Bill > HR1500

This bill requires federal agencies to prioritize the use of native plants in federal construction and maintenance projects, with several key provisions. The bill defines a federal project as a construction or maintenance activity at a federal facility involving landscape planting improvements, and mandates that agencies, where feasible and cost-effective, prioritize native plants over non-native ones. Agencies must consider the ecological benefits of native plants, such as supporting pollinators, providing wildlife habitat, reducing soil erosion, and managing water runoff. While agencies are not required to replace existing turfgrass with native plants, they are encouraged to use native plants in unused lawn areas. The bill requires federal agencies to update their design standards within 270 days to incorporate these native plant priorities and include these requirements in federal contracts. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must develop guidance on native plant usage and publish biennial reports detailing case studies, scientific findings, and the government's efforts to promote native habitats. The overall goal is to enhance environmental sustainability and support local ecosystems through thoughtful landscaping practices at federal facilities across the United States.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1500/all-info