H.R. 717

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 717 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 717

To establish the Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program and 
the State and Tribal Migration Research Program, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 23, 2025

Mr. Zinke (for himself and Mr. Beyer) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish the Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program and 
the State and Tribal Migration Research Program, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Wildlife Movement Through 
Partnerships Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Act is to provide financial and technical 
assistance for the purposes of promoting connectivity by improving 
habitat quality in movement areas by migratory big game and other 
wildlife--
(1) to identify and conserve movement areas by methods of 
science and management expertise employed by State and Tribal 
wildlife agencies and other wildlife professionals; and
(2) to coordinate and advance the purposes of--
(A) Secretarial Order 3362, entitled ``Improving 
Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and 
Migration Corridors'' and issued by the Secretary on 
February 9, 2018;
(B) the wildlife crossings pilot program 
established under section 171(b) of title 23, United 
States Code; and
(C) the Migratory Big Game Initiative of the 
Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Big game.--The term ``big game'' means native species 
of large mammals, including deer, elk, pronghorn, wild sheep, 
and moose, for which State and Tribal wildlife agencies have 
established regulated means and methods of take.
(2) Connectivity.--The term ``connectivity'' means the 
degree to which a species of wildlife moves within and among 
areas of its habitat.
(3) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient'' 
means--
(A) a State fish and wildlife agency or other State 
agency responsible for managing natural resources or 
wildlife;
(B) a State department of transportation;
(C) an Indian Tribe;
(D) a nonprofit organization described in section 
501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt 
from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, or a 
coalition of those organizations, including an 
organization that represents private landowners;
(E) an institution of higher education (as defined 
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a)));
(F) a national or regional association representing 
a State or Tribal fish and wildlife agency;
(G) a Federal agency that may carry out projects 
that would support the purpose of this Act; and
(H) a county government.
(4) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means land or 
water managed by the relevant agencies.
(5) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National 
Fish and Wildlife Foundation established by section 2(a) of the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 
U.S.C. 3701(a)).
(6) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(7) Movement area.--The term ``movement area'' means--
(A) an area wildlife frequently use, or could 
frequently use, to move, including for travel within, 
or colonization, of additional habitat by wildlife that 
occurs seasonally or more frequently in and around 
corridors; or
(B) seasonal habitat where migration or other 
natural movement of big game and other wildlife has 
been observed and documented by--
(i) a State or Tribal wildlife agency; or
(ii)(I) a scientific report published in a 
peer-reviewed professional publication; or
(II) any other professional scientific 
publication recognized by a State or Tribal 
wildlife agency.
(8) Relevant agencies.--The term ``relevant agencies'' 
means--
(A) the Department of the Interior, including the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the 
National Park Service, and the United States Geological 
Survey;
(B) the Department of Agriculture, including the 
Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, and the Farm Service Agency; and
(C) the Department of Transportation.
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of the Interior.
(10) Wildlife.--The term ``wildlife'' means native 
terrestrial vertebrate species.

SEC. 4. WILDLIFE MOVEMENT AND MOVEMENT AREA GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a nonregulatory 
program, to be known as the ``Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant 
Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``grant program'').
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the grant program is to fund projects 
that improve or conserve habitat quality in movement areas, including 
projects that--
(1) secure habitat leases, fence modification, non-Federal 
land acquisition, conservation easements, improved hydrology, 
human-wildlife vehicle collision reduction, and road and 
infrastructure modification;
(2) arrange voluntary collaboration with landowners; and
(3) coordinate efforts among State and Tribal governments, 
including departments of transportation and other relevant 
agencies.
(c) Cooperative Agreement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a cooperative 
agreement with the Foundation to administer the grant program for 
purposes of providing competitive matching grants in varying amounts to 
eligible recipients.
(d) Grants.--
(1) Proposals.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date on which amounts are made available to carry out 
the grant program, and not less frequently than 
annually thereafter, the Foundation, in consultation 
with the Secretary, shall issue a request for proposals 
for projects to fund under the grant program.
(B) Requirements.--A proposal submitted to the 
Foundation by an eligible recipient for funding under 
the grant program shall identify 1 or more movement 
areas where habitat improvement will be achieved, 
subject to the condition that the proposal shall 
include written acknowledgment of support from a State 
or Tribal fish and wildlife agency with jurisdiction 
over the movement area in which the proposal will be 
carried out.
(2) Cost sharing.--
(A) Federal share.--Except as provided in 
subparagraph (C), the Federal share of the cost of a 
project funded under the grant program shall not exceed 
90 percent of the total cost of the project.
(B) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of 
the cost of a project funded under the grant program--
(i) except as provided in subparagraph (C), 
shall be not less than 10 percent of the total 
cost of the project; and
(ii) may be provided in cash or in-kind, as 
determined by the Foundation.
(C) Waiver.--The Foundation may waive the 
requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B) for 
projects that would benefit Indian Tribes, historically 
disadvantaged communities, or areas of persistent 
poverty, as determined by the Foundation.
(e) Requirement.--After the date on which the Secretary enters into 
a cooperative agreement with the Foundation under subsection (c), any 
amounts received by the Foundation under this section shall be subject 
to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 
U.S.C. 3701 et seq.), excluding section 10(a) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
3709(a)).
(f) Priority.--In funding projects under the grant program, the 
Foundation may give priority to proposals that are--
(1) submitted by an eligible recipient described in section 
3(3)(F); or
(2) jointly submitted by multiple eligible recipients.
(g) Funding.--After the date on which the Secretary enters into a 
cooperative agreement with the Foundation under subsection (c), the 
Foundation shall--
(1)(A) for each fiscal year, receive amounts made available 
to carry out the grant program in an advance payment of the 
entire amount on October 1, or as soon as practicable 
thereafter, of that fiscal year, to remain available until 
expended; and
(B) invest and reinvest those amounts for the benefit of 
the grant program; and
(2) otherwise administer the grant program to support 
partnerships between the public and private sectors in 
accordance with this section.
(h) Report.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the 
Foundation shall submit to the Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, 
the Secretary of Transportation, and Congress a report on projects 
funded under the grant program and the contribution of those projects 
to conservation successes.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary to carry out the grant program such sums as are 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
(2) Big game.--Of the amounts made available to carry out 
the grant program for each fiscal year, not less than 50 
percent shall be used for projects that directly conserve, 
restore, or enhance big game movement areas.

SEC. 5. STATE AND TRIBAL MIGRATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program, to be 
known as the ``State and Tribal Migration Research Program'' (referred 
to in this section as the ``program''), to provide funds directly to 
State fish and wildlife agencies and Indian Tribes through an agreed on 
process between States, Indian Tribes, and the relevant agencies, to 
collect and analyze data on the identification, characteristics, or 
management of movement areas.
(b) Administration.--Funds provided under this section shall be 
administered by the Science Applications program of the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program such sums as are 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

SEC. 6. PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 4 of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife 
Act (16 U.S.C. 3773) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
``The Secretary shall carry out the Partners for Fish and 
Wildlife Program'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out the Partners for 
Fish and Wildlife Program (referred to in this section as the 
`Program')''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Use of Funds.--Where prudent and necessary, funds under the 
Program may be used to provide technical assistance to other Federal 
agencies to implement voluntary programs with a focus on migration 
corridor or seasonal habitat conservation efforts on private and Tribal 
land.''.
(b) Reauthorization.--Section 5 of the Partners for Fish and 
Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 3774) is amended by striking ``2019 through 
2023'' and inserting ``2026 through 2031''.

SEC. 7. USGS WILDLIFE CORRIDOR MAPPING.

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States 
Geological Survey, shall support the continuation of a Corridor Mapping 
Team to provide technical assistance, as prioritized and required by 
States and Indian Tribes, to Federal agencies, States, and Indian 
Tribes working--
(1) to map movement areas using existing Global Positioning 
System data or other sources of credible scientific 
information; and
(2) to assess or research movement areas.

SEC. 8. USGS EXISTING EFFORTS.

(a) USGS Existing Efforts.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the United States 
Geological Survey shall work with Federal and State agencies 
and Indian Tribes to build on existing efforts to map movement 
areas.
(2) Protection of information.--In carrying out this 
subsection, the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey, in cooperation with Federal and State agencies and 
Indian Tribes, and consistent with rights afforded to sovereign 
nations and applicable State law, shall carry out necessary 
measures--
(A) to protect sensitive information with respect 
to the protection of private property rights and the 
precise locations of individuals; and
(B) to prevent the poaching, illegal taking, and 
unfair chase of wildlife.
(3) Reports; published migration maps.--
(A) In general.--Annually, the Director of the 
United States Geological Survey shall publish a report 
on completed analyses of mapped migration corridors, 
seasonal habitats, and connectivity areas.
(B) Requirement.--To the extent practicable, all 
efforts shall be made to incorporate data with existing 
State programs and use existing published maps 
described in subparagraph (A).
(4) Reports.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on projects 
funded under this subsection, including a description of the 
conservation value of each project.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2 of the Act of 
September 2, 1960 (16 U.S.C. 753b), is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 
through 2031.
``(b) Set-Aside.--Of the amounts made available to carry out this 
Act for each fiscal year, not less than 50 percent shall be used for 
projects that promote connectivity by improving habitat quality in 
movement areas of big game and other wildlife.''.

SEC. 9. COORDINATION.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall appoint a Senior Executive 
Service employee, who has experience with big game movement, to serve 
in the Office of the Secretary as coordinator of activities and 
necessary staff to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act.
(b) Authority and Responsibilities.--The Senior Executive Service 
employee appointed under subsection (a) shall--
(1) advise and assist--
(A) State and Tribal agencies and other eligible 
recipients;
(B) relevant Federal agencies and programs; and
(C) the Foundation; and
(2) maintain an informative summary of activities, and the 
results of those activities, carried out under this Act.
(c) Interagency Coordination.--The Secretaries, or their authorized 
representatives, of the relevant agencies shall regularly convene--
(1) to coordinate actions and funding across Federal 
agencies for programs under this Act and the amendments made by 
this Act; and
(2) to streamline coordination with States, Indian Tribes, 
and non-governmental partners with respect to those actions and 
that funding.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

SEC. 10. REQUIREMENT; SAVINGS PROVISION.

(a) Requirement.--No funds obligated under this Act or an amendment 
made by this Act shall be applied in a manner that requires non-
voluntary changes in agricultural or domestic livestock production, 
permitted forestry practices, or access to valid existing rights, such 
as for energy development and mining, or water rights, consistent with 
Federal organic Acts and associated regulations.
(b) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by 
this Act--
(1) enlarges or diminishes the authority, jurisdiction, or 
responsibility of a State to manage, control, or regulate fish 
and wildlife under the law and regulations of the State on land 
and waters within the State, including on Federal land;
(2) modifies or abrogates a treaty with any Indian Tribe or 
enlarges or diminishes the authority, jurisdiction, or 
responsibility of an Indian Tribe to manage, control, or 
regulate wildlife on Tribal land;
(3) impacts the private property or privacy rights of 
landowners;
(4) restricts or reduces public access for hunting, 
angling, recreational shooting, or other compatible types of 
outdoor recreation;
(5) affects military readiness for training occurring on 
land of the Department of the Interior reserved by the 
Department of the Defense;
(6) constitutes a Federal land designation or federally 
designated migration route, an alteration or removal of such a 
designation, or a directive to impact pre-existing 
administrative or management authority in any manner; or
(7) amends or otherwise affects any other Federal law 
(including regulations) relating to the conservation of native 
species.
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