Public Law 118-206 | Public Law 118–206: To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

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PUBLIC LAW 118–206—DEC. 23, 2024

138 STAT. 2699

Public Law

118–206

118th Congress

An Act

To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

Dec. 23, 2024

[S. 4610]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1.

DESIGNATION OF BALD EAGLE AS NATIONAL BIRD.

(a)

36 USC 306 note.
Findings.—

Congress finds that—

(1)

bald eagles are a historical symbol of the United States representing independence, strength, and freedom;

(2)

the bald eagle is unique to North America;

(3)

on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle was adopted as the Coat of Arms for the United States Great Seal;

(4)

the bald eagle image remains the leading insignia for all branches of the United States military;

(5)

the bald eagle is the leading image on thousands of Federal Government branches, departments, and agencies, including the President, Vice-President, Congress, and Senate;

(6)

the bald eagle serves as the logo, trademark, and brand icon for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and sports teams across the United States;

(7)

bald eagles are integral to the spiritual lives and sacred belief systems of most Indigenous peoples and Tribal communities;

(8)

bald eagles are prevalent in belief, practice, stories, ceremonies, dance, traditions, songs, regalia, flags, insignias, arts, craft, and other forms of spiritual reverence;

(9)

bald eagle festivals are—

(A)

held in over 100 locations across the United States; and

(B)

key components of community engagement;

(10)

the bald eagle is prevalent on—

(A)

hundreds of United States stamps; and

(B)

many United States coins and currencies;

(11)

the bald eagle is a primary component and symbol on Federal and State flags throughout the United States; and

(12)

joint efforts of the Federal Government and State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals have contributed to the successful recovery of the bald eagle.

(b)

Designation.—

Chapter 3 of title 36, United States Code,

is amended

adding

at the end the following:

“§ 306.

36 USC 306.
National bird

“The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird.”

.138 STAT. 2700

(c)

Conforming Amendments.—

The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 36, United States Code,

36 USC

prec. 301.

is amended

—

(1)

in the chapter heading, by

striking

“AND TREE” and

inserting

“TREE, AND BIRD”; and

(2)

adding

at the end the following:

“306.

National bird.”.

(d)

36 USC 306 note.
Rule of Construction.—

Nothing in this section, the amendments made by this section, or the adoption of the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States may be construed or used as a reason to alter, change, modify, or otherwise affect any plan, policy, management decision, regulation, or other action of the Federal Government.

Approved December 23, 2024.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 4610:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024):

July 29, considered and passed Senate.

Dec. 16, considered and passed House.

○

Public Law 118–206: To amend title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird.

DESIGNATION OF BALD EAGLE AS NATIONAL BIRD.

36 USC 306 note.Findings.—