Brazilian legislators propose new Amazon environmental protections

Two legislative proposals are currently moving through the Brazilian government aimed at addressing environmental issues in the Amazon region.

Senator Plínio Valério has introduced Bill 2.953/2025, which seeks to prohibit the destruction of machinery, vehicles, and vessels seized during environmental enforcement operations. The bill proposes that equipment used in illegal activities, such as mining, be held by responsible agencies for potential use by public bodies or donation to authorized entities, rather than being burned or destroyed. Valério argues that destroying these assets can constitute premature punishment before judicial or administrative processes are finalized.

Separately, Deputy Amom Mandel has introduced Bill 4.289/2026 in the Chamber of Deputies. This project aims to expand the Permanent Preservation Area (APP) buffer zones for small watercourses, known as igarapés, from 30 to 50 meters. The proposal is based on scientific studies linking deforestation to the collapse of these watercourses, which threatens local fauna and water availability for riverside communities. The bill has been forwarded to several parliamentary commissions for review.