Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB171

Introduced
1/21/25  

Caption

A bill to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act, and for other purposes.

Impact

The potential impact of SB171 on state and federal laws could be significant, particularly in contexts where the lesser prairie-chicken's habitat overlaps with agricultural and development interests. By removing protections, the bill may enable increased land use changes and economic activities in areas previously constrained by conservation mandates. This could lead to further loss of habitat for the lesser prairie-chicken, raising concerns among environmentalists and conservationists regarding the long-term survival of the species and its ecosystem.

Summary

SB171 is a legislative bill introduced to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened and endangered species as designated by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bill aims to amend the Act to clearly exclude this specific bird species from its protections, fundamentally shifting the regulatory landscape concerning wildlife conservation efforts for this species. Supporters of the bill emphasize the need for regulatory relief for landowners and industries that may be affected by the preservation measures currently in place for the lesser prairie-chicken, which they argue are overly burdensome and impede economic development.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB171 include balancing economic development with environmental conservation. Proponents argue that the bill is necessary for economic growth, particularly for sectors reliant on land use, while opponents express concerns that the removal of protections could have detrimental effects on biodiversity and ecological health. The debate highlights broader tensions between environmental protection and resource development, setting the stage for discussions about state versus federal authority in managing endangered species.

Congress_id

119-S-171

Policy_area

Animals

Introduced_date

2025-01-21

Companion Bills

US HB587

Related bill To remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act.

Previously Filed As

US HB248

Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act This bill prohibits any population of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, or New Mexico from being listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The lesser prairie-chicken is a type of grouse. Currently, two distinct population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie-chicken are listed under the ESA. The Southern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken is listed as endangered and the Northern DPS is listed as threatened. The bill removes both populations from the list. In addition, the bill bans Interior from listing any population of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered or threatened in the future.

US HB1142

To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require consideration of economic impact in making a listing decision with respect to the list of threatened and endangered species, and for other purposes.

US HB99

Less Imprecision in Species Treatment Act of 2023 or the LIST Act of 2023 This bill revises the process for removing a species from the endangered or threatened species lists. A species must be removed from the endangered or threatened species lists if the Department of the Interior produces or receives substantial scientific or commercial information demonstrating that the species is recovered or that recovery goals set for the species have been met. The publication and notice of a proposed regulation to remove a species from the lists must consist solely of a notice of the removal. The bill establishes a process for removing species from the lists if they were erroneously or wrongfully listed. The bill prohibits a person from submitting a petition to list a species as a threatened or endangered species for 10 years if the person knowingly submitted a petition with information that was inaccurate beyond scientifically reasonable margins of error, fraudulent, or misrepresentative.

US HB94

American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act This bill limits the protection of endangered or threatened species to species that are native to the United States. In addition, the bill prohibits certain funding for endangered or threatened species from being used to acquire lands, waters, or other interests in foreign countries.

US SB1895

A bill to require the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue a final rule removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

US HR614

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4366) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 9) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment"; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 24) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat".

US HJR29

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment".

US HB131

Manatee Protection Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to include the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the endangered species list and give the species protections provided to endangered species.

US HR881

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

US HB520

To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.