S 1823

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 20, 2025

Mr. Mullin (for himself, Mr. Tuberville, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Scott of Florida, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Hagerty, Mr. Budd, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Hyde- Smith, and Mr. Graham) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To authorize livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures to prevent death, injury, or destruction to livestock, 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 “Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025”.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE CERTAIN BLACK VULTURES.

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Black vulture.—The term “black vulture” means a bird of the species Coragyps atratus.

(2) Covered person.—The term “covered person” means—

(A) a livestock producer; or

(B) an employee of a livestock producer when the employee is actively engaged in livestock production.

(3) Director.—The term “Director” means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

(4) Livestock.—The term “livestock” has the meaning given the term in section 602 of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471).

(5) Livestock producer.—The term “livestock producer” has the meaning given the term in section 602 of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471).

(6) Take.—The term “take” means—

(A) to capture, kill, or disperse a black vulture; or

(B) to transport a black vulture carcass.

(b) Authorization.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), notwithstanding the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), a covered person may—

(A) take or attempt to take a black vulture that is causing, or that the covered person has a reasonable belief will cause, death, injury, or destruction to livestock; or

(B) in the course of taking or attempting to take a black vulture described in subparagraph (A), cause injury to the black vulture.

(2) Prohibition.—A covered person may not take or attempt to take a black vulture through the use of poison.

(c) Reports.—

(1) In general.—Not later than January 31 of each year, a covered person that takes a black vulture in accordance with subsection (b) in the preceding 12-month period shall complete and submit to the appropriate United States Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office (as determined by the geographic jurisdictions described in section 2.2 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) a report using the form developed by the Director under subsection (d).

(2) Clarification.—A covered person shall not be required to submit a report under paragraph (1) until after the date on which the Director develops and makes available the reporting form under subsection (d).

(d) Reporting Forms.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop and make available on the website of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service a reporting form the Director determines appropriate for the purposes of accepting reports under subsection (c).

(2) Format.—The form developed and made available under paragraph (1) may not be more onerous to complete than similar forms required for permitted take under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.) as of the date of enactment of this Act. <all>