I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9964 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 11, 2024 Mrs. Dingell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Urban Bird Treaty Program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Urban Bird Treaty Act of 2024 . 2. Urban Bird Treaty Program (a) Urban Bird Treaty Program (1) In general The Director shall establish a program for the voluntary conservation of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas, to be known as the Urban Bird Treaty Program . (2) Program duties In carrying out the Program, the Director shall— (A) work with and support covered entities to— (i) protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and restoration of native plant species; (ii) reduce urban hazards to birds; (iii) engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas; and (iv) educate and engage communities in caring about and conserving birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas; (B) provide technical and financial assistance through partnerships with covered entities to build capacity for, plan, and carry out projects related to activities described in subparagraph (A); and (C) facilitate collaboration and information sharing among covered entities and the public with respect to best management practices for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of urban bird habitats. (3) Grant program (A) In general The Director shall establish a competitive grant program to award amounts to eligible entities for the purposes of conducting research, planning, assessments, management, building capacity, monitoring, collaboration and information sharing, workforce training, and accomplishing related activities as described in paragraph (2) with respect to the conservation, restoration, enhancement or management of urban birds and the habitats of urban birds. (B) Applications To be eligible for a grant under this paragraph, an eligible entity shall submit to the Director an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Director determines appropriate. (C) Administration (i) Agreement The Director shall enter into an agreement with the Foundation for the Foundation to administer the grant program established under subparagraph (A) pursuant to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. ). (ii) Application of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act Section 10(a) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3709(a) ) shall not apply with respect to— (I) an agreement entered into under clause (i); or (II) amounts made available to carry out this section. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered entity The term covered entity means— (A) a Federal, Tribal, State, or municipal agency; (B) a nongovernmental organization; (C) a community group; and (D) an academic institution. (2) Director The term Director means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a Tribal, State, or municipal agency; (B) a nongovernmental organization; (C) a community group; and (D) an academic institution. (4) Foundation The term Foundation means the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established by section 2(a) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3701(a) ). (5) Program The term Program means the Urban Bird Treaty Program established under subsection (a)(1). (c) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Director to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2031. (2) Adjustment for inflation Beginning in fiscal year 2026, and annually thereafter, the amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.