Senate bill would remove cyanide traps from all federal public lands
In committeeS. 2179Latest action
Sponsor: Jeff Merkley · Senator · OR
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Canyon’s Law
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
S 2179 would ban M-44 cyanide devices on federal public lands and require removal of existing ones within 30 days.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 2179, called Canyon's Law, would prohibit the use of M-44 devices — spring-loaded ground traps that shoot cyanide gas into an animal's mouth — on federal public lands. Any devices already in place on land managed by agencies such as the National Park Service, Forest Service, or Bureau of Land Management would have to be removed within 30 days. The ban would not apply to private land.
Who does it affect?
Federal land management agencies would no longer be permitted to use or authorize M-44 devices for predator control on public land. Ranchers and farmers who depend on government wildlife control programs to protect livestock from coyotes, foxes, and wild dogs would lose access to this tool on federal land.
Why does it matter?
The bill's findings state that M-44 devices kill their intended target only about half the time. At least 42 people have been accidentally exposed to cyanide from these devices since 1984, and the devices have also killed or harmed bald eagles, wolves, bears, pet dogs, and other non-target animals.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJun 26, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Jun 26, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.