S 3556 — Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html December 17, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill reauthorizes and improves the wildlife crossings program by amending various provisions to increase funding and expand eligibility and assistance criteria.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  pilot

  The program is redefined to remove the term 'pilot', indicating it is now a permanent program.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  pilot

  Every mention of 'pilot' is removed, reinforcing that the program is fully established.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  (h) Federal Share for Small, Rural, and Disadvantaged Communities.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of a grant under the program provided to an eligible entity for the benefit of a small, rural, or disadvantaged community, the Federal share of the cost of the project shall be 90 percent. (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal share under paragraph (1) to 100 percent if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity is unable to pay, or would experience significant financial hardship if required to pay, the non-Federal share.

  New provisions are added to provide a higher Federal cost share for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  (i) Tribal Technical Assistance.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary may use an amount equal to not more than 0.5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out the program for each fiscal year to improve the ability of eligible entities described in subsection (c)(6) to access funding for projects under the program in an efficient and expeditious manner by providing to those entities application assistance, technical assistance, and assistance in reducing the period of time between the selection of the project and the obligation of funds for the project. (2) Use of funds.--Amounts used under paragraph (1) may be expended-- (A) by the Secretary; or (B) through contracts with-- (i) a Federal, Tribal, regional, or State government entity; (ii) a private entity; or (iii) a nonprofit entity.

  New provisions are introduced to provide technical assistance to Tribal entities to improve their access to funding.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  (j) Grant Administration.--The Secretary may retain not more than a total of 0.5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out the program for each fiscal year-- (1) to review applications for grants under the program; (2) to obligate and administer grant awards selected under the program; and (3) to carry out the requirements of-- (A) section 172; and (B) subsections (b)(6) and (i)(3) of section 144.

  New provisions allow the Secretary to retain a small percentage of funds for grant administration.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  This section is amended by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (k) and (l), respectively.

  Subsections are renumbered to accommodate the new additions.

• 23 U.S.C. § 171

  The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 171 and inserting '171. Wildlife crossings program.'.

  The chapter analysis is updated to reflect the new title of the wildlife crossings program.

Action History

1. December 17, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. December 17, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsors

• Angela D. Alsobrooks · Primary
• Kevin Cramer · Cosponsor
• Jeff Merkley · Cosponsor
• John R. Curtis · Cosponsor
• David McCormick · Cosponsor
• Adam B. Schiff · Cosponsor

Subjects