Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2025

Conservation of Bird Species: The Secretary can use collected fees to cover administrative costs and conserve populations of bird species affected by authorized activities or those identified as birds of conservation concern (Section 14(b)).

Scientific Advancement and Monitoring: The Secretary is required to establish a research program to better monitor bird populations, understand stressors, and identify or validate mitigation measures (Section 14(f)).

Resource for Bird Recovery: The creation of the Migratory Bird Recovery Fund allows for the management of fees, donations, and appropriations specifically for bird-related functions (Section 14(c)).

Accountability through Reporting: The Secretary must submit reports every five years to Congress regarding the conservation status of birds and the impacts of authorized activities (Section 14(e)).

Civil Penalties for Incidental Take: A person who incidentally takes a migratory bird without an authorization or in violation of a permit may be assessed a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation (Section 2(a), amending Section 6).

Increased Legal Risk: The Secretary is authorized to commence civil actions for appropriate relief, including permanent or temporary injunctions, for any incidental take of a migratory bird without a permit or in violation of permit terms (Section 2(a), amending Section 6).

Potential Financial Burdens for Entities: The Secretary is authorized to collect fees from entities for the purpose of authorizing and administering the incidental take of migratory birds (Section 14(b)).