Martin Heinrich

Caja del Rio Protection Act

The bill would protect a large area of land in New Mexico called Caja del Rio by creating a special management area and national conservation area, which means the land would be managed for conservation purposes rather than developed for other uses. This would affect outdoor enthusiasts, local communities, and conservation groups by preserving the landscape for activities like hiking and wildlife habitat while potentially limiting mining, drilling, and other extractive industries in the region.

Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2026

The bill would allow physical therapists to participate in a federal loan repayment program that helps healthcare workers pay off student loans in exchange for working in underserved areas, and it would expand Medicare coverage to include physical therapy services at rural health clinics and community health centers. These changes would make it easier for patients in rural and low-income areas to access physical therapy treatment without traveling to specialized facilities. The bill aims to address healthcare shortages in underserved communities by incentivizing physical therapists to work there and expanding the services available to Medicare patients.

No Immunity for Glyphosate Act

This bill would prevent the federal government from spending money to carry out an executive order aimed at increasing the domestic supply of phosphorus (a chemical used in fertilizers and other products) and glyphosate-based herbicides (common weedkillers). The measure would block funding for any programs or initiatives created under that executive order, affecting farmers, agricultural companies, and chemical manufacturers who might have benefited from government support for these products.

WIPP Economic Assistance Assurance Act of 2026

This bill would provide economic support and assistance to communities and workers affected by the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a federal nuclear waste storage facility in New Mexico. The legislation aims to help local economies and residents manage the economic impacts of the facility's operations, closures, or changes in activity levels. Workers in the region and nearby communities would be the primary beneficiaries of any assistance programs created under this bill.

Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026

This bill would provide federal funding and support to help schools upgrade and improve their outdoor play areas and recreational spaces. The money could be used for things like fixing broken equipment, adding new playground structures, improving sports fields, or making schoolyards safer and more accessible for students with disabilities. The goal is to give kids better places to play and exercise during school.

Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act of 2026

This bill would likely adjust or expand education benefits available to military veterans, such as tuition assistance, GI Bill payments, or vocational training programs. The changes could affect how much money veterans receive for college, trade schools, or other educational programs, or make it easier for them to use existing benefits. Veterans and their families would be the primary groups impacted by any modifications to these education support programs.

Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

This bill would help farmers and ranchers create wildlife corridors and connected habitats on their land while continuing to farm or raise livestock, likely through grants, technical assistance, or tax incentives. The goal is to allow animals to move safely between different areas without crossing developed land, which helps maintain healthy wildlife populations and biodiversity. Farmers and conservation groups would be the main beneficiaries, as the bill aims to balance agricultural production with environmental protection.

Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act

This bill would create a refund or tax credit system to help working families offset the higher prices they pay when the government puts tariffs on imported goods. The goal is to reduce the financial burden that tariffs place on everyday consumers who buy products made from or containing imported materials. Families earning below certain income thresholds would likely receive direct payments or tax breaks to compensate for increased costs on groceries, clothing, and other household goods.

Promoting Reduction of Emissions through Landscaping Equipment Act

This bill would likely provide tax incentives or credits to encourage people and businesses to switch from gas-powered landscaping equipment (like mowers and leaf blowers) to electric or zero-emission alternatives. The goal is to reduce air pollution and emissions by making it more affordable for landscapers, property owners, and municipalities to adopt cleaner equipment. The tax benefits would apply to both the purchase of new electric equipment and potentially the costs of converting existing operations.

Buffalo Tract Protection Act

This bill would protect a specific area of land known as the Buffalo Tract from development or resource extraction by designating it as protected public land. The protection would preserve the area's natural features and wildlife habitat while potentially restricting activities like mining, logging, or commercial development on that land. The measure affects landowners, conservation groups, and companies interested in using the land for resource extraction or development.

Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act

This bill would designate a specific area called Cerro de la Olla as a protected wilderness area, which means the land would be preserved in its natural state with restrictions on development, logging, and motorized vehicles. The designation would affect how the federal government manages the land and could impact local communities, outdoor enthusiasts, and any businesses with interests in the area. Wilderness designations typically protect scenic and ecological values while allowing hiking, camping, and other non-motorized recreation.

A resolution designating the week beginning February 2, 2026, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week".

This resolution designates the week beginning on February 2, 2026, as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to seek to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail no later than 10 years after the enactment of this bill. USDA and Interior must establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the administrator of the trail to facilitate its completion and optimization. USDA must complete a comprehensive development plan for the trail within three years. USDA and Interior must also seek to enter into agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to facilitate the completion and administration of the trail.

Indian Buffalo Management Act

This bill would establish rules for how Native American tribes manage buffalo herds on their lands, likely giving tribes more control over hunting, breeding, and conservation of these animals. The legislation aims to support tribal sovereignty and economic interests by allowing Native American communities to develop their own buffalo management programs rather than following federal regulations designed for other purposes. This would affect Native American tribes, ranchers on tribal lands, and potentially wildlife conservation efforts in the West.

M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act

This bill would designate a section of the Gila River in New Mexico as a protected "Wild and Scenic River," which means the federal government would manage it to preserve its natural character and prevent development like dams or commercial projects. The designation would affect how the river and surrounding land can be used, potentially limiting mining, logging, and other industrial activities in the area while protecting the river's ecology and recreational opportunities for visitors. Local communities, outdoor enthusiasts, and environmental groups would be the main stakeholders affected by these protections.

Pecos Watershed Protection Act

This bill would protect the Pecos River watershed and surrounding lands in New Mexico by establishing new conservation measures and potentially restricting certain development or resource extraction activities in the region. The legislation aims to preserve the area's natural resources, water quality, and ecosystems for both environmental and recreational purposes. It would affect landowners, water users, and companies involved in mining or other resource development in the Pecos watershed area.

Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act

This bill would protect jobs and staffing levels at the Department of the Interior, which manages federal lands, national parks, and natural resources across the country. The legislation likely aims to prevent significant workforce reductions or restructuring that could affect park rangers, scientists, and other employees who manage public lands and enforce environmental regulations. The bill has been sent to the Senate committee responsible for energy and natural resources policy for review.

Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act

Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act This bill allows the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes to conduct gaming activities on their land in Texas if certain conditions are met. Currently, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act prohibits the tribes from conducting gaming activities on their land if those activities are prohibited by Texas law. The bill repeals those provisions and instead applies the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) to gaming activities on Indian lands of the tribes.

Saving the Department of Energy's Workforce Act

This bill would protect jobs and staffing levels at the Department of Energy by limiting the agency's ability to reduce its workforce through layoffs or attrition. The legislation aims to preserve the department's capacity to carry out its missions in energy research, nuclear security, and environmental cleanup by keeping experienced employees on staff. It would affect DOE workers and potentially impact the department's ability to meet its operational goals if staffing cuts were planned.

A resolution designating May 10, 2025, as "World Migratory Bird Day".

This resolution designates May 10, 2025, as World Migratory Bird Day.

BUMP Act

Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act or the BUMP Act This bill generally prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, receipt, or possession of a device that is primarily designed, or redesigned, to increase the rate of fire when attached to a semiautomatic firearm; a device, part, or combination of parts that is designed and functions to increase the rate of fire of a firearm; or a semiautomatic firearm that has been modified to materially increase the rate of fire or to approximate the action or rate of fire of a machine gun. Additionally, the bill adds to the list of firearms subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act semiautomatic firearms that have been modified to materially increase the rate of fire or approximate the action or rate of fire of a machine gun.

GOSAFE Act

Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act or the GOSAFE Act This bill establishes a framework to regulate gas-operated semiautomatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices under federal firearms laws. First, the bill generally prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, receipt, or possession of a firearm that is or is modified to operate as a prohibited gas-operated semiautomatic firearm; a combination of parts that modify or can be assembled into a prohibited gas-operated semiautomatic firearm, or that produce an unlawful gas-operated semiautomatic cycling action; a device or combination of parts designed to materially increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm; or a firearm that is modified to materially increase the rate of fire. Second, the bill generally prohibits (1) the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or receipt of a large capacity ammunition feeding device; or (2) the possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device manufactured after the date of enactment. A violation is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 12 months, or both, for each violation. In addition, an individual who possesses a prohibited gas-operated semiautomatic firearm during a federal felony offense is subject to additional penalties—a fine, a mandatory minimum prison term of two years, or both. Finally, the bill allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender gas-operated semiautomatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices under a buy-back program.

Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Zuni and establishes and provides funding for a related settlement trust fund. It also requires federal actions related to the Zuni Salt Lake in New Mexico. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Zuni, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Zuni River Stream System in New Mexico. The bill establishes and provides funding for the Zuni Tribe Settlement Trust Fund (and specified accounts) for purposes of carrying out this bill. Additionally, the bill (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States. The bill also withdraws certain federal land in New Mexico from mineral development. The bill reserves this federal land for the following three purposes: (1) the protection of the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary, (2) the protection of the quality and quantity of the Zuni Salt Lake's water supply, and (3) the protection of any cultural resources associated with the Zuni Salt Lake and Sanctuary. The Bureau of Land Management must manage this land. The Department of the Interior must take certain land surrounding the Zuni Salt Lake into trust for the benefit of Zuni.

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 This bill recognizes and settles certain water rights claims in New Mexico of the pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh. It also establishes and provides funding for a settlement trust fund. Specifically, the bill authorizes, ratifies, and confirms a specified water rights settlement agreement entered into by Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, and others, thus satisfying claims to water rights in the Rio Chama Stream System in New Mexico. The bill establishes and provides funding for the Ohkay Owingeh Water Rights Settlement Trust Fund. This trust fund may only be used for five specified purposes, including for activities related to water production, treatment, or delivery infrastructure. The bill also (1) specifies the water rights of the pueblo; and (2) outlines waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the pueblo and the United States.

A resolution designating the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week".

This resolution officially recognizes the week of February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to honor and raise awareness of the colleges and universities that serve Native American students and communities. The designation celebrates these institutions' contributions to education and cultural preservation for Native American populations. The resolution passed the Senate without opposition.