Contact Congress about H.R. 1298: United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2023
The bill would create a new nonprofit foundation to fund long-term conservation projects overseas. Projects would need local support, outside matching money, and safeguards for communities and the environment.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2023 is a House bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects communities near protected land and water areas in eligible foreign countries. It also affects Indigenous Peoples whose lands or rights may be tied to conservation projects. Conservation groups, foreign governments, donors, and U.S. agencies would also be involved because the bill creates a new funding system with matching money, project rules, and yearly reporting.
Why this matters: Many conservation areas need steady money for staff, planning, security, and local partnerships. This bill would create a dedicated foundation to help provide that long-term support overseas. It could bring in private and foreign funding along with U.S. money, but it also raises questions about oversight, debt, local consent, and which countries or communities can qualify.
Key provisions in H.R. 1298
- Creates a new nonprofit called the United States Foundation for International Conservation. The Secretary of State must set it up within 180 days after the bill becomes law.
- Makes clear that the foundation is not a U.S. government agency. The United States would not be responsible for its debts, failures, actions, or inaction.
- Requires the foundation to shut down after 10 years. The clock starts on the date the foundation is created.
- Gives control to a Board of Directors. The board would include senior U.S. officials or their designees, four private-sector donors, and five independent experts, and board members would not be paid.
- Lets the foundation receive and manage gifts, property, and money from outside the federal government. It could also make contracts, buy and sell real estate, borrow money, and issue debt.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 1298
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 1298
- What is H.R. 1298?
- The bill would create a new nonprofit foundation to fund long-term conservation projects overseas. Projects would need local support, outside matching money, and safeguards for communities and the environment.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 1298?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 1298?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 1298 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
