Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported eight bills. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources is kicking off the year by advancing a slate of solutions for Americans that includes supporting access to affordable energy, a landmark outdoor recreation package, solutions for tribal land issues and efforts to address water resource challenges. I'd especially like to highlight the EXPLORE Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that provides an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities across our public lands and waters by modernizing the visitor experience, reducing overcrowding, improving access for those with disabilities and streamlining the permitting process for small businesses that rely on our public lands. As we continue our work in the new year, this committee is focused on advancing policy to improve access to our natural resources as well as supporting conservation and innovation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance these bills through the Senate and into law."

Background

In total, the committee favorably reported eight bills:

H.R. 1246, introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), would authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian tribes.

H.R. 5482, the Energy Poverty Prevention and Accountability Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), would reduce energy poverty by requiring the Government Accountability Office to identify laws, regulations and state standards that impact communities most at risk of experiencing energy poverty and provide recommendations on how to lessen energy poverty across the country. The bill would also force federal agencies to ensure their regulations would not increase energy poverty in at-risk communities.

H.R. 5874, the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), would reauthorize appropriations for the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act, which helps assess pressing water resource challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border. 

H.R. 6443, the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), would place approximately 172.1 acres of land owned by the Jamul Indian Village in San Diego County, Calif., into trust for the benefit of the tribe.

H.R. 6474, introduced by U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), would amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas.

H.R. 6492, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE) Act, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), would expand public land access by supporting recreation opportunities like biking and rock climbing, addressing access barriers for veterans and people with disabilities, streamlining the permitting process for small businesses and more.

H.R. 2950, the Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), would congressionally authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coastal Program.

H.R. 5770, the Water Data Improvement Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), would reauthorize the Federal Priority Streamgage Program and the National Groundwater Resources Monitoring Program administered by the U.S. Geological Survey through fiscal year 2028 at existing funding levels.