Congressional Bills S.216, S.284, S.2878, H.R. 187, H.R. 410, H.R. 1491 Signed into Law

12/26/2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

S. 216 – Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act: Authorizes funding for the Marine Debris Program through FY 2029 and the Marine Debris Foundation for FY 2025; modifies program administrative requirements.
S. 284 – Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act: Retroactively reauthorizes the Congressional Award Board to recognize young people’s achievements, effective from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2028.
S. 2878 – Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act: Reauthorizes funding for monitoring, assessing, and researching fisheries in the Great Lakes Basin through FY 2030.
H.R. 187 – Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act of 2025 (MAPWaters Act): Directs the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to standardize and publish data on public outdoor recreational access and federal fishing restrictions.
H.R. 410 – Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act of 2025: Extends the land allotment program for eligible Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans through December 29, 2030.
H.R. 1491 – Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act: Requires the Treasury to treat postponements of tax return deadlines due to federally declared disasters (or similar events) as extensions for calculating tax refund limits.

Risks & Considerations

The reauthorization of the Marine Debris Program and the Great Lakes Fishery Research could present opportunities for Vanderbilt to expand its research initiatives in environmental science and sustainability. However, this may require additional resources and partnerships to fully leverage federal funding.
The Congressional Award Program reauthorization supports youth achievement, which may influence Vanderbilt’s admissions strategies by emphasizing diverse achievements and community involvement in its applicant pool.
MAPWaters Act of 2025 could increase public interest in environmental sciences and outdoor recreation programs. Vanderbilt might need to consider enhancing curriculum and outreach in these areas to attract prospective students.
The Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act could impact university financial planning and compliance processes, especially in managing tax-related considerations in event of federally-declared disasters.
The extension of the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program may necessitate increased awareness and support services for veteran students and their families, potentially impacting Vanderbilt’s veteran affairs programs.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department may find increased opportunities for collaboration and research funding related to marine and fisheries conservation efforts.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions could leverage the Congressional Award Program’s emphasis on youth achievement to attract a diverse and accomplished student body.
Vanderbilt’s Recreation and Wellness Center might consider expanding partnerships or programming that align with the MAPWaters Act to engage students interested in outdoor recreational activities.
The Office of Financial Affairs may need to stay updated on policies related to tax extensions and disaster-related financial planning to ensure compliance and optimize fiscal strategies.
Vanderbilt’s Office of Veterans Affairs might need to enhance its services and outreach to support Alaska Native veteran students who could be affected by the land allotment program extension.

Financial Impact

Federal funding reauthorizations in environmental research could open new grant opportunities for Vanderbilt, potentially leading to increased research funding and collaborations.
The Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act may influence institutional financial operations, requiring updates to compliance strategies and financial planning for federally-declared disasters.
Potential increases in student interest in environmental and recreational fields may affect enrollment numbers and associated tuition revenue.
Vanderbilt could benefit from strategic partnerships and programs that align with the federally-supported initiatives outlined in the new laws.

Relevance Score: 3 (The laws present moderate risks and opportunities, particularly involving research funding and compliance considerations.)

Key Actions

The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment should explore opportunities for collaboration with the Marine Debris Program, particularly in areas of research and innovation in marine debris management. Engaging in this initiative could enhance the university’s profile in environmental studies and sustainability research.
Vanderbilt’s Office of Undergraduate Education could leverage the Congressional Award Program to encourage student participation and achievement. This aligns with the university’s commitment to student development and national recognition.
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences should consider engaging in research related to the Great Lakes Fishery, potentially through partnerships or field studies. This could expand research opportunities and contribute to conservation efforts.
Vanderbilt’s Outdoor Recreation Program can explore partnerships with federal agencies to enhance student access to public lands and waterways as a result of the MAPWaters Act. This could be beneficial for experiential learning and outdoor education programs.

Opportunities

The university could broaden its outreach and support for Alaska Native and Indigenous students in light of the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act. Developing targeted support programs could strengthen Vanderbilt’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The enactment of the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act offers a chance for Vanderbilt’s Tax and Financial Aid Offices to educate students and staff about changes in tax deadlines and implications. This proactive approach can enhance financial literacy and compliance within the university community.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to leverage new research and educational opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

Marine Debris Foundation Authorization (S. 216): Funding and program authority for the Marine Debris Foundation is limited to Fiscal Year 2025.
Marine Debris Program Funding (S. 216): Appropriations for the program are authorized through Fiscal Year 2029.
Congressional Award Program Reauthorization (S. 284): The program is retroactively effective as of October 1, 2023, and remains in effect through October 1, 2028.
Great Lakes Fishery Research (S. 2878): Funding and reauthorization are provided through Fiscal Year 2030.
Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment (H.R. 410): The program is extended through December 29, 2030.
Public Waters Data Standardization (H.R. 187): This directive requires agencies to standardize and publish data related to public outdoor recreational access and federal fishing restrictions; no specific implementation deadline is provided.
Disaster-Related Tax Deadline Extension (H.R. 1491): The directive treats postponed tax return deadlines (triggered by federally declared disasters or similar events) as extensions for computing refund limits; no explicit universal timeline is set.

Note: These timelines represent the authorized periods or effective dates of the respective statutory provisions rather than rapid implementation directives. Since the shortest specific period (FY 2025 for the Marine Debris Foundation) still allows for a compliance window counted in months or longer, a non-urgent score is warranted.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Involved with the implementation of the Marine Debris Program under S.216 and the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act (S.2878) for fisheries monitoring and research.
Congressional Award Board: Reauthorized under S.284 to administer the Congressional Awards Program recognizing achievements of young individuals.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Directed by H.R. 187 (MAPWaters Act of 2025) to standardize and publish data on public outdoor recreational access to federal waterways.
United States Department of the Interior: Also mandated by H.R. 187 to collaborate in modernizing data on public waters and by H.R. 410 to extend the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Program.
United States Department of the Treasury: Tasked by H.R. 1491 to adjust tax refund calculations by treating postponed tax deadlines as extensions during federally declared disasters.

Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3 and 5 agencies are impacted by the legislation.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Agriculture – Responsible for implementing the directive in H.R. 187 to standardize and publish data relating to public outdoor recreational access and federal fishing restrictions.
Secretary of the Interior – Charged with executing the same mandate from H.R. 187 regarding public access data for federal waterways.
Secretary of the Treasury – Tasked under H.R. 1491 to treat the postponement of tax return deadlines as extensions for calculating tax refund limits.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives target Cabinet-level officials responsible for significant policy execution).