Legislative Hearing on 3276, 6021, 6568 and 7159 | Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on February 5, 2026, to discuss four bills related to wildlife conservation, cultural heritage, and regulatory reforms. Key bills included H.R. 7159, the Protecting Local Zoos Act, which aims to amend the Big Cat Public Safety Act of 2022 to ease regulatory burdens on small zoological institutions while maintaining public safety and conservation efforts. Concerns were raised about potential loopholes that could enable wildlife trafficking and undermine protections for big cats. H.R. 6021, the Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act, was discussed to protect Alaska Native artists from prosecution related to the use of migratory bird feathers in traditional artwork, emphasizing cultural preservation and economic support for remote communities. H.R. 6568, the Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act, was presented to ensure federal responsibility and funding for the operation and maintenance of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel, protecting endangered fish species without shifting costs to local farmers. Lastly, H.R. 3276, the Local Communities and Bird Habitat Stewardship Act, was highlighted as a bipartisan effort to authorize and fund urban bird conservation grant programs. The hearing featured testimonies from lawmakers, tribal leaders, conservationists, and law enforcement experts, focusing on balancing conservation goals, cultural rights, regulatory clarity, and public safety.