H.R. 2462: Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 is a proposed piece of legislation that aims to address issues faced by livestock producers regarding black vultures. The key points of the bill include:

Definitions

The bill provides specific definitions for terms used within the legislation:

Black Vulture: Refers to the species Coragyps atratus.
Covered Person: Includes livestock producers and their employees engaged in livestock production.
Director: The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Livestock: Defined according to existing federal definitions regarding livestock.
Livestock Producer: Defined in the same way as above.
Take: Means to capture, kill, or disperse a black vulture, or to transport its carcass.

Authorization for Taking Black Vultures

The bill would allow covered persons to take or attempt to take black vultures under specific circumstances:

A person can take a black vulture if it is causing or is believed to potentially cause death, injury, or destruction to livestock.
While taking a black vulture, a person may cause injury to the bird, but cannot use poison in the process.

Reporting Requirements

Covered persons who take black vultures under the authorization provision would be required to report their actions:

An annual report must be submitted to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service by January 31 of each year, detailing the number of vultures taken in the previous year.
Reports are not required until the Director has developed the necessary reporting form.

Development of Reporting Forms

The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service is required to create a reporting form within 180 days after the bill's enactment for the collection of these reports:

The form must be easily manageable and not more burdensome than similar forms currently in use.

Overall Intent

Overall, the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 is designed to help livestock producers manage the impact of black vultures on their livestock, providing a legal framework for action while ensuring that certain protective regulations are maintained.