Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7143
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T14:55:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act" (H.R. 7143) aims to update and extend a federal program that encourages environmentally friendly practices to support pollinators—such as bees and butterflies—along highways and roadside areas. Pollinators are vital for food production and ecosystems, and the program promotes planting native flowers and reducing harmful maintenance like excessive mowing. This bill improves eligibility for participants, adds oversight, and boosts funding to make the program more effective.
Key Provisions
- Eligible Entities: Expands who can participate in or benefit from the program to include:
- State departments of transportation.
- Federal land management agencies.
- Federally recognized Indian Tribes (with a clearer reference to the official government list).
- Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (charitable groups focused on public benefit).
- Consultation Requirements:
- Requires the Secretary of Transportation to consult with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (a federal agency that protects wildlife) when developing best practices for pollinator habitats.
- Specifies that Indian Tribes must be consulted if their land is within 50 miles of a proposed project.
- Clarifies that no extra consultations are needed beyond the initial planning phase for the program.
- Grants and Funding:
- Increases the maximum grant amount per project from $150,000 to $500,000 to support larger initiatives.
- Raises annual funding from $2 million (for fiscal years 2022–2026) to $5 million (for fiscal years 2026–2031), providing more resources for implementation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 332 of Title 23, United States Code (which covers highways and transportation policy). Key updates include:
- Broadening participation beyond just state transportation departments and federal agencies to now include nonprofits and specifying tribal eligibility more precisely.
- Adding mandatory input from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on habitat guidelines, which was not previously required.
- Adjusting grant rules to allow funding for the new eligible entities (nonprofits and certain tribes) and limiting tribal consultation to nearby lands (50-mile radius) for efficiency.
- Extending and nearly tripling the program's funding commitment, shifting the timeline forward to sustain it longer.
These changes build on the original program (established in 2015) by making it more inclusive, better coordinated with wildlife experts, and financially stronger.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (which oversees highways) will need to collaborate more with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, potentially streamlining environmental reviews. State transportation departments and federal land managers may see more grant opportunities, encouraging pollinator-friendly road maintenance like wildflower plantings instead of chemical sprays.
- On Citizens: Could improve local environments by increasing pollinator habitats along roads, benefiting agriculture (e.g., better pollination for crops), reducing erosion, and enhancing scenic beauty. Rural communities near highways might notice more biodiversity.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic U.S. highways and lands.
- Overall, it promotes conservation without major new costs, as funding comes from existing transportation budgets.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State Departments of Transportation: Primary implementers, now with access to higher grants for eco-friendly projects.
- Federal Land Management Agencies (e.g., National Park Service, Forest Service): Eligible for funding and must align roadside practices with pollinator goals.
- Federally Recognized Indian Tribes: Gain clearer eligibility and targeted consultation rights for nearby projects, respecting tribal lands.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Newly eligible to receive grants, allowing environmental groups to lead or partner on initiatives.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Provides expert input on practices, influencing national standards.
- General Public and Environment: Indirect beneficiaries through healthier ecosystems and pollinator populations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens environmental integration into transportation law by mandating wildlife consultations, aligning with broader federal goals under laws like the Endangered Species Act (which protects threatened pollinators). The clarification on tribal consultations avoids redundant processes, reducing legal challenges related to tribal sovereignty.
- Constitutional: No major issues; it respects tribal rights under federal Indian law and uses Congress's authority over interstate highways (Commerce Clause). Adding nonprofits promotes public-private partnerships without raising separation-of-powers concerns.
- Political: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by representatives from both parties), it advances non-controversial environmental conservation. It could set a precedent for incorporating biodiversity into infrastructure spending, potentially influencing future transportation bills amid growing climate concerns. No partisan divides are evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2026-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-01-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act — issued 2026-01-16 — PDF (4 pages)