March 5, 2025
Mr. Schatz (for himself and Ms. Hirono) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To establish a competitive grant program to support the conservation and recovery of native plant, fungi, and animal species in the State of Hawaii, 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 Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—
(A)
the State;
(B)
a unit of local government in the State;
(C)
a Native Hawaiian organization;
(D)
a nonprofit organization;
(E)
a business; and
(F)
an institution of higher education.
(2) Grant program
The term grant program means the Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program established under section 3(a).
(3) Native Hawaiian organization
The term Native Hawaiian organization has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the NATIVE Act (25 U.S.C. 4352).
(4) Native species
The term native species means a plant, fungi, or animal species that is native to the State.
(5) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(6) State
The term State means the State of Hawaii.
Sec. 3. Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program
(a) Establishment
Not later than 180 days after the date on which amounts are appropriated to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall establish a grant program, to be known as the Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program
, to annually provide, through cooperative agreements, grants, micro grants, or other means, funding to eligible entities to carry out projects that—
(1)
achieve the funding priorities developed under subsection (c); and
(2)
meet the criteria developed under subsection (e).
(b) Purposes
The grant program shall identify priorities and provide funding and technical assistance to carry out coordinated, evidence-based conservation and recovery projects in the State—
(1)
to prevent and mitigate the introduction and spread of invasive species, pests, and diseases that threaten native species;
(2)
to address the ecological consequences of climate change on native species;
(3)
to address loss and degradation of native species' habitats;
(4)
to manage, maintain, and restore populations of native species;
(5)
to increase scientific capacity to support the planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary for the conservation and recovery of native species;
(6)
to improve information collection, ecological monitoring, and management relating to the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and
(7)
to engage the public through outreach, education, and community involvement to increase capacity and support for the conservation and recovery of native species in the State.
(c) Development of priorities
In carrying out the grant program, the Secretary shall coordinate with the following individuals to develop annual, evidence-based funding priorities for the grant program that support the purposes described in subsection (b):
(1)
The heads of Federal agencies, including—
(A)
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or a designee);
(B)
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (or a designee);
(C)
the Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee); and
(D)
the head of any other applicable Federal agency (or a designee), as determined by the Secretary.
(2)
The Chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources (or a designee).
(3)
The Chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture (or a designee).
(4)
Any other relevant stakeholder involved in the conservation and recovery of native species in the State that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(d) Request for proposals
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register an annual request for proposals, in accordance with the funding priorities developed under subsection (c).
(e) Criteria
The Secretary, in coordination with the individuals described in subsection (c), shall annually develop criteria for ranking project proposals to receive funding under the grant program.
(f) Recusal
If the State or a unit of local government in the State applies for a grant under the grant program, then the individuals described in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c) who are representatives of the State or that unit of local government, as applicable, shall recuse themselves from all funding decisions relating to those applications.
(g) Cost sharing
(1) Federal share
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under the grant program shall not exceed 75 percent.
(B) Exceptions
The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under the grant program may be 100 percent, as determined by the Secretary—
(i)
for any project, in the discretion of the Secretary; or
(ii)
if the project—
(I)
is carried out by a Native Hawaiian organization;
(II)
significantly contributes to youth workforce readiness in the implementation of the project; or
(III)
is carried out using a grant awarded under the grant program in an amount of not more than $50,000.
(2) In-kind contributions
The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under the grant program may be provided in the form of an in-kind contribution of services, materials, or access to land.
(h) Requirement
Of the amounts made available to carry out the grant program for each fiscal year, not less than 5 percent shall be used to award grants for projects described in subclauses (I) through (III) of subsection (g)(1)(B)(ii).
(i) Technical assistance
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to eligible entities to assist in the implementation of projects that receive funding under the grant program.
(j) Consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations
The Secretary, in carrying out the grant program, shall consult with Native Hawaiian organizations with respect to any project that receives funding under the grant program with implications for the Native Hawaiian community.
(k) Supplement, not supplant
Funds made available to carry out the grant program for each fiscal year shall supplement and not supplant other funds made available to carry out the purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (b) in the State.
Sec. 4. Annual report
Annually, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this Act, including—
(1)
a description of each project that has received funding under the grant program; and
(2)
the status of each project described in paragraph (1) that is in progress on the date of submission of the applicable report.
Sec. 5. Authorization of appropriations
(a) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $30,000,000 for the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act and for each of the 9 fiscal years thereafter.
(b) Administrative expenses
Of the amounts made available for each fiscal year under subsection (a), the Secretary shall use not more than 5 percent for administrative expenses relating to carrying out the grant program.