Committee Advances Legislation to Unleash Resources, Suppress Illegal Fishing and Protect Battlefields

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources reported eight bills that will unleash geothermal and mineral resources, support commonsense land exchanges, strengthen efforts against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and reauthorize the American Battlefield Protection Program. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"House Committee on Natural Resources members are dedicated to enacting commonsense policies to support rural communities across America. Today's markup advanced legislation that will allow for more resource development, implement land exchanges for critical water infrastructure and the consolidation of culturally significant land, combat illegal fishing activities and strengthen historic battlefield conservation. I look forward to working with the sponsors to advance these bills through the House."

Background

H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-Ind.), codifies mining and mineral processing as covered sectors under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The bill also prohibits implementation of a Biden-era proposed rule that would narrow FAST-41 coverage for mining projects, severely impeding domestic mineral investment and resource independence.

H.R. 1687, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of the Interior to hold geothermal energy lease sales annually. It also implements timelines for permit applications.

H.R. 3756, the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), cracks down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by strengthening inspections and penalties for vessels participating in the banned activity.

H.R. 5911, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), conveys to Ouray, Colo., the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam and Ditch and 45 acres of surrounding land necessary to the Reservoir's operation and maintenance. This will allow the city to maintain the reservoir, which is critical for wildfire suppression and response activities, outdoor recreation and providing water for the city's growing population.

H.R. 5929, the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), adds actions authorized under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to the list of covered projects eligible for the FAST-41 expedited permitting process.

H.R. 7618, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), reauthorizes and strengthens the American Battlefield Protection Program in celebration of America's 250th birthday, ensuring that our nation's most hallowed sites are conserved for generations to come.

H.R. 4290, the Downwinder Commemoration Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), requires the Secretary of the Interior to obtain and place plaques to honor the Downwinder communities of N.M.

H.R. 6162, the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), places approximately 9.89 acres of federal land that were once part of the Albuquerque Indian School into trust for the benefit of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.