May 4, 2026
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the introduction of the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act of 2026 (S.4451) by Senator Baldwin (D-WI), which would strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to wildlife diseases with significant risks to public health, agriculture, and natural resources.
The bill would establish the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, codifying and expanding existing coordination efforts bringing together State, Federal, and Tribal agencies and partners.
“State fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of wildlife disease detection and response for our nation’s biosecurity,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “From combating emerging threats like New World Screwworm and novel amphibian pathogens to constant challenges such as Chronic Wasting Disease and High Path Avian Influenza, states and their partners are working tirelessly to ensure healthy and abundant wildlife populations.”
Partnerships across the country have never been stronger thanks to current short-term positions providing coordination on the national and regional levels, but permanency is needed to secure these gains and prepare for the future.
“We thank Senator Baldwin for recognizing the need for this program,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “This legislation provides the structure needed to connect agencies on the front lines, improve information sharing, and ensure we are better prepared to prevent and respond to current and future threats.”
States and their partners have seen firsthand the value of dedicated coordinators strengthening collaboration, improving response efforts, and supporting science-based decision-making across jurisdictions. The legislation builds on this proven model by expanding coordination capacity nationwide and embedding it more deeply across regions and partners.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.