H.R.3538 - Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3538, the "Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025," directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Wildlife Confiscations Network. This network aims to assist federal wildlife law enforcement agencies with the placement and care of confiscated animals. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 to be appropriated to the Secretary for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this initiative.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to a more coordinated and efficient system for managing confiscated wildlife. This includes improved care for the animals and better support for law enforcement efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. The establishment of a formal network and database will streamline the process of placing confiscated animals in qualified facilities.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced care and welfare for confiscated animals through specialized facilities.
- Improved coordination among federal agencies and qualified animal care facilities.
- Strengthened law enforcement efforts against wildlife trafficking by providing support for seized animals.
- Reduced burden on ports of entry with limited holding capacity.
- Promotion of forensic documentation and evidentiary integrity in wildlife confiscation cases.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in establishing and managing the network.
- Possible challenges in ensuring consistent standards and quality of care across all qualified facilities.
- Risk of insufficient funding to fully support the network's operations and expansion.
- Limited scope, focusing primarily on confiscated animals and not addressing broader wildlife conservation issues.
- Dependence on the cooperation and participation of various entities, which may not always be guaranteed.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to protect wildlife and combat transnational crime, contributing to the overall well-being of the nation. Congress's power to regulate interstate and international commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for addressing wildlife trafficking. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).