This bill seeks to address the severe decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which has fallen by over 99 percent in three decades and is at imminent risk of extinction. It recognizes that habitat loss, prolonged drought, and climate change are primary drivers of this crisis. The legislation aims to encourage and facilitate conservation efforts by states and other stakeholders to protect and restore critical habitats, including milkweed, nectar plants, and overwintering sites. To achieve its goals, the Act establishes a Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Grant Program administered by the Secretary of the Interior. This program will provide grants for projects focused on the conservation of western monarch butterflies and other pollinators within their range. Eligible entities include local and Tribal government agencies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations with relevant expertise, while State and Federal agencies can participate as partners. Project proposals must demonstrate a clear potential to contribute to the conservation and recovery of these butterfly populations. Funding for the grant program will come from the newly created Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund in the U.S. Treasury. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $12,500,000 annually for deposit into this Fund for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to enter an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to update and implement the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan , with a separate authorization of $12,500,000 annually for the same five-year period. Grant recipients are required to submit regular reports to the Secretary, detailing project progress and outcomes, which will also be made available to State legislatures and the public. Furthermore, the Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress by January 31st. This report will describe the status of western monarch butterflies and summarize the projects funded through both the grant program and the Conservation Plan, ensuring transparency and accountability for these critical conservation efforts.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill seeks to address the severe decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which has fallen by over 99 percent in three decades and is at imminent risk of extinction. It recognizes that habitat loss, prolonged drought, and climate change are primary drivers of this crisis. The legislation aims to encourage and facilitate conservation efforts by states and other stakeholders to protect and restore critical habitats, including milkweed, nectar plants, and overwintering sites. To achieve its goals, the Act establishes a Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Grant Program administered by the Secretary of the Interior. This program will provide grants for projects focused on the conservation of western monarch butterflies and other pollinators within their range. Eligible entities include local and Tribal government agencies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations with relevant expertise, while State and Federal agencies can participate as partners. Project proposals must demonstrate a clear potential to contribute to the conservation and recovery of these butterfly populations. Funding for the grant program will come from the newly created Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund in the U.S. Treasury. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $12,500,000 annually for deposit into this Fund for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to enter an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to update and implement the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan , with a separate authorization of $12,500,000 annually for the same five-year period. Grant recipients are required to submit regular reports to the Secretary, detailing project progress and outcomes, which will also be made available to State legislatures and the public. Furthermore, the Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress by January 31st. This report will describe the status of western monarch butterflies and summarize the projects funded through both the grant program and the Conservation Plan, ensuring transparency and accountability for these critical conservation efforts.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.