This bill makes permanent and expands a federal program that helps pay for wildlife crossings—things like bridges, tunnels, and underpasses designed to help animals safely cross highways and roads. Right now, the program is temporary (called a "pilot"), but this bill makes it permanent and funds it with $100 million per year from 2027 through 2031.

The bill makes it easier for communities that need help the most to access this funding. For small towns, rural areas, and disadvantaged communities, the federal government will now cover 90 percent of the project costs instead of a smaller share, meaning these communities only have to pay 10 percent. In cases where even that 10 percent would cause serious financial hardship, the federal government can cover the entire 100 percent of costs. This is a big deal because rural and poorer communities often struggle to fund infrastructure projects on their own.

The bill also sets aside a small portion of the funding—up to half a percent—to help eligible communities navigate the application process. This means the government will provide free help with paperwork, technical advice, and other support to make sure communities can actually access the money without getting lost in bureaucracy. Another half percent is reserved for the federal government to review applications and manage the program itself. Overall, this bill removes the "temporary" label from wildlife crossings funding and makes it easier for communities that need it most to protect animals and reduce dangerous wildlife-vehicle collisions on roads.