Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of 2011

3/14/2024, 12:36 PM

Congressional Summary of S 357

Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of 2011 - (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the governor of a potentially affected state, to declare in such state a wildlife disease emergency for a disease that affects wildlife: (1) within the United States; or (2) outside the United States, but with the potential to enter the United States.

Requires the Secretary, in making such a declaration, to consider: (1) the level of threat the disease poses to affected wildlife populations; (2) the sufficiency of resources available in the fund established by this Act; (3) the ability of the Department of the Interior and other agencies, tribal governments, and other stakeholders to address and coordinate a response to the disease through other means; and (4) the request of any state governor to make such a declaration.

Directs the Secretary, upon making such a declaration, to lead a coordinated response to the emergency.

Authorizes the Secretary to implement a grant program to provide grants to state wildlife agencies and Indian tribes to coordinate the response to, and address, such declared emergencies.

(Sec. 5) Establishes in the Treasury a Wildlife Disease Emergency Fund, to be administered by the Secretary.

Requires the Fund to consist of such amounts as are appropriated to the Fund and that are received as donations, gifts, or contributions.

Prohibits amounts in the Fund from being made available for any purpose other than to respond to a declared emergency.

Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the operation of the Fund.

Requires a separate statement concerning the Fund in the President's annual budget submission to Congress.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to establish a Wildlife Disease Committee to assist the Secretary in increasing the level of preparedness needed to address emerging wildlife diseases.

Requires the Committee to: (1) advise the Secretary on risk assessment, preparation, monitoring, research, and response to wildlife diseases that may significantly impact the health and sustainability of wildlife populations; and (2) as appropriate, draft documents related to such activities.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to convene rapid response teams to address any wildlife disease emergency.

(Sec. 8) Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) limiting the Secretary's authority to respond to wildlife disease events that are not declared emergencies; (2) affecting the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the states to manage, control, or regulate fish and resident wildlife under any state law; (3) granting authority to any public agency to acquire private property or conservation easements or otherwise infringe any use of private property; or (4) limiting, repealing, superseding, or modifying any provision of law.

Current Status of Bill S 357

Bill S 357 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 15, 2011. Bill S 357 was introduced during Congress 112 and was introduced to the Senate on February 15, 2011.  Bill S 357's most recent activity was Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 515. as of September 19, 2012

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 357

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
5
Democrat Cosponsors
4
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
1

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 357

Primary Policy Focus

Animals

Potential Impact Areas

Advisory bodiesAnimal and plant healthEndangered and threatened speciesGovernment trust fundsInfectious and parasitic diseasesVeterinary medicine and animal diseasesWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 357

Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of 2011A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to identify and declare wildlife disease emergencies and to coordinate rapid response to those emergencies, and for other purposes.Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of 2011Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of 2011
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