Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 124.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This legislation, titled S. 2431, is an appropriations measure for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It provides funding for the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill allocates money to various bureaus, including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It also covers forest service operations, water infrastructure, and various national institutions such as the Smithsonian. Additionally, the bill includes funding for tribal programs and the Indian Health Service.
Yes· 3 of 30
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill allocates funds for the preservation of African American Civil Rights history.
- Scored +3
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides significant funding for Bureau of Indian Affairs programs, tribal housing, the Indian Health Service, and extends the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill allocates $40,000,000 for water and wastewater needs in rural and Alaska Native Villages and supports rural communities through the Forest Service.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill rescinds $41 million from the EPA and $50 million from the Kennedy Center.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Wildlife Conservation: Up to $3,000,000 is available for wildlife habitat management through cost-shared projects with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Bureau of Land Management section).
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Recreation Access: Up to $3,000,000 is allocated for recreation resources management (Bureau of Land Management section).
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Historic Preservation: Funding is provided to preserve the sites and stories of the African American Civil Rights movement and other equal rights struggles (National Park Service - Historic Preservation Fund section).
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Tribal Support: Significant funds are designated for Indian programs, including welfare assistance, housing improvement, and road maintenance (Bureau of Indian Affairs section).
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Water Infrastructure: Capitalization grants are provided for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to support water quality and infrastructure (Environmental Protection Agency - State and Tribal Assistance Grants section).
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Water Infrastructure in Alaska: $40,000,000 is designated for addressing drinking water and wastewater needs in rural and Alaska Native Villages (Section 3).
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Border Infrastructure: $36,000,000 is allocated for architectural, engineering, and construction of high priority water and wastewater facilities near the U.S.-Mexico Border (Section 2).
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Support for Persistent Poverty Counties: At least 10 percent of the $98,000,000 for CERCLA activities is dedicated to assisting persistent poverty counties (Section 4).
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Tribal Health Services: The bill provides significant funding for the Indian Health Service, including $2,500,000 for alcohol or drug treatment services (Indian Health Service section).
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Wildfire Readiness: Funding is provided for fire preparedness, suppression, and fuels management to assist with wildfire-related needs (Department-Wide Programs - Wildland Fire Management section).
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Wildfire Smoke Preparedness: $8,500,000 is set aside for wildfire smoke preparedness grants (Section 15).
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Land Reclamation: Funds are allocated for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands and economic community development (Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement section).
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Benefits for National Parks and Public Lands: The Land and Water Conservation Fund receives allocations for specific projects to improve public lands (Section 429).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Sage-Grouse Protection: The bill prohibits the use of funds to issue proposed rules for greater sage-grouse, which may impact species protection efforts (Sec. 119).
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Land Conveyance Requirements: Land conveyed for the Long Bridge Project in Virginia or DC is subject to terms and conditions required by the Secretary (Sec. 116).
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Environmental Research Limitations: Funds for ecosystem research cannot be used for new surveys on private property without written authorization from the owner (United States Geological Survey section).
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Restrictions on Local Government Funding: In the U.S.-Mexico border area, local governments cannot receive funds for colonia infrastructure unless they establish local ordinances preventing new development without proper infrastructure (Section 2).
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Administrative Limits in Alaska: For the $40,000,000 allocated to Alaska, no more than 5 percent of the funds can be used for administrative and overhead expenses (Section 3).
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Strict Requirements for Smithsonian Leases: Lease agreements for the Smithsonian Institution are limited to a period of no more than 30 years (Smithsonian Institution section).
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Mining Application Limitations: Funds cannot be used to process applications for a patent for any mining or mill site claim under general mining laws, with very specific exceptions (Section 404).
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Environmental Regulation Restrictions: The bill prohibits the use of funds to implement regulations requiring permits for certain emissions related to livestock production (Section 435) or greenhouse gas reporting from manure management systems (Section 436).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill allocates funds for the preservation of African American Civil Rights history. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides significant funding for Bureau of Indian Affairs programs, tribal housing, the Indian Health Service, and extends the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill allocates $40,000,000 for water and wastewater needs in rural and Alaska Native Villages and supports rural communities through the Forest Service. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill funds tribal welfare assistance, water infrastructure, and environmental remediation in persistent poverty counties. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill includes the Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program for older Americans. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill extends the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program and includes experienced services for older adults. Would women be better off under this? — The bill prohibits the reduction of funding for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allocates extensive funding for the Superfund, water quality protection, and restricts oil and gas leasing in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill provides continued authority for the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund and Land and Water Conservation Fund. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides dedicated funding for water and wastewater needs in rural and Alaska Native Villages. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill funds the Long Bridge Project which includes rail and pedestrian infrastructure. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill includes funds for the Energy Star Program and establishes policies to recognize forest biomass as a renewable energy source. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Significant funds are allocated for wildfire suppression and emergency response. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill funds forest road maintenance and construction. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Funding for water and energy efficiency improvements is provided through State Revolving Funds. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill restricts oil and gas leasing in Chaco Culture National Historical Park pending cultural resource investigations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill provides funding for Indian housing improvement and land acquisition. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides significant funding for Indian Health Services and tribal assistance programs. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill directs funds to assistance in persistent poverty counties for environmental remediation and facilitates consistent tribal lease payments.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides funding for the Indian Health Service, including alcohol and drug treatment services. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill provides funding for the Indian Health Service, which includes support for substance abuse and suicide prevention. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Funds are allocated to the Indian Health Service for the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds various federal agencies and programs that support employment in conservation, tribal services, and environmental management. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill provides significant funding for land reclamation, water infrastructure, and tribal economic development. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill provides detailed appropriations and constraints for various federal agencies and programs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill rescinds $41 million from the EPA and $50 million from the Kennedy Center.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides funding for the Bureau of Indian Education which includes educational programs and construction. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds various research initiatives within the Forest Service and environmental agencies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires various agencies to post reports and descriptions of decisions on public websites and provide written notice for grant cancellations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The Forest Service is authorized to assist with forestry and natural resource activities outside the United States. Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill extends the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program and utilizes the Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program.
- 7/24/2025
- Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski. With written report No. 119-46.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 124.
- Introduced in Senate
- 6/11/2025
- Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Hearings held on the subject prior to the subcommittee ordering to be reported an original measure. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-67.
- 5/21/2025
- Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Hearings held on the subject prior to the subcommittee ordering to be reported an original measure. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-67.
- 5/14/2025
- Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Hearings held on the subject prior to the subcommittee ordering to be reported an original measure. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-67.
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.