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Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-180| House 
| Updated: 7/22/2025
Tom McClintock

Tom McClintock

Republican Representative

California

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025" proposes significant amendments to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, primarily focusing on increasing transparency and accountability. It mandates that the Secretary make publicly available on the internet the best scientific and commercial data available that forms the basis for all species listing regulations, with specific exceptions for state-protected personal information and classified Department of Defense data. Additionally, the bill requires federal agencies to provide all underlying data to affected States before making a determination and explicitly defines "best scientific and commercial data available" to include information submitted by State, Tribal, and county governments . This legislation also introduces new requirements for the disclosure of federal expenditures related to the Endangered Species Act. It directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to submit an annual report to Congress and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online database detailing federal spending on "covered suits." This includes comprehensive information such as case names, claims, involved agencies, funds expended, and attorneys' fees awarded, even if subject to non-disclosure agreements. Finally, the bill amends the criteria for awarding litigation costs to prevailing parties in ESA cases, aligning them with existing federal law under the Equal Access to Justice Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5694
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9108
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-518
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-3608
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jul 16, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Jul 22, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5694
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9108
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-518
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-3608
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • July 16, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • July 22, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Environmental Protection

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightDepartment of the InteriorEndangered and threatened speciesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesJudicial review and appealsPublic participation and lobbyingPublic-private cooperationState and local government operationsWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-180| House 
| Updated: 7/22/2025
The "Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025" proposes significant amendments to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, primarily focusing on increasing transparency and accountability. It mandates that the Secretary make publicly available on the internet the best scientific and commercial data available that forms the basis for all species listing regulations, with specific exceptions for state-protected personal information and classified Department of Defense data. Additionally, the bill requires federal agencies to provide all underlying data to affected States before making a determination and explicitly defines "best scientific and commercial data available" to include information submitted by State, Tribal, and county governments . This legislation also introduces new requirements for the disclosure of federal expenditures related to the Endangered Species Act. It directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to submit an annual report to Congress and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online database detailing federal spending on "covered suits." This includes comprehensive information such as case names, claims, involved agencies, funds expended, and attorneys' fees awarded, even if subject to non-disclosure agreements. Finally, the bill amends the criteria for awarding litigation costs to prevailing parties in ESA cases, aligning them with existing federal law under the Equal Access to Justice Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5694
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-9108
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-518
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-3608
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jul 16, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Jul 22, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5694
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-9108
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-518
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-3608
    Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • July 16, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • July 22, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held
Tom McClintock

Tom McClintock

Republican Representative

California

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightDepartment of the InteriorEndangered and threatened speciesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesJudicial review and appealsPublic participation and lobbyingPublic-private cooperationState and local government operationsWildlife conservation and habitat protection