---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 667h"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "667h"
heading: "Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/667h"
units:
  - "Chapter 5A — Protection and Conservation of Wildlife"
  - "Subchapter I — Game, Fur-Bearing Animals, and Fish"
---

# §667h. Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Cervid—** The term “cervid” means any species within the family Cervidae.
  - (2) **Chronic wasting disease—** The term “chronic wasting disease” means the animal disease afflicting deer, elk, and moose populations that—
    - (A) is a transmissible disease of the nervous [system](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=14) resulting in distinctive lesions in the brain; and
    - (B) belongs to the group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, which group includes scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
  - (3) **Secretaries—** The term “[Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12)” means the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of Agriculture, acting through the [Administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) of the Animal and [Plant](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=9) Health Inspection Service, and the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of the Interior, acting through the [Director](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=6) of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) Geological Survey and the [Director](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=6) of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) Service, acting jointly.
- (b) **Establishment—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) shall establish within the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) Service a task force, to be known as the “Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force” (referred to in this subsection as the “Task Force”).
  - (2) **Duties—** The Task Force shall—
    - (A) collaborate with foreign governments to share research, coordinate efforts, and discuss best [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4) practices to reduce, minimize, prevent, or eliminate chronic wasting disease in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13);
    - (B) develop recommendations, including recommendations based on findings of the study conducted under [subsection (c)](#c), and a set of best practices regarding—
      - (i) the interstate coordination of practices to prevent the new introduction of chronic wasting disease;
      - (ii) the prioritization and coordination of the future study of chronic wasting disease, based on evolving research needs;
      - (iii) ways to leverage the collective resources of Federal, [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13), and local agencies, [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), and foreign governments, and resources from private, nongovernmental entities, to address chronic wasting disease in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) and along the borders of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13); and
      - (iv) any other [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) where containment or [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4) efforts relating to chronic wasting disease may differ across jurisdictions; and
    - (C) develop, from the recommendations developed under [subparagraph (B)](#b-2-B), an action plan that gives [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), the Federal Government, [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), and the farmed cervid industry specific recommendations to ensure consistent and coordinated [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4) and focused, prioritized research to stop the spread of and mitigate the impacts of chronic wasting disease.
  - (3) **Membership—**
    - (A) **In general—** The Task Force shall be composed of—
      - (i) 1 representative of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) Service with experience in chronic wasting disease, to be appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of the Interior (referred to in this subsection as the “[Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12)”);
      - (ii) 1 representative of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) Geological Survey;
      - (iii) 2 representatives of the Department of Agriculture with experience in chronic wasting disease, to be appointed by the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of Agriculture—
        - (I) 1 of whom shall have expertise in cervid health research; and
        - (II) 1 of whom shall have expertise in [wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4);
      - (iv) in the case of each [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) in which chronic wasting disease among elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, or moose has been reported to the appropriate [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) agency, not more than 2 representatives, to be nominated by the Governor of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13)—
        - (I) not more than 1 of whom shall be a representative of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) agency with jurisdiction over [wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4) or [wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) disease in the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13); and
        - (II) in the case of a [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) with a farmed cervid program or economy, not more than 1 of whom shall be a representative of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) agency with jurisdiction over farmed cervid regulation in the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13);
      - (v) in the case of each [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) in which chronic wasting disease among elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, or moose has not been documented, but that has carried out measures to prevent the introduction of chronic wasting disease among those species, not more than 2 representatives, to be nominated by the Governor of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13);
      - (vi) not more than 2 representatives from an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization chosen in a process determined, in consultation with [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), by the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12); and
      - (vii) not more than 5 nongovernmental members with relevant expertise appointed, after the date on which the members are first appointed under clauses [(i)](#b-3-A-i) through [(vi)](#b-3-A-vi), by a majority vote of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) representatives appointed under [clause (iv)](#b-3-A-iv).
    - (B) **Effect—** Nothing in this paragraph requires a [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) to participate in the Task Force.
  - (4) **Co-Chairs—** The Co-Chairs of the Task Force shall be—
    - (A) the Federal representative described in [paragraph (3)(A)(i)](#b-3-A-i);
    - (B) 1 of the Federal representatives described in [paragraph (3)(A)(iii)](#b-3-A-iii); and
    - (C) 1 [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) representative appointed under [paragraph (3)(A)(iv)](#b-3-A-iv), to be selected by a majority vote of those [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) representatives.
  - (5) **Date of initial appointment—**
    - (A) **In general—** The members of the Task Force shall be appointed not later than 90 days after December 23, 2024. The efforts of the Task Force shall not be contingent on the completion of the study required by [subsection (c)](#c).
    - (B) **Notification—** On appointment of the members of the Task Force, the Co-Chairs of the Task Force shall notify the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and Natural Resources and Agriculture of the House of Representatives.
  - (6) **Vacancies—** Any vacancy in the members appointed to the Task Force—
    - (A) shall not affect the power or duty of the Task Force; and
    - (B) shall be filled not later than 30 days after the date of the vacancy.
  - (7) **Meetings—** The Task Force shall convene—
    - (A) not less frequently than twice each year; and
    - (B) at such time and place, and by such means, as the Co-Chairs of the Task Force determine to be appropriate, which may include the use of remote conference technology.
  - (8) **Interstate action plan—**
    - (A) **In general—** Not later than 1 year after the date on which the members of the Task Force are appointed, the Task Force shall submit to the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12), and the heads of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) agencies with jurisdiction over [wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) disease and farmed cervid regulation of each [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) with a representative on the Task Force, the interstate action plan developed by the Task Force under [paragraph (2)(C)](#b-2-C).
    - (B) **Cooperative agreements—**
      - (i) **In general—** To the maximum extent practicable, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12), any other applicable Federal agency, and each applicable [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) may enter into a cooperative agreement to fund necessary actions under the interstate action plan submitted under [subparagraph (A)](#b-8-A).
      - (ii) **Target date—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) shall make the best effort of the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) to enter into any cooperative agreement under [clause (i)](#b-8-B-i) not later than 180 days after the date of submission of the interstate action plan under [subparagraph (A)](#b-8-A).
    - (C) **Matching funds—**
      - (i) **In general—** Subject to [clause (ii)](#b-8-C-ii), for each fiscal year, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) may provide funds to carry out an interstate action plan through a cooperative agreement under [subparagraph (B)](#b-8-B) in the amount of funds provided by the applicable [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r).
      - (ii) **Limitation—** The amount provided by the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) Service under [clause (i)](#b-8-C-i) for a fiscal year shall be not greater than $5,000,000.
  - (9) **Reports—** Not later than September 30 of the first full fiscal year after the date on which the first members of the Task Force are appointed, and each September 30 thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12), and the heads of the [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) agencies with jurisdiction over [wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) disease and farmed cervid regulation of each [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) with a representatives on the Task Force, a report describing—
    - (A) progress on the implementation of actions identified in the interstate action plan submitted under [paragraph (8)(A)](#b-8-A), including the efficacy of funding under the cooperative agreement entered into under [paragraph (8)(B)](#b-8-B);
    - (B) updated resource requirements that are needed to reduce and eliminate chronic wasting disease in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13);
    - (C) any relevant updates to the recommended best [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4) practices included in the interstate action plan submitted under [paragraph (8)(B)](#b-8-B) to reduce or eliminate chronic wasting disease;
    - (D) new research findings and emerging research needs relating to chronic wasting disease; and
    - (E) any other relevant information.
- (c) **Chronic wasting disease transmission in cervidae resource study—**
  - (1) **Definition of Academy—** In this subsection, the term “Academy” means the National Academy of Sciences.
  - (2) **Study—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) shall enter into an arrangement with the Academy under which the Academy shall conduct, and submit to the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) a report describing the findings of, a special resource study to identify the predominant pathways and mechanisms of the transmission of chronic wasting disease in wild, captive, and farmed populations of cervids in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13).
    - (B) **Requirements—** The arrangement under [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A) shall provide that the actual expenses incurred by the Academy in conducting the study under [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A) shall be paid by the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12), subject to the availability of appropriations.
  - (3) **Contents of the study—** The study under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) shall—
    - (A) with respect to wild, captive, and farmed populations of cervids in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13), identify—
      - (i)
        - (I) to the extent possible, the pathways and mechanisms for the transmission of chronic wasting disease within live cervid populations and cervid products, which may include pathways and mechanisms for transmission from Canada;
        - (II) the infection rates for each pathway and mechanism identified under [subclause (I)](#c-3-A-i-I); and
        - (III) the relative frequency of transmission of each pathway and mechanism identified under [subclause (I)](#c-3-A-i-I);
      - (ii)
        - (I) anthropogenic and environmental factors contributing to new chronic wasting disease emergence events;
        - (II) the development of geographical [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) with increased chronic wasting disease prevalence; and
        - (III) the overall geographical patterns of chronic wasting disease distribution;
      - (iii) significant gaps in current scientific knowledge regarding the transmission pathways and mechanisms identified under [clause (i)(I)](#c-3-A-i-I) and potential prevention, detection, and control methods identified under [clause (v)](#c-3-A-v);
      - (iv) for prioritization the scientific research [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that will address the knowledge gaps identified under [clause (iii)](#c-3-A-iii), based on the likelihood that a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) will contribute significantly to the prevention or control of chronic wasting disease; and
      - (v) potential prevention, detection, or control measures, practices, or technologies to be used to mitigate the transmission and spread of chronic wasting disease in wild, captive, and farmed populations of cervids in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13);
    - (B) assess the effectiveness of the potential prevention, detection, or control measures, practices, or technologies identified under [subparagraph (A)(v)](#c-3-A-v); and
    - (C) review and compare science-based best practices, standards, and guidance regarding the prevention, detection, and [management](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=4) of chronic wasting disease in wild, captive, and farmed populations of cervids in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) that have been developed by—
      - (i) the National Chronic Wasting Disease Herd Certification Program of the Animal and [Plant](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=9) Health Inspection Service;
      - (ii) the National [Wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) Research Center of the Animal and [Plant](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=9) Health Inspection Service;
      - (iii) the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) Geological Survey;
      - (iv) [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) [wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) and agricultural agencies, in the case of practices, standards, and guidance that provide practical, science-based recommendations to [State](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) and Federal agencies for minimizing or eliminating the risk of transmission of chronic wasting disease in the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13); and
      - (v) industry or academia, in the case of any published guidance on practices that provide practical, science-based recommendations to cervid producers for minimizing or eliminating the risk of transmission of chronic wasting disease within or between herds.
  - (4) **Deadline—** The study under [paragraph (2)](#c-2) shall be completed not later than 180 days after the date on which funds are first made available for the study.
  - (5) **Data sharing—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) shall share with the Academy, as necessary to conduct the study under [paragraph (2)](#c-2), subject to the avoidance of a [violation](/usc/16/620e.md?p=11) of a privacy or confidentiality requirement and the protection of confidential or privileged commercial, financial, or proprietary information, data and access to databases and research information on chronic wasting disease under the jurisdiction of—
    - (A) the Animal and [Plant](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=9) Health Inspection Service; and
    - (B) the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) Geological Survey.
  - (6) **Report—** Not later than 60 days after the date of completion of the study, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
    - (A) the findings of the study; and
    - (B) any conclusions and recommendations that the [Secretaries](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) determine to be appropriate.
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
  - (1) for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, $5,000,000 to the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of the Interior, acting through the [Director](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=6) of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=7) Service, to carry out administrative activities under [subsection (b)](#b);
  - (2) for fiscal year 2021, $1,200,000 to the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of the Interior, acting through the [Director](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=6) of the [United States](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=13) Geological Survey, to carry out activities to fund research under [subsection (c)](#c); and
  - (3) for fiscal year 2021, $1,200,000 to the [Secretary](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=12) of Agriculture, acting through the [Administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) of the Animal and [Plant](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=9) Health Inspection Service, to carry out activities to fund research under [subsection (c)](#c).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 116–188, title I, § 104, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 911; Pub. L. 118–198, title I, § 103, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2680.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–198, § 103(1)(A), struck out “after the completion of the study required by subsection (c)” before period at end.

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 118–198, § 103(1)(B), substituted “90 days after December 23, 2024. The efforts of the Task Force shall not be contingent on the completion of the study required by subsection (c)” for “180 days after the date on which the study is completed under subsection (c)”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 118–198, § 103(2), substituted “2030” for “2025”.