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HR3538FEDERALSession 119Federal Billin committee

Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025

Last action · June 24, 2025: Subcommittee Hearings HeldSponsors: Andrew Garbarino and 22 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to create a nationwide network of zoos, aquariums, and rescue organizations to help federal agents care for live animals seized at U.S. borders. The program aims to expand a successful pilot project in Southern California to provide immediate housing and medical care for confiscated wildlife.

Why it matters

This bill establishes a formal system to manage the care of thousands of live animals seized annually by federal agents, shifting the logistical burden of housing and medical treatment from government agencies to a network of private and non-profit facilities.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Federal wildlife law enforcement agencies

These agencies will use the Network as a single point of contact for the placement and care of seized animals.

Directly affected

Zoological and animal care facilities

These entities may apply to join the Network to provide triage and long-term housing for confiscated wildlife.

Key Facts

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a nationwide 'Wildlife Confiscations Network'.
Creates a voluntary, cooperative program to assist federal law enforcement with the placement and care of confiscated live animals.
Requires the Network to maintain a database of 'qualified animal care facilities' for triage and long-term housing.
Establishes a committee to review and approve applications from zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, rescue groups, and universities to join the network.

Show all 9 facts

Designates the Network as the single point of contact for federal agents needing to place seized wildlife.
Defines 'confiscated animal' as a CITES-listed or threatened/endangered species seized at a U.S. border or port.
Requires the Secretary to partner with a professional accrediting zoological association.
Notes that between 2015 and 2019, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service handled 834 cases involving 48,793 individual live animals.
Cites the success of a Southern California pilot program that placed over 4,100 animals in two years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of animals does this bill cover?

It covers animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) or species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Who can join the Wildlife Confiscations Network?

Qualified zoological facilities, aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries, animal rescue or rehabilitation organizations, universities, and nongovernmental organizations can apply if they meet specific care expertise requirements.

Is this a mandatory program for zoos and sanctuaries?

No, the bill describes the program as a voluntary, cooperative partnership.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jun 24, 2025House
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 23, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
May 21, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 21, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Outsourcing Wildlife Care

The bill explicitly cites OMB Circular A-76 to justify moving the care of confiscated wildlife from government responsibility to private and non-profit facilities.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Connected Entities

Mike Quigley, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Andrew Garbarino and 2 more

PersonMike Quigley“U.S. Representative who co-sponsored the bill.”Map →

OrganizationAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums“Partner in the existing pilot program.”Map →

PersonAndrew Garbarino“U.S. Representative who introduced the bill.”Map →

PersonDonald Trump“Referenced regarding Executive Order No. 13773.”Map →

OrganizationU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service“The federal agency responsible for implementing the network.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.congress.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment15
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

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