MONARCH Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4062
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Animals
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T19:14:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The MONARCH Act of 2025 aims to support and promote conservation efforts by states, tribal governments, and other groups to protect and sustain the western population of monarch butterflies, which is at risk of extinction. It focuses on habitat restoration, pollinator support, and related activities to prevent the loss of this species and benefit broader ecosystems, including agriculture.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 2): Recognizes the severe decline of western monarch butterflies (over 99% in three decades) due to drought, habitat loss, and climate change. Notes historic low populations (e.g., 1,914 in 2020, under 10,000 in 2024) and the need for urgent action to avoid extinction within two decades. Highlights benefits of restoring milkweed, nectar plants, and habitats for monarchs and other pollinators.
- Definitions (Section 3):
- Conservation: Methods to protect, restore, and manage habitats; develop plans; and provide education and outreach.
- Fund: The Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund.
- Secretary: The Secretary of the Interior (head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees wildlife and public lands).
- Tribal government: Governing bodies of federally recognized Native American tribes.
- Western monarch butterfly: The population that overwinters in California and breeds in several western states (California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah).
- Grant Program (Section 4):
- Establishes a program where the Secretary uses Fund money to award grants for conservation projects targeting western monarchs and other pollinators in their range.
- Eligible applicants: Local or tribal government agencies, research institutions, nonprofits with relevant expertise; other entities as approved by the Secretary.
- Federal and state agencies cannot lead projects but can partner.
- Project proposals must include purpose, responsible entity, qualifications, implementation methods, outcomes, consultations with authorities (including tribes), non-conflict with food safety, and potential impact on recovery.
- Annual solicitation, review, and approval based on likelihood of aiding wild population conservation.
- Provides technical assistance to grantees and requires periodic progress reports, which may be shared with state legislatures and made public.
- Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund (Section 5):
- Creates a dedicated fund in the U.S. Treasury.
- Allows up to 3% of funds annually for administrative costs.
- Authorizes $12.5 million per fiscal year from 2026 to 2030, available until spent.
- Implementation of Conservation Plan (Section 6):
- Requires the Secretary to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (a nonprofit established by Congress to support wildlife conservation) to update and carry out the 2019 Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan (developed by a group of western state wildlife agencies).
- Exempts this partnership from certain standard federal restrictions on the Foundation's activities.
- Authorizes $12.5 million per fiscal year from 2026 to 2030.
- Reporting to Congress (Section 7):
- Mandates an annual report (due January 31) on monarch status, funded projects under the grant program, and efforts under the 2019 plan.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces entirely new mechanisms, including the Rescue Fund, a dedicated grant program, and a formalized partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It does not amend prior laws but builds on existing frameworks like the Foundation's enabling act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) by waiving certain administrative limits for this purpose. No direct changes to laws like the Endangered Species Act are specified, though it could indirectly support avoiding the need for such listings.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior gains new responsibilities for grant administration, technical support, and reporting, potentially increasing workload but with dedicated funding. Involves coordination with other federal agencies (e.g., Agriculture) and state/tribal partners.
- Citizens and Environment: Supports habitat restoration that could boost pollinator populations, improving pollination for crops and wild plants, benefiting farmers, gardeners, and ecosystems. Public access to reports promotes transparency and community involvement in conservation.
- International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned, as the focus is on U.S. western states; however, monarch migration patterns could indirectly affect cross-border conservation with Mexico (not addressed here).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Secretary of the Interior and agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (for oversight and partnerships).
- State and Local Governments: Eligible for collaboration; governors and legislatures receive project updates.
- Tribal Governments: Eligible for grants and required for consultation, ensuring culturally relevant input.
- Nonprofits and Research Institutions: Primary grant recipients for on-the-ground projects like habitat restoration.
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Key partner for plan implementation.
- Broader Public: Farmers, conservationists, and communities in western states benefiting from enhanced pollinators and education efforts.
- Congress: Receives annual reports to monitor progress.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable funding and reporting requirements, with grants prioritized for urgent conservation to potentially avert Endangered Species Act protections (which could impose stricter land-use rules). Emphasizes non-conflict with food safety, balancing environmental and agricultural interests.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal spending and public lands (Article I, Section 8); involves tribal consultation, respecting sovereignty under treaties and federal Indian law.
- Political: Promotes collaborative, multi-stakeholder conservation without mandating regulations, potentially appealing across party lines by linking environmental protection to economic benefits like agriculture. Introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives, signaling broad support for pollinator recovery amid climate concerns.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (16)
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-20: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-20 — PDF (10 pages)