HRES-1606-119
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Sponsored by Becca Balint (D-VT)
What it does
This non-binding House resolution would express support for designating October 24-31, 2026, as "Bat Week" and would encourage observance with appropriate events and activities. It would also acknowledge bats' role as pollinators and pest controllers for agriculture. It would state the House's intent to keep working to conserve bat species and habitat and to defeat white-nose syndrome. It would create no legal duty, program, or funding.
Who benefits
Bat conservation groups, wildlife agencies, and researchers who may gain public attention for their work. Educators and local organizations that may hold Bat Week events. Farmers and rural communities who may benefit indirectly if awareness supports bat conservation. No group gains a legal right or funding from the resolution itself.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution imposes no regulation, cost, or restriction on landowners, businesses, or agencies. Its only cost is a small amount of House committee and floor time.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue the resolution draws attention to a real conservation problem at no cost to taxpayers. The bill's findings state that white-nose syndrome has spread to 41 States, and that bats save U.S. farmers more than $3.7 billion a year in pest control. They contend that a week of public education builds support for the federal-state-Tribal monitoring and research partnerships already underway.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that symbolic resolutions do nothing concrete for bat populations and use limited House time that could go to binding legislation. The bill's findings state that agencies are already leading the response to white-nose syndrome, so they contend that a non-binding statement adds nothing to existing efforts. They argue that conservation priorities are better set through appropriations and agency decisions than through commemorative designations.
Constitutional context
This resolution raises no constitutional question beyond the House's authority to adopt non-binding expressions of its views under Article I. It creates no legal obligations, so no federal regulatory power, property rights, or Commerce Clause limits are implicated.
Checks and balances
The House expresses a view without binding the executive branch or the Senate, and it grants no new authority to any branch. The resolution has no force of law, so no checks are needed.
Historical precedent
Congress has regularly passed non-binding resolutions supporting awareness weeks and days for wildlife and environmental topics, including past resolutions supporting Bat Week.