Bill > HR180

This bill, titled the "Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025", proposes several key changes to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. First, it requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish online all scientific and commercial data used as the basis for proposed regulations about endangered or threatened species, with exceptions for state-requested confidentiality and classified Department of Defense information. The bill also mandates that before making species determinations, federal agencies must share all underlying data with affected states. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "best scientific and commercial data" to explicitly include information submitted by state, tribal, and county governments. A significant provision requires detailed annual reporting on government expenditures related to endangered species litigation, including case details, agency costs, attorney fees, and the number of employees involved in such legal proceedings. The bill further modifies how litigation costs are awarded, aligning them with existing federal laws about fee awards. These changes aim to increase transparency, involve local governments more deeply in species protection decisions, and provide greater public insight into the administrative and legal processes surrounding endangered species protection.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/180/all-info