Overview
Title
Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 8998 is like a big plan to decide how to spend money on protecting nature and helping people take care of lands and animals until next year. It also has ideas about what rules should be followed when spending that money, like making sure people who fight wildfires get fair pay.
Summary AI
H.R. 8998 is a bill that allocates funds for the Department of the Interior, environmental protection, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. It details how the budget should be spent on various programs, including land management, wildlife conservation, and Indian health services. Additionally, the bill addresses rules and limitations on specific actions, such as implementing certain environmental policies and expenditures for specified projects. Overall, it provides financial support and guidance for federal activities related to natural resources and environmental quality.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill, identified as H.R. 8998, seeks to allocate funds for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. It covers a myriad of areas, including land management, conservation, wildland fire management, wildlife protection, and federal agency operations regarding environmental and governmental practices. In addition to appropriations, the bill addresses specific policy matters and restrictions across various sectors, including specific provisions related to the regulation of greenhouse gases, wildlife management, fossil fuels, and government agency operations.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several key issues within the bill have drawn attention due to their potential impact on environmental policies, conservation efforts, and social equity:
Conservation and Wildlife Management: Restrictions on the use of funds for specific wildlife species, such as the greater sage-grouse (Section 116), potentially hinder conservation efforts. Similar restrictions apply to other endangered species and rules related to wildlife protection, impacting environmental conservation goals.
Social and Educational Restrictions: The prohibition of funding for initiatives related to Critical Race Theory (Section 445) may affect educational and training programs at federal institutions, leading to concerns over academic freedom and potential censorship.
Pay and Employment Provisions: The introduction of special base pay rates for wildland firefighters (Section 456) addresses existing pay disparities but could also bring about complex administrative challenges and budgetary constraints.
Regulatory Restrictions: Numerous sections prohibit funding for various environmental regulations, including those targeting greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and methane (Sections 472 and 490), potentially undermining broader climate action goals.
Land Use and Resource Management: Constraints placed on federal land management practices, including those affecting timber sales in Alaska (Section 432) and the management of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Section 139), could influence how natural resources are developed and conserved.
Impact on the Public
The bill's broad scope and detailed appropriations could have mixed impacts on the public. On one hand, allocating funds for basic agency operations and specific environmental and land management activities ensures continued government functionality and possibly improved services. However, the restrictions on ecological protections and educational content might lead to public disagreements, especially among those advocating for more robust environmental protections and educational diversity.
Positive Impacts
- Funding for Firefighters: Increased pay rates for wildland firefighters can help attract and retain personnel in these crucial roles, enhancing disaster response capabilities and public safety.
- Infrastructure and Maintenance Projects: Allocations for agency operations might result in improved infrastructure and maintenance, directly benefiting community services such as public parks.
Negative Impacts
- Conservation Concerns: Blanket restrictions on funding for environmental rules, like those governing endangered species, could diminish biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, potentially affecting tourism and recreation.
- Educational and Social Programs: The prohibition on funding for Critical Race Theory could limit educational opportunities and social programs aimed at raising awareness about racial and social issues.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Environmental Stakeholders
Environmental groups likely see the restrictions on funding for conservation efforts and greenhouse gas regulations as a potential setback in combating climate change and protecting biodiversity. On the other hand, certain industries could benefit from relaxed regulatory pressures, possibly increasing economic activities in sectors like mining and oil extraction.
Social Equity Advocates
The provisions barring funds from being used for programs related to Critical Race Theory might concern advocates for social justice, as they may see this as hindering progress toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within federal and educational institutions.
Economic and Industrial Entities
Industries related to land development, fossil fuels, and agriculture might view the regulatory restrictions as advantageous, reducing cost burdens associated with compliance and potentially increasing their operational latitude. However, this could come at the cost of increased scrutiny and backlash from environmental and public health organizations.
In conclusion, the bill's extensive policy provisions and financial allocations reveal both opportunities and challenges for various stakeholders. Balancing environmental protection, economic interests, and social equity will require careful consideration by policymakers and the public.
Financial Assessment
Summary of Financial Allocations
The bill, H.R. 8998, includes several financial allocations across different departments, primarily aimed at land management, wildlife conservation, environmental services, and Indian health services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The appropriations are detailed with specific amounts meant to cover the administrative and operational costs of various programs under the Department of the Interior and other related agencies.
One notable allocation includes funds for the Indian Health Service, which receives a significant share of the appropriations, emphasizing the government's commitment to health services for Native American communities. The bill also sets aside resources for disaster assistance, wildlife management, and infrastructure improvements across federal lands.
Financial Issues in the Bill
Among the financial references, certain sections raise potential issues connected to the financial allocations:
Section 116 restricts the use of funds for conserving the greater sage-grouse, which could impact biodiversity conservation efforts. This restriction may prioritize financial resources towards other land use interests, potentially at the expense of environmental and habitat preservation.
Section 456 details a new pay structure for wildland firefighters, aimed at increasing their base pay rates based on their grade level. Although this seeks to address pay disparities, it involves complex calculations that might lead to administrative challenges. This could strain the budget and create inconsistencies if not properly managed.
Section 440 prohibits the use of funds to restrict access to certain federal lands for hunting and fishing unless such activities were already prohibited in 2013. This could potentially conflict with conservation initiatives that may need to address future environmental concerns.
Section 471 reallocates funds from the EPA to the Office of Inspector General for oversight. While this aims to enhance accountability, it may stretch the operational budgets of EPA programs, affecting their ability to execute environmental projects effectively.
Section 490 stops any funding for developing methane emission regulations. This might leave gaps in environmental protection efforts, signaling an ongoing debate about balancing industrial regulation and environmental responsibility.
In conclusion, H.R. 8998 is focused on appropriating funds for the operational needs of various federal departments while simultaneously navigating complex issues related to environmental regulation, conservation, and fair labor compensation. Its financial directives are rooted in specified needs but are not without contention, reflecting broader political and social debates regarding resource management and environmental responsibility.
Issues
Section 116: Restricting funds from being used to protect the greater sage-grouse could significantly impact conservation efforts and draw criticism from environmental groups. This could potentially favor land use interests over biodiversity and habitat preservation.
Section 445: Barring funds from supporting Critical Race Theory and associated concepts may be seen as limiting educational content and academic freedom, raising concerns over censorship and implications for First Amendment rights.
Section 456: The special base rates of pay for wildland firefighters, although aimed at addressing pay disparities, involve complex calculations and potential administrative issues. Concerns over inconsistent pay rates could arise, along with questions about budget impact if not carefully managed.
Section 471: Transferring a portion of EPA funds to the Office of Inspector General for oversight might strain operational budgets of EPA programs, potentially impacting project efficacy and raising questions about resource allocation.
Section 440: Regulating access to federal land for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting without accounting for future environmental concerns could lead to conflicts with conservation efforts and state regulations.
Section 490: Prohibiting funds for developing regulations on methane emissions might weaken environmental protection initiatives. The lack of alternative measures could raise concerns about oversight of high-emission industries.
Section 447: Exemption claims based on religious or moral convictions concerning marriage equality might permit discrimination, posing legal and ethical challenges regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
Section 139: Prohibiting the use of funds to manage the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument could affect flexible land management practices and hinder adaptation to emergent conservation challenges.
Section 432: Timber sale restrictions specific to Alaska could be interpreted as protection for certain market interests, which might trigger debates about resource management and equitable industrial access.
Section 434: Prohibiting regulation of livestock emissions might leave a regulatory gap that contradicts larger environmental aims to manage greenhouse gases and address climate change impacts.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
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Summary AI
The section states that budgeting is set to allocate funds from the Treasury for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the upcoming fiscal year ending on September 30, 2025, along with other related purposes.
101. Read Opens in new tab
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The section allows for funds to be used for emergency repairs or replacements of facilities and equipment damaged by unavoidable events, like fires or storms, within the Department of the Interior, as long as existing emergency funds are exhausted first. Additionally, any funds used this way must be replaced quickly through additional appropriations.
102. Read Opens in new tab
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The section allows the Secretary of the Interior to use or transfer funds for unexpected emergencies like wildfires or natural disasters and requires that these funds be replenished later. It also enables the Secretary to handle regulatory duties if a state isn't fulfilling its responsibilities under the Surface Mining Act and sets rules for using funds specifically meant for wildland fire operations.
103. Read Opens in new tab
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The appropriations for the Department of the Interior include funding up to $500,000 for various services approved by the Secretary, such as hiring vehicles and aircraft, telephone services in certain private homes, and membership dues for library resources. The funds can also be used for buying and replacing motor vehicles, including those for law enforcement, and for purchasing reprints.
Money References
- SEC. 103. Appropriations made to the Department of the Interior in this title shall be available for services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, when authorized by the Secretary of the Interior, in total amount not to exceed $500,000; purchase and replacement of motor vehicles, including specially equipped law enforcement vehicles; hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft; hire of passenger motor vehicles; purchase of reprints; payment for telephone service in private residences in the field, when authorized under regulations approved by the Secretary; and the payment of dues, when authorized by the Secretary, for library membership in societies or associations which issue publications to members only or at a price to members lower than to subscribers who are not members. ---
104. Read Opens in new tab
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Appropriations under certain headings within this Act, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, can be used for managing and reforming Indian trusts, with the total funding capped as designated. The Secretary must inform relevant congressional committees within 60 days about any fund use or transfer, detailing the amount and its purpose.
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The Secretary of the Interior is allowed to redistribute certain funds to address funding inequalities among Tribes by transferring money to areas with unmet needs or other issues. However, a Tribe's funding cannot be reduced by more than 10% in 2025, unless there are situations like dual enrollment where this rule doesn't apply.
106. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior will charge inspection fees in 2025 for different types of offshore facilities and drilling rigs, with fees varying based on the number of wells, presence of equipment, and water depth. The fees must be paid quarterly or within 30 days of billing, depending on the type of facility or operation.
Money References
- Fees for fiscal year 2025 shall be— (1) $10,500 for facilities with no wells, but with processing equipment or gathering lines; (2) $17,000 for facilities with 1 to 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells; and (3) $31,500 for facilities with more than 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells.
- Fees for fiscal year 2025 shall be— (1) $30,500 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of 500 feet or more; and (2) $16,700 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of less than 500 feet.
- Fees for fiscal year 2025 shall be— (1) $13,260 per inspection for non-rig units operating in water depths of 2,500 feet or more; (2) $11,530 per inspection for non-rig units operating in water depths between 500 and 2,499 feet; and (3) $4,470 per inspection for non-rig units operating in water depths of less than 500 feet.
107. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior is allowed to make agreements and contracts lasting up to 10 years with nonprofits and other groups to take care of extra wild horses and burros on private land, without following the usual 5-year limit. These can be renewed if the Secretary chooses.
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The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is required to mark salmon that are meant to be caught and are released from hatcheries funded or run by the federal government. The marked fish, which include species like coho, chinook, and steelhead, must have visible markers so that both commercial and recreational fishers can easily identify them.
109. Read Opens in new tab
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In fiscal year 2025, Indian Affairs is allowed to work with state, local, and Tribal governments by recording financial commitments that these entities owe. However, by the end of the fiscal year, the total amount of these commitments cannot be more than the total budget they have.
110. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior is allowed to give grants or enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations to use the skills of older Americans in various programs. However, before doing so, the Secretary must ensure that these grants or agreements don’t replace current employees, use individuals where federal employees have been laid off, or interfere with existing service contracts.
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The money given by this law to the Department of the Interior must be ready to use and spent within 60 days after the law is passed.
112. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior can move funds around between different parts of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education as they reorganize. However, these transfers have to follow specific guidelines outlined in this Act.
113. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 113 changes a part of the United States Code by replacing the term "fiscal year 2019" with "fiscal year 2025" in Section 6906 of Title 31.
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Federally recognized Indian Tribes or authorized Tribal organizations that receive specific school grants can use government vehicles and services for activities under those grants, just like they could if they were working within another established federal program.
115. Read Opens in new tab
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For fiscal year 2025, the Department of the Interior can use funds to pay some of its appraiser employees up to 15% more than usual. This applies to employees in specific job grades (11 through 15) who do property appraisals for the Department's realty programs.
116. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits the use of government funds to propose, finalize, or enforce rules concerning the greater sage-grouse or its population segments under the Endangered Species Act.
117. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 117 of the bill restricts any federal funds from being used to complete, carry out, manage, or enforce plans or evaluations related to the Greater Sage-Grouse as mentioned in a specific notice published on March 15, 2024.
118. Read Opens in new tab
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The National Park Service is allowed to keep up to 7% of the funds from the State Conservation Grants program to help cover administrative costs for state programs. These funds can be used as matching grants for states, the District of Columbia, and insular areas.
119. Read Opens in new tab
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The section changes a part of U.S. law to replace the mention of "fiscal year 2023" with "fiscal year 2025."
120. Read Opens in new tab
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In fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the Secretary of the Interior is allowed to make agreements to improve efficiency by having different bureaus and offices work together through sharing facilities, staff, and equipment. They have to split costs fairly based on the benefits they get, and the Secretary can transfer funds if needed to support these collaborations.
121. Read Opens in new tab
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The section changes a law so that instead of $250,000, the new amount will be $500,000 in subsection (c)(1) of Section 103101 of title 54, United States Code.
Money References
- SEC. 121. Section 103101 of title 54, United States Code, is amended in subsection (c)(1) by striking “$250,000” and inserting “$500,000”.
122. Read Opens in new tab
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The law modifies Section 113 of a previous law by changing the year mentioned in it from “2024” to “2029”.
123. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds initially allocated in a 2018 disaster relief act for the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund, which were available to be spent by 2019, can now be used until 2026 to pay off valid obligations from 2018 and 2019. Additionally, any amounts repurposed that were initially marked as emergency funds retain their emergency status under the law.
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The section states that the final environmental impact statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project, which was announced by the Bureau of Land Management, has been invalidated and will not be enforced.
125. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that federal funds can't be used to ban or regulate lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands for hunting or fishing, unless the Secretary of the Interior finds it has caused a decline in local wildlife, and the action is consistent with or approved by state laws or wildlife policies. If such a decision is made, it must be explained in the Federal Register.
126. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no funds from this or any other law can be used for the Department of the Interior's program called “Acknowledging Ecogrief and Developing Resistance" or for any related counseling, workshops, or meetings about ecological grief, ecogrief, or eco-resilience.
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None of the funds from this or any other law can be used to carry out or enforce the final rule concerning the protection status of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, as published on November 25, 2022.
128. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no government funds can be used to carry out, manage, or enforce the rule that designates the Northern Long-Eared Bat as an endangered species, as published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2022.
129. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this or any other law can be used to support any activities related to the threatened or endangered status of the dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
130. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior is required to reissue a rule, within 60 days of this section being enacted, that removes the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife.
131. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no government funds from this or any other law can be used to put into effect or enforce the rule concerning the threatened species status of the North American Wolverine that was published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2023.
132. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this or any other law can be used to carry out the rule about creating a group of grizzly bears in Washington State that aren't essential for survival, which was published on May 3, 2024.
133. Read Opens in new tab
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The text states that no funds from this or any other law can be used by the Secretary of the Interior under the Endangered Species Act to create an experimental population of grizzly bears in the Bitterroot Ecosystem located in Montana and Idaho.
134. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this or any other law can be used by the Secretary of the Interior to enforce rules under the Endangered Species Act related to fish that are kept in captivity or in a controlled environment, so long as those fish do not mix with wild populations of the same species.
135. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this or any other law may be used by the Secretary of the Interior to allow American bison to be introduced to the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.
136. Read Opens in new tab
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In Section 136, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement, manage, or enforce three specific rules related to endangered and threatened wildlife and plants, which were published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024.
137. Read Opens in new tab
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- The section requires the Secretary of the Interior to reinstate Order No. 3368, which emphasizes transparency and accountability in legal agreements, within 60 days of the law being enacted. Additionally, the section prohibits the use of funds to cancel or replace this order with a similar one, or to enforce any order that is similar to Order No. 3408, which had repealed Order No. 3368.
138. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the money provided by this law or any other law can be used to carry out or enforce a rule named "Conservation and Landscape Health," which was announced by the Bureau of Land Management on May 9, 2024, in the Federal Register.
139. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds allocated by this or any other law can be used for managing the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument unless it follows the guidelines set in the "Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plans" from February 2020.
140. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior has 60 days from the law's enactment to issue the final rule regarding regulations for endangered and threatened wildlife and plants, as outlined in a specific federal register.
141. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no government funds from this or any other law can be used to put into effect, manage, or enforce a proposed rule about the National Wildlife Refuge System's Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health, as published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2024.
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None of the funds allocated by this Act can be used by the National Park Service to provide housing to people who are in the U.S. illegally, as defined by immigration laws.
143. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, must prepare an environmental impact statement before approving any permits for non-federal oil or gas operations in the Big Cypress National Preserve, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
144. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior must issue a new decision for the Caldwell Canyon Mine project by December 31, 2024. This decision must address issues identified by the court in two past decisions related to a legal case about the project.
145. Read Opens in new tab
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The text amends Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that a five-year program for oil and gas leasing must include at least two Gulf of Mexico lease sales each year and mandates that the Secretary prepare a new leasing program within 36 months of completing a lease sale. It also specifies that each new leasing program should be approved at least 180 days before the current program expires.
146. Read Opens in new tab
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In fiscal year 2025 and beyond, the Secretary of the Interior must hold at least two oil and gas lease sales each year in specific regions of the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, with the requirement to include all available areas that aren't under a current leasing ban, following the guidelines set by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
147. Read Opens in new tab
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In this section, the Secretary of the Interior is required by law to hold a lease sale called Lease Sale 262 within one year of the act being enacted. This sale will include plots not leased in a previous sale, and any leases granted will follow the same terms and conditions as a past lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico.
148. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that nothing in the new Act will change the rules or bans set by previous Presidential memorandums that prevent leasing certain areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf and the Atlantic Coast, or the existing ban on oil and gas development in the Great Lakes as outlined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
149. Read Opens in new tab
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This section specifies that no funds from the act can be used to enforce or carry out measures related to offshore energy production that are aimed at protecting certain whale species, unless these actions are directed by a court order or are necessary to meet environmental requirements for Gulf of Mexico lease sales.
150. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior must resume and ensure timely quarterly oil and gas lease sales, in compliance with all legal requirements, and hold at least four sales each year in listed states like Wyoming, New Mexico, and Alaska. If sales are canceled or over 25% of the land goes without bids, replacement sales must occur, and the Secretary must report any missed sales to Congress.
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None of the funds provided by this Act can be used to carry out any recommendations from the Interagency Working Group on Mining Regulations, Laws, and Permitting as outlined in their report on improving mining on public lands.
152. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the money from this Act can be used to put into action or enforce the rule called "Ten-Day Notices and Corrective Action for State Regulatory Program Issues," which was published on April 9, 2024.
153. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that none of the money provided by this law can be used to cancel or suspend oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
154. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to put into practice or enforce a rule about managing and protecting the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, which was published by the Bureau of Land Management on May 7, 2024, or any rule that's a lot like it.
155. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to oppose the trademark application for the Glacier Rough Riders' logo or to take legal action against the Glacier Range Riders for trademark infringement concerning this logo.
156. Read Opens in new tab
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The first section of Public Law 99–338 has been amended to increase the number of renewals allowed from three to seven and to remove a specific reference to the Southern California Edison Company.
157. Read Opens in new tab
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The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a rule that removes the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem population of grizzly bears from the endangered species list within 180 days, ignoring any other legal requirements. Additionally, this action cannot be challenged in court.
158. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds from this Act cannot be used by the National Park Service to declare or handle Big Cypress National Preserve as a wilderness area or make it part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
159. Read Opens in new tab
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The section details amendments to the management of funds from forfeited bonds or securities related to offshore mineral activities. It mandates that such funds are to be placed in a special Treasury account for decommissioning work and can be used by relevant government agencies without needing further approval, ensuring the necessary actions are taken to manage and rehabilitate affected areas effectively.
401. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that funds from this Act cannot be used for activities or materials that try to sway public opinion for or against any legislative proposal that hasn't been completed in Congress, except when communicating with Members of Congress following legal guidelines.
402. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds provided by this Act cannot be used after the current fiscal year ends unless the Act specifically states otherwise.
403. Read Opens in new tab
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The section requires that any estimated overhead costs, deductions, reserves, or holdbacks for government administrative functions be included in the yearly budget justifications and approved by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Any changes to these estimates also need approval from the same committees.
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Under Section 404, funds from this Act cannot be used to process patent applications for mining or mill site claims unless certain conditions are met, such as the application being filed by September 30, 1994, and compliance with specific legal requirements. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior must submit a report on these actions by September 30, 2026, and may allow applicants to pay for a third-party contractor to conduct mineral examinations for their claims.
405. Read Opens in new tab
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Sections 405 and 406 of a previous law, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, which is Public Law 113–235, will remain effective in the fiscal year 2025.
406. Read Opens in new tab
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For fiscal year 2025, the funding mentioned in this section is designated solely for contract support costs related to self-determination or self-governance agreements with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health Service. These funds cannot be used to pay for claims, settlements, or judgments related to contract support costs from previous years.
407. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that the Secretary of Agriculture will not be considered as violating a specific rule in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act just because more than 15 years have passed without a plan revision for a National Forest System unit. However, if the Secretary isn't making a good effort, given their available budget, to update a plan promptly, the section is no longer valid for that plan, and a court may require the plan to be completed faster.
408. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds from this Act cannot be used for leasing-related activities in National Monuments as of their boundaries on January 20, 2001, under two specific laws, unless allowed by the Presidential proclamation that established the monument.
409. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds from this Act cannot be used to acquire land through legal processes like declarations of taking or condemnation without approval from specific congressional committees, except for funds used for the Everglades National Park or Florida's land acquisitions for Everglades restoration.
410. Read Opens in new tab
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The section outlines restrictions on how executive branch agencies can use funds to enter into federal contracts. These contracts must follow certain U.S. laws and regulations unless there are specific exceptions, such as when a law allows an exception, the contract is with Indian Tribes under certain acts, or the contract was awarded before this law was enacted.
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Any agency that receives money from this Act must post on their website any report required by Congress, unless the report poses a risk to national security or contains proprietary information. The report cannot be posted until it has been available to relevant Congressional Committees for at least 45 days.
412. Read Opens in new tab
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The section specifies that the National Endowment for the Arts can only award grants to individuals for certain fellowships, requires procedures to prevent grant funds from being used by other organizations unless exchanged for goods and services, and states that grants cannot be used for general seasonal support unless specific programs are outlined.
413. Read Opens in new tab
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The section outlines that the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts must prioritize funding for projects that help underserved populations and promote public understanding of the arts. It also specifies creating a grant category for national projects, limits state funding to 15%, requires annual reporting to Congress, and encourages support for community-based music.
414. Read Opens in new tab
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The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service must give reports every three months to certain committees in Congress. These reports need to show how much money is left, including what hasn't been spent or promised to be spent, in their programs within 60 days after this law is passed.
415. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that the rules about grazing permits from a previous law, Public Law 108-108, will still apply through the year 2025 for lands managed by the Forest Service that aren't covered by another specific federal law.
416. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits the use of funds from the Act to maintain or set up a computer network that doesn't block access to pornography sites. However, this restriction doesn't apply to funds needed for law enforcement or legal activities by governmental agencies.
417. Read Opens in new tab
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The section allows the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture to transfer excess wild horses and burros to government agencies for work use. These transferred animals lose their wild status, and agencies must not destroy or sell them for commercial products, except in severe health cases and under veterinarian advice. Additionally, no funds can be used to destroy or sell healthy, unadopted wild horses or burros for commercial processing.
418. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 418 updates a previous law by changing the expiration date from September 30, 2019, to September 30, 2025.
419. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that funds from a State water pollution control revolving fund cannot be used for projects involving public water systems unless all iron and steel products used are made in the United States, with some exceptions if it is against public interest, if U.S.-made products are unavailable, or if it makes the project cost over 25% more. It also mentions that waiver requests will be made public for feedback before decisions are made and must comply with international agreements, and the Environmental Protection Agency can use a small portion of funds for managing these requirements.
420. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior can give grants and make agreements with local fire departments and fire protection groups to help them with training and equipment for fighting wildfires. They can also give away extra firefighting equipment from the Department of the Interior that is no longer needed.
421. Read Opens in new tab
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The section changes a date in the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, replacing "September 30, 2019" with "October 1, 2026."
422. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this Act or from previous years can be used for new purposes without getting permission in advance from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, following the reprogramming rules detailed in the report that comes with this Act.
423. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 423 changes a previous law by updating the year mentioned. It replaces "fiscal year 2019" with "fiscal year 2025" in the specified section of an earlier law.
424. Read Opens in new tab
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The section changes the expiration date in a specific law, replacing "fiscal year 2019" with "fiscal year 2025," effectively extending the law's provisions until 2025.
425. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 425 of this bill updates a previous law by changing the end date from September 30, 2019, to September 30, 2025.
426. Read Opens in new tab
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The section updates a previous law by changing the mentioned fiscal year from 2019 to 2025. This means the existing provision will now apply to fiscal year 2025 instead of 2019.
427. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that for certain leases related to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, the lease term will start on or after the lease proposal is received. It also requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Health and Human Services to consult with Tribes in 2025 to establish a clear process for paying these leases.
428. Read Opens in new tab
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The section changes the deadline in a funding law related to forest health and recovery, so any reference to the year 2020 is updated to the year 2025.
429. Read Opens in new tab
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The section outlines how funds from the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund should be allocated and managed for fiscal year 2025. It highlights the timelines, requirements for reallocating funds due to unforeseen cost overruns, the need for detailed reporting, and limits on how these funds can be used by various government agencies, including the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, with stipulations for communication and reporting to Congress.
430. Read Opens in new tab
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The section outlines how the Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency will work together to create consistent federal policies that promote the use of forest biomass as a renewable energy source. It emphasizes policies that acknowledge the carbon neutrality of forest bioenergy, encourage private investment, and support activities like forest management and State initiatives, provided these do not lead to deforestation.
431. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no money from this Act can be used to enforce a specific environmental regulation from March 21, 2011, concerning small, remote incinerators in Alaska. Until a new regulation is issued, the rules that were in place before that date will continue to be applied.
432. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that timber sales in Alaska's Region 10 cannot be advertised if the value of the timber is too low to cover costs and yield a normal profit when appraised. If western red cedar is not needed by processors in Alaska, it should be offered to domestic processors in the contiguous United States, and any excess can be exported. Alaska yellow cedar can be sold internationally at export prices.
433. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds allocated to the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture in this Act can be redirected to the Federal Highway Administration for transportation projects, as long as they follow certain rules and restrictions in the law.
434. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds from this act or any other cannot be used to create or enforce regulations that require permits for emissions like carbon dioxide and methane from livestock production, according to the Clean Air Act.
435. Read Opens in new tab
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In Section 435, the bill states that no government funds from this or any other law can be used to enforce rules that require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems.
436. Read Opens in new tab
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Congress has decided that no money from this or any other law should be used to control the amount of lead in bullets, bullet parts, or fishing gear under various laws, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act.
437. Read Opens in new tab
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The section updates a law by changing the mention of specific years, "2021 or 2022 or 2023 or 2024," to a range, "calendar years 2021 through 2025," making it apply for a continuous five-year period.
438. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 438 changes the date in a previous law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, from "December 24, 2022" to "October 1, 2025".
439. Read Opens in new tab
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The section updates the law about wildfire funding and forest management. It changes the time frame for reporting from 90 to 180 days and requires more detailed financial reporting for suppression operations.
440. Read Opens in new tab
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Congress states that funds cannot be used to prevent hunting, fishing, or recreational shooting on Federal land, unless it was already prohibited before 2013 and follows existing management plans. However, the Secretary of the Interior or Agriculture can temporarily close these lands for up to 30 days, extendable under special circumstances, and this does not affect state authority over wildlife.
441. Read Opens in new tab
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The amendment to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act allows projects that use sand from protected areas to manage storm risks on nearby beaches to continue using those sand sources if they have done so at least once between December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2023, because of an emergency situation before the end of 2023.
442. Read Opens in new tab
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The government is canceling some funds that were set aside under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 but haven't been used yet.
443. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this law can be used to carry out, manage, or enforce certain Executive Orders focused on promoting racial equity and inclusion within the government and its workforce.
444. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this law can be used to support or enforce any rules requiring COVID-19 masks or vaccines.
445. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to support any program or activity that promotes Critical Race Theory or ideas related to it.
446. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this Act can be used to fly or display any flag over a government facility funded by this Act, except for the United States flag, a State, insular area, or District of Columbia flag, a Federally recognized Tribal entity's flag, the official flag of the Secretary of the Interior, a U.S. Department or agency flag, or the POW/MIA flag.
447. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that federal funds cannot be used to penalize individuals or organizations for holding religious beliefs that marriage is only between a man and a woman. It defines "discriminatory action" as any measure that negatively impacts their taxes, benefits, grants, or access to federal resources due to these beliefs.
448. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 448
states that no money from this act can be spent on the American Climate Corps.
449. Read Opens in new tab
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The section specifies that the funds from this Act cannot be used to carry out certain executive orders related to climate initiatives, refugee resettlement, clean energy, and environmental justice. These include Executive Orders like No. 13990 and No. 14096, among others, which address topics from public health to clean cars and environmental justice.
450. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds from this Act cannot be used to create or carry out rules about the value of nature’s benefits and resources in government decisions, as stated in Executive Order 14072.
451. Security of tenure Read Opens in new tab
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This section states that a claimant can use and operate on public land for mining, either by paying the required fees or by qualifying for a waiver and doing specific work. It also clarifies that meeting these requirements satisfies certain parts of another law, ensuring the claimant doesn't have to pay extra for using public land, and it doesn’t limit their mining rights.
452. Read Opens in new tab
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Funds from this law or any other law cannot be used to enforce Public Land Order 7917, which was published in the Federal Register on January 31, 2023.
453. Read Opens in new tab
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The Secretary of the Interior is required, without the possibility of further legal challenge, to reinstate two specific mineral leases in Minnesota's Superior National Forest within 30 days of the law being enacted.
454. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits the use of funds from any act to consider or include the social cost of carbon in cost-benefit analyses, rulemakings, guidance, or any agency actions or to justify these actions. It specifically mentions restrictions under several executive orders and documents related to environmental and regulatory reviews.
455. Read Opens in new tab
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The section enacts two specific bills into law from the 118th Congress: the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act and part of the America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act. Additionally, when the law is published, an appendix will be included showing the text of these bills.
456. Special base rates of pay for wildland firefighters Read Opens in new tab
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The section establishes special pay rates for wildland firefighters employed by the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, replacing standard General Schedule base rates with higher rates specific to each grade level. The changes aim to ensure these firefighters receive a pay increase consistent with their grade, and the amendments will take effect after October 1, 2024, or the date of the law's enactment, whichever is later.
Money References
- — “(A) IN GENERAL.—The special base rate for a wildland firefighter shall be derived by increasing the otherwise applicable General Schedule base rate for the wildland firefighter by the following applicable percentage for the grade of the wildland firefighter and rounding the result to the nearest whole dollar: “(i) For GS–1, 42 percent.
5332a. Special base rates of pay for wildland firefighters Read Opens in new tab
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In this section, "firefighter" refers to various employees working in firefighting roles, some of whom may have supervisory or administrative duties. It introduces "special base rates" as new pay scales for wildland firefighters, increasing their pay by a specific percentage based on their grade level, replacing the standard pay rate, and affecting their overall compensation calculations.
Money References
- — (A) IN GENERAL.—The special base rate for a wildland firefighter shall be derived by increasing the otherwise applicable General Schedule base rate for the wildland firefighter by the following applicable percentage for the grade of the wildland firefighter and rounding the result to the nearest whole dollar:
457. Wildland fire incident response premium pay Read Opens in new tab
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The section establishes "incident response premium pay" for wildland firefighters employed by the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior. It outlines eligibility criteria, specifies how the pay is computed, and details how this premium pay is to be treated separately from regular compensation.
Money References
- “(B) LIMITATION.—Premium pay under this subsection may not be paid— “(i) with respect to a covered employee for whom the annual rate of basic pay is greater than that for step 10 of GS–10, at a daily rate that exceeds the daily rate established under subparagraph (A) for step 10 of GS–10; or “(ii) to a covered employee in a total amount that exceeds $9,000 in any calendar year.
5545c. Incident response premium pay for employees engaged in wildland firefighting Read Opens in new tab
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The section outlines how employees of the Forest Service and Department of the Interior who are involved in wildland firefighting can receive extra pay, called "incident response premium pay," when they are deployed to fight certain types of wildfires or related incidents. This extra pay is based on their regular hourly wage, has specific limits, and isn't counted as part of their basic salary or for other pay calculations.
Money References
- (B) LIMITATION.—Premium pay under this subsection may not be paid— (i) with respect to a covered employee for whom the annual rate of basic pay is greater than that for step 10 of GS–10, at a daily rate that exceeds the daily rate established under subparagraph (A) for step 10 of GS–10; or (ii) to a covered employee in a total amount that exceeds $9,000 in any calendar year.
458. Read Opens in new tab
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The section ensures that no funds from this or any future legislation can be used to make it a requirement for individuals or organizations to give up all or part of their water rights in order to get or renew land use permits from the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management.
459. Read Opens in new tab
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The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District can request the transfer of land from the United States in Riverside, California. If the request is made within 365 days, the land will be sold to the District for its fair market value, with costs covered by the District. The District must also pay for any necessary surveys or environmental studies, while the Secretary of Agriculture is only required to disclose but not clean up any hazardous materials on the land, and will not pay for any developments made on the land after the transfer.
460. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this or any other law can be used to support the Climate Justice Alliance.
461. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits any money allocated to the Smithsonian Institution from being used for partnerships or activities with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices.
462. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the money from this law can be used to block anyone from accessing or using federal land for mining or other similar activities unless Congress specifically allows it through a new law.
463. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to complete, carry out, or enforce the proposed rule about changes to projects in the mining sector that can be covered under a specific transportation law.
464. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to create or change any rules about oil and gas development in the Allegheny National Forest, according to a specific part of the Mineral Leasing Act.
465. Read Opens in new tab
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The amendment to Section 5 of the Act of June 22, 1948, changes how the value of certain items is determined by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to use the highest fair appraised value, including consideration of historical appraised values.
466. Read Opens in new tab
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The section requires the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to send guidance documents about the "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule to certain congressional committees within 15 days of the bill being enacted. This rule was published by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency on September 8, 2023.
467. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits the use of funds from this or any other Act to issue, adopt, or approve any guidance, policy, regulatory action, or labeling change that differs from the conclusions of a human health assessment under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act or the carcinogenicity classification for a pesticide.
468. Read Opens in new tab
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Congress has decided that no government funding from this or any other law may be used to carry out the rule called “Supplemental Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category,” which was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency on May 9, 2024.
469. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no funds from this or any other law can be used to approve California's request for a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency. This waiver pertains to California’s updates to its rule about transitioning small off-road engines to zero emissions.
470. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no funds from this or any other law can be used to carry out or enforce the Environmental Protection Agency's rule called the “Federal 'Good Neighbor Plan’ for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards” which was published on June 5, 2023.
471. Read Opens in new tab
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Under the requirements starting October 1, 2024, 0.2% of the funds given to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from certain sections of a specific law will be moved to the Office of the Inspector General. This transfer is intended to help them oversee how the EPA uses the money, and it will come from any leftover amounts that have not been spent under each section.
472. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no government funds can be used to carry out, manage, or enforce an Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding greenhouse gas emission standards for fossil fuel power plants, as published in May 2024.
473. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to finalize, carry out, manage, or enforce a decision or risk assessment about ethylene oxide made by the EPA, unless the FDA Commissioner confirms that these actions will not affect the availability of ethylene oxide for sterilizing medical products in the U.S. or cause sterilization capacity to move outside the U.S.
474. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no money from this or any other law can be used to carry out or enforce a specific rule set by the Environmental Protection Agency concerning emissions standards for future vehicle models, or any rule that is very similar.
475. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this or any other law can be used to implement, enforce, or manage a specific EPA rule on greenhouse gas emissions for heavy-duty vehicles, or any rule that's very similar to it.
476. Read Opens in new tab
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The section described in the text explains that none of the funds from this particular Act can be used by the Environmental Protection Agency to implement, administer, or enforce a specific rule related to water quality certification, which was published on September 27, 2023.
477. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds allocated by this Act can be used for the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases.
478. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that no money from the Act can be used to complete, put into effect, manage, or enforce a specific guidance document about considering greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This guidance was published by the Council on Environmental Quality on January 9, 2023.
479. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act are allowed to be used to implement, manage, or enforce the final rule titled "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions" published by the Council on Environmental Quality in April 2022.
480. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this law can be used to finalize, put into action, manage, or enforce a specific rule about environmental policy called the "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2," which was announced by a government body in a publication on May 1, 2024.
481. Read Opens in new tab
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Congress has prohibited any federal funds from being used to put into effect, manage, or enforce a specific rule by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding climate standards for oil and natural gas emissions, which was announced on March 8, 2024.
482. Read Opens in new tab
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In Section 482, the law prohibits the use of any funds from this particular Act to carry out the Environmental Protection Agency's final rule on Accidental Release Prevention, related to Risk Management Programs under the Clean Air Act, which was published on March 11, 2024.
483. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this or any other law can be used to carry out or enforce the EPA's rule on reporting greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems, which was published on May 14, 2024.
484. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits the use of funds from this Act to enforce or finalize the Environmental Protection Agency's rule on water pollution standards for meat and poultry industries, as proposed on January 23, 2024.
485. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to implement, manage, or enforce the Environmental Protection Agency's final rule concerning the disposal of coal ash from power plants, which was published on May 8, 2024.
486. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the money provided by this Act can be used to prohibit the use of fire retardant that is applied from aircraft.
487. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds from this Act can be used to enforce a California regulation that designates metal shredding facilities as hazardous waste treatment facilities, based on a 2009 agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency.
488. Read Opens in new tab
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The Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator must submit a report within 30 days of this Act's enactment to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, detailing a plan to recognize fuels derived from waste plastic or tires as cellulosic biofuel. When creating the report, the Administrator is required to consult with stakeholders and consider their feedback.
489. Read Opens in new tab
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Section 489 amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 by changing a date from 2024 to 2025. It also states that the rules in the America's Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act will apply to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, regardless of the date change.
490. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this Act can be used to create, implement, or enforce rules about section 136(c) of the Clean Air Act, which deals with methane emissions. Additionally, the Act prevents imposing, collecting, or enforcing any charges on methane emissions under the same section.
491. Read Opens in new tab
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This section specifies that no money from this Act can be used to carry out or enforce a specific Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding air pollution standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants, which was published on May 7, 2024.
492. Read Opens in new tab
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The section states that the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to let Florida manage a program for dumping certain materials into waters, which was announced in December 2020, is officially recognized as law.
493. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the money provided by this law can be used to create or use evaluations in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
494. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the funds provided by this or any other law can be used to complete, carry out, or manage the addition of the Upper Columbia River site in Washington to the EPA's National Priorities List, as proposed in a rule published on March 7, 2024.
495. Read Opens in new tab
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The section prohibits any funds from being used to finalize, implement, manage, or enforce a specific environmental impact statement about old-growth forests, as published by the EPA, or any similar documents, as well as to carry out any actions proposed in such statements.
496. Read Opens in new tab
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None of the money provided by this law can be used to carry out, oversee, or enforce the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule concerning air quality standards for particulate matter, which was published on March 6, 2024.
497. Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Section 497 does not contain any language or provisions; it is likely reserved for future content or has been intentionally left blank.
Money References
- $0