Sponsors
The bill gives states more flexibility to fund stewardship and restoration without buying land, but at the cost of limiting land‑purchase options that can be critical to achieving permanent conservation outcomes, potentially increasing costs or leaving important parcels unprotected.
State governments can use federal conservation grants for non‑acquisition activities (stewardship, access, restoration) without being required to buy private land, giving states greater flexibility in how they meet conservation goals.
Taxpayers and state governments may face higher costs or more complex implementation because award recipients cannot acquire critical parcels, making some federal conservation goals harder to achieve.
State governments may have fewer tools to secure conservation outcomes that require land acquisition, which could reduce the amount of protected land or limit public access and long‑term conservation results.
Private landowners lose a potential market for selling land or water rights to states using federal assistance, reducing opportunities to monetize or transfer high‑value conservation parcels.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced January 31, 2025 by Jodey Cook Arrington · Last progress January 31, 2025
Prohibits States that receive financial assistance under 54 U.S.C. §200305 from using those federal funds to acquire land, water, or any interests in land or water from private owners. It also directs a conforming amendment to 54 U.S.C. §200306(b), though the inserted text is not provided. No new funding, deadlines, or effective dates are specified.