Less Imprecision in Species Treatment Act of 2025 or the LIST Act of 2025This bill modifies the process for removing a species from the endangered or threatened species lists and makes related requirements. A species must be removed from the endangered or threatened species lists if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service 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.
Should HB 106 be enacted, it would require the Secretary of the Interior to initiate delisting procedures if a species has met its recovery goals or if sufficient evidence demonstrates its recovery. Furthermore, it expands considerations during the five-year review process for species listings, allowing for more comprehensive evaluations based on scientific and commercial data. This shift is anticipated to lead to more responsive and accurate outcomes in managing endangered species and their habitats.
House Bill 106, titled the 'Less Imprecision in Species Treatment Act of 2025', proposes amendments to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This bill aims to enhance the precision in the processes of listing, delisting, and downlisting endangered and potentially endangered species. By setting clearer criteria for these actions, the bill seeks to improve the overall management and recovery of threatened species, thereby fostering a more scientifically grounded approach to environmental protection.
Notably, the bill introduces a mechanism to address species that were erroneously or improperly listed, mandating the Secretary to find out whether those listings may have been based on inaccurate or fraudulent information. Critics of this provision might raise concerns over potential abuses or misinterpretations of data, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rigorous scientific standards in environmental legislation. The balance between conservation efforts and the interests of development could prove contentious in discussions surrounding this bill.