WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources reported four of our Members' bills to the House:
H.R. 5694 - Alaska’s Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition (ARTIST) Act - Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich (AK-AL)
H.R. 7250 - To reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000 - Congressman Troy Downing (MT-AL)
H.R. 7831 - License to Drill Act - Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03)
H.R. 7487 - Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act - Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04)
See what they have to say about these wins below.
“Members of the Western Caucus understand the vast untapped potential of America’s natural resources across the West. Reporting these bills out of Committee today is another step towards turning our Members’ legislation into real results that will produce lasting benefits for their constituents and the American people,” said Chair Celeste Maloy.
“For generations, Alaska Native artisans have created world-renowned works of art from legally and sustainably harvested walrus ivory,” said Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich. “The ARTIST Act ensures that overly broad state ivory bans cannot unintentionally criminalize these lawful handicrafts. This bill protects the rights of Alaska Native artists to continue sharing their craftsmanship, traditions, and heritage with the rest of the country, while also supporting rural economies across Alaska. I’m proud to see this important legislation advance out of the House Natural Resources Committee.”
“Reliable access to clean water is critical for families, ranchers, farmers, and tribal communities across Northeast Montana. I’m proud my bill, H.R. 7250, passed through the House Natural Resources Committee to extend authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System and keep this important infrastructure project moving forward. This legislation will help strengthen rural communities, support long-term water security, and invest in Montana’s future," said Congressman Troy Downing.
“We know the effects of overreliance on foreign nations for our energy; it is a risk that we must mitigate. We also know that permitting delays cost jobs and drive up energy prices for everyday Americans,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy.“America needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and that starts with a government that can keep up with demand. The License to Drill Act will streamline permitting so our critical energy projects stop waiting on Washington and start delivering the domestic production this country needs to remain independent and secure.”
“I'm proud that my Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act passed out of Committee today with bipartisan support,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. “This is an important first step to get this vital legislation to the President’s desk. Cutting red tape and unleashing new hydropower development will create good-paying rural jobs, lower energy costs for families and businesses, and strengthen our energy independence.”
Legislative Digest
H.R. 5694, the Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition (ARTIST) Act Sponsor: Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich (AK-AL) Summary: Protects the cultural traditions and economic livelihoods of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples by exempting their traditional, handcrafted items that use walrus, narwhal, and whale ivory from being blocked by marine mammal protections. To qualify for these exemptions, the handcrafts can only be made using traditional Indigenous Alaskan methods, without mass copying devices, and the use of edible portions of marine mammals must not be wasteful. This bill allows the sale of these Indigenous Alaskan handcrafts across state lines and would prohibit any state bans on the sale and trade of these products.
H.R. 7250, to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000. Sponsor: Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) Summary: Extends the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System authorization from 2026 to 2028, allowing the Bureau of Reclamation to continue constructing and maintaining vital infrastructure on the Fort Peck Reservation, connected to the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Water System.
H.R. 7487, the Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act Sponsor: Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-04) Co-sponsors: Gray (CA-13) Summary: The Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act amends the Bureau of Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to give the Bureau of Reclamation exclusive authority to develop hydropower on all Reclamation projects. Under current law, non-Federal hydropower developments often require sponsors to receive permits from both Reclamation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Additionally, the bill encourages irrigation districts, electric utilities, and other state and local entities to develop and utilize hydropower to strengthen American energy independence and create rural jobs.
H.R. 7831, the License to Drill Act Sponsor: Representative Mike Kennedy (UT-03) Co-sponsors: Chair Maloy (UT-02), Vice Chair Hageman (WY-AL), Bice (OK-05) Summary: Extends the Mineral Leasing Act fee collection period, for an Application for Permit to Drill (APF) fee program, from 2026 to 2037. The collected fees will be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund (PPIF), a fund set up in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to shorten permit processing timelines by providing additional money for labor costs.
