America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024
This act reauthorizes through FY2030 and modifies several wildlife and conservation programs, including the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, the management of invasive species under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grant Assistance Program, the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense program, and fish habitat conservation projects under the America's Conservation Enhancement Act.
In addition, the act modifies the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, including to provide statutory authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to carry out a black vulture livestock protection program that allows one public entity or Farm Bureau organization per state to hold a statewide depredation permit to protect commercial agriculture livestock from black vulture predation. It also authorizes appropriations for the FWS to complete the National Fish Habitat Assessment and the associated database.
Finally, the act extends through FY2030 a prohibition on the Environmental Protection Agency taking any action to regulate the lead content of sport fishing equipment or components under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
[118th Congress Public Law 198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 2677]]
AMERICA'S CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2024
[[Page 138 STAT. 2678]]
Public Law 118-198
118th Congress
An Act
To reauthorize the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 23, 2024 - [S. 3791]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: America's
Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024.>>
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 16 USC 8201 note.>> SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF
CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America's
Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT, DISEASE, AND PREDATION
Sec. 101. Losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected
species.
Sec. 102. Black vulture livestock protection program.
Sec. 103. Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force.
Sec. 104. Protection of water, oceans, coasts, and wildlife from
invasive species.
Sec. 105. North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
Sec. 106. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act.
Sec. 107. Modification of definition of sport fishing equipment under
TSCA.
Sec. 108. Chesapeake Bay Program.
Sec. 109. Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998.
Sec. 110. Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense.
TITLE II--NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Sec. 201. National Fish Habitat Board.
Sec. 202. Fish Habitat Partnerships.
Sec. 203. Fish habitat conservation projects.
Sec. 204. Technical and scientific assistance.
Sec. 205. Accountability and reporting.
Sec. 206. Funding.
Sec. 207. Technical correction.
TITLE I--WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT, DISEASE, AND PREDATION
SEC. 101. LOSSES OF LIVESTOCK DUE TO DEPREDATION BY FEDERALLY
PROTECTED SPECIES.
Section 102(d) of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (7
U.S.C. 8355(d)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 102. BLACK VULTURE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Section 103 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (7 U.S.C.
8356) is amended--
[[Page 138 STAT. 2679]]
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``; black vulture
livestock protection program'' after ``common ravens'' and
conforming the table of contents accordingly;
(2) by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) as
paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(3) in each of paragraphs (2) and (3) (as so redesignated),
by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)'';
(4) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(a) Depredation Permits for Black Vultures and Common Ravens.--'';
and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Black Vulture Livestock Protection Program.--
``(1) <<NOTE: Time period.>> In general.--The Secretary, in
coordination with States, shall carry out, through fiscal year
2030, a black vulture livestock protection program (referred to
in this subsection as the `program') that allows 1 public entity
or Farm Bureau organization per State to hold a statewide
depredation permit to protect commercial agriculture livestock
from black vulture predation.
``(2) Requirements.--Each public entity or Farm Bureau
organization that holds a depredation permit under the program--
``(A) <<NOTE: Determinations.>> shall--
``(i) demonstrate sufficient experience and
capacity to provide government regulated services
to the public, as determined by the Secretary;
``(ii) <<NOTE: Review. Approval.>> submit a
complete depredation permit application, as
determined by the Secretary, for review and
approval according to procedures of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service;
``(iii) <<NOTE: Compliance.>> be responsible
for complying with, and ensuring subpermittee
compliance with, as applicable, all permit
conditions; and
``(iv) be responsible for collecting,
managing, and reporting required information under
the permit; and
``(B) may subpermit to livestock producers to take
black vultures for the purposes of livestock protection.
``(3) Study.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, shall carry out
a study on whether prescribed take levels of black vultures may
be increased for subpermittees within a biologically sustainable
take level for the population.
``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the America's Conservation Enhancement
Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator
of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, shall submit
to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Chair and Ranking Member
of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a report on the status of the program, including
the results of the study required under paragraph (3).''.
[[Page 138 STAT. 2680]]
SEC. 103. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TASK FORCE.
Section 104 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
667h) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``after the
completion of the study required by subsection (c)'';
and
(B) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``180 days
after the date on which the study is completed under
subsection (c)'' and inserting ``90 days after the date
of the enactment of the America's Conservation
Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024. The efforts of
the Task Force shall not be contingent on the completion
of the study required by subsection (c)''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2030''.
SEC. 104. PROTECTION OF WATER, OCEANS, COASTS, AND WILDLIFE FROM
INVASIVE SPECIES.
Section 10(p) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C.
666c-1(p)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 105. NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT.
Section 7(c) of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 4406(c)) is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 106. NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT ACT.
Section 10 of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030'';
and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and
cooperative agreements,'' and inserting ``, cooperative
agreements, participating agreements, and similar
instruments used for providing partnership funds,'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively;
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B) <<NOTE: Time period.>> Funding agreements.--
Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities may
enter into a Federal funding agreement with the
Foundation for a period of not more than 10 years.'';
and
(D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ``, and should when possible,'' after ``may''.
SEC. 107. <<NOTE: Time period.>> MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF
SPORT FISHING EQUIPMENT UNDER TSCA.
Section 108(a) of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (15
U.S.C. 2601 note) is amended by striking ``During the 5-year period
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``During
the period beginning on the date of enactment of the America's
Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 and ending on
September 30, 2030''.
[[Page 138 STAT. 2681]]
SEC. 108. CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM.
Section 117(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1267(j)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030,
$92,000,000.''.
SEC. 109. CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE ACT OF 1998.
Section 502(c) of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 (Public
Law 105-312; 112 Stat. 2963; 134 Stat. 920) <<NOTE: 54 USC 320101
note.>> is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 110. CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED INVESTMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE DEFENSE.
Section 111(e)(1) of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (33
U.S.C. 1267 note) is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2030''.
TITLE II--NATIONAL FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
SEC. 201. NATIONAL FISH HABITAT BOARD.
Section 203 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
8203) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``26 members'' and inserting ``28 members'';
(B) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) 2 shall be representatives of the Department
of the Interior, including the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management;'';
and
(C) by striking subparagraphs (G) and (H) and
inserting the following:
``(G) 2 shall be representatives of Indian Tribes,
of whom--
``(i) 1 shall be a representative of Indian
Tribes in the State of Alaska; and
``(ii) 1 shall be a representative of Indian
Tribes in States other than the State of Alaska;
``(H) 2 shall be representatives of--
``(i) the Regional Fishery Management Councils
established by section 302(a)(1) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(16 U.S.C. 1852(a)(1)); or
``(ii) the Marine Fisheries Commissions;'';
and
(2) in subsection (e)(1)(B), by striking ``all members'' and
inserting ``the members present''.
SEC. 202. FISH HABITAT PARTNERSHIPS.
Section 204 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
8204) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)--
[[Page 138 STAT. 2682]]
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, subject to paragraph
(3),'' after ``Act and''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) <<NOTE: Reports.>> Limitation.--The Board shall only
submit a report required under paragraph (1) in the fiscal years
in which the Board is proposing modifications to, or new
designations of, 1 or more Partnerships.''; and
(2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Designation or Modification of Partnership.--
``(1) In general.--Congress shall have the exclusive
authority to designate or modify a Partnership.
``(2) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions. Deadline.>> Designation or
modification process.--A Partnership designation or modification
the Board recommends to Congress shall be deemed to be approved
by Congress if Congress does not pass a joint resolution of
disapproval with respect to the designation or modification by
the date that is 90 days after the date on which the relevant
congressional committees receive such recommendation.''.
SEC. 203. FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION PROJECTS.
Section 205 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
8205) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``for the following
fiscal year''; and
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the total cost
of all fish habitat conservation projects carried out by a
Partnership each year shall be at least 50 percent.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``Such non-Federal share
of the cost of a fish habitat conservation project'' and
inserting ``The non-Federal share described in paragraph
(1)''.
SEC. 204. TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE.
Section 206(a) of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16
U.S.C. 8206(a)) is amended by inserting ``, the Bureau of Land
Management,'' after ``the Forest Service''.
SEC. 205. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING.
Section 209 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
8209) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b);
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking the subsection designation and
heading and all that follows through ``Not later than''
in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--Not later than''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as subsection (b)
and indenting appropriately; and
(3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subsection
(a)'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), (C),
and (D) as paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5),
respectively, and indenting appropriately;
[[Page 138 STAT. 2683]]
(C) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``and'' at the end;
(D) by inserting after paragraph (3) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(4) a description of the status of fish habitats in the
United States as identified by Partnerships; and''; and
(E) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
(i) by redesignating clauses (i) through (v)
as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively,
and indenting appropriately; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated),
by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as
clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting
appropriately.
SEC. 206. FUNDING.
Section 212(a) of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16
U.S.C. 8212(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting
``partnerships and'' after ``habitat'';
(B) by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''; and
(C) by inserting ``Partnership operations under
section 204 and'' after ``to provide funds for'';
(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 207. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 211 of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C.
8211) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)'' and inserting
``Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the
`Federal Advisory Committee Act'),''.
Approved December 23, 2024.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 3791 (H.R. 8811):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 118-753, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Natural Resources)
accompanying H.R. 8811.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):
May 8, considered and passed Senate.
Dec. 3, considered and passed House, amended.
Dec. 18, Senate concurred in House amendment.
<all>
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6273-6276)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3791.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6280)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 366 - 21 (Roll no. 479). (text: CR H6273-6274)
Roll Call #479 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 366 - 21 (Roll no. 479). (text: CR H6273-6274)
Roll Call #479 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Enacted as Public Law 118-198
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Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House Amendment to S. 3791 by Voice Vote.
Senate agreed to the House Amendment to S. 3791 by Voice Vote.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 118-198.
Became Public Law No: 118-198.