H.R. 4754: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

The bill appropriates funds for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for fiscal year 2026, focusing on a variety of areas including land management, wildlife services, national parks, Indian affairs, and environmental enforcement. The financial allocations cover numerous programs and projects aimed at supporting these sectors.

Funding Overview

The bill specifies funding for:

• Management of lands and wildlife.
• Support for national parks.
• Programs related to Indian affairs.
• Environmental enforcement initiatives.

Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education

Permitting the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education to directly manage programs, the bill outlines:

• Regulations for Tribal Priority Allocations.
• Restrictions on fund usage related to certain school expansion projects.
• Establishment of emergency fund transfer authorities within the Department of the Interior.

Environmental and Wildlife Protections

This section includes provisions for:

• Funding authorizations with limitations on expenditures for wildlife protections.
• Specific oil and gas leasing requirements and guidelines for ecological management.
• Rules ensuring environmental accountability and prohibiting the use of lead ammunition.

Health Programs and Water Infrastructure

Financial allocations also support various health and environmental initiatives, including:

• $18,512,000 for water resource surveys.
• $64,634,000 for water infrastructure loans.
• Significant funding for the Indian Health Service, focusing on facility improvements and health programs.

Indian Self-Determination Act Provisions

Funds from the Indian Self-Determination Act can be deobligated and reobligated to tribes without fiscal year limitations, with stipulations that:

• These funds cannot be used to implement specific health service rules without a budget request.
• The Indian Health Service may provide reimbursable services to tribes, ensuring coverage of all associated costs.

Leasing Requirements

The bill also includes rules regarding leases under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, stating that:

• The lease term cannot commence until a proposal is received.
• The Secretaries of the Interior and Health and Human Services must consult with Tribes about these leases during fiscal year 2026.

Prohibitions on EPA Regulations

Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of funds to implement certain Environmental Protection Agency regulations concerning:

• Greenhouse gases.
• Vehicle emissions.
• Water quality management.
• Hazardous waste management.

Specific rules are listed, with additional conditions outlined for ethylene oxide regulations.

Relevant Companies

• XOM (Exxon Mobil Corporation) - As a major player in oil and gas leasing, regulations outlined in the bill might influence their operations and compliance costs.
• CVX (Chevron Corporation) - Similar to Exxon, Chevron's activities in oil and gas may be directly affected by the leasing requirements mentioned in the bill.
• DVN (Devon Energy Corporation) - As an operator in the oil and gas industry, changes to leasing rules may impact their exploration and operational strategies.