Recent Federal Bills

Below are summaries of Bills Introduced, Committee Reports, Chamber Actions, and Public Laws reported in the most recent issue of ELR's Weekly Update.

would authorize the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with states and political subdivisions providing for the continued operation of public land, units of the National Park System, units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and units of the National Forest System during any period in which the federal agencies are unable to maintain normal level of operations at the units due to a lapse in appropriations.

would promote research, development, and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies. 

would designate federal land in the San Juan National Forest in Colorado as wilderness.

would provide for the conveyance of parcels of National Forest System land in New Mexico to establish the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness.

would direct the EPA Administrator to carry out a pilot program to work with municipalities that are seeking to develop and implement integrated plans to meet wastewater and stormwater obligations under the CWA.

would provide short-term water supplies to drought-stricken California. 

would authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. 

would modify provisions relating to the Propane Education and Research Council.

would require that certain federal lands be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of federally recognized tribes in Oregon. 

would amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail.