The U.S. House of Representatives has moved forward with 11 bills aimed at improving conservation, wildfire mitigation, and supporting local communities. These legislative actions were led by the House Committee on Natural Resources.
"As 2025 draws to a close, the House Committee on Natural Resources has been busy delivering results to districts across the country. I commend my colleagues for leading legislation to implement land transfers to better serve their community needs, encourage greater wildfire prevention and disaster response efforts, and ensure conservation and resource development activities continue,” said Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).
Among the measures is H.R. 1045, introduced by Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), which would create a wildfire research center in Utah focused on studying fire mitigation, forest management, and watershed restoration.
H.R. 2400 from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) seeks to transfer about 584 acres of U.S. Forest Service land into trust for the Pit River Tribe.
Rep. Nick Begich sponsored H.R. 2815 to convey 180 acres to the Cape Fox Corporation for improved land management and power production capacity.
Another bill, H.R. 2876 from Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), addresses land use in Salt Lake City by affirming University of Utah ownership over nearly 600 acres, allowing current operations and future developments like student housing and laboratories.
To enhance volcano monitoring capabilities, H.R. 3176 reauthorizes the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System for better protection of communities near active volcanoes.
A local Arkansas measure from Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), H.R. 3187, instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer a vacant federal building in Perry County to local authorities—removing taxpayer liability associated with unused property as previously outlined in an executive order regarding federal office space management.
In Alaska, H.R. 3620 would transfer approximately three acres of federal land in Anchorage to Southcentral Foundation for health and social services programs.
Rep. Pat Fallon’s H.R. 3872 clarifies eligibility requirements under existing law so that all federally acquired lands may be considered for hardrock mineral leasing—a move intended to support renewable industry needs.
Water infrastructure is addressed by H.R. 972 from Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), which authorizes construction of a water pipeline project within Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area by Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Conservation education continues with H.R. 1098 introduced by Rep. Hillary Scholten; this bill extends funding through 2031 for the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program encouraging youth participation in outdoor activities related to conservation practices.
Finally, research support is maintained via H.R. 1809 sponsored by Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), reauthorizing work conducted under the Great Lakes Fishery Research Program since its establishment in 2019—enabling ongoing scientific assessment within binational fisheries of the Great Lakes Basin.
