Bill · S. 4091· Senate(119-S-4091)
Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/12/2026
- Last activity
- 3/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 updates the Food Security Act of 1985 to improve wildlife migration corridors and habitat connectivity. It defines "native big game species" and expands several conservation programs to focus on these animals. The bill allows for new cost-share payments for certain grasslands and increases the limit for rental payments under the conservation reserve program. It also promotes nonstructural livestock management, such as virtual fencing. Finally, it authorizes research grants to study virtual fencing and its effects on resources and range health.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
Specifically designed to improve wildlife migration corridors and habitat connectivity for big game species.
Would farmers be better off under this?+7
Directly benefits farmers through increased CRP payments and cost-share opportunities for conservation.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+6
Promotes better management of working lands to support biodiversity and ecological processes.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill expands funding for conservation programs and research grants.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
Increased payment limits and new cost-share payments likely increase federal spending.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-1
Increases federal expenditures on conservation payments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Payment Limits: The bill increases the payment limitation for rental payments under the conservation reserve program from $50,000 to $125,000 (Section 2(c)(3)).
- New Financial Support for Landowners: Producers may receive payments for the planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training for eligible land enrolled in the conservation reserve program that is of ecological significance (Section 2(c)(1)(A) and 2(c)(2)(A)).
- Technical Assistance: The Secretary must ensure that adequate technical assistance is available for people implementing nonstructural methods (like virtual fencing) and other practices that support habitat connectivity (Section 2(e)(2)).
- Research Opportunities: Research and extension grants can be provided to study virtual fencing technology and its impact on range health and natural resources (Section 3).
- Protection of Land Use: The bill ensures that activities to enhance wildlife corridors will not prevent or alter emergency haying or emergency grazing (Section 2(c)(1)(B)(ii) and 2(c)(2)(B)(ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Payment Restrictions: Producers cannot receive cost-share payments for practices if they are already receiving payments or benefits for the same practice on the same land under another Federal program, with the exception of the conservation reserve program (Section 2(c)(1)(B)(i) and 2(c)(2)(B)(i)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+6Improves Rural Development+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+7Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Business Owners+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Improves Economic Growth+1Increases Job Creation+1Reduces Government Spending-2Improves Fiscal Responsibility-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 3/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana