H.R. 2971: Youth Outdoors Using Nature’s Genetics Act of 2025

This bill is known as the "Youth Outdoors Using Nature’s Genetics Act of 2025," or the "YOUNG Act of 2025." Its primary purpose is to establish a grant program through the Secretary of Commerce, in collaboration with various federal agencies, aimed at fostering youth involvement in biodiversity monitoring projects. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill outlines:

Grant Program Establishment

The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a youth biodiversity monitoring grant program which will:

• Award grants to eligible entities to facilitate youth-focused biodiversity monitoring projects.
• Provide technical assistance to those entities to help them educate students on advanced technologies related to biodiversity.

Eligible Entities

To receive a grant, entities must apply and can include:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Elementary and secondary schools
• Institutions of higher education
• State, local, or Tribal governments

Grant Use

Entities awarded a grant can use the funds for various purposes related to their biodiversity monitoring projects such as:

• Purchasing supplies.
• Transportation for participants involved in the projects.
• Outreach efforts to increase participation.
• Obtaining scientific collection licenses and permits.
• Other expenses deemed necessary by the Secretary.

Project Focus and Priority

The bill stipulates that when evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to projects that specifically target underserved communities, which can include diverse racial and ethnic groups and communities affected by poverty or inequality.

Reporting and Oversight

The Secretary is mandated to submit a report to Congress two years after the enactment of the act, which must include:

• Details of each eligible entity that received a grant.
• The amount awarded to each entity.
• How the funds were utilized.
• The number of participants engaged in the projects.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 annually for the next fiscal years (2026-2032) to finance the program.

Definitions

Key terms defined within the bill include:

• Advanced Technologies: Methods such as environmental DNA analysis, remote sensing, drones, camera traps, and AI used for monitoring biodiversity.
• Underserved Community: Groups systematically denied full participation in social, economic, or civic life, including racial minorities and individuals facing poverty.
• Youth Biodiversity Monitoring Project: Projects providing hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing data related to wildlife and ecosystems.

Relevant Companies

None found