Testimony on Bird Conservation, Fish Conversation, and Private Big Cat Ownership Bills

House Natural Resources Committee
   Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee
1324 Longworth

02/04/2026 at 10:00AM

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:

  • H.R. 3276 (Rep. Dingell),“Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025”, to authorize up to $1 million a year to support voluntary urban bird conservation activities
  • H.R. 6021 (Rep. Begich),“Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act”, to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act so that it does not ban the possession, sale, or transport of authentic Alaskan Native handicrafts and artwork made with natural materials, such as migratory bird feathers
  • H.R. 6568 (Rep. Downing),“Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act”, to reduce eastern Montana and western North Dakota farmers’ financial and operational obligations associated with the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel
  • H.R. 7159 (Rep. Gosar),“Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026”, to make it easier for private entities to own lions, tigers, and other big cats, and to permit the ownership of snow leopards and clouded leopards

Hearing memo

Witnesses:

Panel I (Members of Congress)

  • To Be Announced

Panel II (Outside Experts)

  • Megan Onders, Chief, King Island Native Community, Nome, Alaska [H.R. 6021]
  • James Brower, Manager, Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project, Sidney, Montana [H.R. 6568]
  • Mindy Stinner, Chair, Feline Conservation Foundation, Burlington, North Carolina [H.R. 7159]
  • Matthew Bryant, Resident in Charge (Retired), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Midlothian, Texas [H.R. 7159] (Minority Witness)