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October 12, 2021
From October 4 to 8, Congress introduced several bills related to forestry and public lands. H.R.5508 and S.2950 would prohibit the importation of products produced on illegally deforested land. Two other bills introduced last week, S.2960 and H.R.5533, would encourage the reduction of plastic products at National Parks. Finally, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to examine the drought in the western United States.
October 8, 2021
Senate
The Senate met at 11:30:02 a.m. in pro forma session, and adjourned at 11:30:35 a.m. until 12 noon, on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
House
Latest Committee Action
H.R.5506
To establish a Rural Telehealth Access Task Force to determine how to address barriers to the adoption of telehealth technology and access to broadband internet access service in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pence, Greg [R-IN-6] (Introduced 10/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 10/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee... (All Actions)
H.R.5508
To combat illegal deforestation by prohibiting the importation of products made wholly or in part of certain commodities produced on land undergoing illegal deforestation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 10/08/2021) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House - Ways and Means; Foreign Affairs; Financial Services; Oversight and Reform; Judiciary
Latest Action: House - 10/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such... (All Actions)
H.R.5512
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide a transitional option to permit States to submit their own mapping data to use for any broadband related funding program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9] (Introduced 10/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 10/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (All Actions)
H.R.5533
To encourage reduction of disposable plastic products in units of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (Introduced 10/08/2021) Cosponsors: (32)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 10/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. (All Actions)
H.Res.707
Supporting the recognition of October 8, 2021, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day".
Sponsor: Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-16] (Introduced 10/08/2021) Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform
Latest Action: House - 10/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. (All Actions)
October 7, 2021
S.2960
A bill to encourage reduction of disposable plastic products in units of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (Introduced 10/07/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 10/07/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.2962
A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to ensure market competition in onshore oil and gas leasing, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Hickenlooper, John [D-CO] (Introduced 10/07/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
S.2966
A bill to provide additional benefits to American workers whose employment has been impacted as a result of the transition to a clean energy economy.
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH] (Introduced 10/07/2021) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: Senate - Finance
Latest Action: Senate - 10/07/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Passed Senate
S.Res.412
A resolution designating October 8, 2021, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day".
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (Introduced 10/07/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Latest Action: Senate - 10/07/2021 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (All Actions)
S.Res.415
A resolution designating the week beginning on October 10, 2021, as "National Wildlife Refuge Week".
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher [D-DE] (Introduced 10/07/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 10/07/2021 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
There was no environmental- or energy-related activity in the House.
October 6, 2021
S.648
Technical Correction to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 03/09/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate - Indian Affairs
Latest Action: Senate - 10/06/2021 Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
S.1911
Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] (Introduced 05/27/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
S.1931
Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE] (Introduced 05/27/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
Committee Print: H.Prt. 117-9
Latest Action: Senate - 10/06/2021 By Senator Carper from Committee on Environment and Public Works filed written report. Report No. 117-41.
S.2158
Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Reauthorization Act
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 06/22/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 10/06/2021 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
S.2948
A bill to protect the right of individuals to bear arms at water resources development projects.
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] (Introduced 10/06/2021) Cosponsors: (9)
Latest Action: Senate - 10/06/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S.2949
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to describe the scope of activities subject to a presumption of the applicability of an exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (Introduced 10/06/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
S.2950
A bill to combat illegal deforestation by prohibiting the importation of products made wholly or in part of certain commodities produced on land undergoing illegal deforestation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 10/06/2021) Cosponsors: (7)
Latest Action: Senate - 10/06/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Committee Meetings
DROUGHT IN WESTERN U.S.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water and Power concluded a hearing to examine the status and management of drought in the western United States, after receiving testimony from Tanya Trujillo, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Department of the Interior; Thomas Buschatzke, Arizona Department of Water Resources, and Jennifer Pitt, National Audubon Society Colorado River Program, both of Phoenix, Arizona; and Julie Ellingson, North Dakota Stockmen's Association, Bismark.
USACE RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IDA
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded an oversight hearing to examine the Army Corps of Engineers emergency response to Hurricane Ida, after receiving testimony from Major General William H. Graham, Deputy Commanding General, Civil and Emergency Operations, Brigadier General Thomas J. Tickner, Commander, North Atlantic Division, and Colonel Stephen Murphy, Commander, New Orleans District, all of the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense
WATER RIGHTS LEGISLATION
Committee on Indian Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine S. 648, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to make a technical correction to the water rights settlement for Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation, and S. 1911, to provide for the settlement of the water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, after receiving testimony from Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Brian Thomas, Shoshone-Paiute of the Duck Valley Reservation, Owyhee, Nevada; and Andrew Werk, Jr., Fort Belknap Indian Community, Harlem, Montana.
H.R.5341
Save Our Forests Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-20] (Introduced 09/22/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 10/06/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
H.R.5504
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-9] (Introduced 10/05/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Appropriations
Latest Action: House - 10/06/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
EMERGING CONTAMINANTS, FOREVER CHEMICALS, AND MORE: CHALLENGES TO WATER QUALITY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND COMMUNITIES
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing entitled ``Emerging Contaminants, Forever Chemicals, and More: Challenges to Water Quality, Public Health, and Communities''. Testimony was heard from Chris Kennedy, Town Manager, Pittsboro, North Carolina; and public witnesses.
October 5, 2021
MINING LAW OF 1872
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine and consider updates to the Mining Law of 1872, after receiving testimony from Chris Wood, Trout Unlimited, Arlington, Virginia; Katie Sweeney, National Mining Association, and Autumn Hanna, Taxpayers for Common Sense, both of Washington, D.C.; Rich Haddock, Barrick Gold Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah; and David Brown, Wyo-Ben, Inc., Billings, Montana.
H.R.5173
Urban Agriculture and Community Food Security Act
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1] (Introduced 09/03/2021) Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Action: House - 10/05/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
H.R.5283
Housing for our Firefighters Act
Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (Introduced 09/17/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
H.R.5477
To amend chapter 3 of title 5, United States Code, to require Federal agencies to maintain plans for responding to, mitigating, and adapting to climate change, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] (Introduced 10/05/2021) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform; Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 10/05/2021 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Latest Action: House - 10/05/2021 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.Res.704
Recognizing the importance of the National Park Service in preserving the legacy of LGBTQ+ people and honoring their contributions to American history through the preservation of historic places and landmarks.
Sponsor: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] (Introduced 10/05/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: House - 10/05/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
HURRICANE IDA AND BEYOND: READINESS, RECOVERY, AND RESILIENCE
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Hurricane Ida and Beyond: Readiness, Recovery, and Resilience''. Testimony was heard from Deanne Criswell, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
October 4, 2021
There was no environmental- or energy-related Congressional activity.
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