Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2608

Introduced
4/2/25  

Caption

To remove certain species from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Impact

By enacting HB 2608, the bill would significantly change the legal landscape governing wildlife protections. Removing these species from protection lists could lead to increased human activity in their habitats, potentially undermining conservation efforts. The bill reflects a shift towards favoring economic development over environmental protections, raising concerns among conservationists and ecological advocates about potential negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems if these species are no longer protected.

Summary

House Bill 2608 aims to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by removing certain species from the lists of threatened and endangered species. Specifically, the bill targets species such as the Arabian oryx, Banteng, Eld's brow-antlered deer, Grevy's zebra, red lechwe, seledang, swamp deer, and the Bukharan markhor. The proposal seeks to alter existing protections and regulatory frameworks that currently safeguard these species from extinction, thereby impacting their conservation status and habitat protections across the United States.

Contention

The bill has sparked debate among lawmakers and stakeholders, with proponents arguing that certain species have rebounded enough to warrant reduced protections, while opponents point out the risks of encouraging hunting and habitat destruction. Critics assert that the removals could set a dangerous precedent, weakening the Endangered Species Act and hampering efforts to recover other at-risk species. Furthermore, the exclusion of the Bukharan markhor raises questions about species-specific conservation strategies and the balance between local needs and global ecological responsibilities.

Congress_id

119-HR-2608

Policy_area

Animals

Introduced_date

2025-04-02

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 HR881

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

US HB518

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2023

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 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 HB7795

ProTECT Act of 2024 Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies Act of 2024

US HB97

Armed Forces Endangered Species Exemption Act This bill establishes exemptions from the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) for defense-related purposes. Specifically, the bill establishes exemptions from the ESA for (1) operations related to national defense, and (2) military personnel engaged in such operations. For example, the bill allows such personnel to take (e.g., harm or kill) endangered or threatened species. In addition, the bill expands restrictions on the Department of the Interior designating defense-related areas as critical habitat. It also exempts the Department of Defense from certain requirements to consult with Interior about critical habitats.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.