NEWS: Sens. Schiff & Daines Introduce Legislation to Reduce Conflicts Between Humans and Wildlife in American Outdoors

New bipartisan legislation codifies a 2020 pilot program at USDA aimed at developing effective nonlethal strategies for reducing impacts of wildlife on rural communities, livestock and agriculture

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) are introducing bipartisan legislation to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife, including attacking livestock, damaging human infrastructure, and harming agriculture.

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026 would codify a pilot program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and expand the department's development of nonlethal methods, such as range riding, guard dogs, and electric fencing, in order to reduce human-wildlife conflicts across the American outdoors.

"Ranchers and farmers across California face escalating conflicts with large predators targeting livestock, and our bipartisan legislation to expand nonlethal deterrence methods will protect wildlife, including endangered species. These tools are crucial to ensuring wildlife can safely coexist with humans - reducing wildlife deaths and proactively protecting livestock. This is a win-win for both the environment and California's ranchers," said Senator Schiff.

"Montanans know all too well what it's like to live in a region with large predators, like bears and wolves. This bill will expand funding to implement more nonlethal ways to keep our communities safe from predatory wildlife. This bill is especially important for Montana's farmers and ranchers, who depend on both lethal and nonlethal management for the well-being of their livestock to make a living. I'll work with Senator Schiff to get it across the finish line," said Senator Daines.

The Senators' legislation builds upon the successful work of the Nonlethal Initiative, which USDA piloted through Congressional funding in December 2019. The bill would expand this pilot and authorize it, making the program permanent at USDA.

Across rural counties in northeast California, ranchers and agricultural producers have faced several conflicts, most recently with wolves. The Nonlethal Initiative Program currently operates in 13 states including both California and Montana to deal with livestock depredation - such as from wolves and bears - and wildlife damage to infrastructure - such as beavers.

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026 will:

• Deploy resources to help reduce livestock depredation and conflict with predator species;
• Codify the work of the Nonlethal Initiative into a new Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Program and develop new and effective nonlethal strategies;
• Implement projects to provide direct assistance and share best practices to landowners, agricultural producers, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations;
• Establish monitoring and adaptive management services to improve outcomes of nonlethal strategies over time; and
• Submit an annual report to Congress describing the use of Congressional funds.

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).

"As native wild animals respond to growing environmental pressures and dangerous cuts to protections by the Trump Administration, conflicts between humans and wildlife are bound to increase," said Senator Padilla. "This legislation will help bolster humane strategies and programs to reduce conflicts while still protecting Americans, their livestock, and California's wildlife."

"As ranchers struggle with livestock depredation, we must support our rural communities by giving them the tools and economic support they need to tackle this threat to their livelihoods," said Senator Merkley. "Our bipartisan bill is a common-sense approach to reduce conflicts between livestock and wildlife by supporting non-lethal management strategies, which are a proven tool and essential to collaborative wildlife management."

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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