What does Preamble of Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 do?

This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985. The stated purpose is to improve wildlife habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026.

What does CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. of Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to define 'native big game species' as a native species of a large mammal, including wild deer, elk, pronghorn, wild sheep, and moose. It modifies the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to include restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors, with a focus on native big game species. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program are amended to allow cost-share payments for grassland enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, provided it is of ecological significance. These cost-share payments are limited to practices not already receiving benefits from other federal programs, and activities must not prevent emergency grazing or haying. The payment limitation for rental payments under the Conservation Reserve Program is increased from $50,000 to $125,000. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is further amended to include wildlife habitat connectivity in eligible practices. The Secretary is directed to incorporate nonstructural methods, such as virtual fencing, into conservation practice standards to manage livestock distribution and provide technical assistance for habitat connectivity. Conservation programs are encouraged to conserve landscape corridors and hydrologic connectivity to support native biodiversity and resilience.

What does HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AREAS. of Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. It authorizes research and extension grants related to virtual fencing technology. Grants may be used to understand and address barriers to the adoption of virtual fencing. Grants may also be used to study the effects of virtual fencing on natural and cultural resources. Specific resources to be studied include sensitive riparian areas. The impact on crucial winter range and stopover habitats for native big game species, as defined in section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985, is also included. Overall range health is another area of study authorized by this section.

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Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026

Last updated: 3/12/2026 · Introduced: 3/12/2026

Author: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends conservation programs like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to prioritize wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors, particularly for native big game species.
The bill increases payment limits for Conservation Reserve Program rental payments and expands eligible practices under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to include wildlife habitat connectivity.
It authorizes research and extension grants to study virtual fencing technology and its effects on natural resources, winter range, and overall range health.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

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