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119-s-2315119th Congress

Habitat Enhancement Now Act

Sponsored By: Senator Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

Introduced

Summary

Boost migratory waterfowl nesting success by funding targeted nesting structures and habitat work. The bill would create two competitive grant programs: one to place and maintain hen houses in the prairie pothole region and one to build breeding habitat and pay willing landowners in California.

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  • Helps ducks such as mallards and gadwalls by raising nest success with hen houses and habitat improvements, addressing a key driver of population declines.
  • Gives States, Tribal and local governments, nonprofits, and individuals competitive grants to install and maintain hen houses in prairie potholes and to create nesting cover, brood ponds, and incentives for willing California landowners.
  • Would require the Interior Secretary to establish both grant programs within 180 days and directs $3.5 million per program each year for FY2026–2030, a total of $7.0 million per year.

*Would authorize $7.0 million per year in federal funding for FY2026–2030.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for duck nesting and habitat

This bill would create two competitive grant programs to help breeding waterfowl. The Interior Secretary would have 180 days to start both programs. One program would pay to place, build, and maintain hen houses in the prairie pothole region. The other would fund breeding habitat work in California, like nesting cover, brood ponds, and incentives for willing landowners. The bill defines key terms such as "hen house," "prairie pothole," and who counts as an "eligible entity." For each year 2026–2030, $3.5 million would be available for each program ($7 million per year, $35 million total). Eligible applicants would include States, local and Tribal governments, nonprofits, and individuals.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

MS • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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