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119-s-4543119th Congress

Extinction Prevention Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Introduced

Summary

creates four dedicated conservation funds to finance competitive, multiyear grants for North American butterflies, Pacific Islands plants, freshwater mussels, and Southwest desert fish. The bill would create separate Treasury accounts and let States, Tribes, nonprofits, and research institutions lead projects while Federal agencies may only partner.

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  • Conservation organizations and researchers: Eligible lead applicants could compete for multiyear grants that must include methods, timelines, staffing, stakeholder engagement, and outcome assessment. Projects receive priority when they target species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
  • State, Tribal, and territorial governments: Eligible to lead or be consulted on projects and assured consultation with local authorities and Tribes. Projects that show matching funds and long-term sustainability are preferred, though the Secretary can waive those preferences for high-priority work.
  • Fund rules and funding: Each fund is a separate Treasury account invested in interest-bearing U.S. Treasury obligations and limits administrative costs to the greater of 3 percent or $80,000 per year. Titles I, III, and IV each authorize $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2032; Title II authorizes appropriations but does not specify amounts in the provided material.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for Freshwater Mussel Conservation

This bill would create a Freshwater Mussel Conservation Fund as a separate Treasury account. It would authorize $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to fund competitive grants, including multiyear awards, for state, Tribal, research, nonprofit, and other non‑Federal conservation projects. The Treasury would invest Fund balances only in U.S. Treasury obligations and credit interest and proceeds back to the Fund. Federal agencies could not be lead recipients, and the Secretary would report to Congress each year by January 31 on deposits, expenditures, project results, and freshwater mussel status.

Grants for North America Butterfly Conservation

This bill would create a North America Butterfly Conservation Fund as a separate Treasury account. It would authorize $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to pay competitive, outcome‑focused grants to states, Tribes, researchers, nonprofits, and wildlife authorities working on butterfly recovery. The Treasury would invest Fund balances in U.S. Treasury obligations and credit interest back to the Fund. The Secretary would share proposals with other Federal officials, act on proposals within 180 days after required consultations, and report annually to Congress by January 31 on Fund activity and butterfly status.

Grants for Pacific Islands Plant Conservation

This bill would create a Pacific Islands Plant Conservation Fund as a separate Treasury account. It would authorize $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to support competitive grants for plant and ecosystem conservation in Hawaii and U.S. Pacific territories. The Treasury would hold and invest Fund balances in U.S. Treasury obligations and credit interest to the Fund. The Secretary would require applicant consultation with relevant governments and tribes, provide written approvals or disapprovals, and send annual reports to Congress on deposits, expenditures, project evaluations, and plant status.

Grants for Southwest Desert Fish Conservation

This bill would create a Southwest Desert Fish Conservation Fund as a separate Treasury account. It would authorize $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to fund competitive grants, including urgent and multiyear projects, for desert fish conservation in several Western states. The Treasury would invest Fund balances in U.S. Treasury obligations and credit interest and proceeds back to the Fund. The Secretary would solicit proposals, consult with State governments before approval, and report annually to Congress by January 31 on deposits, expenditures, project summaries, and desert fish status.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

CT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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