Environment (Wildlife)

in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HJRES 111: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Barred Owl Management Strategy".

HJRES 111 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule on barred owl management. The rule, published in September 2024, outlined strategies to reduce barred owl populations to protect the endangered spotted owl. Under the Congressional Review Act, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing its implementation. If enacted, the rule would have no legal effect, and the agency could not enforce the barred owl management strategy.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks disapproval of rule protecting endangered spotted owl via barred owl management, weakening conservation efforts to prevent implementation of species protection strategy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4636: SOIL Act

The SOIL Act increases payments for farmers participating in USDA conservation programs who implement practices that simultaneously improve soil health and wildlife habitat. It raises reimbursement rates to 90% of costs for specific activities like planting cover crops, restoring wetlands, creating riparian buffers, and establishing wildlife habitat plantings - listed in the bill as 26 distinct practices. The bill modifies program rules to prioritize applications and contract offers that address both soil and wildlife resource concerns. These changes directly affect farmers enrolled in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) who adopt dual-benefit conservation practices. The policy shifts focus toward integrated land management by financially incentivizing practices that deliver multiple ecological outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases USDA payments for soil/wildlife conservation practices (cover crops, wetlands, buffers), directly promoting environmental protection through enhanced funding and incentives for habitat and soil health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 2880: Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to tag hatchery fish (9-11 million annually) with automated markers to track their impact alongside wild fish. It directly affects state and tribal fish management agencies in eight Great Lakes states, providing them with data to adjust stocking rates, evaluate habitat restoration, and balance fish populations. Key provisions mandate collaboration with state, tribal, and federal agencies, make program data publicly available for management decisions, and authorize $5 million yearly for 2026-2030 to fund tagging equipment, personnel, and data analysis. The program aims to improve science-based management of Great Lakes fisheries, supporting both ecological health and the $7 billion regional economy dependent on fishing.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides data for habitat restoration evaluation and fish population balance, directly supporting conservation of Great Lakes ecosystems through science-based management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 2179: Canyon’s Law

S 2179, "Canyon’s Law," bans the use of M-44 devices (sodium cyanide-based poisoners) on public lands managed by federal agencies like the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The bill prohibits placing, deploying, or using these devices on public land and requires all existing devices to be removed within 30 days of enactment. It directly affects federal land management agencies and any entity currently authorized to use M-44s, such as state wildlife or livestock control programs. The law aims to prevent further harm to people, non-target wildlife (including endangered species like eagles and bears), and pets, following documented incidents of poisoning and animal deaths.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans toxic M-44 devices on public lands, preventing wildlife harm and cyanide pollution, directly protecting ecosystems and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 65: Armed Forces Endangered Species Exemption Act

This bill exempts military operations from key provisions of the Endangered Species Act. It prohibits designating military installations or lands used for defense purposes (like training or weapons testing) as "critical habitat" for endangered species and removes the requirement for the military to consult with wildlife agencies before such activities. Military personnel can now take, harm, or cause mortality to protected species during defense-related operations - including training, weapons testing, or other activities deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense - without violating the law. These changes directly affect how the Department of Defense manages land use and species protection across all military bases and defense-related activities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts military from Endangered Species Act requirements, removing habitat protections and consultation mandates, weakening conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3556: Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes a federal program providing funding for wildlife crossings - such as overpasses or underpasses - to help animals safely cross roads. It authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2031 from the Highway Trust Fund, making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language). Key provisions include requiring 90% federal funding for projects in small, rural, or disadvantaged communities (up to 100% if financial hardship exists) and allocating 0.5% of funds yearly to help tribes and other eligible groups apply for and access program funding more efficiently. The bill directly affects communities and tribes seeking to build wildlife crossings near highways.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect biodiversity and reduce roadkill, directly conserving natural resources through infrastructure projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings via Highway Trust Fund to enhance road safety and infrastructure, directly supporting transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3503: Wildlife Road Crossing Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes a federal program that funds wildlife crossings - structures like overpasses or underpasses designed to help animals safely cross roads - through fiscal years 2027 to 2031. It authorizes $200 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund to support these projects, directly affecting state and tribal governments, local agencies, and conservation groups that apply for grants. Key provisions include making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language), requiring 100% federal funding for tribal projects, and dedicating 0.5% of annual funds to provide tribal technical assistance for faster project approval and funding access. The bill also allows the federal government to retain up to 0.5% of funds for administrative tasks like grant reviews and project oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $200M/year from Highway Trust Fund for wildlife crossings, directly funding a program through budgetary allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect habitats and reduce animal-vehicle collisions, directly supporting conservation efforts per bill's conservation-focused purpose.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife crossings via Highway Trust Fund to enhance road safety and infrastructure, directly supporting transportation policy as a safety-focused infrastructure project.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 3673: Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act

S 3673 amends the Roadside Pollinator Program to expand eligibility to include tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and increase annual funding. The bill requires state transportation agencies and federal land managers to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before developing pollinator plans, while raising the annual funding cap from $2 million to $5 million for fiscal years 2026-2031. These changes directly affect state highway departments, federal land agencies managing rights-of-way, and qualifying nonprofit groups implementing roadside habitat projects. The legislation focuses on concrete policy adjustments to broaden program participation and boost financial support for pollinator-friendly roadside practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding cap from $2M to $5M annually for pollinator program, directly advancing budget allocation for environmental initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands pollinator program funding, requires wildlife consultations, and increases conservation protections for ecosystems and species.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases annual funding for roadside pollinator programs managed by state highway departments, directly supporting transportation infrastructure maintenance and environmental compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 4, 2025

S 1306: A bill to require the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue a final rule removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

S 1306 requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue a 2020 rule that removed gray wolves from the federal endangered species list. This would directly affect gray wolf populations and their management, as it would restore the wolves' status as non-endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The bill mandates the reissuance within 60 days of enactment and explicitly prohibits any court challenges to this action. This is a procedural bill focused on reversing a prior regulatory decision without allowing judicial review.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes gray wolves from ESA protections, weakening federal conservation efforts by reversing endangered status and prohibiting legal challenges to this deregulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Feb 13, 2025

HR 1332: Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act of 2025

The Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program mapping the genetic code (genome) of priority aquatic species, including endangered fish, species linked to harmful algal blooms, and culturally significant species identified by tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Covered entities like federal agencies, states, tribes, universities, and nonprofits will collect samples, sequence genomes to high standards, and catalog data. All sequenced genomes must be made publicly available within 360 days (except for tribal-led projects, which retain control over data sharing), with $2 million annually allocated for 2025-2031 to fund this effort. The law aims to support conservation, management, and enforcement by creating a shared genetic database for scientists and policymakers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes program to map genomes of endangered and culturally significant aquatic species for preservation, directly advancing environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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