Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026

Under the Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026 (S. 5234), the Secretary of Agriculture would be required to establish a "Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Program" by amending a 1931 statute. The Program would develop, coordinate, and implement nonlethal methods to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife and between livestock and predators, including livestock depredation. It would absorb the existing Nonlethal Initiative run by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Priorities would include states where that initiative already operates, reducing predator conflicts with livestock, and reducing wildlife damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

The Program would affect landowners, agricultural producers, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal agency personnel, who could receive assistance, best-practice guidance, and training in nonlethal conflict-reduction strategies. States could request help developing or updating their own plans for using these strategies. The Secretary would also be directed to fund research on the effectiveness of nonlethal methods and to report annually to Congress on fund use, species affected, and strategy outcomes. The bill authorizes $20 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with no more than 10% of annual funding going to research.

The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 4, 2026, by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) with four cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. It would need to be approved by that committee, pass both chambers of Congress, and be signed into law before taking effect.

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