H.R. 180 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Natural Resources, Jan 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryChanges endangered species decision requirements
This bill modifies how the federal government decides whether animals or plants are endangered or threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service would have to publish online the scientific and commercial data they use to make these decisions, automatically include data submitted by states, tribes, or counties as part of their decision-making, share all the data with affected states before making a determination, and create an online searchable database showing federal spending on litigation related to endangered species.
How it affects you
If you live in a state where endangered species decisions are being made, your state government would receive the data the federal agencies are using before the decision is finalized. The bill also makes information about federal spending on endangered species lawsuits publicly available online, though the direct effects on most people aren't spelled out in detail by the summary.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025)
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025
This bill modifies requirements concerning determinations on whether a species is a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), caps attorney's fees to prevailing parties in ESA citizen suits, and makes related requirements.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must publish online, subject to privacy or administrative limitations, the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for each determination. The bill states that the term best scientific and commercial data available includes all data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government. Thus, such data is automatically deemed to be the best scientific and commercial data available. Before making a determination on whether a species is an endangered or threatened species, the FWS and NMFS must provide affected states with all of the data that is the basis of the determination.
The Department of the Interior must also publish and maintain an online searchable database that discloses federal expenditures related to litigation under the ESA.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 180
A BILL
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA-5) · Introduced Jan 3, 2025 · Environmental Protection · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 22, 2025: “Subcommittee Hearings Held”
Sections
Sections · 5
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Requirement to publish on the internet the basis for listingsNo change
- Sec. 3Decisional transparency and use of State, tribal, and local informationNo change
- Sec. 4Disclosure of expenditures under Endangered Species Act of 1973No change
- Sec. 5Award of litigation costs to prevailing parties in accordance with existing lawNo change