Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, the House Natural Resources Committee considered five pieces of legislation from Members of the Western Caucus.

• H.R. 6251 - To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. - Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich (AK-AL)
• H.R. 2317 - Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025 - Vice Chair Mark Amodei (NV-02)
• H.R. 7889 - Advancing Water Research and Collaboration (AWRC) Act of 2025 - Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01)
• H.R. 726 - Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 - Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02)
• H.R. 8658 - Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act - Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03)

Following the Committee's action to report those items favorably, our Members released the following statements:

"Hunting conservation programs that support research, training, and awareness have proven to be a foundational component of species preservation and recovery. However, for forty-one Americans who participated in polar bear conservation programs in conjunction with Canadian First Nations, the United States has denied those participants the benefit of their conservation support,” said Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich. “H.R. 6251 ensures those Americans who followed the law during and after their hunts – hunts that predated the listing of polar bears as threatened under the MMPA  –  are able to lawfully return to the U.S. with these pelts. This effort was a priority for Alaska’s late Congressman Don Young, and it’s an honor to have brought this bill back to the committee as we seek to restore fairness with respect to the conservation investment made by these American hunters."

“It’s no secret Nevada has a long history of advocating for local control over public lands in the face of federal oversight,” said Vice Chair Mark Amodei. “My commonsense bill gives Nevada’s leaders and organizations a front seat at the table to determine what is best for their communities. I appreciate their tireless efforts to help craft this bill, as well as the members of this committee who recognized the constant need for a comprehensive federal lands policy in our state. I would especially like to thank Chairman Westerman and Western Caucus Chairwoman Maloy for their partnership in advancing Nevada’s lands priorities.

I will continue fighting to secure a complete legislative victory — one that spurs a new era of economic growth and resilience in Nevada, all while balancing our responsibility to preserve and protect our unique landscapes.”

"Reliable water research is essential to protecting our natural resources and ensuring communities have the tools they need to address evolving water challenges," said Congressman Rob Wittman. "I am pleased that the House Natural Resources Committee advanced AWRC, which strengthens the longstanding partnership between states, universities, and the federal government to develop practical, science-based solutions that improve water quality, strengthen conservation efforts, and benefit communities across Virginia and the nation."

"Access to clean and reliable water is critical for the Crow Tribe and the communities it serves," said Congressman Troy Downing. "I'm proud that H.R. 726 passed the House Natural Resources Committee. Advancing this legislation will provide the Tribe with the flexibility it needs to develop water and wastewater projects that work for local communities, as well as pursue hydropower development at Yellowtail Afterbay Dam. This bipartisan legislation honors our commitments to the Crow Tribe and invests in Montana's future."

Legislative Digest

H.R. 6251, to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Sponsor: Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich (AK-AL)
Co-Sponsors: Carter (GA-01), Smucker (PA-11)
Summary: Currently, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 bans the importation of any polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada, with no exceptions for trophies acquired before polar bears were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This bill proposes to allow the importation of such trophies if they were legally acquired prior to passage of the February 1997 (when the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act was amended to restrict the hunting and importation of Polar Bears from certain populations), and before May 2008 (when polar bears were first listed as threatened under the ESA). 

H.R. 2317, the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025
Sponsor: Vice Chair Mark Amodei (NV-02)
Summary: The Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2025 will transfer federal lands to state and local governments in Northern Nevada, for economic development, flood protection, public recreation, and conservation purposes. The land conveyances will go to counties, cities, and tribal governments with conditions on land use and environmental protection. Included within the land transfers is the designation of approximately 148,000 acres for wilderness conservation in Pershing County and Douglas County, Nevada.

H.R. 7889, the Advancing Water Research and Collaboration (AWRC) Act of 2025
Sponsor: Representative Rob Wittman (VA-01)
Co-Sponsors: Vice Chair Hurd (CO-03), Giffith (VA-09), Lawler (NY-17), McGuire (VA-05), McDowell (NC-06), Shreve (IN-06), Kiggans (VA-02), Brownley (CA-26), Pingree (ME-01), Delaney (MD-06)
Summary: The AWRC Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Water Resources Research and Technology Institutes program, providing the program with $16 million per year until FY2029. Included in this reauthorization is a new provision that encourages research on the impact of the growing artificial intelligence industry on water resources. Additionally, this bill states that twenty percent of program funds shall be used to research interstate water problems.

H.R. 726, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025
Sponsor: Representative Troy Downing (MT-02)
Co-Sponsors: Vice Chair Zinke (MT-01)
Summary: This bill revises the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010, which authorized and confirmed the water rights settlement agreement entered by the Crow Tribe of Montana and the state of Montana. That Act settled the Crow Tribe’s water rights and authorized funding for the construction of a water system for the tribe. The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 will amend the 2010 settlement to increase project and funding flexibility to lower costs and ensure successful implementation of clean water projects and critical energy developments, for communities on the Crow Tribe’s reservation. 

H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act
Sponsor: Representative Mike Kennedy (UT-03)
Co-sponsors: Vice Chair Hurd (CO-03)
Summary: The Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act will reduce the burden of medical billing on American Indians and Alaska Natives by extending the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline for Indian Health Service (HIS) patients from 72 hours to 15 days. Under current law, IHS patients that seek necessary care outside of IHS medical facilities must complete paperwork to notify the PRC system of their medical service within 2 days of receiving the service, patients unable to do so become responsible for the medicals costs that otherwise would be covered by PRC.