HR8811-118

1. Short title; table of contents This Act may be cited as the America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024. The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

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.

102. Black vulture livestock protection program Section 103 of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (7 U.S.C. 8356) is amended— in the section heading, by inserting ; black vulture livestock protection program after common ravens and conforming the table of contents accordingly; by redesignating subsections (a) through (c) as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and indenting appropriately; in each of paragraphs (2) and (3) (as so redesignated), by striking subsection (a) and inserting paragraph (1); by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) the following: by adding at the end the following: 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. Each public entity or Farm Bureau organization that holds a depredation permit under the program— shall— demonstrate sufficient experience and capacity to provide government regulated services to the public, as determined by the Secretary; 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; be responsible for complying with, and ensuring subpermittee compliance with, as applicable, all permit conditions; and be responsible for collecting, managing, and reporting required information under the permit; and may subpermit to livestock producers to take black vultures for the purposes of livestock protection. 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. 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). (a)Depredation permits for black vultures and common ravens; and (b)Black vulture livestock protection program(1)In generalThe 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)RequirementsEach public entity or Farm Bureau organization that holds a depredation permit under the program—(A)shall—(i)demonstrate sufficient experience and capacity to provide government regulated services to the public, as determined by the Secretary;(ii)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)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)StudyThe 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)ReportNot 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)..

103. Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force Section 104 of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 667h) is amended— in subsection (b)— in paragraph (1), by striking after the completion of the study required by subsection (c); and 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 in subsection (d)(1), by striking 2025 and inserting 2030.

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.

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.

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— in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2025 and inserting 2030; and in subsection (b)(1)— in subparagraph (A), by striking and cooperative agreements, and inserting , cooperative agreements, participating agreements, and similar instruments used for providing partnership funds,; by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities may enter into a Federal funding agreement with the Foundation for a period of not more than 10 years. in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by inserting , and should when possible, after may. (B)Funding agreementsFederal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities may enter into a Federal funding agreement with the Foundation for a period of not more than 10 years.; and

107. 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.

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) is amended by striking 2025 and inserting 2030.

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.

201. National Fish Habitat Board Section 203 of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 8203) is amended— in subsection (a)(2)— in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 26 members and inserting 28 members; by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: 2 shall be representatives of the Department of the Interior, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management; by striking subparagraphs (G) and (H) and inserting the following: 2 shall be representatives of Indian Tribes, of whom— 1 shall be a representative of Indian Tribes in the State of Alaska; and 1 shall be a representative of Indian Tribes in States other than the State of Alaska; 2 shall be representatives of— 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 the Marine Fisheries Commissions; in subsection (e)(1)(B), by striking all members and inserting the members present. (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 (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

202. Fish Habitat Partnerships Section 204 of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 8204) is amended— in subsection (e)— in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , subject to paragraph (3), after Act and; and by adding at the end the following: 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. by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: Congress shall have the exclusive authority to designate or modify a Partnership. 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. (3)LimitationThe 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 (f)Designation or modification of partnership(1)In generalCongress shall have the exclusive authority to designate or modify a Partnership.(2)Designation or modification processA 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..

203. Fish habitat conservation projects Section 205 of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 8205) is amended— in subsection (b), by striking for the following fiscal year; and in subsection (e)— by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 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. 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). (1)In generalThe 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

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.

205. Accountability and reporting Section 209 of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 8209) is amended— by striking subsection (b); in subsection (a)— by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through Not later than in paragraph (1) and inserting the following: Not later than by redesignating paragraph (2) as subsection (b) and indenting appropriately; and in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)— in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting subsection (a); by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) as paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5), respectively, and indenting appropriately; in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking and at the end; by inserting after paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) the following: a description of the status of fish habitats in the United States as identified by Partnerships; and in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)— by redesignating clauses (i) through (v) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately; and in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately. (a)In generalNot later than; and (4)a description of the status of fish habitats in the United States as identified by Partnerships; and; and

206. Funding Section 212(a) of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 8212(a)) is amended— in paragraph (1)— in the paragraph heading, by inserting partnerships and after habitat; by striking 2025 and inserting 2030; and by inserting Partnership operations under section 204 and after to provide funds for; in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2025 and inserting 2030; and in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2025 and inserting 2030.

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),.