Bill > A4523

Introduced Session

This bill would amend the definition of the term "endangered species" as used in the State's "Endangered Plant Species List Act" to mean any plant species that (1) is designated as listed, proposed, or under review by the federal government as endangered or threatened throughout its range in the United States pursuant to the federal "Endangered Species Act of 1973," any additional species known or believed to be rare throughout its worldwide range, and any species having five or fewer extant populations within the State, and (2) is not an invasive species. The bill would define the term "invasive species" to mean any plant which has a high potential to become noxious or which is likely to spread to a degree that will likely cause damage to the environment, human economy, or human health. Some non-native plant species exhibit an aggressive growth habit and can out-compete and displace native plant species. Invasive species also can degrade, change, or displace native habitats. This bill would also allow the Department of Environmental Protection to remove any plant from the endangered plant species list, if the plant is an invasive species, unless the plant is included on the federal endangered plant species list pursuant to the "Endangered Species Act of 1973." Furthermore, the bill would authorize the department to control or eliminate an invasive plant species regardless of the existence, or possible existence, of endangered plant species in the area being controlled, except as may be prohibited by federal law, rule, or regulation.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Parker Space (R)*,  Harold Wirths (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (on 10/15/2018)