Jeff Hurd

Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews 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.

Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act

Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act This bill directs the Forest Service to convey specified property and water rights in Ouray County, Colorado, to the City of Ouray, Colorado, for use as open space for recreational activities (such as fishing) at no cost to the public. The property and water rights include the site known as Crystal Reservoir and the associated lake and infrastructure, Full Moon Dam and the associated facilities, and the approximately 45-acre parcel of land underlying and surrounding Crystal Reservoir. The conveyance must (1) convey fee simple title to the land; (2) be subject to existing valid rights and easements; and (3) be completed at no cost to the city, except for costs related to necessary surveys. The conveyance must also be subject to a reversionary interest whereby if the land is used in a manner that violates the conveyance, the land shall revert to the United States, subject to the discretion of the Forest Service. In addition to holding the land open to the public for recreational purposes, the city must assume responsibly for Full Moon Dam and must not conduct unneeded development or commercial operations, nor alter Crystal Reservoir in a manner that would harm wetlands located upstream, subject to certain conditions. After the completion of this conveyance, the Forest Service must recognize a perpetual easement for the site known as Red Mountain Ditch for use by the city for specified activities related to Crystal Reservoir.

Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

The federal government would officially allow the Bureau of Land Management to modify tree density on public lands without conducting lengthy environmental reviews, based on procedures announced in April 2026. This change would speed up forest management projects on federal property by treating certain tree-thinning activities as routine actions that don't require the same environmental analysis as major projects. The change affects public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and could impact timber companies, environmental groups, and communities near federal forests.

Tribal Regulatory Reform Implementation Act of 2026

The proposal would shift some administrative duties related to tribal business and regulatory matters from their current handlers to the Secretary of the Interior, the federal official who oversees Native American affairs and tribal lands. This change would affect how Native American tribes manage their business development and regulatory processes, potentially streamlining decision-making by centralizing these responsibilities within the Interior Department. The bill is currently under review by the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act

This bill would establish a program allowing Native American tribes to manage buffalo herds on federal lands, giving tribes more control over wildlife conservation and hunting practices on their territories. The legislation aims to support tribal sovereignty and cultural traditions by letting Native communities participate directly in decisions about buffalo populations rather than having the federal government make those decisions alone. The bill has been sent to the House Committee on Natural Resources for review.

Western Tribal Water Act of 2026

The proposal would extend and renew federal funding for a program that helps American Indian tribes improve drinking water systems on their reservations. Native American communities would receive continued support to build, repair, and maintain safe water infrastructure on tribal lands. The bill is currently being reviewed by two congressional committees to determine how to move forward.

Small County PILT Parity Act

This bill would adjust how the federal government distributes payments to small counties that contain federal lands, aiming to make the funding formula fairer for less populated areas. Counties that host national forests, parks, and other federal property receive annual payments to offset lost tax revenue, and this legislation would modify those payments to better account for the needs of smaller counties. The changes would affect rural county budgets and services in areas with significant federal land ownership.

Made in America Jobs Act of 2026

Made in America Jobs Act of 2026 This bill expands the criteria for various grants under the Economic Development Administration's public works program to include projects that facilitate the relocation of employment opportunities into the United States or the growth of the manufacturing sector. Specifically, the bill modifies grants for (1) public works and economic development; (2) planning and administrative expenses; (3) training, research, and technical assistance; and (4) regions experiencing adverse economic changes.

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program of the Bureau of Reclamation. Under the existing program, Reclamation implements activities to improve snowpack measurements used for water supply forecasts in certain western states. The bill directs Reclamation to incorporate, to the greatest extent practicable, information from technologies that provide complete integration of accurate, timely, and spatially complete snowpack measurements and models when determining water supply forecasts or allocations to federal water contractors. Additionally, the bill requires the program's framework to emphasize the deployment of technologies that provide integration of snowpack measuring and modeling. The bill also requires the program's focus—activities that maintain, establish, expand, or advance snowpack measurement and integrated modeling—to place an emphasis on (1) enhancing activities to achieve improved snow and water supply forecasting results that are more responsive to changing weather and watershed conditions, (2) real-time integration of measurement and modeling activities with water supply forecasts, (3) activities in river basins where measurements or modeling can produce snow and water supply data to inform water management decisions, and (4) building the capacity of the program partners to implement and adapt to the new measurement and forecast capabilities.

Responsible Containment Reauthorization Act

This bill would reauthorize federal programs related to containing and managing energy-related risks or hazards, likely focusing on nuclear waste storage, oil spill prevention, or similar containment infrastructure. The legislation would extend funding and authority for existing containment initiatives that have expired or are set to expire, affecting energy companies, government agencies, and potentially communities near energy facilities. By reauthorizing these programs, Congress would maintain oversight and resources for protecting public safety and the environment from energy-related accidents or leaks.

ASCEND Act

Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Through the CSDA program, NASA acquires remote sensing data and imagery from commercial satellites to support its Earth science research. ( Remote sensing generally refers to the collection of data by instruments in Earth’s orbit, such as satellites, that can be processed into imagery of Earth’s surface.) Under the bill, NASA may establish or modify end-use agreements to allow for broad use of data and imagery acquired under the program, including by individuals outside of NASA (e.g., other federal agencies). The terms of any data or imagery acquisition may not prevent the publication of such data or imagery for scientific purposes or the publication of information derived from it. To the extent practicable, NASA must acquire such data and imagery from U.S. vendors.

Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 This bill delays until FY2033 (currently, FY2026) the availability of interest earned on obligations held in the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (i.e., the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund) for apportionment to carry out certain state wildlife conservation and restoration programs.

Airport TIFIA Financing Certainty Act

This bill would make it easier for airports to borrow money for construction and improvement projects by providing more certainty about how federal loan programs work. The changes would help airport operators plan major upgrades to terminals, runways, and other facilities by clarifying the rules and timelines for federal financing assistance. Travelers and communities with airports would benefit from faster infrastructure improvements, while airports would have clearer expectations about accessing federal funding.

HELP Act

The HELP Act addresses transportation infrastructure and public works projects, likely aiming to improve highways, transit systems, or related infrastructure. Based on its referral to the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, the bill probably affects states, cities, construction companies, and commuters who depend on road and public transportation systems. The specific details of what funding or changes it would make are not yet clear from its current status in the legislative process.

Holy Sovereignty Protection Act

Holy Sovereignty Protection Act This bill provides that the U.S. citizenship of an individual elected as the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church may not be revoked and exempts such individual from federal income taxes for tax years during which the individual serves in such role for any part of the tax year. (As background, the income of a U.S. citizen generally is subject to U.S. income tax regardless of where such income is earned or received or where the individual resides.)

Productive Public Lands Act

This bill would likely change how federal lands are managed to increase activities like logging, mining, or energy development while potentially reducing environmental protections. It would affect companies in natural resource industries, outdoor recreation businesses, environmental groups, and communities that depend on public lands for hunting, fishing, or tourism. The specific details of what "productive" means and which lands would be affected depend on the bill's full text, which is still being reviewed by Congress.

Gold King Mine Spill Compensation Act of 2025

This bill would provide compensation to people and businesses harmed by the 2015 Gold King Mine spill in Colorado, which released millions of gallons of contaminated water into rivers and affected drinking water supplies and agricultural operations across multiple states. The legislation would establish a process for affected individuals, farmers, and companies to receive payments for damages like health problems, lost income, and cleanup costs resulting from the spill. The bill has been sent to the Judiciary and Budget committees for review.