Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 1500Government buildings, facilities, and propertyHorticulture and plants

Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act

INTRO FEB 21· LAST ACTION FEB 21

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WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it represents a shift in how the federal government manages its vast land and facilities, moving towards more environmentally conscious landscaping. If passed, it would promote biodiversity by creating crucial habitats for native insects and animals, especially pollinators, which are vital for agriculture and ecosystem health. It could also lead to significant reductions in water consumption on federal properties, as native plants are often more drought-tolerant and adapted to local climates, requiring less irrigation and fewer chemical inputs like pesticides or fertilizers.

Without this bill, federal landscaping practices would likely continue without a specific mandate to prioritize native plants, potentially missing opportunities to enhance local ecosystems and reduce environmental impacts. By setting this standard, the bill could also serve as an example for state and local governments, as well as private landowners, to adopt similar practices, leading to broader ecological benefits across the country.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires Federal agencies to prioritize the use of native plants in construction and maintenance projects involving landscape improvements.

This mandates a significant change in federal landscaping practices, promoting ecological restoration and habitat creation.

PROVISION 02

Encourages the use of native plants on appropriate areas of existing or planned turfgrass and lawns at federal facilities.

This expands the scope to include common lawn areas, offering opportunities to increase native plant cover even in less wild spaces.

PROVISION 03

Directs Federal agencies to include these native plant requirements in contracts with outside companies and their subcontracts.

This ensures that private contractors performing work for the federal government adhere to the same environmental standards.

PROVISION 04

Mandates that Federal agencies update their facility design standards and landscape requirements to incorporate native plant use.

This provision ensures that the new native plant policy is formally integrated into agency planning and operational guidelines.

PROVISION 05

Requires the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to issue guidance and regularly report on federal agencies' native plant usage.

This establishes oversight and provides a mechanism for continuous improvement and public transparency regarding native plant implementation.

SPONSORSHIP

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 21

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 21

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 1500

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedFeb 21, 2025

Last actionFeb 21, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 21, 2025

House BillHR 1500Government buildings, facilities, and propertyHorticulture and plants

Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act

INTRODUCED FEB 21, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 21, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

4 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires Federal agencies to prioritize the use of native plants in construction and maintenance projects involving landscape improvements.

This mandates a significant change in federal landscaping practices, promoting ecological restoration and habitat creation.

med

Encourages the use of native plants on appropriate areas of existing or planned turfgrass and lawns at federal facilities.

This expands the scope to include common lawn areas, offering opportunities to increase native plant cover even in less wild spaces.

med

Directs Federal agencies to include these native plant requirements in contracts with outside companies and their subcontracts.

This ensures that private contractors performing work for the federal government adhere to the same environmental standards.

high

Mandates that Federal agencies update their facility design standards and landscape requirements to incorporate native plant use.

This provision ensures that the new native plant policy is formally integrated into agency planning and operational guidelines.

med

Requires the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to issue guidance and regularly report on federal agencies' native plant usage.

This establishes oversight and provides a mechanism for continuous improvement and public transparency regarding native plant implementation.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Federal agencies must prioritize and consider native plants in federal projects (except turfgrass and lawns) for landscape planting improvements.

Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Federal agencies that maintain agency-specific facility design standards or landscape and maintenance development requirements/standards must update those in accordance with the Act.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter

The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) shall distribute guidance on the use of native plants in Federal projects and implementing the requirements.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter

The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) shall make a report publicly available on the use of native plants in Federal projects for at least the previous 2 years.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Federal agency: An Executive agency of the U.S. government, such as the Department of Defense or the General Services Administration.
Federal project: A construction or maintenance activity carried out by a federal agency at a federal facility that involves landscape planting improvements.
Native plant: A plant species that occurs naturally in a specific region or ecosystem without human introduction, typically referring to plants that have existed in a particular area since before European settlement.
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ): A small agency within the Executive Office of the President that advises the President on environmental policy and works with federal agencies to implement environmental laws.
Turfgrass: Grasses specifically cultivated to form a lawn or playing surface, often referring to non-native species commonly used for lawns.
Enactment date: The date when a bill officially becomes law after being passed by Congress and signed by the President.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 21, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 21, 25

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

INTROREFERRAL

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Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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