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Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8438| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2026
Donald S. Beyer

Donald S. Beyer

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (4)
Laura Friedman (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Agriculture Committee, Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The bill, titled the "Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026," aims to conserve native fish, wildlife, and plant species by addressing habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. It seeks to provide long-term habitat connectivity for species migration, dispersal, and adaptation to environmental changes, including climate change. The legislation emphasizes restoring disrupted wildlife movements and facilitating coordinated landscape-scale planning across various jurisdictions. To achieve these goals, the bill establishes a habitat connectivity mapping and science program, led by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, to develop and share data and maps for land-use planning. It also creates a National Wildlife Corridors System on federal land and water, designated through statute, rulemaking, or land use management plans. A Coordinating Committee, comprising various federal agencies and stakeholders, will nominate areas and develop a strategy for the system's implementation. Management of these National Wildlife Corridors will focus on maintaining and restoring habitat connectivity, prohibiting infrastructure that impedes wildlife movement, and enhancing species adaptation. The Secretaries of relevant agencies must update regulations and land use plans to support these corridors, which will be withdrawn from certain public land laws. The bill mandates extensive consultation with state, tribal, and local governments, private landowners, and various partnerships, including those focused on ocean and climate science. For non-federal lands, the bill establishes a wildlife movement grant program , administered by the Secretary of the Interior, to fund projects that increase habitat connectivity. Eligible recipients include private landowners, state agencies, Indian Tribes, and academic institutions. The legislation authorizes significant appropriations for science, federal corridor management, and the grant program, with a portion reserved for big game migration corridors. Importantly, it safeguards state and tribal jurisdiction over fish and wildlife management, prohibits eminent domain, and allows for defense waivers under specific conditions.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9776
Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2024
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9776
    Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2024


  • April 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.

Environmental Protection

Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8438| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2026
The bill, titled the "Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026," aims to conserve native fish, wildlife, and plant species by addressing habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. It seeks to provide long-term habitat connectivity for species migration, dispersal, and adaptation to environmental changes, including climate change. The legislation emphasizes restoring disrupted wildlife movements and facilitating coordinated landscape-scale planning across various jurisdictions. To achieve these goals, the bill establishes a habitat connectivity mapping and science program, led by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, to develop and share data and maps for land-use planning. It also creates a National Wildlife Corridors System on federal land and water, designated through statute, rulemaking, or land use management plans. A Coordinating Committee, comprising various federal agencies and stakeholders, will nominate areas and develop a strategy for the system's implementation. Management of these National Wildlife Corridors will focus on maintaining and restoring habitat connectivity, prohibiting infrastructure that impedes wildlife movement, and enhancing species adaptation. The Secretaries of relevant agencies must update regulations and land use plans to support these corridors, which will be withdrawn from certain public land laws. The bill mandates extensive consultation with state, tribal, and local governments, private landowners, and various partnerships, including those focused on ocean and climate science. For non-federal lands, the bill establishes a wildlife movement grant program , administered by the Secretary of the Interior, to fund projects that increase habitat connectivity. Eligible recipients include private landowners, state agencies, Indian Tribes, and academic institutions. The legislation authorizes significant appropriations for science, federal corridor management, and the grant program, with a portion reserved for big game migration corridors. Importantly, it safeguards state and tribal jurisdiction over fish and wildlife management, prohibits eminent domain, and allows for defense waivers under specific conditions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9776
Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2024
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9776
    Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2024


  • April 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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.
Donald S. Beyer

Donald S. Beyer

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (4)
Laura Friedman (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Agriculture Committee, Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted