Legis Daily

Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4091| Senate 
| Updated: 3/12/2026
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026" aims to significantly improve wildlife habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors across agricultural lands, with a specific focus on native big game species such as wild deer, elk, and moose. It amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to integrate these conservation goals into existing federal programs. Key provisions include expanding the scope of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to prioritize projects that restore and enhance wildlife corridors. The bill also allows producers to receive cost-share payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program for activities on ecologically significant grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, provided these activities support habitat connectivity. Furthermore, it increases the payment limitation for Conservation Reserve Program rental payments from $50,000 to $125,000. To facilitate these efforts, the legislation mandates the incorporation of nonstructural methods , such as virtual fencing, into conservation practice standards for livestock management, ensuring adequate technical assistance is available. It also encourages the Secretary of Agriculture to promote the conservation of landscape and hydrologic corridors for native big game species across all conservation programs. Finally, the bill authorizes research and extension grants to study the adoption barriers and ecological impacts of virtual fencing technology, particularly concerning sensitive habitats and crucial winter ranges for native big game.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4193
Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2024
Apr 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2235
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4193
    Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2024


  • April 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2235
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.


  • March 12, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 12, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Agriculture and Food

Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4091| Senate 
| Updated: 3/12/2026
The "Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026" aims to significantly improve wildlife habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors across agricultural lands, with a specific focus on native big game species such as wild deer, elk, and moose. It amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to integrate these conservation goals into existing federal programs. Key provisions include expanding the scope of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to prioritize projects that restore and enhance wildlife corridors. The bill also allows producers to receive cost-share payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program for activities on ecologically significant grasslands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, provided these activities support habitat connectivity. Furthermore, it increases the payment limitation for Conservation Reserve Program rental payments from $50,000 to $125,000. To facilitate these efforts, the legislation mandates the incorporation of nonstructural methods , such as virtual fencing, into conservation practice standards for livestock management, ensuring adequate technical assistance is available. It also encourages the Secretary of Agriculture to promote the conservation of landscape and hydrologic corridors for native big game species across all conservation programs. Finally, the bill authorizes research and extension grants to study the adoption barriers and ecological impacts of virtual fencing technology, particularly concerning sensitive habitats and crucial winter ranges for native big game.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4193
Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2024
Apr 18, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2235
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4193
    Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2024


  • April 18, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2235
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.


  • March 12, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 12, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Agriculture and Food

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