Sponsors (14)
Official title: To create dedicated funds to conserve butterflies in North America, plants in the Pacific Islands, freshwater mussels in the United States, and desert fish in the Southwest United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 15, 2026 by Adelita S. Grijalva · Last progress May 15, 2026
This bill directs modest, targeted federal funding toward recovery of multiple threatened species and strengthens local and tribal engagement and transparency, at the cost of new recurring federal spending, added administrative requirements, limits on federal leadership in projects, and barriers for under‑resourced applicants.
State, Tribal, territorial, local governments, nonprofits, academic and research groups gain stable, dedicated federal funding—$5 million per program per year (FY2027–2032) across four targeted recovery funds—to support on-the-ground restoration and recovery projects.
Grants are targeted to threatened and endangered species and long-term sustainability, concentrating resources on highest-priority butterfly, Pacific Islands plant, freshwater mussel, and desert fish recovery efforts to improve chances of species recovery.
State, Tribal, local and community participation (including required Tribal consultation and, where specified, free, prior, and informed consent) is encouraged, promoting culturally sensitive projects and greater Indigenous and local involvement in conservation decisions.
Taxpayers fund $5 million per program per year (totaling up to roughly $20 million/year across the four programs) from FY2027–2032, creating a recurring federal spending commitment that could crowd out other priorities.
Federal agencies are barred from being lead recipients or receiving grants under these programs, which may hamper projects that rely on federal technical capacity, long‑term stewardship, or federal infrastructure and complicate coordination.
Grant selection preferences for projects with matching funds disadvantage under‑resourced communities, small nonprofits, rural areas, and some Tribal applicants that lack access to matching capital, reducing their chances of receiving awards.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes four Interior Department grant funds to provide competitive, including multiyear, grants for butterflies, Pacific Islands plants, freshwater mussels, and Southwest desert fish conservation.
Creates four dedicated conservation grant funds and programs at the Department of the Interior to support recovery and habitat protection for butterflies across North America, plants in the Pacific Islands, freshwater mussels in the United States, and desert fish in seven Southwestern states. Each program authorizes competitive, including multiyear, grants to states, Tribes, research institutions, nonprofits, and other qualified applicants, and requires consultation with Tribes and relevant wildlife authorities and consistency with the Endangered Species Act. Sets eligibility rules and common application requirements (project purpose, lead entity, qualifications, methods, staffing, stakeholder engagement, budgets, timelines, expected outcomes, sustainability, matching funds, and cultural sensitivity). Federal agencies are barred from being lead recipients or direct grantees but may participate as partners; the Secretary must consult other federal officials when reviewing and approving proposals and follow specified review timelines for certain programs.