PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 13, 1997

Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to prohibit persons from: (1) taking migratory birds by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, where they know or should have known that the area is a baited area; or (2) placing or directing the placement of bait on or adjacent to an area for purposes of causing, inducing, or allowing any person to take or attempt to take any migratory bird by the aid of baiting on or over the baited area. Defines "baiting" as the placement of salt, grain, or other feed capable of attracting migratory birds in such a quantity and in such a manner as to serve as an attractant to such birds to or over an area where hunters are attempting to take them by: (1) placing or distributing salt, grain, or other feed grown off-site; (2) redistributing grain or other feed after it is harvested or removed from the site where grown; (3) altering agricultural crops (other than by accepted agricultural planting, harvesting, or manipulation after harvest), altering millet planted for nonagricultural purposes, or altering other nonagricultural vegetation; or (4) gathering, collecting, or concentrating natural vegetation, planted millet, or other vegetation planted for nonagricultural purposes following alteration or harvest. Excludes from such definition: (1) redistribution, alteration, or concentration of grain or other feed caused by flooding, whether natural or man induced; or (2) alteration of natural vegetation on the site where grown other than alterations described above. Makes other exclusions from such definition with respect to certain alterations of planted millet or other vegetation during the waterfowl hunting season. Amends penalty provisions to require the Secretary of the Interior, in lieu of seizing any personal property not crucial to the prosecution of the alleged offense, to permit the owner or operator of such property to post bond or other collateral pending the disposition of any proceeding.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA] · D–LA

Committees

  • Environment and Public Works Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12590-12591)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1533 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1533 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1533 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1533 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources