Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1780
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-21T06:49:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025 aims to create a competitive grant program to fund projects that protect and restore native plants, fungi, and animal species in Hawaii. It focuses on addressing threats like invasive species, climate change, and habitat loss while promoting scientific research, monitoring, and public involvement.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Grant Program: The Secretary of the Interior, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), must set up the "Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program" within 180 days of funding availability. Grants, cooperative agreements, or microgrants will be awarded annually to eligible entities for projects aligned with program priorities and criteria.
- Eligible Entities: Includes the State of Hawaii, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations (defined under existing federal law as groups serving Native Hawaiian interests), nonprofits, businesses, and universities.
- Project Purposes: Funding supports:
- Preventing and controlling invasive species, pests, and diseases.
- Mitigating climate change effects on native species.
- Restoring degraded habitats.
- Managing and restoring native species populations.
- Building scientific capacity for planning, monitoring, and research.
- Improving data collection and ecological monitoring.
- Public outreach, education, and community engagement to build support for conservation.
- Priorities and Criteria: Annual funding priorities are developed with input from federal agencies (e.g., NOAA, EPA, USDA), Hawaii's Board of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Agriculture, and other stakeholders. An annual request for proposals is published in the Federal Register. Ranking criteria for proposals are also developed annually in coordination with these groups.
- Conflict of Interest Rules: State or local representatives involved in priority-setting must recuse themselves from decisions on applications from their own entities.
- Cost Sharing: The federal share covers up to 75% of project costs, but can be 100% for projects by Native Hawaiian organizations, those enhancing youth workforce skills, or microgrants under $50,000. Non-federal shares can include in-kind contributions like services or land access. At least 5% of funds must go to these exceptional projects.
- Additional Support: The Secretary can provide technical assistance. Consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations is required for projects affecting their community. Funds must supplement, not replace, existing conservation funding.
- Reporting and Funding: An annual report to Congress details funded projects and their status. The program is authorized at $30 million per year for 10 fiscal years, with no more than 5% for administrative costs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, dedicated grant program specifically for Hawaii's native species, which does not appear to amend or replace prior laws. It builds on existing frameworks like the Native Hawaiian definition from the NATIVE Act but creates a standalone mechanism for coordinated federal-state funding, emphasizing evidence-based priorities and inclusive stakeholder input not previously centralized for this purpose.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload and coordination for the Department of the Interior (USFWS) in administering grants and reports; involves other federal agencies (e.g., EPA, NOAA) in priority-setting, potentially enhancing interagency collaboration on Hawaii-specific conservation.
- Citizens and Environment: Benefits Hawaii residents by protecting biodiversity, which supports ecosystems, tourism, and cultural heritage; promotes public engagement and youth opportunities, potentially improving local environmental resilience against climate threats.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced native species recovery could indirectly support U.S. commitments to global biodiversity goals (e.g., under international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Secretary of the Interior, USFWS, and agencies like NOAA, EPA, and USDA for coordination and funding.
- State and Local Entities: Hawaii state government, local governments, and boards (e.g., Land and Natural Resources, Agriculture) as applicants and advisors.
- Native Hawaiian Organizations: Key beneficiaries with prioritized funding, consultation rights, and cultural implications.
- Other Groups: Nonprofits, businesses, universities, and community members involved in conservation projects; the public through education and habitat improvements.
- Congress: Receives annual reports and authorizes ongoing funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures fairness through recusal rules and cost-sharing flexibility, while mandating consultation with Native Hawaiian groups, aligning with federal trust responsibilities to indigenous communities under laws like the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The "supplement not supplant" clause prevents diversion of existing funds.
- Constitutional: Supports the federal government's enumerated powers over public lands and interstate commerce (e.g., via environmental protection), without raising apparent conflicts with state sovereignty.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support for Hawaii-specific environmental aid (introduced by representatives from the state), potentially fostering local-federal partnerships but requiring sustained appropriations amid budget debates; highlights equity for Native Hawaiians and climate adaptation in a vulnerable region.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E176-177)
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (8 pages)