Bill Summary
The "Make State Wildlife Action Plans Efficient Act of 2025" amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to streamline the approval process for state wildlife conservation and restoration programs. Under the new provisions, the Secretary of the Interior is required to approve a state's comprehensive wildlife conservation plan within 180 days of submission. If approval is not granted within this timeframe, the Secretary must provide a report to Congress detailing the status of the plan and reasons for the delay. The Act aims to enhance the efficiency of wildlife management efforts by ensuring timely reviews and decisions on state plans, ultimately supporting conservation initiatives more effectively.
Possible Impacts
The "Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025" amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and establishes a timeline for the approval of state wildlife conservation and restoration programs. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Faster Implementation of Wildlife Programs**: With the requirement for the Secretary of the Interior to approve state wildlife conservation plans within 180 days, states may experience expedited implementation of conservation initiatives. This could lead to quicker restoration of habitats and populations of endangered species, ultimately benefiting local communities that rely on healthy ecosystems for tourism, recreation, and biodiversity.
2. **Increased State Engagement**: The act encourages states to develop comprehensive wildlife conservation plans knowing that they will receive timely feedback and approval. This could foster a sense of urgency and collaboration among state wildlife agencies, local communities, and conservation organizations, leading to more innovative and effective wildlife management strategies that address local needs and concerns.
3. **Greater Accountability and Transparency**: The requirement for the Secretary to report to congressional committees if a state’s comprehensive plan is not approved within the designated timeframe introduces a level of accountability. This transparency could empower advocacy groups and the public to monitor the approval process, potentially leading to increased pressure on the federal government to prioritize wildlife conservation and ensure that state programs receive the necessary support and funding.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1676 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1676
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 10, 2025
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to require the
Secretary of the Interior to approve the wildlife conservation and
restoration program of a State within a certain period of time.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025''
or the ``Make State Wildlife Action Plans Efficient Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. TIMING OF APPROVAL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
PROGRAM.
Section 4(e)(3) of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act
(16 U.S.C. 669c(e)(3)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``, not later than 180 days after the date
on which the State submitted the comprehensive plan,'' after
``, the Secretary'';
(2) by striking ``, as redesignated'';
(3) by striking ``If the Secretary'' and inserting ``(A) If
the Secretary''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Upon submission of a comprehensive plan by a State
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conditionally
authorize the implementation of the wildlife conservation and
restoration program of the State and shall set aside amounts as
described in subparagraph (A).
``(C) The Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall
develop a process to ensure sufficient and timely review of
comprehensive plans submitted by States under paragraph (1) and
final approval of the wildlife conservation and restoration
program of such States not later than 180 days after the date
on which a State submits such a comprehensive plan.
``(D) It is the intent of Congress that the Secretary
prioritize the--
``(i) timely review of comprehensive plans
submitted by States under paragraph (1); and
``(ii) approval of the wildlife conservation and
restoration programs of such States.
``(E) Not later than June 1 of the year immediately
following the year in which a State submits a comprehensive
plan under paragraph (1), if the Secretary does not approve the
wildlife conservation and restoration program of the State
under subparagraph (A) within the time described in that
subparagraph, the Secretary shall submit to the Chair and
Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives and the Environment and Public Works
Committee of the Senate a report regarding the status of such
comprehensive plan and including the reason why the wildlife
conservation and restoration program was not so approved.''.
Passed the House of Representatives December 9, 2025.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.