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S 4548

GROUSE Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Justice

Establish a federal program paying 75% of habitat restoration costs on eligible non-industrial forest land (min 10 acres) to restore upland wildlife habitat.

Introduced in Senate
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Bill Summary · S 4548

Overview

  • Bill: S. 4548 (GROUSE Act of 2026)
  • Session: 119th Congress, 2nd Session
  • Purpose: Amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish an upland species habitat restoration program that pays landowners to restore eligible forest land for upland wildlife habitat.
  • Introduced: May 14, 2026 by Senator Justice; co-sponsor: Jim Justice
  • Referred to: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Main purpose and intent

The GROUSE Act of 2026 seeks to create a targeted federal program under the Food Security Act of 1985 to promote restoration of upland wildlife habitat on certain forest lands. The program would provide payments to landowners who enter contracts with the Secretary of Agriculture to restore native vegetation and early-successional habitat on eligible forest land, with the aim of benefiting upland species.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the Upland Species Habitat Restoration Program (new Sec. 1240N) within the Food Security Act.
  • Eligible land (Section 1240N(b)):
    • Lands must be not less than 10 acres of non-industrial private forest land.
    • Eligible scenarios include:
    • Areas logged commercially within the previous 180 days.
    • Lands currently being commercially logged but not yet cleared for development.
    • Lands currently being commercially logged and planned for forest management (not cleared for development).
    • Lands affected by a major natural disaster (e.g., tornado, hurricane, wildfire, insect infestation) as determined by the Secretary.
    • Ownership cap: landowners cannot receive payments for more than the lesser of 5% of their eligible forest land or 250 acres under this program.
  • Financial assistance (Section 1240N(c)):
    • Payments cover 75% of the costs of habitat restoration activities that establish native vegetation beneficial to upland wildlife.
    • Eligible costs include labor, planting, fertilizer, seedlings, and other materials and practices as determined by the Secretary.
    • The Secretary will establish the amounts of eligible costs under this section.
  • Contracts (Section 1240N(d)):
    • Landowners must submit an application to participate, in a form and manner required by the Secretary.
    • Each contract term can last up to 5 years.
    • Contracts must include a habitat plan developed by the landowner with input from wildlife biologists or foresters (private, NGO, State, or Federal).
  • Technical assistance (Section 1240N(e)):
    • The Secretary may provide technical assistance for planting native trees and shrubs, including through third-party providers per section 1242.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Private, non-industrial forest landowners meeting the eligibility criteria (minimum 10 acres) who seek federal cost-sharing to restore upland habitat.
  • Wildlife and habitat beneficiaries likely include upland wildlife species that rely on early-successional or native vegetation.
  • Federal and state wildlife biologists, foresters, and potentially third-party providers who assist with habitat planning, planting, and technical services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status: Introduced in the Senate on May 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • No explicit funding authorizations or appropriation amounts are listed in the summary text; the bill would authorize a 75% cost-share for eligible restoration activities and set eligibility caps.
  • Contract length is capped at 5 years, with applications required and habitat plans to be developed in coordination with qualified professionals.
  • The program references alignment with existing sections of the Food Security Act (notably by inserting new Sec. 1240N after 1240M).

Potential implications and considerations

  • Encourages restoration of upland habitat on damaged, logged, or naturally affected forest lands, potentially increasing habitat for early-successional wildlife.
  • The 75% cost-share provides a substantial incentive but leaves remaining costs to landowners (25%) and any capital or opportunity costs to consider.
  • Cap on total payments per owner (5% of eligible land or 250 acres) helps limit exposure and distribute program benefits.
  • Implementation would require establishing eligible cost determinations, application procedures, and habitat-plan standards, along with ongoing technical assistance capacity.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar conservation programs or outline potential questions for committee testimony.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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