Summary#
H.Res. 811 is a House resolution, not a bill that changes federal law. It would express support for designating October 24–31, 2025, as “Bat Week” and encourage observances; its stated goal is to recognize bats’ role and support conservation and work against white-nose syndrome. It was referred to the House Agriculture Committee and has not been adopted.
- The House would acknowledge bats’ role in pollination and agricultural pest control.
- The House would encourage Bat Week events and activities, but would not require any person or organization to hold them.
- The House would state its intent to keep working to conserve bat species and habitat and to fight white-nose syndrome. This is an expression of intent, not a specific duty or funded program.
- The resolution does not amend an existing law, create a new agency, or change anyone’s legal rights or obligations.
What it means for you#
- Public, schools, and organizations: The House would encourage Bat Week activities, but the resolution would not require you to take part.
- Federal agencies: The resolution recognizes work described in its recitals by agencies including the Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. It does not assign them new tasks or require a particular response to the disease.
- Farmers and the public: The resolution recognizes bats’ role in pest control and pollination, but does not provide a benefit, service, or payment.
Money#
The resolution provides no funding or cost estimate.
- No spending, fees, fines, or other payments are authorized in the text.
- No publicly available information is provided about the cost of any Bat Week events or activities.
What is unclear#
- The resolution does not define what counts as an “appropriate” event or activity.
- It does not identify who, if anyone, would organize or pay for observances.
- It does not set specific actions, deadlines, or measures for conservation or work against white-nose syndrome.
- It does not say how progress on those aims would be tracked.
Case for#
- The resolution points to bats’ roles in controlling insect pests, pollinating plants, and supporting ecosystems and agriculture.
- It highlights white-nose syndrome and declines in some bat populations as reasons to encourage public attention and conservation.
- It recognizes monitoring and research partnerships described in the resolution, which could help inform conservation work.
Case against#
- The resolution expresses support and intent but does not require action, fund research, or set targets for reducing the disease or protecting habitat.
- Because it does not assign responsibility or set measures of progress, it is unclear what practical change would follow if the House adopted it.
- A possible trade-off is that a public observance may raise awareness, but the resolution does not connect that awareness to specific conservation steps.