119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 3268

Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025

Introduced

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill, the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025, directs the Administrator of General Services to reduce bird fatalities caused by collisions with federal buildings. It requires the agency to incorporate bird-safe features and strategies into the design, construction, and maintenance of public buildings, including developing a design guide with best practices. The bill also mandates regular updates to the design guide and reporting on compliance and bird fatality assessments.

Key provisions

Requires the Administrator of General Services to incorporate bird-safe features into public buildings.
Directs the development of a design guide for bird-safe building practices.
Specifies best practices to include lighting considerations and recommendations from experts.
Establishes a process for identifying and disseminating best practices.
Requires regular updates to the design guide.
Mandates reporting to Congress on compliance and bird fatality assessments.
Exempts certain buildings, including historic landmarks, the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Capitol.
Requires certification to Congress on the use of the design guide.

Who is affected

Federal Agencies
The Administrator of General Services
Building Contractors
Bird Conservation Organizations
Federal Building Owners

Notable changes

Introduces a formal requirement for bird-safe building practices in federal facilities.

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Legislative history

2025-05-08House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

2025-05-08House

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

2025-05-08

Introduced in House

2025-05-08

Introduced in House

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May 8, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

H. R. 3268

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To amend title 40, United States Code, to direct the Administrator of General Services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatalities resulting from collisions with certain public buildings, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025

2.Use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in public buildings

(a)In generalChapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

3319.Use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in public buildings

(a)Construction, alteration, and acquisition of public buildingsThe Administrator of General Services shall incorporate, to the extent practicable, features, practices, and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with public buildings for each public building—

(1)

constructed;

(2)

acquired; or

(3)

of which more than 50 percent of the facade is substantially altered (in the opinion of the Commissioner of Public Buildings).

(b)Design guideThe Administrator shall develop a design guide to carry out subsection (a) that includes the following:

(1)Features for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings throughout all construction phases, taking into account the risks and available information on bird fatalities that occur at different types of public buildings.

(2)Methods and strategies for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings during the operation and maintenance of such buildings, including installing interior, exterior, and site lighting.

(3)Best practices for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings, including—

(A)

a description of the reasons for adopting such practices; and

(B)

an explanation for the omission of a best practice identified pursuant to subsection (c).

(c)Identifying best practicesTo carry out subsection (b)(3), the Administrator may identify best practices for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings, including best practices recommended by—

(1)

Federal agencies with expertise in bird conservation;

(2)

nongovernmental organizations with expertise in bird conservation; and

(3)

representatives of green building certification systems.

(d)Dissemination of design guideThe Administrator shall disseminate the design guide developed pursuant to subsection (b) to all Federal agencies, subagencies, and departments with independent leasing authority from the Administrator.

(e)Update to design guideThe Administrator shall, on a regular basis, update the design guide developed pursuant to subsection (b) with respect to the priorities of the Administrator for reducing bird fatalities resulting from collisions with public buildings.

(f)Exempt buildings

This section shall not apply to—

(1)any building or site listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register of Historic Places;

(2)the White House and the grounds of the White House;

(3)the Supreme Court building and the grounds of the Supreme Court; or

(4)the United States Capitol and any building on the grounds of the Capitol.

(g)ComplianceNot later than October 1 of each fiscal year, the Administrator, acting through the Commissioner, shall gather information on compliance with and certify to Congress that the Administrator uses the design guide developed pursuant to subsection (b) for each public building described in subsection (a).

(h)Report

Not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that includes—

(1)

the information under subsection (g);

(2)to the extent practicable, an assessment of bird fatalities that occurred as a result of a collision with the public buildings occupied by the respective head of each Federal agency; and

(3)

any recommendations to reduce the risk of bird fatalities in and around public buildings occupied by Federal agencies.

(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

3319. Use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies in public buildings.

HR 3268

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Positions across the country

Arguments in favor

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Bill text

Positions across the country