This bill would invalidate a final rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that rescinded the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. By declaring that the 2026 rule has no force or effect, the legislation aims to restore the previous legal interpretation of how actions can harm protected species. This change directly affects entities subject to the Endangered Species Act by reinstating the broader regulatory framework for protecting endangered and threatened wildlife.
This bill amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to change the funding rules for conservation projects led by qualified youth or conservation corps. It increases the maximum federal contribution from 75 percent to 90 percent of project costs. Consequently, the required non-federal cost share is reduced from 25 percent to 10 percent. These changes directly affect organizations and agencies that partner with these corps groups to implement conservation work on public lands.
This bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to classify all waste containing source, byproduct, or special nuclear material as hazardous waste. The legislation removes a previous legal exclusion that had kept certain radioactive materials from being treated as hazardous waste under state regulations. This change directly affects entities responsible for managing and disposing of radioactive waste within the state, requiring them to comply with stricter hazardous waste handling standards. However, the bill includes a provision stating that this classification does not apply where federal law preempts the regulation or cleanup of such materials.
This bill authorizes the town of Nantucket to transfer a specific parcel of land at 35 Grove Lane from its conservation commission to the town's select board. The select board is then permitted to convey this land, or a portion of it, to the Nantucket Islands Land Bank for use as open space, for conservation, or for passive recreation. The legislation allows the town to set specific terms and conditions for the transfer, which may include restrictions and easements, ensuring the land remains protected for these environmental purposes.
This bill is a commemorative resolution that proclaims September 4, 2026, as California Wildlife Day in honor of Jackie, a famous bald eagle who recently passed away. The text highlights the ecological diversity of California and the public's emotional connection to Jackie, whose life was broadcast via webcam for years. It encourages residents across the state to celebrate the day by reflecting on wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting natural heritage.
This measure would express the Legislature's support for the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, designated areas like the Mojave Desert, and the pursuit of additional sentinel landscape designations throughout the state, would request the relevant state agencies to coordinate and support sentinel landscapes, and would encourage the development and passage of future legislation to create dedicated statutory frameworks that support military readiness, unlock federal funding, and promote landscape-scale conservation.
The COWS Act of 2026 amends the Food Security Act to expand federal conservation programs by formally recognizing alternative manure management practices and on-farm composting as eligible activities for financial assistance. These provisions directly affect dairy and livestock producers, particularly small and medium-sized operations, who can receive payments covering up to 100% of the costs associated with planning, equipment, installation, and labor for these new practices. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize applications that maximize greenhouse gas reductions and carbon sequestration while ensuring geographic diversity and support for beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers. Additionally, it allows groups of producers to submit joint applications for shared composting facilities and mandates the development of new conservation standards specifically for on-farm compost production within one year of enactment.
The RANCH Act establishes a program for the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll cropland that has been planted in at least four of the last six years, requiring its conversion to perennial grass and forb cover to support grazing. Landowners who enter into contracts lasting 10 to 15 years receive annual rental payments equal to 75 percent of the local average dryland cash rental rate, along with cost-sharing assistance for establishing vegetation. To participate, landowners must develop a site-specific grazing management plan within two years and are permitted to graze livestock, manage fire risks, and conduct emergency haying during declared droughts or natural disasters. The program prioritizes beginning farmers, wildlife habitat conservation, and highly erodible land, with a total enrollment cap of 20 million acres and an individual annual payment limit of $155,000.
The Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated fund within the existing Multinational Species Conservation Fund to provide competitive grants for the protection of animal species classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Secretary of the Interior will manage this program, awarding financial assistance to foreign wildlife authorities and qualified organizations to support projects such as habitat restoration, illegal trade enforcement, and scientific research aimed at recovering wild populations outside the United States. To ensure accountability and effectiveness, grant recipients must submit periodic progress reports that are generally made available to the public, while specific restrictions prohibit the use of funds for captive breeding unless it is strictly necessary for releasing animals back into the wild. The legislation authorizes $5 million per year in appropriations from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 and requires the Secretary to report on the program's results to Congress every two years.
The Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2026 amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to establish a mandatory 180-day deadline for the federal Secretary to approve state wildlife conservation and restoration programs. To prevent funding delays, the bill requires the Secretary to conditionally authorize these programs immediately upon submission and set aside the associated financial amounts while the review process is ongoing. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Secretary develop a streamlined process with states to ensure timely reviews and prioritizes these approvals as a congressional intent. If the federal agency fails to approve a state's plan within the specified timeframe, the Secretary must submit a report to relevant congressional committees explaining the delay.
