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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 3538

Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025

Wildlife Confiscations Network: Caring for Seized Animals

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It is being reviewed by a House subcommittee, which recently held hearings to discuss the proposal. The bill is actively moving forward as it continues to be studied by committee members.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law
Could go either way

The bill has support from both parties and is based on a successful local test program, but it still needs to clear the committee process and secure funding.

Key Points

  • The bill creates a national group called the Wildlife Confiscations Network to care for animals taken from illegal traders. Right now, border agents often lack the space or training to look after thousands of live animals like exotic birds, reptiles, and monkeys caught at ports of entry.
  • A new database will list approved zoos, aquariums, and sanctuaries that can take in these animals quickly. This allows law enforcement to focus on catching criminals while experts handle the health and safety of the rescued wildlife.
  • This plan builds on a successful test program in Southern California that helped over 4,100 animals in just two years. The bill would expand this system across the entire country to handle the roughly 30 live animals seized every single day.
  • The government would provide $5 million each year through 2030 to run the network. This money helps pay for the coordination and care needed to keep these animals alive and healthy while they are used as evidence in court cases.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

4 milestones4 actions
Jun 24, 2025House

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Jun 23, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

May 21, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

May 21, 2025

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 3538
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionSubcommittee Hearings Held

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(19)
D: 14R: 5

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.