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Stronger Protection for Wildlife Refuges: Compensation for Resource Damage.

This law grants the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service new authority to sue individuals or entities that damage natural, historical, or cultural resources within protected areas like National Wildlife Refuges. Compensation recovered from these lawsuits must be used directly for repairing the damage, restoring the environment, or acquiring equivalent resources. This ensures that public protected lands can be restored more effectively and promptly following incidents or destruction.
Key points
The government can sue individuals or entities that destroy resources (e.g., wildlife, plants, historical sites) in refuges and fish hatcheries.
Compensation covers the cost of repairing, replacing damaged resources, and the value of lost public use of those resources.
All recovered funds are dedicated specifically to restoring the damaged areas, ensuring money goes back to conservation efforts.
A minimum damage threshold of $5,000 is established, below which the government will not initiate legal action.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_6583
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]
Process start date: 2023-12-04
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Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Refuge System Protection Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_6583.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-12-04.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The government can sue individuals or entities that destroy resources (e.g., wildlife, plants, historical sites) in refuges and fish hatcheries.
  • Compensation covers the cost of repairing, replacing damaged resources, and the value of lost public use of those resources.
  • All recovered funds are dedicated specifically to restoring the damaged areas, ensuring money goes back to conservation efforts.
  • A minimum damage threshold of $5,000 is established, below which the government will not initiate legal action.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-30.

CATEGORIES

Environment Courts and Law