What is the Botany Bill?

Work on the Botany Bill began in early 2015. It was introduced to the House of Representatives (H.R. 1054) on February 14, 2017 (by Rep Quigley (D-IL), co-sponsor Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)) and the Senate (S.3240) on July 18, 2018 (by Sen. Hirono (D-HI), cosponsors Duckworth (D-IL), Van Hollen (D-MD), and Whitehouse (D-RI).

This legislation is intended to promote botanical research and botanical sciences capacity (including botanical education), generate demand for native plant materials, and authorize related federal activities. This bipartisan legislation allows federal agencies to act with the expertise required to preserve unique American landscapes and emphasizes the importance of protecting native plants and plant ecosystems.

This legislation promotes and supports native plant research and use by:

Employing and training more botanists
  • Authorize the Bureau of Land Management to hire twenty additional Botanical Science Personnel  
  • Create a program of educational loan forgiveness for Botanical Sciences Personnel
Providing Research Funding
  • Develop effective approaches to habitat restoration
  • Methods for developing and using locally adapted native plant materials
  • Combat invasive, non-native species
  • Create mitigation strategies for medium and long term environment change
  • Promoting the recovery of threatened and endangered species
Promoting the native seed industry
  • Authorize preference for the use of locally-adapted native plant materials in new federal construction
  • Use native plants for highway and infrastructure projects 

For more information on HR1054, read the bill summary, Rep. Quigley's press release, Rep Ros-Lehtinen's press release, or download the full bill. You can also track the bill's progress here. There are currently 25 cosponsors - is your representative one of them?

For more information on S3240, read Sen. Hirono's press release and track the bill's progress here. There are currently 3 cosponsors - is your senator one of them?
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