Nicholas J. Begich III

Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act

Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act This bill allows five Alaska Native communities in Southeast Alaska to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements. Specifically, the bill allows the Alaska Native residents of each of the Alaska Native villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, to organize as Alaska Native urban corporations and to receive certain settlement land. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey specified land to each urban corporation. Further, Interior must convey the subsurface estate for that land to the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. The land conveyed to each urban corporation must include any U.S. interest in all roads, trails, log transfer facilities, leases, and appurtenances on or related to the land conveyed to the urban corporation. The bill also allows each urban corporation to establish a settlement trust to (1) promote the health, education, and welfare of the trust beneficiaries; and (2) preserve the Alaska Native heritage and culture of their communities.

ARTIST Act

Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives. Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of a rail route linking Alaska to the North American continental rail network, and for other purposes.

The federal government would study whether it's possible and practical to build a railroad connecting Alaska to the rest of North America's rail system, which would require crossing through Canada. The study would examine the costs, engineering challenges, environmental impacts, and potential benefits of such a massive infrastructure project. This would affect transportation companies, Alaska residents and businesses, and potentially create construction jobs if the project moves forward.

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes.

This bill would allow Alaska Native communities in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska to legally sell items made from northern sea otters they hunt for food, including pelts, clothing, handicrafts, and artwork. Currently, federal law restricts the sale of sea otter products even when the animals are hunted traditionally for subsistence purposes, so this change would let Indigenous hunters and their communities generate income from these traditional practices. The bill affects Alaska Native subsistence hunters and the communities that depend on these hunting traditions.

To establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and other programs to ensure the transparent management of Bitcoin holdings of the Federal Government, to offset costs utilizing certain resources of the Federal Reserve System, and for other purposes.

The federal government would create an official reserve of Bitcoin similar to how it holds gold reserves, with rules to ensure the public knows how much Bitcoin is being held and how it's being managed. The bill would use certain resources from the Federal Reserve System to help pay for this program. This would affect federal finances and potentially give the government a stake in cryptocurrency holdings.

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025

Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey approximately 3.4 acres in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF) for use in connection with health and social services programs. The conveyance must be made by warranty deed. The conveyance may not (1) require any consideration (such as payment) from the SCF for the property; (2) impose any obligation, term, or condition on the SCF relating to that property; or (3) allow for any U.S. reversionary interest in the property. HHS must be accorded any easement or access to the property as may be reasonably necessary to satisfy any retained obligation or liability of HHS. The bill prohibits the SCF from being liable for certain environmental contamination that occurred on or before the date on which the property is conveyed to the SCF. In turn, HHS may not be liable for any contamination that occurred after the date that the SCF controlled, occupied, and used the property.

Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025

Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 This bill waives a statutory core township selection requirement for the Cape Fox Corporation and allows Cape Fox to receive other lands to fulfill its remaining land entitlement. Cape Fox is an Alaska Native village corporation for the Alaska Native village of Saxman, Alaska. Specifically, the bill states that Cape Fox shall not be required to receive its previously selected land of approximately 185 acres located within the township in which the Alaska Native village of Saxman, Alaska, is located. Instead, the bill allows Cape Fox to receive land outside of Cape Fox's current exterior selection boundary upon written notice of the new selection to the Department of the Interior. In particular, if Cape Fox submits written notice of its selection of approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to Interior within 90 days of the bill's enactment, then Interior must convey the federal land to Cape Fox. Upon conveyance of the surface estate of the federal land to Cape Fox, Interior must convey the subsurface estate of the federal land to Sealaska Corporation (the Alaska Native regional corporation representing southeastern Alaska). The bill reserves a public access easement on the federal land conveyed to Cape Fox and Sealaska.

Geese House Site Conveyance Act

The federal government would transfer ownership of a specific piece of property known as the Geese House Site to a new owner, likely a state, local government, or organization. This conveyance would remove the land from federal control and allow the new owner to manage and use the property as they see fit. The change primarily affects the federal government's land holdings and the entity receiving the property.

Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

The FAA would be required to buy and install specialized equipment at air traffic control towers that helps accurately track and display aircraft positions in real-time. This equipment, known as certified airborne position reference tools, would improve the accuracy and safety of air traffic control operations by giving controllers better information about where planes are located. The change would primarily affect air traffic controllers and the flying public by enhancing the precision of flight tracking and coordination.

North Pacific Fishery Management Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026

The proposal would change how the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is structured to make sure all types of fishing interests—such as commercial fishers, recreational fishers, and fishing communities—have a voice in decisions about managing fish populations in Alaskan waters. Currently, some fishing groups may have limited representation on the council, which makes rules about catch limits and fishing practices. This change would give more fishing stakeholders a say in how these important ocean resources are managed.

Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act

This bill would expand veterinary services in rural communities to help protect public health by ensuring animals receive proper medical care and disease prevention. It aims to address the shortage of veterinarians in remote areas where farmers, ranchers, and pet owners struggle to access basic animal healthcare services. The legislation would affect rural residents, agricultural workers, and communities that currently have limited access to veterinary professionals.

Geo POWER Act

I don't have enough information to write an accurate summary. The bill title "Geo POWER Act" and referral to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee suggest it relates to geothermal or geospatial energy, but without the bill's actual text or stated subjects, I cannot reliably explain what it would do or who it affects. Please provide the bill's summary, key provisions, or stated purposes so I can write an accurate plain-English explanation.

DATA Act of 2026

The proposal would establish new rules for how companies collect, use, and share data about consumers and their activities online. It would give people more control over their personal information and require businesses to be transparent about what data they're gathering and how they're using it. The legislation would also create penalties for companies that misuse or fail to protect consumer data.

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

This bill would allow hunters to bring polar bear trophies into the United States from sport hunts in Canada that happened before polar bears were officially listed as threatened under environmental protection laws. The change would apply only to bears already killed before the threatened species designation, not future hunts. Hunters and trophy importers would be the main groups affected by this change to current import restrictions.

Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025

Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025 This bill reduces the requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow a state to use its state highway standards, instead of federal standards, for airfield pavement projects at certain smaller commercial aviation airports. The bill also requires the FAA to act within a certain time period. Under current law, airports are generally required to meet FAA standards for Airport Improvement Program-funded construction. For certain nonprimary commercial service airports (i.e., airports that have 2,500 to 10,000 passenger boardings annually) that serve aircraft that do not exceed 60,000 pounds gross weight, the FAA must instead use the state highway standards. A state must request the use of the state standards, and the FAA must determine that their use (1) will not negatively affect safety, and (2) will not result in a shorter life for the pavement. Under the bill, the FAA must use state highway standards for airfield pavement projects at these airports if (1) the state provides notice to the FAA that nonprimary airports intend to use the state standards, and (2) the FAA determines that the state standards will not negatively affect safety. The bill also requires the FAA to make a safety determination within six months of a state providing notice. The FAA may extend the time period by six months if the six months is insufficient to make the determination. For each six-month extension, the FAA must notify the state and provide a justification for the extension.

Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025

Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025 This bill authorizes a land exchange between the Chugach Alaska Corporation (also known as Chugach, an Alaska Native regional corporation in southcentral Alaska) and the federal government. Specifically, if Chugach offers to convey to the Department of the Interior all right, title, and interest of Chugach in and to approximately 231,000 acres of subsurface estate within one year of the bill's enactment, then Interior must accept the offer and convey all right, title, and interest of the federal government in and to approximately 65,374 acres of fee simple land located in the Chugach region. (The Chugach region includes portions of land on the Kenai Peninsula and the coast of Prince William Sound in Alaska.) The bill directs Chugach to exclude from its conveyance to Interior all right, title, and interest in any land, not to exceed a total of 209 acres, for which a village corporation has retained development rights (other than timber development rights) or that has been designated for a shareholder homesite program.

Protect Future Dividends Act

This bill would likely change how dividends—payments companies make to shareholders—are taxed, though the specific changes are unclear from the title alone. The proposal appears aimed at protecting dividend income from tax increases, which would primarily benefit investors and shareholders who receive these payments. The bill has been sent to the House tax committee for review.

Fishing Vessel Financing Improvement Act of 2026

This bill would make it easier for fishing companies and individual fishermen to get loans to buy, build, or repair fishing boats by improving the federal financing programs that currently support the maritime industry. The changes would likely lower interest rates, extend repayment periods, or reduce the paperwork burden for borrowers seeking vessel financing. Fishing businesses of all sizes would benefit from more accessible and affordable credit to invest in their operations.

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act This bill states that nothing in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, or transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft, clothing, or art on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part, so long as the bird was not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. (The MBTA implements four international treaties that the United States entered into with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The MBTA prohibits the taking of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization.) The bill directs the Department of State to work with the Department of the Interior to enter into appropriate bilateral procedures with countries that are parties to the treaties under the MBTA to clarify the treatment of Alaska Native handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts from the species of migratory birds listed in those treaties. Further, Interior must modify any regulations implementing the MBTA to implement this bill.

Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2026

The legislation would require fishing operations to implement new methods and technologies to reduce the accidental capture of non-target marine animals, such as dolphins, sea turtles, and other species caught alongside commercial fish. It would also fund research programs to develop and test better fishing practices that minimize this "bycatch" while still allowing fishermen to catch their target species. Commercial fishing companies, recreational fishermen, and marine conservation groups would all be affected by these new requirements and research initiatives.

Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025

Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025 This bill extends for an additional five years the time period during which an eligible Alaska Native veteran may apply for a land allotment under the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. The program makes Alaska Native veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Vietnam between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971, or their heirs eligible to receive up to 160 acres of federal land in Alaska. Under the current program, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management may accept applications through December 29, 2025. This bill extends this time period for an additional five years to December 29, 2030.

To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The system, implemented by the USGS in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, includes a monitoring network, volcano observatories, a national data center, and external research grants.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".

This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) relating to the Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Alaska’s Central Yukon planning area and issued on November 12, 2024. By way of background, an RMP guides the management of lands administered by the BLM. This Central Yukon RMP modified the prior RMP for the area, including by designating 21 areas of critical environmental concern or research natural areas, encompassing approximately 3,611,000 acres.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision".

This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), issued on December 9, 2024, and related to the record of decision (ROD) for the program that leases, develops, produces, and transports oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain program area within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The 2024 ROD that is being nullified by this resolution replaced the 2020 ROD that made all of the approximately 1.6 million acres of the program area available for oil and gas leasing. The 2024 ROD adopted Alternative D2 in the 2024 Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, which made approximately 1.2 million acres unavailable for leasing or exploration in order to protect and conserve resources and certain uses in these areas. However, the 2024 ROD requires the statutory minimum of 400,000 acres to be made available for oil and gas leasing in a specified lease sale, subject to certain stipulations and operating procedures. Under current law, those acres must be located in the areas with the highest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons.

Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025

Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025 This bill extends by 25 years the reservation of certain public lands for military use and the withdrawal of such lands from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws (e.g., mining laws). Specifically, the bill extends the withdrawal and reservation of the Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright Training Ranges in Alaska and the McGregor Range at Fort Bliss in New Mexico until November 6, 2051. It also extends the withdrawal and reservation of Fort Irwin military land in California until December 31, 2051. The bill also makes technical changes to the land descriptions of the McGregor Range and Fort Irwin lands.

Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act of 2025

This bill would likely address how diesel fuel performs in cold weather conditions and may establish standards or requirements to ensure diesel engines remain reliable during winter months. The changes could affect fuel producers, trucking companies, and other businesses that rely on diesel vehicles in cold climates, as well as potentially impact environmental regulations around diesel fuel composition. The bill has been sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review.

Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025

Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 This bill removes the requirement that Alaska Native village corporations must convey lands to Alaska to be held in trust for future municipal governments. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) requires all Alaska Native village corporations that receive land under the ANCSA to convey certain lands to the existing municipality in the village or, if no municipality exists, to Alaska in trust for any municipality that may be established in the future. This bill removes the requirement for conveyance. Additionally, the bill allows village corporations to regain title to the lands held in trust by dissolving the trust through formal resolution by the village corporation and the residents of the Native village.

Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act

Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for certain need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

To amend the Small Business Act to eliminate certain requirements relating to the award of construction subcontracts within the county or State of performance.

This bill eliminates a requirement that, to the maximum extent practicable, certain construction subcontracts awarded by the Small Business Administration must be awarded within the county or state where the work is to be performed.