Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) to reauthorize and revise the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act became law on April 24 with President Joe Biden’s signature.
“The passage of this bill represents a historic step forward in the protection of our South Florida ecosystem,” Rep. Salazar said. “The federal government has made a significant investment in protecting our migratory birds by directing critical funding towards research and conservation efforts.”
Biden signed into law the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act, H.R. 4389, which Rep. Salazar sponsored in June 2023 with three original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Rick Larsen (D-WA).
The measure reauthorizes through fiscal year 2028 the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, which provides financial assistance for projects to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory birds.
Additionally, the bill increases the cap on the federal share of project costs, and directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to report on an advisory group established under the act, according to the congressional record bill summary.
H.R. 4389 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on April 9 and the U.S. Senate approved it on April 17 before sending it on to the president.