Val Hoyle (D-OR)
Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to set up a voluntary grant and technical assistance pilot program called the Pacific Northwest Migratory Bird Conservation pilot program. The main goal is to improve, maintain, and restore habitats for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other wetlands-dependent birds in the Columbia River Basin and the Oregon and Washington Coastal Zone. Eligible entities like state agencies, tribal governments, conservation districts, and private landowners can apply for competitive grants to complete habitat restoration projects. Projects can take place on public, private, tribal, or agricultural lands. The legislation authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill establishes a grant program specifically dedicated to improving, maintaining, and restoring wetland habitats for migratory birds.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The program provides resources for habitat restoration projects that can take place on public, private, and tribal lands.
- Scored +4
Does this invest in rural communities?
Grants and technical assistance support conservation and water infrastructure projects in rural areas and agricultural lands.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3(a): This section provides competitive grants and technical assistance to eligible entities for habitat restoration projects. This is positive because it brings federal resources directly to local groups, tribes, and private landowners to help them improve the environment.
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Section 3(f)(1)(C): This section allows the Secretary to give priority to projects that enhance recreational public access on public lands. This benefits the public by creating better outdoor recreation and viewing opportunities.
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Section 3(f)(1)(D): This section prioritizes projects that increase dual habitat objectives for both bird and salmonid populations. This is a positive outcome for local ecosystems, fishing communities, and people who rely on healthy salmon populations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 3(f)(4) and Section 3(i): These provisions require eligible entities to provide a non-Federal share of not less than 25 percent, which must be secured at least two years before submitting an application. This could be a burden for smaller organizations, local governments, or private landowners who struggle to raise or secure matching funds.
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Section 3(g)(3)(B): This section prohibits recipients from using grant funds to carry out regular operation and maintenance for the habitat restoration projects. This creates a potential financial burden for landowners and local entities who must find other ways to pay for ongoing upkeep.
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Section 5(a): This section authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. While intended for conservation, any federal spending ultimately uses taxpayer dollars, which some citizens may view negatively depending on national budget priorities.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill establishes a grant program specifically dedicated to improving, maintaining, and restoring wetland habitats for migratory birds. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The program provides resources for habitat restoration projects that can take place on public, private, and tribal lands. Does this invest in rural communities? — Grants and technical assistance support conservation and water infrastructure projects in rural areas and agricultural lands. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Restoring wetlands and vegetative habitats helps sequester carbon and support ecosystem resilience.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — Agricultural lands that provide habitats for migratory birds are explicitly eligible for project grants and technical assistance.
- 10/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Ryan ZinkeRepublican · Montana