Bills of Congress May 20, 2025 by U.S. Congress

S.1823 - Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 (119th Congress)

Summary

The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 (S.1823) aims to authorize livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures to prevent death, injury, or destruction to livestock. The bill allows for the capturing, killing, or dispersing of black vultures, as well as the transportation of their carcasses, under specific conditions. It also mandates that livestock producers who take black vultures must submit annual reports to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Expected Effects

If enacted, the bill would provide livestock producers with a legal means to manage black vulture populations that threaten their livestock, potentially reducing livestock losses. This could lead to decreased financial strain on livestock producers. However, it may also lead to a reduction in black vulture populations and potential impacts on the ecosystem.

Potential Benefits 3/5

- Reduced livestock losses for producers.
- Increased protection for vulnerable livestock.
- Greater flexibility for livestock producers in managing wildlife interactions.
- Potential economic benefits for the livestock industry.
- Clarification of legal boundaries regarding the taking of black vultures.

Most Benefited Areas:

Economic Growth & Job Creation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Business Prosperity & Innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Agricultural Viability & Food Security ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

- Potential negative impact on black vulture populations.
- Possible disruption of the ecosystem due to reduced vulture numbers.
- Ethical concerns related to the killing of wildlife.
- Increased reporting requirements for livestock producers.
- Potential for misuse or abuse of the authorization to take black vultures.

Most Disadvantaged Areas:

Environmental Protection & Climate Action ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Constitutional Alignment 3/5

The bill's alignment with the U.S. Constitution is primarily related to Congress's power to regulate wildlife management, which is generally understood under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8). However, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act already addresses this, and this bill seeks to create an exception. The balance between protecting wildlife and supporting economic activities like livestock production is a policy choice for Congress to make.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).