December 16, 2025
Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Sheehy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To reauthorize and improve the wildlife crossings program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Wildlife Road Crossing Program Reauthorization Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Wildlife crossings program
(a) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for the wildlife crossings program under section 171 of title 23, United States Code, $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(2) Availability
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be available until expended.
(b) Wildlife crossings program
(1) In general
Section 171 of title 23, United States Code, is amended—
(A)
in the section heading, by striking pilot
;
(B)
by striking pilot
each place it appears;
(C)
by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (k) and (l), respectively; and
(D)
by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
(h) Federal share for Indian tribes
In the case of a grant under the program provided to an eligible entity described in subsection (c)(6), the Federal share of the cost of the project shall be 100 percent.
(i) Tribal technical assistance
(1) In general
The Secretary shall 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.
(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.
(2) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 171 and inserting the following: