H.R.3268 - Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3268, the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025, aims to reduce bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings. It directs the Administrator of General Services to incorporate bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in the construction, alteration, and acquisition of public buildings. The bill also mandates the development and dissemination of a design guide for federal agencies, along with regular updates and compliance reporting to Congress.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to changes in building design and maintenance practices for federal buildings. These changes will focus on reducing bird collisions. This could involve using bird-friendly glass, minimizing nighttime lighting, and implementing other strategies to deter birds from striking buildings.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced bird fatalities, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
- Increased awareness of bird-building collision issues among federal agencies.
- Development of a design guide that can be used as a resource for bird-safe building practices.
- Potential for innovation in building materials and design to minimize environmental impact.
- Enhanced public image of the federal government as environmentally responsible.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased costs for construction, alteration, and acquisition of public buildings.
- Possible delays in project timelines due to the incorporation of new design features.
- Exemptions for historic buildings, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Capitol may limit the overall impact.
- The effectiveness of the measures will depend on the thoroughness and implementation of the design guide.
- Reporting requirements may add administrative burden to the General Services Administration.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it promotes environmental conservation and biodiversity. Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to federal property and the operations of the federal government under Article I, Section 8. The bill does not appear to infringe on 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).