Environment (Wildlife)

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 · 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 · 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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in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 1934: ProTECT Act of 2025

HR 1934 (ProTECT Act of 2025) prohibits trophy hunting and importing trophies of threatened wildlife species within the U.S. and into the U.S., extending protections currently limited to endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. It amends the law to ban taking (hunting) or importing trophies of species listed as threatened, and blocks permits for such activities, closing a loophole where threatened species lacked these safeguards. The bill defines "trophy" broadly to include recognizable animal parts or derivatives obtained under hunting authorization. This directly affects hunters, importers, and wildlife trade businesses dealing with threatened species.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends Endangered Species Act protections to threatened species by banning trophy hunting and imports, strengthening wildlife conservation safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Aug 8, 2025

HRES 642: Expressing support for continued Federal commitment to repopulation and recovery efforts for the red wolf in North Carolina and across the country.

HRES 642 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for federal efforts to recover the endangered red wolf population. It directly supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Red Wolf Recovery Program, which maintains 270 captive wolves and protects the only wild population (15 wolves) in eastern North Carolina. The resolution specifically highlights planned wildlife corridors along Route 64 in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to create safe passage for wolves and reduce vehicle collisions. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but affirms the need for continued federal, state, and partner collaboration on recovery efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly supports red wolf recovery program, an endangered species conservation effort, aligning with habitat protection and biodiversity goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2025

S 2315: Habitat Enhancement Now Act

The Habitat Enhancement Now Act establishes two competitive grant programs to improve nesting success for migratory waterfowl. It provides $3.5 million annually (2026-2030) for eligible entities - such as state governments, nonprofits, or private landowners - to implement specific habitat improvements. The first program funds strategic placement of hen houses (nesting structures) in the prairie pothole region, while the second targets California to create nesting cover, brood ponds, and incentivize landowners. These grants directly support conservation efforts for species like mallards and gadwalls by addressing documented habitat loss impacting breeding success.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds habitat improvements for migratory waterfowl conservation, directly advancing natural resource protection through targeted grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House May 5, 2025

HR 3188: Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025

This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to require permits for incidental harm to migratory birds (e.g., from construction or energy projects), directly affecting industries that might unintentionally impact birds. It establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for unpermitted incidental take and creates the "Migratory Bird Recovery Fund" to collect fees from permit holders, using funds for bird conservation and administrative costs. The bill also mandates annual $10 million funding, requires industry-specific research programs to monitor bird populations, and demands 5-year reports to Congress on conservation progress. These changes shift enforcement from current practices to a structured permit system with clearer accountability for bird protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires permits for incidental bird harm, imposes penalties, and funds conservation via Recovery Fund - directly strengthens protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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