Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 3144 (Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash), H.R. 3392 (Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.), H.R. 3997 (Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Pa.), H.R. 4257 (Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah), and H.R. 5005 (Rep. Al Lawson, Jr., D-Fla.).

H.R. 3144 provides certainty over the reliable management of the Federal Columbia River Power System and prevents the wasting of $40 million in lost power generation. Supporters of the bipartisan bill include the Northwest River Partners, Public Power Council, Stevens County Commissioners, and more.

“Hydropower helped build the Northwest, and still today it offers us clean, renewable, reliable, and affordable energy to help power our homes, businesses, and communities. I’m proud to see this bipartisan legislation pass the House Natural Resources Committee today and look forward to it coming before the full House in the coming weeks. My goal is to ensure that dams and fish can co-exist, and this Biological Opinion provides a collaborative approach so we can continue to improve technology and fish recovery efforts, while supporting the clean energy produced on our dams. I’m proud to lead this effort along with the support of organizations and people all across Eastern Washington,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers stated.

“This is a bipartisan bill with broad local support from citizens in the Pacific Northwest. It removes unnecessary federal barriers to water and power resources while protecting the environment, and I thank Rep. McMorris Rodgers and her colleagues from the region for their ongoing work to move this bill forward,” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said.

H.R. 4257, the bipartisan “Advancing Conservation and Education Act,” maximizes land management efficiencies, promotes land conservation and generates education funding for Western communities. Supporters of the bill include the Western States Land Commissioners Association, the Wilderness Society and the State of Utah’s School & Institutional Trust Lands Administration among other groups. 

“The ACE Act is a win for Utah, a win for school kids, and a win for conservation. Exchanging state lands trapped inside of federally protected areas will allow states to generate more revenue and help support rural economies. I’m happy that the Natural Resources Committee is moving this bipartisan piece of legislation forward. The ACE Act proves we can come together to solve complex public land issues,” Rep. Stewart said.

“The Ace Act is a step in the right direction for land management policy in the West. This bill will boost revenue for public education, strengthen land conservation tools and elevate state authority and decision-making. I thank Rep. Stewart for his work on this bill and look forward to working together to advance it through the House,” Chairman Bishop stated.

H.R. 3392, the “Lake Bistineau Land Title Stability Act,” resolves current uncertainty surrounding the title to certain lands along Lake Bistineau, Louisiana.

H.R. 3997, the “Free Veterans from Fees Act,” waives the application fee for any special-use permit for veterans’ demonstrations or special events at war memorials on federal land.

H.R. 5005 directs the Interior Secretary to conduct a special resource study of James Weldon Johnson’s birthplace in Jacksonville, Florida to determine the national significance of the site and suitability for inclusion in the National Park System.

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