Summary#
This bill reauthorizes and updates the federal wildlife crossings program created in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It changes wording that called the program a "pilot" to call it a full "program." The bill authorizes $200,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031. It adds rules that give Indian tribes a 100% federal cost share for grants, allows the Secretary to use up to 0.5% of program funds for tribal technical assistance, allows the Secretary to retain up to 0.5% of funds for grant administration, and makes unobligated program funds remain available until spent.
What it means for you#
- The program will continue to fund road crossings and related projects aimed at reducing vehicle-wildlife collisions and improving safe animal movement.
- Tribal governments (entities described in subsection (c)(6)) can receive grants with the federal government covering the full project cost.
- Tribes may get application and technical help funded from the program to speed access to grant money.
- The Department Secretary will review and administer grants and may use small portions of the program money for that administration.
- If not all authorized funds are obligated in a year, the leftover money stays available until it is spent.
Expenses#
- Authorized funding: $200,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2031.
- Tribal technical assistance: up to 0.5% of program funds may be used for application and technical help for tribes.
- Grant administration: the Secretary may retain up to 0.5% of program funds to review applications and administer awards.
- No publicly available information on total program costs beyond the amounts and percentages the bill authorizes.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.