HR4219-119

What This Bill Does

The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Fish and Wildlife Service Director, to operate a National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Program. At least one trained team must serve each Service region. Work includes prevention, early detection, rapid response, integrated pest management, habitat restoration and training. The program coordinates with public and private partners and uses consistent taxonomy and reporting systems across Interior databases.

Who Benefits and How

Refuge managers, adjacent landowners, Tribal agencies and state agencies gain access to expertise and potential assistance. Nonprofit conservation organizations may partner on projects, and eligible partners may request grants, contracts, direct expenditures or team support. Habitat-dependent communities may benefit from reduced invasive-species harm. Private-property participation is framed around requests and coordination, not a general compulsory entry power.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Fish and Wildlife Service staff must establish teams, coordinate data, train personnel and report publicly at two and five years after enactment. Congress would still need to appropriate funding: the bill authorizes $10 million each year from 2027 through 2033. Compared with the introduced text, annual authorization falls from $15 million, while the period changes from five years to seven. The reported text broadens the group that may request team agreements and expressly includes coordination with Tribal agencies.

Key Provisions

• Establishes at least one trained invasive-species strike team in each Fish and Wildlife Service region.
• Authorizes requested financial, technical and operational assistance for qualifying partnerships.
• Requires common data practices and public reports two and five years after enactment.
• Authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2033, subject to appropriations.