An act to assist the States in developing fish and wildlife conservation plans and actions, and for other purposes.
Public Law 96-366 · H.R. 3292 · 96th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Sep 29, 1980 · Animals
Sponsor: Rep. Edwin Forsythe (R-NJ-6)
Cosponsors (30): Rep. John Murphy, Rep. Pete McCloskey,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 - Establishes a program of financial and technical assistance to States for the development and revisions of nongame fish and wildlife conservation plans. Encourages all Federal departments and agencies to utilize their statutory and administrative authorities in furtherance of the policy of this Act.
States that such plans shall: (1) vest overall plan development responsibility in a designated State agency; (2) provide for an inventory of the nongame fish and wildlife, and other appropriate fish and wildlife of value to the public; (3) specify certain identifying and geographical factors relating to such species; (4) identify problems which may adversely affect the plan species and their habitats; (5) determine intended State actions to conserve the plan species and habitats; (6) establish priorities for implementing such actions; (7) provide for monitoring the plan species and the effectiveness of such actions; (8) provide for plan review and revision; (9) ensure public participation in plan development and revision; and (10) provide that the designated State agency consult and coordinate actions with appropriate Federal, State, local, and regional agencies in developing such plans to avoid duplication of effort.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to approve any such plans or actions which are substantial in character and design unless implementation would threaten the natural stability or continued viability of any plan species concerned. Permits the Secretary to deem certain conservation actions to be reimbursable nongame fish and wildlife projects in the absense of an approved plan under certain conditions.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse eligible States for costs incurred in connection with development and revision of conservation plans and actions, subject to specified limitations. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations setting forth the terms and conditions of such reimbursement. Sets forth a formula for allocation of funds for administration and reimbursement of States.
Authorizes Federal agencies to assist any State in developing or revising such plans.
States that nothing in this Act shall affect: (1) State regulation of fish and wildlife; (2) the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to control predatory or wild animals; and (3) State requirements that acquisitions be from willing sellers.
Authorizes appropriations for the purposes of making reimbursements to States and for administering this Act.
Directs the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study the most equitable and effective mechanism for funding projects under this Act and submit the results and recommendations to the appropriate congressional committees.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · referred to, reported by
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 14 actions.
- Sep 29, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-366.
- Sep 19, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Sep 18, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Sep 16, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments.
- Sep 9, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Jul 10, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Jul 9, 1979FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- May 15, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Mar 28, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.