Pete Stauber

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2400, the Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025, introduced by Representative LaMalfa, would place approximately 584 acres of U.S. Forest Service land, commonly known as the Four Corners, into trust for the Pit River Tribe. After decades of conflict and loss, the Pit River Tribe was federally recognized in 1976. The Pit River Tribe consists of 11 different California Tribal bands and resides on a 100-square-mile reservation. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Tribe aimed to regain control of the Four Corners property near Burney, California. Over the years, the Tribe repeatedly tried to regain the Four Corners land from Federal ownership but has been unsuccessful. Although the land is now owned by the U.S. Forest Service, it is ancestral to the Pit River Tribe. The Tribe wishes to reacquire its ancestral lands and eventually build an interpretive center there. Gaming on these lands, pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, would be prohibited. I applaud Mr. LaMalfa for working hard with the Tribe to develop H.R. 2400. Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2400, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2400) to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pit River Tribe, as amended.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, this bill reauthorizes an important program that invests in the next generation and encourages them to continue our country's great outdoor and sporting legacy. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1098 to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994, sponsored by Representative Scholten from Michigan. Participants in the Junior Duck Stamp program take part in a waterfowl-themed art competition, and the winning artwork is transformed into collectible stamps. The proceeds from these stamps support efforts to connect the next generation of Americans to the outdoors. The legislation before us would reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2031. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1098, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1098) to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994, as amended.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this is a great bill that would provide a much-needed technical fix to the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands. I again thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon) for his work on this bipartisan piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon), who is the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2876) to confirm the use of certain non-Federal land in Salt Lake City, Utah, for public purposes, and for other purposes.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2876, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2876, the University of Utah Research Park Act, led by Representative Blake Moore of Utah. H.R. 2876 resolves legal uncertainty surrounding the University of Utah's ownership of 593 acres of land in the heart of Salt Lake City. This uncertainty comprises the university's flagship research park, a key educational and economic development center. Since its conveyance under the Research and Public Purposes Act in 1968, this parcel has grown into a nationally recognized hub for innovation, home to 81 university departments and more than 50 pharmaceutical, medical research, and biotechnology companies. Today, Research Park employs over 14,000 Utahns and provides invaluable educational opportunities for students preparing to lead in the fields of science and medicine. Despite this long record of success, a recent BLM review raised questions about whether the park's use of the land aligns with the terms of the original patent. H.R. 2876 clears up this ambiguity by affirming the park's current use is valid and consistent with the public purpose envisioned at the time of the conveyance. This is a simple, bipartisan bill that cuts red tape and ensures the University of Utah can continue building on nearly six decades of scientific discovery, economic growth, and global impact. I commend Representative Moore for leading this effort in the House and the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Lee, for championing this bill in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2876, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), who is the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2876 resolves an unnecessary cloud over this property by confirming the valid use of the University of Utah's prized Research Park, which has served the public for decades. This commonsense bill will allow the park to keep driving innovation, supporting thousands of good jobs, and giving students hands-on opportunities to learn and grow. I thank once again Representative Moore, Senator Lee, and the entire Utah congressional delegation for their work on this important effort. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 972) to amend the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act to adjust the boundary of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and for other purposes.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 972, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 972, the Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act, introduced by Representative Titus. Southern Nevada is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and with growth comes increased demand for critical resources like drinking water. Right now, nearly 40 percent of the Las Vegas Valley's water is carried through a single pipeline that was built in the 1990s. That is a huge vulnerability. If that line goes down, whether for repairs or due to an outage, the entire region could face a water supply crisis. The Southern Nevada Water Authority has done its homework. After years of study and work with local stakeholders, it has proposed the Horizon Lateral pipeline to ensure a resilient and reliable water supply for families and businesses across the Las Vegas Valley. The preferred southern route of this pipeline passes under the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Compared to other alternatives, this alignment minimizes impacts on neighborhoods and is estimated to save taxpayers nearly $200 million. H.R. 972 authorizes the preferred route for this pipeline through the national conservation area. This bill also expands the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area by more than 9,000 acres. The Bureau of Land Management already manages these lands, so the expansion would not add to the Federal estate. The bill also allows materials excavated from the tunneling to be reused for infrastructure and public improvements. This legislation is about balance. It provides the infrastructure southern Nevada needs to keep pace with growth and ensure reliable water deliveries without compromising conservation. That is the kind of practical, forward-looking management we need more of. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 972, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 972 will ensure that the people of southern Nevada have a more reliable water supply with fewer risks of disruption. This legislation shows we can meet the needs of growing communities while being good stewards of America's public lands. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1045) to amend the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 to require the establishment of an additional Institute under that Act.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1045, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1045, the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025, offered by Representative Kennedy of Utah. Across the West, and particularly in Utah, wildfire risk is increasing. In 2024, more than 90,000 acres burned in the State. Along the Wasatch Front, the number of fire weather days has grown by 15 since 1973, meaning fires now have a longer window to ignite and spread. This is exacerbated by the accumulation of hazardous fuels, caused by a century of fire suppression and a lack of active management. In 2004, Congress created the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes, or SWERI, in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to advance wildfire research and promote science-based forest management. These institutes have been invaluable partners to Federal and State land managers, producing peer-reviewed research, improving forest health, and helping reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires across the West. Despite facing the same wildfire threats as its Four Corners neighbors, Utah is the only State in the region without a SWERI center. Representative Kennedy's legislation corrects this oversight by authorizing an additional institute in Utah, allowing the State to expand research, strengthen watershed restoration, and develop innovative fuel-reduction strategies. We know that forest management is the single most crucial factor in determining wildfire severity. This bill builds on a proven model and will bolster Utah's ability to confront wildfire risks head-on. Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Kennedy and the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Lee, for their leadership on this issue. Their legislation has broad support in the State of Utah, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, September 3, 2025. Hon. Glenn Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write regarding H.R. 1045, the ``Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on July 23, 2025. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 1045 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein. I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill and will include such letters in the committee report on H.R. 1045. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.