Moskowitz–Donalds Bipartisan Conservation Bill Passes House 400–0

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressmen Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23) and Byron Donalds (R-FL-19) announced that their bipartisan legislation, the Make SWAPs Efficient Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a unanimous 400–0 vote, advancing a commonsense effort to streamline federal approval of state wildlife conservation plans and speed critical funding to the states.

Congressmen Jared Moskowitz and Byron Donalds introduced the Make SWAPs Efficient Act on February 27 to enact much-needed reforms to the federal approval process for State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), which states must submit in order to access wildlife conservation grant funding. The bill was supported by Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL-5), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26), Michael Guest (R-MS-3), Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Daniel Webster (R-FL-11), Mike Haridopolos (R-FL-8), and John James (R-MI-10).

“The State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program is a lifeline for the diverse ecosystems that call Florida home,” said Congressman Moskowitz. “For too long, conservation funds have been delayed by bureaucratic bottlenecks, putting sensitive ecosystems at risk. I’m proud to work with Congressman Donalds on this bipartisan, commonsense solution to get funding out the door faster and ensure our public lands stay protected. This bill shows that cutting red tape is possible when Congress works together.”

For more than 25 years, the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program has helped states develop, revise, and implement wildlife conservation and restoration plans. However, the federal government currently operates without a firm timeline to approve submitted SWAPs, leaving some states waiting 18 months or longer before critical funding can be released.

The Make SWAPs Efficient Act requires the Department of the Interior to approve or deny a State Wildlife Action Plan within 180 days. If no action is taken within that timeframe, the plan is automatically deemed approved, ensuring states are not left waiting indefinitely for critical conservation funding.

The bill has now been received by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for consideration.

For more information on the bipartisan Make SWAPs Efficient Act, click HERE.