Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2015

To reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, and the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2015 2. Reauthorization of African Elephant Conservation Act Section 2306(a) of the African Elephant Conservation Act ( 16 U.S.C. 4245(a) 2007 through 2012 2016 through 2020 3. Reauthorization of Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 Section 10(a) of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 ( 16 U.S.C. 5306(a) 2007 through 2012 2016 through 2020 4. Reauthorization of Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 Section 8(a) of the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 ( 16 U.S.C. 4266(a) 2007 through 2012 2016 through 2020 5. Amendment and reauthorization of Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 The Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 is amended as follows: (1) Multiyear grants In section 4 ( 16 U.S.C. 6303 (j) Multiyear grants (1) In general The Secretary may award a multiyear grant under this section to a person who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this section, to carry out a project that the person demonstrates is an effective, long-term conservation strategy for great apes and their habitats. (2) Annual grants not affected This subsection shall not be construed as precluding the Secretary from awarding grants on an annual basis. . (2) Panel of experts In section 4(i) ( 16 U.S.C. 6303(i) (A) in paragraph (1), by— (i) striking Every 2 years Within one year after the date of the enactment of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2015, and every 5 years thereafter (ii) striking may convene shall convene (iii) inserting and priorities needs (iv) adding at the end the following new sentence: The panel shall, to the extent practicable, include representatives from foreign range states with expertise in great ape conservation. (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4), and inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs: (2) In identifying conservation needs and priorities under paragraph (1), the panel shall consider relevant great ape conservation plans or strategies including scientific research and findings related to— (A) the conservation needs and priorities of great apes; (B) regional or species-specific action plans or strategies; (C) applicable strategies developed or initiated by the Secretary; and (D) any other applicable conservation plan or strategy. (3) The Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations, may pay expenses of convening and facilitating meetings of the panel. . (3) Administrative expenses limitation In section 5(b)(2) ( 16 U.S.C. 6304(b)(2) $100,000 $150,000 (4) Authorization of appropriations In section 6 ( 16 U.S.C. 6305 2006 through 2010 2016 through 2020 6. Amendment and reauthorization of Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (a) In general The Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 is amended— (1) in sections 2(b) and 3(2) ( 16 U.S.C. 6601(b) and territories of the United States foreign countries (2) in section 3 ( 16 U.S.C. 6602 (7) Territory of the United States The term territory of the United States ; and (3) in section 4 ( 16 U.S.C. 6603 (A) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting or territory of the United States foreign country (B) in subsection (d) by inserting and territories of the United States foreign countries (b) Administrative expenses limitation Section 5(b)(2) of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 ( 16 U.S.C. 6604(b)(2) $80,000 $150,000 (c) Reauthorization Section 7 of the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 ( 16 U.S.C. 6606 each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020

Summary: Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2015 This bill reauthorizes the African Elephant Conservation Act, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, the Great Ape Conservation Fund, and the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund through FY2020. This bill amends the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 to authorize Department of the Interior to award a multi-year grant to carry out a project that is an effective, long-term conservation strategy for great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, or gibbons) and their habitats. Interior is required to convene a panel of experts to identify the greatest needs and priorities for the conservation of great apes within a year of this Act's enactment and every five years thereafter. Current law authorizes Interior to convene a panel to consider the greatest conservation needs every two years. The panel is required to consider relevant great ape conservation plans or strategies. This bill amends the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 to make a wildlife management authority of a U.S. territory eligible for financial assistance for marine turtle conservation.