Congressional Bills H.R. 972, H.R. 2066 and H.R. 2815 Signed into Law

5/19/2026

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Date & Venue: Signed into law on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at The White House.
H.R. 972 – Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act:
- Conservation Expansion: Expands the boundaries of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area in Clark County, Nevada.
- Pipeline Construction: Directs the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management to grant rights-of-way to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for constructing a water transmission pipeline and related facilities to serve the Las Vegas Valley.
H.R. 2066 – Investing in All of America Act of 2025:
- SBIC Leverage Modification: Modifies the maximum amount of outstanding leverage available to a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC).
- Leverage Exclusions: Excludes investments in small businesses located in low-income or rural areas, small manufacturers, and critical technology-focused small businesses from the leverage cap calculation.
H.R. 2815 – Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025:
- Federal Land Waiver: Waives the requirement under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act for the Cape Fox Village Corporation to receive certain Federal land for settlement purposes.
- Alternate Land Selection: Authorizes the corporation to select other previously identified land for settlement.

Risks & Considerations

The signing of H.R. 972, which involves the expansion of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, could have implications for environmental studies and initiatives at Vanderbilt University. Increased conservation efforts may require additional research and engagement with environmental policy, potentially impacting related academic programs.
H.R. 2066 aims to modify leverage available to Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which could influence the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the university’s community. This may open up new opportunities for collaboration in business development, especially for startups emerging from Vanderbilt.
The Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act may impact land use and development in Alaska. While Vanderbilt may not have direct involvement, any changes in land policies can affect research partnerships and collaborations related to Indigenous communities and land rights in the region.
Overall, these legislative changes could prompt Vanderbilt to reassess its strategic priorities and partnerships, particularly in relation to environmental sustainability, business innovation, and community engagement.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Environmental Studies Program may need to adapt its curriculum to better align with the ongoing conservation efforts mandated by H.R. 972, fostering research that contributes to national conservation goals.
The Owen Graduate School of Management could benefit from the changes introduced by H.R. 2066, as there may be an increased interest in entrepreneurship and small business development, leading to potential new courses or programs focused on innovation.
The Department of Anthropology might see an uptick in research initiatives focused on Indigenous rights and land use, particularly in relation to the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Act, encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations.
Vanderbilt’s Community Engagement Office may need to increase its outreach and support to local communities affected by these legislative changes, ensuring that university resources are aligned with community needs.

Financial Impact

The implementation of H.R. 972 may lead to new funding opportunities for research in environmental conservation, which could benefit Vanderbilt researchers and projects.
Changes in SBIC leverage through H.R. 2066 might result in increased funding or investment opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures associated with the university, enhancing financial support for innovation initiatives.
There may be implications for grant funding related to Indigenous communities as a result of the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act, prompting Vanderbilt to seek new partnerships and funding sources.
Overall, these legislative changes could create both opportunities and challenges for Vanderbilt’s financial landscape, requiring strategic adjustments to funding applications and resource allocations.

Relevance Score: 3 (The series of laws present moderate risks related to compliance and partnership adjustments.)

Key Actions

The Office of Federal Relations should monitor the implications of the signed laws, particularly H.R. 2066 (Investing in All of America Act of 2025), which modifies funding calculations for Small Business Investment Companies. This could open opportunities for Vanderbilt to leverage funding for startups and small enterprises linked to university research and innovation.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore potential collaboration with the Southern Nevada Water Authority related to H.R. 972 (Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act) to include sustainable water management technologies in educational and research programs, enhancing the university’s commitment to sustainability initiatives.
The Department of Political Science should analyze the community impacts of H.R. 2815 (Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025) to understand its implications for indigenous rights and land use, providing critical insights into federal land policies.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Child and Family Policy should evaluate how changes in small business financing might influence community services in low-income areas, aligning research efforts with new federal funding opportunities.

Opportunities

The signing of H.R. 2066 presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management to foster partnerships with small businesses in low-income and rural areas, potentially increasing entrepreneurial initiatives and providing students with hands-on experience in business development.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the provisions of H.R. 972 to enhance its environmental research programs, aligning with federal conservation efforts and potentially securing grants aimed at sustainability and water management.
The Cape Fox Land Entitlement Act highlights the need for research into indigenous land rights, presenting an opportunity for Vanderbilt to engage in policy studies that influence local and national discussions on land use and federal policies affecting Native communities.

Relevance Score: 3

Average Relevance Score: 2.4

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – No specific implementation timelines or deadlines are provided within the signed legislation.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Directed by H.R. 972 to grant rights-of-way in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area for pipeline construction.
Southern Nevada Water Authority: The entity designated to receive the rights-of-way for the water transmission pipeline serving the Las Vegas Valley under H.R. 972.
Small Business Administration (SBA): Likely impacted by H.R. 2066, which adjusts regulatory leverage parameters for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs).
Department of the Interior (Alaska Native Claims Oversight): While not named explicitly, H.R. 2815 affects the implementation of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, thereby involving Interior’s oversight functions in settlement and land entitlement matters.

Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal and closely related governmental agencies are impacted by the laws.)

Responsible Officials

Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management – Tasked with granting rights-of-way for constructing the water transmission pipeline as directed under H.R. 972.

Relevance Score: 3 (Directs an agency director-level official in a specific operational capacity.)