Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3276
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T08:05:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025" (H.R. 3276) aims to address declining bird populations in urban areas by establishing a voluntary program to conserve birds and their habitats. It emphasizes community involvement, habitat restoration, and education to benefit wildlife, public health, and local economies. The bill highlights findings from the 2025 State of Birds Report, noting a 50% loss in key bird species over 50 years, economic contributions from birdwatching (supporting 1.4 million jobs and $279 billion annually), and the role of urban green spaces in reducing disease risks like avian influenza.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Urban Bird Treaty Program: The Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), must create a program focused on voluntary bird conservation in urban areas (defined as areas with high population density under federal transportation law).
- Program Activities:
- Collaborate with various entities to protect, restore, or enhance urban bird habitats (e.g., controlling invasive species and planting native plants).
- Reduce urban threats to birds, such as collisions with buildings or windows.
- Involve communities in monitoring birds and habitats through scientific activities.
- Educate and engage the public on bird conservation.
- Assistance and Collaboration: Provide technical and financial support to partners for planning and implementing projects; promote sharing of best practices for habitat management.
- Competitive Grant Program: Awards grants to eligible entities for research, planning, assessments, capacity-building, monitoring, training, and related activities. Grants are administered via an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), bypassing certain standard restrictions on NFWF funding.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms like "covered entity" (federal, tribal, state, municipal agencies; NGOs; community groups; academic institutions) and "eligible entity" (similar, but excludes federal agencies).
- Funding: Authorizes $1 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 to the FWS Director for program implementation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new program without amending prior statutes directly. It builds on existing frameworks like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act by authorizing NFWF to handle grants and exempting this program from certain administrative limits (e.g., matching fund requirements). No explicit repeals or modifications to current bird conservation laws (such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act) are included; instead, it expands urban-focused efforts.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and FWS will gain responsibilities for program oversight, partnerships, and grant administration, potentially increasing workload but with dedicated funding. NFWF will manage grants, streamlining federal involvement.
- Citizens: Urban residents benefit from improved green spaces, reduced disease risks (e.g., from dispersed bird populations aiding early detection of illnesses like avian influenza), and enhanced recreational opportunities like birdwatching. It could boost local economies through tourism and job support in conservation.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the program is domestic and focused on U.S. urban areas, though it indirectly supports global bird migration patterns via habitat conservation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Government Entities: Federal (e.g., FWS), tribal, state, and municipal agencies responsible for environmental management and urban planning.
- Non-Governmental and Community Groups: NGOs, community organizations, and academic institutions eligible for grants and partnerships to lead on-the-ground projects.
- Public and Businesses: Birdwatchers (96 million Americans annually), local businesses benefiting from ecotourism, and urban communities gaining access to education and habitat improvements.
- Wildlife and Environment: Birds and urban ecosystems, with emphasis on species at risk of decline.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is straightforward conservation legislation, relying on Congress's authority under the Property Clause (U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3) to manage federal lands and wildlife. It promotes voluntary participation, avoiding mandates that could raise enforcement issues. Grant exemptions for NFWF ensure efficient administration without altering the foundation's core charter.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges; it aligns with federal powers over interstate commerce (e.g., economic benefits from birdwatching) and environmental protection, without infringing on state or individual rights.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Dingell and Cline) suggests broad appeal for environmental stewardship in urban settings. It could foster cross-party support for wildlife funding amid debates on conservation budgets, but implementation depends on annual appropriations beyond the authorization.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (20)
Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-06-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-06-10: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- 2026-02-04: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-01-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (7 pages)