Bill · H.R. 6568· House(119-HR-6568)
Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act
- Introduced
- 12/10/2025
- Last activity
- 2/4/2026 — Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Sponsored by
- Troy Downing
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act'', seeks to establish clear ownership of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It mandates that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the channel. This ensures that the responsibility for conserving the endangered pallid sturgeon remains a Federal duty. The legislation specifically prevents the costs or operational burdens of the bypass channel from being shifted to the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District or Project. It also provides for ongoing federal funding to maintain the channel and its biological functions.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill ensures the continuous operation and maintenance of the fish bypass channel to protect endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species.
Would farmers be better off under this?+6
The bill ensures that the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District is not burdened with the costs of federal environmental mitigation, protecting agricultural stability.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
By preventing the transfer of federal mitigation costs to local entities, the bill protects irrigation districts and their members from undue financial liability.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of local water entities: The bill ensures that the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District and the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project are not burdened with financial or operational responsibilities for the fish bypass channel (Section 2, Section 4).
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Long-term conservation of native species: The Act maintains Federal responsibility for the conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species through the operation of the bypass channel (Section 2, Section 5).
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Guaranteed funding for infrastructure: The bill authorizes $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter to ensure the continuous operation, repair, and upgrading of the fish bypass channel (Section 8).
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Legal recourse for stakeholders: It provides a right for the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District, the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, and affected stakeholders to file complaints in Federal District Court if the Secretary attempts to transfer responsibilities to non-Federal entities (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned within the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+6Good For Business Owners+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Rural Development+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- 2/4/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 1/28/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 12/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.