Federal Bird-Safe Buildings Act Mandates Collision-Reducing Features for New Government Construction

The newly proposed Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act of 2025 is straightforward: it requires that new federal buildings, purchases, or major exterior renovations (over 50% change) incorporate features designed to reduce bird deaths from collisions. Essentially, the government is trying to stop birds from constantly flying into shiny, reflective glass walls. This mandate falls to the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal property, and it has to be done “to the extent practicable,” meaning if it’s reasonably possible and not completely cost-prohibitive (SEC. 2).

The GSA’s New Design Homework

To make this happen, the GSA Administrator now has to write the rulebook—a detailed Bird-Safety Design Guide. This guide isn't just about what materials to use; it has to cover construction features, operational practices (like managing interior and exterior lighting that often confuses migrating birds), and a list of best practices (SEC. 2). Think of it as a mandatory checklist for architects hired by the federal government. For instance, this could mean requiring fritted glass (glass with ceramic patterns baked in) or external screens on new federal office towers, which make the glass visible to birds.

Who This Affects (And Who Gets a Pass)

For the average taxpayer, this means federal construction projects will likely prioritize sustainability and wildlife protection, which could slightly increase initial building costs but potentially reduce environmental impact. For architects and construction companies, this creates a new niche requirement, favoring those who specialize in green building certification systems and bird-safe design. The GSA is required to certify its compliance to Congress every year by October 1st, so there’s a built-in accountability mechanism (SEC. 2).

However, not every government building is getting this upgrade. The bill explicitly grants exemptions to several high-profile and historic structures. If a building is listed on, or even just eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places, it’s exempt. The White House, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Capitol are also completely exempt (SEC. 2). While it makes sense that you wouldn't redo the exterior of the Capitol building just to save a few birds, this exemption for all historic buildings could exclude a lot of older, large federal structures from ever having to adopt these safety measures, limiting the overall impact of the bill. It's a classic tradeoff between preservation and environmental mandate.

The Fine Print: Practicability and the Budget

The biggest wiggle room in this law is the phrase “to the extent practicable.” This is the kind of language that keeps lawyers and budget committees busy. It gives the GSA significant discretion. If a bird-safe solution adds 20% to the cost of a project, the GSA could argue it’s no longer “practicable” and opt out. This means the effectiveness of the Federal Bird Safe Buildings Act will heavily depend on how strictly the GSA interprets and enforces its own design guide and whether it prioritizes bird safety over minimizing construction costs. The bill sets a good standard, but the implementation—and the inevitable budget battles—will determine whether it truly makes a dent in the estimated millions of bird collisions that happen annually.