Contact Congress about S. 1149: Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2023

States, Tribes, and federal wildlife officials would get steady new money to protect at-risk wildlife and restore habitat. The bill also sets rules for how much must go to endangered species work and how the money must be reported.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2023 is a Senate bill in Congress.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects the agencies and governments that run wildlife programs. State wildlife agencies, Tribal governments, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would receive and manage most of the new money. Landowners, conservation groups, outdoor recreation users, and industries that deal with endangered species reviews could also feel effects from the projects and federal review work funded by the bill.

Why this matters: Wildlife programs often lack steady money, and this bill would give them a much larger long-term funding source. That could help states and Tribes act before species become endangered. It could also help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service move more endangered species recovery work and federal review work forward. The tradeoff is that the bill commits large federal spending and creates several new funding rules that agencies would have to manage well.

Key provisions in S. 1149

• The bill creates a Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount inside the existing Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund. The Treasury would transfer $850 million in fiscal year 2024, $1.1 billion in 2025, $1.2 billion in 2026, and $1.3 billion each year starting in 2027.
• The new money must add to current wildlife and sport fish funds. It cannot replace existing Pittman-Robertson or Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration money.
• The bill sets aside 10% of the state subaccount money for competitive innovation grants. State, territorial, Washington, D.C., and regional wildlife agencies could apply, and a review group with agency and nonprofit members would help evaluate projects.
• States must use the money to carry out and improve their Wildlife Conservation Strategies, which are state plans for protecting at-risk species and habitat. Allowed uses include listed species recovery, habitat work, invasive species and disease control, education, recreation, and related wildlife law enforcement.
• Each state, territory, and Washington, D.C., must spend an average of at least 15% over five years on recovering federally or state-listed species. This rule does not apply if the Secretary finds those species’ recovery needs are already being met.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1149

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 1149

What is S. 1149?

States, Tribes, and federal wildlife officials would get steady new money to protect at-risk wildlife and restore habitat. The bill also sets rules for how much must go to endangered species work and how the money must be reported.

How do I support or oppose S. 1149?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 1149?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 1149?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.