Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 6078
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-11-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Last Updated: 2026-05-13T08:06:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025," aims to extend and strengthen a program that funds projects to help wildlife safely cross roads, reducing animal deaths and improving road safety. It builds on a previous initiative from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by making the program permanent and increasing its funding.

Key Provisions

Funding Authorization: Allocates $200 million annually from federal highway trust funds for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support wildlife crossing projects, such as building structures (e.g., underpasses or overpasses) that allow animals to move safely over or under highways.
Program Status Update: Removes the "pilot" label from the program, transitioning it to a full, ongoing initiative under federal transportation law (Title 23 of the U.S. Code).
Support for Indian Tribes:
Provides 100% federal funding for projects submitted by tribal entities (no matching funds required from tribes).
Allows up to 0.5% of program funds to be used for technical assistance to tribes, including help with grant applications, project selection, and speeding up funding processes. This assistance can be provided directly by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or through contracts with government, private, or nonprofit entities.
Grant Administration: Permits the DOT Secretary to retain up to 0.5% of funds for reviewing applications, managing grants, and complying with related federal reporting requirements on transportation conditions and performance.
Fund Flexibility: Any unspent funds from a given fiscal year remain available for future use, in addition to new annual allocations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

From Pilot to Permanent: Amends sections of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Title 23 of the U.S. Code by eliminating references to a "pilot program," establishing it as a standard federal program without an expiration tied to trial status.
Increased and Extended Funding: Replaces prior limited pilot funding with a higher, multi-year authorization ($200 million per year for six years), providing more predictable resources.
Tribal-Specific Enhancements: Introduces new subsections for full federal cost-sharing and dedicated technical support for tribal applicants, which were not explicitly detailed in the original pilot program. Also updates clerical elements, like section headings and table of contents, for clarity.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The DOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will handle expanded grant administration and tribal assistance, potentially increasing workload but with dedicated funding for these tasks. Unobligated funds ensure efficient use without yearly lapses.
On Citizens: Improves road safety by reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, which can prevent accidents and save lives. Benefits rural and highway-adjacent communities through safer travel and preserved local ecosystems.
On International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; the bill focuses on domestic infrastructure and conservation.
Broader Environmental Effects: Supports wildlife habitat connectivity, potentially aiding biodiversity and reducing barriers to animal migration caused by roads.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Government: DOT and FHWA, responsible for program oversight, grant awards, and technical support.
Tribal Entities: Indian tribes (eligible under subsection (c)(6) of the relevant law), gaining easier access to full funding and assistance for projects on tribal lands.
State and Local Governments: Eligible for grants to build or improve wildlife crossings on public roads, sharing costs (typically 80-100% federal share, depending on project type).
Wildlife and Conservation Groups: Indirect beneficiaries through projects that protect animal populations; may partner on applications.
Transportation and Construction Entities: Private and nonprofit contractors involved in building and maintaining crossings.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal Implications: Strengthens federal authority under transportation laws to fund environmental infrastructure, ensuring compliance with existing requirements for bridge and road condition reporting (e.g., sections 172 and 144 of Title 23). The unobligated funds provision promotes fiscal efficiency without needing new appropriations.
Constitutional Implications: Aligns with federal plenary power over interstate commerce and highways (Commerce Clause), and upholds treaty obligations to tribes by providing equitable funding access, avoiding potential disparities in infrastructure support.
Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (from Representatives Beyer and Zinke) highlights cross-party support for infrastructure and conservation. By reauthorizing and expanding the program, it signals long-term commitment to balancing transportation needs with environmental protection, potentially influencing future federal budgets.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

Recent Actions

2025-11-19: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
2025-11-18: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2025-11-18: Introduced in House
2025-11-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-18 — PDF (4 pages)