All Roll Calls
Yes: 366 • No: 21
118-s-3791118th CongressWALLET
America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024
Sponsored By: Senator Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Became Law
Summary
Extends and modernizes federal conservation and wildlife programs through 2030. It updates depredation rules for livestock, creates a national Black Vulture Livestock Protection Program, and reforms fish habitat partnerships and funding to favor longer-term, locally driven projects.
Show full summary
- Farmers and livestock producers: The Act creates a statewide depredation-permit system for black vulture protection that lets one public entity or Farm Bureau per state hold a statewide permit and subpermit producers. It moves depredation deadlines to 2030 and requires a USDA-led study with a report within one year.
- Conservation partners and funding: It authorizes longer federal funding agreements with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and sets Chesapeake Bay funding at $92.0 million annually. It also allows up to 10-year federal partnership funding instruments for program operations.
- Governance and partnerships: The measure adds tribal representation on national boards, requires at least a 50% nonfederal cost-share for Partnership projects, and streamlines Board-driven designations and modifications.
*This law increases authorized federal spending by at least $92.0 million annually for the Chesapeake Bay program for FY2026–2030.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
More Chesapeake Bay funding through 2030
The law authorizes $92 million each year for the Chesapeake Bay Program for fiscal years 2026–2030. It extends the Bay Initiative target year to 2030. It also extends Chesapeake Watershed Investments through 2030. This funding supports states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofits doing Bay restoration.
Stronger fish habitat partnerships through 2030
The law extends fish habitat and partnership grant authority to 2030 and allows funding for Partnership operations. Agencies can use cooperative and participating agreements and enter funding agreements with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for up to 10 years. The Board grows to 28 members, adds Tribal, Interior, and regional fishery seats, and votes by members present. The Bureau of Land Management can provide technical help. Reports must describe the status of fish habitats, and partnership designations are deemed approved if Congress does not disapprove within 90 days; the Board reports only in years with proposed changes.
Farmers get more livestock protection tools
The law keeps livestock depredation measures in place through 2030. It creates a Black Vulture Livestock Protection Program that runs through fiscal year 2030. One public entity or Farm Bureau in each state can hold a statewide permit and subpermit producers to take black vultures to protect animals. Permit holders must follow Fish and Wildlife Service rules and report data. The Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture must study take levels and report within one year after enactment.
Faster action on chronic wasting disease
The Task Force no longer waits for a separate study to act. It must complete key steps within 90 days after enactment. A related deadline now runs through 2030. These changes speed coordination on deer disease control.
Sport fishing gear rule runs to 2030
The law sets the transition period for sport fishing equipment under chemical rules to end on September 30, 2030. This replaces the old five‑year wording. It gives manufacturers, retailers, and anglers a clear end date.
Wetlands and invasive species programs extended
The law keeps key conservation timelines running to 2030. It extends the North American Wetlands Conservation Act schedule to 2030. It also extends an invasive species and coordination timeline to 2030. This gives partners a longer planning window.
Local partners must fund half of projects
Partnership projects for fish habitat now require at least a 50% non‑Federal share each year. States, tribes, local groups, and private partners must cover at least half of total annual project costs. This rule starts on enactment and applies every year.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
DE • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
WV • R
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
AR • R
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
MS • R
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]
OK • R
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 2/8/2024
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 3/8/2024
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/21/2024
Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
MS • R
Sponsored 3/21/2024
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 4/15/2024
Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/15/2024
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 5/7/2024
Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 5/7/2024
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 12/3/2024
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 366 • No: 21