Environment (Wildlife)

in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 7159: Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026

This bill amends the Lacey Act to create a registration system for facilities holding certain "prohibited wildlife species" (like big cats), directly affecting zoos and animal facilities that exhibit or possess these species. Facilities must register each animal with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and then stop breeding, selling, or allowing public contact with these species. The bill explicitly excludes snow leopards and clouded leopards (and their hybrids) from the "prohibited" category. It also allows compliant facilities to export/import prohibited species to foreign facilities operating legally in their home countries.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts breeding/selling of big cats in zoos via Lacey Act amendment, explicitly protecting prohibited wildlife species through registration and activity bans, aligning with conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 1420: Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act

This bill amends the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to create new "seasonally flooded working lands habitat conservation agreements." It allows farmers to maintain wetland-dependent wildlife habitats on working cropland by permitting seasonal flooding with specific best management practices, while also enabling enrollment of adjacent non-eligible agricultural land critical for habitat goals. The bill establishes regional rental payment rates based on actual habitat maintenance costs and waives matching requirements for these agreements. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs who manage lands supporting Pacific Flyway migratory bird habitats.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates habitat conservation agreements for wetland-dependent wildlife on working lands, promoting habitat maintenance and biodiversity conservation through seasonal flooding with best management practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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passed · United States · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 5682: To take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes.

This bill transfers approximately 1,261 acres of federal land in Riverside County, California (administered by the Bureau of Land Management) into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians, making it part of their reservation under federal management. The land must remain open space, be used only for cultural/wildlife preservation, and cannot be used for any gambling (including class II or III gaming). The bill preserves existing water rights and service agreements, requires tribes to report MOU terminations to Congress and the Interior Department, and prohibits development that conflicts with open space or conservation goals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires land use for wildlife preservation and open space, aligning with conservation protections.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Jan 23, 2025

HR 717: Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025

HR 717 establishes a grant program to fund projects improving habitat connectivity for migratory wildlife, primarily benefiting big game species like deer, elk, and pronghorn. The bill provides federal funding (with up to 90% federal share) for states, tribes, nonprofits, and landowners to implement habitat improvements such as fence modifications, wildlife crossings, and habitat restoration in identified movement areas. Projects must include support from state or tribal wildlife agencies, and at least 50% of funding must target big game movement areas. The program coordinates with existing initiatives like the Migratory Big Game Initiative and requires annual reporting on conservation outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds habitat connectivity projects (wildlife crossings, fence modifications) to protect migratory species, directly advancing conservation and natural resource protection per environmental topic definition.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds wildlife crossings (a transportation safety measure) to reduce animal-vehicle collisions on roads, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2025

HR 3858: Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025

This bill extends funding deadlines for sport fish restoration and recreational boating programs through 2031, updating prior expiration dates. It clarifies funding for interstate fisheries commissions and adds new definitions for alternative marine fuel infrastructure, including facilities dispensing fuels derived from recycled oils or plant materials. The bill also establishes a 3% tax rate (down from 10%) for portable, electronically-aerated bait containers sold by manufacturers. These changes primarily affect recreational boaters, sport fishing programs, and facilities seeking to install alternative fuel infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends funding deadlines for sport fish/boating programs and reduces tax rate on bait containers from 10% to 3%, advancing program funding and providing tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill defines alternative marine fuel infrastructure and reduces tax on bait containers, indirectly supporting renewable fuel development and energy infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds sport fish/wildlife restoration programs and promotes cleaner marine fuels from recycled materials, directly advancing conservation and pollution reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3329: Wildlife Corridors and USDA Conservation Programs Act of 2025

This bill establishes a program to identify and protect "American wildlife corridors" - connected habitats that allow wildlife to move freely across landscapes. The Secretary of Agriculture, working with wildlife agencies, must identify these areas within one year, create maps, and submit reports to Congress. Landowners enrolled in USDA conservation programs can receive priority enrollment or contract modifications if they help maintain these corridors through practices like habitat restoration and wildlife monitoring. The law directly affects farmers and ranchers participating in USDA conservation programs by offering new incentives to support wildlife movement and habitat connectivity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes program to identify and protect wildlife corridors through habitat restoration, directly advancing conservation and habitat connectivity efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2025

HR 180: Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025

The Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to publish online the scientific data used to list species as endangered or threatened, with limited exceptions for state privacy laws or classified defense information. It also mandates a monthly updated, searchable database of federal spending on lawsuits related to the Endangered Species Act, including case details, involved agencies, and funds expended. This bill directly affects agencies like the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Marine Fisheries Service, as well as states, tribes, and local governments that provide data or are involved in litigation. The law aims to increase transparency in species listing decisions and federal spending on legal disputes under the Endangered Species Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates transparency in ESA data and spending, ensuring science-based listings and accountability for environmental protections.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 29, 2025

S 316: Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025

Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to remove the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem population of grizzly bears from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes grizzly bears from endangered species list, eliminating federal protections under ESA and weakening conservation requirements for the species.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jan 17, 2026

HR 7143: Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act

This bill amends a federal program to promote pollinator-friendly vegetation along roadsides and highway rights-of-way. It expands eligibility to include 501(c)(3) nonprofits managing such projects and requires consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service before finalizing plans. The bill increases annual funding from $150,000 to $500,000 for program administration and raises the annual funding cap for projects from $2 million to $5 million (for fiscal years 2026-2031). These changes directly affect state transportation departments, federal land agencies, and qualifying nonprofit organizations managing roadside vegetation. The key policy shift is broadening partnership opportunities while increasing funding and clarifying consultation requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases annual funding caps for program administration ($150k→$500k) and projects ($2M→$5M), directly advancing fiscal support for environmental initiatives within government spending.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands pollinator habitat programs, increases funding for conservation projects, requires Fish and Wildlife consultation, and directly advances pollinator protection as environmental conservation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directly enhances highway rights-of-way management with increased funding ($500k admin, $5M project cap) for pollinator projects along transportation infrastructure, aligning with sustainable transportation infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 6251: To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow importation of polar bear trophies taken in sport hunts in Canada before the date the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

HR 6251 would amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow U.S. importation of polar bear trophies (excluding internal organs) from sport hunts in Canada that occurred before specific dates: February 18, 1997, or May 15, 2008. The bill requires hunters to provide proof of legal harvest before those dates and directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits without considering current population status or other restrictions under the Act. It directly affects hunters who took polar bears in Canada before these dates and wish to import trophies, bypassing standard MMPA import limitations. The policy change only applies to trophies from past hunts, not future hunting activities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows trophy imports without population status consideration, weakening protections for threatened polar bears under MMPA.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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