Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025
Summary
The Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025 amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. It changes the date when interest on obligations held in the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund becomes available for apportionment, moving it from the beginning of fiscal year 2026 to the beginning of fiscal year 2033. This adjustment affects the timeline for the distribution of funds dedicated to wildlife restoration projects.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to delay the availability of interest earned on the Federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for apportionment by seven years. This means that states will have to wait longer to receive these funds for conservation and access improvement projects. The delay could impact the timing and scope of planned wetland conservation efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially allows for increased accumulation of interest before apportionment, leading to larger funding pools in 2033.
- May enable better long-term planning for wildlife restoration projects due to the delayed but potentially larger funding availability.
- Could incentivize more strategic investment of the fund to maximize interest earned before the 2033 apportionment date.
Potential Disadvantages
- Delays funding for critical wetland conservation and access improvement projects.
- May disrupt existing project timelines and require states to adjust their conservation strategies.
- Could lead to a temporary reduction in the number or scale of wildlife restoration initiatives.
- The delay could negatively impact states with immediate needs for wetland conservation funding.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it pertains to the management and distribution of funds for wildlife restoration, which can be considered a matter of public benefit. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States. The specific mechanism of delaying fund apportionment does not inherently conflict with any constitutional provision.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).