ESA Amendments Act of 2025
- Last Action
- 4/20/2026
Actions
- 2026-04-20Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- 2026-03-24Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 489.
- 2026-03-24Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-568.
- 2026-03-24Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-568.
- 2025-12-17Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 16.
- 2025-12-17Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-12-17Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- 2025-03-25Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-03-18Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 2025-03-06Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-06Introduced in House
- 2025-03-06Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2026-03-24 (07)
ESA Amendments Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Endangered Species Act and generally narrows protections provided under the act.
The bill directs the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to submit a National Listing Work Plan that establishes a five-year schedule and plan for addressing listing of endangered or threatened species and designation of critical habitats for such species. Under the plan, the bill gives the Services flexibility on the timing of acting on listing petitions and eliminates the requirement for the Services to act within 12 months on listing petitions.
The bill limits what land may be designated as critical habitat for an endangered or threatened species.
It also limits protections provided to threatened species and allows a state to regulate the recovery of such species if the Services determine the state's proposed recovery strategy would conserve the species.
The bill provides statutory authority for Conservation Benefit Agreements, which allow private landowners to voluntarily enter agreements to reduce threats to candidate species in exchange for being allowed to continue their operations if the species is later listed.
The bill also modifies the permitting process for certain other voluntary conservation agreements, including by exempting incidental take permits (e.g., permits to harm or kill a species) from environmental review requirements.
The bill also makes a variety of other changes to the act, including limiting consultation requirements, judicial review, and awards for attorneys’ fees in certain cases.
Cosponsors (20)
- Harriet Hageman (R-WY)
- Pete Stauber (R-MN)
- Thomas Tiffany (R-WI)
- Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
- Jeff Hurd (R-CO)
- Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
- Cliff Bentz (R-OR)
- Russ Fulcher (R-ID)
- Nicholas Begich (R-AK)
- Mike Ezell (R-MS)
- Mark Amodei (R-NV)
- Wesley Hunt (R-TX)
- Celeste Maloy (R-UT)
- Andy Biggs (R-AZ)
- Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)
- Lauren Boebert (R-CO)
- Addison McDowell (R-NC)
- Mike Collins (R-GA)
- Ken Calvert (R-CA)
- Tim Walberg (R-MI)
Subjects
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Civil actions and liability
- Congressional oversight
- Department of the Interior
- Endangered and threatened species
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
- Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
- Government information and archives
- Judicial review and appeals
- Public participation and lobbying
- Public-private cooperation
- State and local government operations
- Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.