Jim Baird

This bill establishes a new State Standing Committee within the Environmental Protection Agency to provide scientific and technical advice on federal environmental laws. The committee will have one member from each state, federal district, federal territory, and federally recognized tribe, with members selected through an open, competitive process from state and local environmental, natural resource, or agricultural agencies. Committee members must reside in the areas they represent, possess relevant scientific or technical qualifications, and serve voluntarily without pay. The committee can offer advice on matters related to major environmental statutes including the Clean Air Act, Water Pollution Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and several others, and the EPA administrator must publish all advice within 30 days on the agency's website. The bill exempts the committee from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, meaning it operates with fewer procedural requirements than typical federal advisory bodies, and requires the EPA administrator to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the committee's membership and activities.

The BIO-SCALE Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish at least three regional, nonprofit technology maturation facilities across the United States to help develop and scale up bioindustrial technologies, such as those used to produce bio-based chemicals, fuels, and materials through biological processes. These facilities will operate on an open-access basis, meaning companies and researchers can use them without licensing barriers, and will be equipped with advanced fermentation tanks and biomass processing equipment to support the growth of the bioindustry sector. The Secretary must solicit proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations and institutions within one year of the bill's enactment, with preference given to proposals in areas with existing bioindustrial capabilities, near feedstock sources, or in rural regions needing economic development. The bill authorizes $345 million in funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, plus an additional $117 million for fiscal years 2029 through 2030, with recipients having two to three years to spend the funds depending on their existing infrastructure. The facilities will sunset after ten years unless the Secretary determines they are performing successfully and allows them to continue operating.

The FORGE Act establishes a new program within the State Department called the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology program to promote the global deployment of American nuclear energy technology and products. The program, managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, will work with foreign governments to encourage adoption of U.S. civil nuclear projects while ensuring those projects meet the highest standards for safety, security, and nonproliferation. The State Department will provide technical consulting to partner countries on licensing and regulatory frameworks, offer early-stage commercial development support to help U.S. companies compete internationally, and work with other nations on training and technical cooperation for small modular reactor deployment. The bill requires the State Department to report to Congress within 120 days on the program's implementation, diplomatic activities, participating countries, and funding details, with additional briefings to follow every three months. The program is authorized to operate through June 2034.

The Tech Diplomacy Training Act requires the State Department to develop and provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics training for all Foreign Service officers. The training will cover artificial intelligence, next-generation communications, technological developments by region, and how technology is used in diplomacy, including how U.S. adversaries leverage technology for diplomatic purposes. New Foreign Service officers must complete this training as part of their required A-100 orientation course, while officers already serving have either 18 months to complete the full training or 270 days to complete a condensed version. The bill establishes this training through the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center but does not specify separate funding amounts or authorization levels. The legislation aims to ensure American diplomats have the technical knowledge needed to effectively conduct foreign policy in an increasingly technology-driven global environment.

Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act of 2026This bill authorizes specified departments to propose regulations on U.S. export controls. It also directs the Department of State to evaluate China's military-civil fusion strategy (a national strategy to eliminate barriers between China's civilian commercial sector and its military and defense industrial sectors).Specifically, the bill authorizes the State Department and the Departments of Defense and Energy to propose new rules or amendments to existing rules under the Export Administration Regulations. These departments may submit proposals directly to the Export Administration Review Board (EARB), which reviews applications for export licenses. The EARB must vote to accept or reject the proposal within 30 days of the proposal's submission, but the bill allows a 30-day extension.The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Securities (BIS) must initiate the rulemaking process for each proposal accepted by a simple majority vote of the EARB.BIS must also coordinate (instead of consult) with these departments on activities related to U.S. export controls.The bill also requires the State Department, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, to complete a review of the implications of China's military-civil fusion strategy on U.S. export control policy and national security. The State Department must consider proposing to the EARB (or any successor entity) any change to U.S. export control policy identified pursuant to the review. The EARB must vote on the adoption of each proposal.The State Department must report to Congress on the activities required by the bill.

This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish at least two "bioindustrial technology maturation facilities" by September 2030 to help biotechnology companies scale up their products from research stage to commercial production. The facilities will serve as shared resources available to government agencies, private companies, and academic institutions, offering services like pilot testing, equipment access, workforce training, and digital data-sharing platforms to advance biotechnology-based manufacturing. The bill affects biotechnology innovators, manufacturers, energy companies, and rural communities by addressing what Congress identifies as a major barrier to American biotech competitiveness—the lack of available, affordable infrastructure to test and demonstrate new biomanufacturing processes at scale. The legislation authorizes $225.5 million in funding over fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and requires the Department of Energy to develop a strategic implementation plan within six months and submit annual progress reports to Congress.

Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor ActThis bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery (formerly known as Kareem N. Dockery), for his acts of valor on October 2, 2012, as a member of the Army while serving in Afghanistan, for which he was previously awarded the Silver Star.

Hemp Planting Predictability ActThis bill extends by two years the implementation of changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products.Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill extends the effective date to November 12, 2028.As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp. As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances and registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation.The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, includechanging the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC,explicitly including industrial hemp,excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, andexcluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.

This bill extends by two years the implementation of changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products.Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill extends the effective date to November 12, 2028.As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp. As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances and registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation.The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, includechanging the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC,explicitly including industrial hemp,excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, andexcluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.

The PART Act aims to combat catalytic converter theft by requiring manufacturers to install identifying marks on catalytic converters in new vehicles and establishing new penalties for stealing or trafficking in stolen converters. The bill affects vehicle manufacturers, auto dealers, repair shops, law enforcement, and fleet owners, who may benefit from a $7 million federal grant program to stamp identification numbers on existing vehicles. Key requirements include a federal regulation update (within 180 days) mandating anti-theft marks on catalytic converters, a requirement that catalytic converter sales be made only through traceable payment methods like checks or wire transfers—not cash or cryptocurrency—and new salvage yard record-keeping rules. The legislation also creates federal criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison for stealing catalytic converters or knowingly buying stolen ones, with the Department of Transportation reporting on program progress annually for 10 years.

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collaborate on joint research and development projects that advance both agencies' missions and priorities. The two agencies would establish formal agreements to coordinate research across areas like agricultural biotechnology, food security, artificial intelligence, precision farming, soil health, and rural economic development. The bill also encourages collaboration between federal agencies, universities, community colleges, and private companies, and authorizes grants to establish a Center for Agricultural Research, Education, and Workforce Development. Additionally, the legislation supports STEM education initiatives and workforce training in agriculture through teacher workshops and curriculum development. Within two years of enactment, the agencies must report to Congress on their coordination efforts, research achievements, and recommendations for expanding capabilities—with all activities subject to research security standards established under the CHIPS and Science Act.

This bill would prohibit the United States from funding the United Nations and related organizations if they grant the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) any official status beyond "observer status." Currently, U.S. law restricts funding if the PLO obtains full UN membership; this legislation expands that restriction to prevent the PLO from gaining any additional rights, privileges, or formal status within these international bodies. The bill affects American contributions to the UN and affiliated organizations, effectively using the threat of withheld funding to influence how international bodies treat Palestinian representation. The legislation applies broadly to any UN agency or affiliated organization that might elevate the PLO's standing beyond observer status, though it includes a provision clarifying that the restrictions do not apply to Taiwan. The bill was introduced on May 6, 2025, and was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025 updates federal policies to support the development and deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs)—smaller nuclear reactors that can work together at a single location. The bill increases the electrical output threshold for SMRs from 300 to 500 megawatts, allowing more efficient reactor designs to qualify for federal support. It also directs the Department of Energy to establish a working group with representatives from multiple federal agencies to identify promising SMR technologies, improve the U.S. manufacturing base for reactor components, recommend policy changes to attract investment, assess workforce needs, and identify cost-reduction strategies. The working group will submit annual reports to Congress through 2030 on its findings and recommendations. Additionally, the legislation makes SMR projects with higher electrical output eligible for federal funding assistance for development and deployment, removing previous restrictions based on megawatt thresholds.

H.R. 1516 requires the Secretary of State to conduct and submit a detailed assessment of the Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau within 180 days of the bill's passage. The report must evaluate whether the bureau should continue operating, explain its unique functions, and provide a full cost analysis including expenses for shutting it down and potential savings from dissolution. The legislation also requires the State Department to outline which of the bureau's functions and staff, if any, would be transferred to other departmental offices. The assessment will be submitted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, giving Congress the information needed to decide the bureau's future.

Increased TSP Access Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications.As background, TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, that work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs.USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors).In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs within a specified time period. USDA must also review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity within a specified time period. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs.The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA.Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, certification results, and utilization rates.