Steve Daines

A resolution designating May 2026 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month".

The Senate has designated May 2026 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month" to increase public attention to brain tumors and the people affected by them. This symbolic designation encourages awareness campaigns, educational efforts, and fundraising activities related to brain tumor research and patient support during that month. The resolution passed with unanimous agreement and does not create new laws or funding, but rather serves as an official recognition to promote awareness of this health issue.

Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act

The bill would authorize a new water system in Montana called the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority to provide water services to communities and agricultural areas in that region. This would allow the authority to operate and manage water distribution infrastructure for local residents and farmers who need reliable access to water. The proposal is currently under review by the Senate's energy and natural resources committee.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2026, as "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls".

Congress is officially recognizing May 5, 2026, as a national day to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The resolution calls attention to this ongoing crisis affecting Native American communities and encourages people across the country to acknowledge and address the disproportionately high rates of violence against Indigenous women. This symbolic designation aims to bring greater public attention and support to efforts to prevent these crimes and help affected families.

A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods. The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines extended under this bill, effective as of the date they expire.

Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026

The bill would increase financial support for foster youth pursuing education and job training after high school by raising the maximum voucher amount they can receive and expanding access to workforce development programs. Young people who have been in the foster care system would get more help paying for college, vocational schools, and other training to prepare them for adult careers. The changes aim to give foster youth better tools to become self-sufficient and succeed once they leave the system.

Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

This bill aims to protect native fish species in the Lower Yellowstone River by establishing conservation measures and potentially modifying how water is managed in that region. The legislation would likely affect farmers, ranchers, hydroelectric dam operators, and fishing communities that depend on the river, as it could change water allocation rules or require new environmental protections. The bill is currently being reviewed by congressional committees to determine what specific conservation strategies should be implemented.

Fort Peck Water System Reauthorization Act

This bill would reauthorize federal funding and support for the water system serving the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana, allowing the government to continue investing in water infrastructure projects that provide drinking water and irrigation to the reservation's residents and agricultural operations. The legislation addresses water supply needs for Native American communities and agricultural users in the region by maintaining or updating the federal commitment to maintain and improve these water systems.

Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill would extend and update a federal program that helps states, tribes, and local communities work together to manage water resources and solve water-related problems in their regions. The program provides funding and support for projects like improving water quality, protecting watersheds, and addressing water shortages, affecting farmers, cities, environmental groups, and water utilities that depend on healthy water systems.

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

This bill would protect and manage public lands in Montana to support hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation while balancing conservation efforts. It likely includes provisions for wildlife habitat improvement, access to federal lands for sportsmen, and funding for conservation projects that benefit both hunters and fishermen. The measure affects outdoor enthusiasts, conservation groups, and federal land management agencies in Montana.

Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act

This bill would likely expand access to credit and financial services for individuals and small businesses that have difficulty obtaining traditional loans, possibly through new lending programs or requirements for banks to serve underserved communities. The legislation appears aimed at helping lower-income Americans and entrepreneurs build financial stability and grow their businesses by making it easier to access fair financing options. It would primarily affect banks, lending institutions, and consumers seeking credit in underserved areas.

A bill to allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.

This bill authorizes coal to be mined on approximately 800 acres of federal land in Musselshell County, Montana. Specifically, it allows all federal coal reserves in such federal land and leased under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988 to be mined in accordance with the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The Bull Mountains Mine is operated by Signal Peak Energy. This bill directs the Department of the Interior, without modification or delay, to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification to the extent necessary to mine such land.

Expanded Telehealth Access Act

Expanded Telehealth Access Act This bill expands the types of health care practitioners who may provide telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently allows audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other providers designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide telehealth services under Medicare. It also specifically allows occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants to provide such services.

Increasing Investor Opportunities Act

This bill would likely expand opportunities for individuals and investment firms to participate in financial markets, possibly by relaxing rules about who can invest in certain types of securities or how much money they need to get started. The changes would affect everyday investors, wealthy individuals, investment companies, and potentially small businesses looking to raise money through investments. The goal appears to be making it easier for more people to invest and for companies to access investment capital.

Small County PILT Parity Act

This bill would adjust how the federal government distributes payments to small counties that contain federal lands, aiming to give them fairer compensation for hosting national forests, parks, and other public property that generates tax-free revenue. Counties with smaller populations or less developed federal land often receive smaller payments despite their reliance on federal property, so this legislation would work to level the playing field. The changes would help rural and small county governments better fund local services like schools and roads that serve both residents and visitors to federal lands.

Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act

Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act This bill increases payments states receive for specified revenue generated from oil, gas, geothermal steam, coal, and certain other natural resources on onshore federal land. Specifically, the bill eliminates the 2% administrative fee that the Bureau of Land Management currently deducts from a state's payment for such natural resources developed within the state.

Relief of Chronic Pain Act of 2025

Relief of Chronic Pain Act of 2025 This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid drugs for chronic pain management. Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.

A joint resolution 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 "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment".

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) Amendment for the Miles City Field Office in Montana and issued on November 20, 2024. By way of background, such an amendment revises an RMP, which guides the management of lands administered by BLM. This Miles City Field Office RMP Amendment made no acres available for coal leasing and 1,745,040 acres unavailable for further consideration for coal leasing.

CDFI Fund Transparency Act

This bill would require Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)—lenders that provide credit and financial services to underserved communities—to disclose more detailed information about their operations, lending practices, and financial performance to the public. The increased transparency would help borrowers, investors, and regulators better understand how these institutions use federal funding and whether they're effectively serving low-income neighborhoods and small businesses. The measure aims to ensure accountability while these organizations receive government support to expand economic opportunity in disadvantaged areas.

PROTECT Act of 2025

Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today Act of 2025 or the PROTECT Act of 2025 This bill expands special tribal criminal jurisdiction (STCJ) to include certain controlled substance-related offenses and firearms offenses. It also allows tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic material. STCJ allows participating tribes to investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence both Indian and non-Indian offenders who commit covered crimes in Indian country against Indian victims. Covered crimes currently include assault of tribal justice personnel, child violence, dating violence, domestic violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and a violation of a protection order. The bill expands STCJ to allow participating tribes to prosecute individuals for controlled substance-related offenses (i.e., drug trafficking, unlawful drug possession, or unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia) and firearms offenses (i.e., use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a covered crime or by a person who has been convicted of domestic violence). Additionally, the bill allows participating tribes to exercise STCJ over a controlled substance-related offense or a firearms offense if neither the defendant nor the alleged victim is an Indian. (Currently, this exception only applies in cases of obstruction of justice or assault of tribal justice personnel.) The bill allows offenders convicted pursuant to STCJ to be incarcerated through the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program. The bill gives tribal courts the same authority as state courts to compel service providers to disclose stored electronic communication information through court-issued warrants, court orders, or administrative subpoenas.

Protecting Veteran Community Care Act

Protecting Veteran Community Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish residential mental health or substance-use services to certain veterans through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). Specifically, the VA must furnish such care if a veteran (1) meets VA criteria for priority admission to a VA Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program and the VA is unable to accommodate priority admission, or (2) has contacted the VA to request such mental health services and the VA is not able to furnish such services in a manner that complies with VA access standards for specialty care provided under the VCCP. The VA must ensure that a referral to an alternate Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program does not take precedence over timely access to mental health or substance-use services unless the referral is requested by the veteran. The VA is prohibited from determining a veteran is ineligible for VCCP care solely because VCCP providers are unable to comply with wait times or access standards. If multiple options for care or services are available, the VA must permit a veteran to elect the option the veteran prefers. Additionally, the bill provides minimum standards for residential mental health or substance-use services provided under the VCCP (e.g., treatment programs or facilities must be licensed and accredited for the specified services).

A bill to require that national cemeteries be open to visitors on legal public holidays.

This bill requires that national cemeteries administered by the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or the National Park Service must be open to visitors on the 11 legal public holidays (e.g., Memorial Day).

A resolution designating May 2025 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month".

This resolution officially recognizes May 2025 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month" to increase public awareness about brain tumors and the people affected by them. The designation encourages people to learn more about brain tumor research, treatment options, and support resources for patients and their families. While the resolution doesn't create new laws or funding, it gives national attention to an important health issue.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls".

This resolution expresses support for the designation of May 5, 2025, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

America the Beautiful Act

This bill likely aims to protect or improve public lands and natural resources across the United States, though the specific details would depend on its provisions. Based on the title and subject matter, it could involve measures like expanding national parks, protecting wilderness areas, funding conservation efforts, or managing public lands more sustainably. The bill would affect outdoor enthusiasts, environmental groups, local communities near public lands, and potentially the federal agencies that manage these areas.

Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) for Success Act of 2025

Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) for Success Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program through FY2030, establishes new metrics for measuring states’ performance within the program, and makes other changes to the program’s requirements. Under current law, states participating in TANF are required to meet certain minimum participation rates, or percentages of beneficiaries engaged in work. The bill eliminates minimum participation rates and replaces them with metrics tied to employment outcomes, such as former beneficiaries’ rates of unsubsidized employment and earnings at particular points in time. The Department of Health and Human Services must publish a website with information on each state’s performance. The bill also requires states to create an individual opportunity plan for each beneficiary and to meet with each work-eligible beneficiary at least every 90 days to review the individual’s progress under their plan. (Under current law, individual plans are optional.) Further, the bill prohibits states from using TANF funds to provide benefits to families with monthly incomes that exceed twice the poverty line. Finally, the bill requires states to spend at least 25% of their TANF grant funds on certain activities, including work supports, education and training, and apprenticeships. The bill also lowers the percentage of TANF funds that a state may spend on administrative costs to 10%, with an exception for costs related to case management necessary to assist in the development of individual opportunity plans.

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 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.

Supporting Made in America Energy Act

Supporting Made in America Energy Act This bill requires oil and natural gas lease sales that include certain public land and waters, prohibits lease sales in other areas, and establishes related requirements. Beginning in FY2025, the Department of the Interior must conduct a minimum of four onshore lease sales annually in each state that has federal land available for oil and natural gas leasing. If a lease sale is canceled, delayed, or deferred, Interior must conduct a replacement sale during the same year. Beginning in FY2026, Interior must conduct a minimum of two offshore, region-wide lease sales annually in the Gulf of Mexico Region of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) by specified dates. The sales must include the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area and the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. Interior must also conduct a minimum of six offshore lease sales of at least 1 million acres each over a 10-year period in the Cook Inlet Planning Area. The bill sets a 12.5% royalty rate for such leases. Interior must plan and approve the subsequent OCS oil and gas leasing programs by specified deadlines. The bill extends through 2035 a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain eastern and central portions of the Gulf of Mexico and expands the moratorium to include the South Atlantic Planning Area and the Straits of Florida Planning Area. The bill also requires the President to obtain congressional approval before impeding or circumventing certain federal energy mineral leasing processes.

Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act

Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act This bill creates new federal crimes related to the performance of an abortion on an unborn child who has Down syndrome. It subjects a violator to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. It also authorizes civil remedies, including damages and injunctive relief. A woman who undergoes such an abortion may not be prosecuted or held civilly liable.

FIND Act

The FIND Act would establish new requirements for federal agencies to locate and report on missing or lost government property and equipment. The bill aims to improve how the government tracks valuable assets and reduces waste by requiring agencies to conduct regular inventories and publicly disclose what items they cannot account for. This affects federal employees and taxpayers by promoting better management of government resources.