Sponsors (5)
The bill directs a modest, five-year authorization to support tropical forest and coral reef conservation—creating environmental, local economic, and resilience benefits—while increasing federal spending and risking limited impact if Congress does not follow through with appropriations.
State and local governments and nonprofit conservation organizations will have an authorized $20 million per year (FY2028–2032) stream to support tropical forest and coral reef habitat protection and biodiversity conservation.
Rural communities and conservation nonprofits will receive steady five-year funding that can support conservation jobs and local stewardship projects.
Local and state coastal communities and U.S. consumers may see improved fisheries protection and coastal resilience from strengthened foreign tropical forest and coral reef conservation funded through the program.
Nonprofits and state and local governments may face uncertainty and delays because the bill only authorizes funding; actual appropriations are not guaranteed, which could limit implementation.
U.S. taxpayers would ultimately bear up to $100 million in authorized spending over five years if Congress appropriates the funds.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Adds authorization of $20 million per year for FY2028–FY2032 to the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998.
Introduced March 5, 2026 by Christopher A. Coons · Last progress March 5, 2026
Authorizes $20 million in annual spending authority for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to be added to the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998. The measure updates the statute’s list of authorized appropriation amounts but does not itself appropriate funds or change program rules.