORGE sites; and (2) the establishment of a next-generation geothermal systems center of excellence. DOE must also provide grants to accelerate the development, testing, and implementation of innovative technologies to improve the commercial-readiness of geothermal energy projects using next-generation geothermal systems. DOE must expand its repository of geothermal drilling information to include publicly available subsurface data, including data reported as part of fossil fuel and mining operations. DOE must also periodically update the repository to improve its functionality and usability. The bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to commission the drilling of supercritical geothermal exploration boreholes in certain areas to provide control points for deep heat mapping and geothermal development.

To clarify United States birthright citizenship laws in the territories and combat foreign nationals who are seeking citizenship in the United States territories.

The proposal would change citizenship rules in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by clarifying who automatically becomes a U.S. citizen at birth and making it harder for foreign nationals to gain citizenship through living in these territories. The bill aims to prevent people from moving to U.S. territories specifically to obtain American citizenship, which supporters argue has been exploited as a loophole. This would affect people born in these territories, immigrants seeking citizenship, and the territories' populations.

Less Bureaucracy, Better K–12 Education Act

This bill would transfer responsibility for managing elementary and secondary education programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor, fundamentally changing which federal agency oversees K-12 schools. The change would affect students, teachers, school administrators, and parents across the country by shifting how federal education policies and funding are managed. The bill has been referred to multiple committees for review, including those handling education, financial services, and government operations.

CLEAN Act

Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act or the CLEAN Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to increase the frequency of lease sales for developing and utilizing geothermal energy on federal land. Specifically, Interior must hold lease sales at least once a year (rather than two years) in states with pending nominations of federal land to be leased for geothermal energy development. In conducting such lease sales, Interior must offer all of the pending nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development and utilization under the resource management plan in effect for the state. If a lease sale is canceled or delayed, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year. Finally, the bill establishes deadlines for Interior to respond to applications for geothermal drilling permits.

Dalles Watershed Development Act

The Dalles Watershed Development Act This bill provides for the conveyance of approximately 150 acres of National Forest System land located in the Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon from the Forest Service to the City of The Dalles, Oregon. If the city requests Interior to convey the land within a year of this bill's enactment, then the Forest Service must convey the land to the city as soon as practicable. The exact acreage and legal description of the National Forest System land to be conveyed must be determined by a survey satisfactory to the Forest Service. The conveyance must be (1) subject to valid existing rights; (2) made without consideration (i.e., made without the transfer of value, such as money); (3) made by a quitclaim deed; and (4) subject to such additional terms and conditions as the Forest Service determines to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. As a condition of the conveyance, the city must pay the costs associated with the conveyance, including the cost of a survey.

HEATS Act

Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act This bill exempts certain geothermal activities on state and private lands (except Indian lands) from drilling permit requirements as well as environmental and historic preservation review requirements. First, the bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a drilling permit under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for any geothermal exploration and production activity conducted on a nonfederal surface estate (i.e., the part of the estate that is above ground) if (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action, and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct the geothermal exploration and production activity on the nonfederal surface estate. Next, the bill states that such geothermal exploration and production activity is not considered a major federal action under National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such activity does not trigger NEPA's environmental review requirements. In addition, the bill exempts such activity from the consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also exempts the activity from review under the National Historic Preservation Act unless the state in which the activity occurs does not have a state law that addresses the preservation of historic properties.

Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act This bill establishes a geothermal ombudsman and task force to oversee geothermal project permitting and authorizations on federal land. The Department of the Interior must appoint a geothermal ombudsman from within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ombudsman must act as a liaison among different parts of BLM, provide dispute resolution services between BLM and geothermal project applicants, and facilitate permit processing in different BLM field offices regarding geothermal projects on federal land. The ombudsman must also lead the Geothermal Permitting Task Force established by this bill. The task force must support the ombudsman’s duties. Through the task force, the ombudsman may reassign employees from other Interior bureaus or offices to assist in the completion of geothermal authorizations. The ombudsman may pay a retention allowance to reassigned employees.

License to Drill Act

License to Drill Act This bill extends through FY2037 the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) authority to collect oil and gas permit processing fees. For each new permit application, BLM collects a fee that is transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund. (Under current law, the fees are authorized through FY2026.)

Expanding the Fast Track Act of 2026

This bill would likely speed up the approval process for transportation and infrastructure projects by reducing the time and paperwork required for environmental reviews and permits. The changes would affect construction companies, state and local governments, and communities waiting for projects like roads, bridges, and public transit systems to be built or improved. By streamlining bureaucratic steps, the bill aims to get these projects moving faster, though it could also reduce the amount of time available for public input and environmental analysis.

SAFE CATTLE Act

The bill aims to establish or modify regulations related to cattle farming and food safety, likely addressing concerns about disease prevention, animal welfare, or environmental practices in the cattle industry. It would affect ranchers, cattle producers, and potentially consumers by setting standards or requirements for how cattle are raised and processed. The bill is currently under review by two congressional committees to determine which parts fall under their respective areas of responsibility.

Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act of 2026

The federal government would study how many treatment facilities exist across the country for people struggling with opioid addiction, whether they have enough capacity to help everyone who needs it, and what gaps exist in available services. A government official called the Comptroller General would investigate both hospital-based and outpatient treatment options and report back to Congress with findings and recommendations. This would help lawmakers understand the current state of addiction treatment resources and identify where more help is needed.

MARA Act of 2026

The federal government would create a program to test and evaluate large-scale fish farming operations in ocean waters through demonstration projects, while also establishing research centers focused on aquaculture expertise and funding programs to train workers for jobs in this industry. The bill aims to help develop sustainable seafood production at sea and support coastal communities that depend on fishing and water-based economies. NOAA, the ocean and weather agency, would oversee these initiatives.

Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026

This bill would allow fishermen and wildlife managers to kill sea lions and seals in the Columbia River and Washington state waters to protect salmon populations that are endangered or threatened. Currently, federal law strictly protects these marine mammals, but this change would let authorities remove them when they're eating too many salmon that scientists are trying to save. The bill affects fishing communities, environmental groups, and wildlife managers who deal with the conflict between protecting marine mammals and restoring fish populations.

Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026

The proposal would extend and continue funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, a program that uses advanced mapping technology to identify mineral and natural resources across the United States. This affects mining companies, energy producers, and government agencies that rely on detailed geological data to locate valuable materials like metals and rare earth elements needed for manufacturing and technology. The bill also allows for other related changes to the original infrastructure law that created this initiative.

Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026

The proposal would strengthen federal efforts to prevent, manage, and eliminate invasive aquatic species like zebra mussels and Asian carp that damage waterways, fisheries, and infrastructure across the country. It updates existing laws to give government agencies and states better tools and coordination to stop these species from spreading and to remove them where they've already taken hold. The changes would affect water management agencies, fishing communities, power plants, and anyone who uses lakes and rivers for recreation or commerce.

Whale CHARTS Act of 2026

The bill would establish new protections and monitoring systems for whale populations, likely requiring shipping companies and other industries to take steps to avoid harming whales in U.S. waters. It addresses concerns about whale deaths from ship strikes, fishing nets, and other human activities by creating tracking programs and safety requirements. The proposal affects shipping industries, fishing operations, and environmental organizations working to preserve marine mammals.

Quantum-Enhanced Critical Minerals Mapping Act of 2026

The federal government would use advanced quantum technology to map and identify critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths that are essential for batteries, electronics, and defense equipment. This survey would help the U.S. reduce its dependence on foreign sources for these materials by better understanding where domestic supplies are located. Mining companies, manufacturers, and policymakers would benefit from more accurate information about America's mineral resources.

Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026

The federal government would be required to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to eliminate hepatitis C, a serious liver disease that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans. This would involve activities like increasing testing and screening, improving access to treatment medications, and coordinating efforts across different government agencies and healthcare providers. The initiative would aim to reduce new infections and help people currently living with hepatitis C get the care they need.

Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act

The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act This bill extends through 2032 the Adams Memorial Commission, whose purpose is to establish a permanent memorial in Washington, DC, to honor John Adams and his legacy. The bill specifies that the Adams Memorial shall be located within the area specified by the Adams Memorial Commission in a February 25, 2025 map (i.e., south of the White House, adjacent to Ellipse Road and near Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street, Northwest). If the Commission determines that this location is not suitable or feasible due to physical or security constraints, the bill requires that the memorial be located in the Reserve , an area which generally extends from the United States Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial.