Congressional Efforts to Modify the Endangered Species Act

[Cara J]

Over the past 5 years legislation introduced by Congress regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has increased by 600%. Revising the 40 year old ESA has become a priority for Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) of the House Natural Resources Committee, who both intend to propose bills updating the act. Currently there are over ten separate pieces of legislation being considered by Congress that explicitly set out to amend the ESA, in addition to dozens of amendments and riders that impact the ESA and particular species listing decisions. Two bills that currently have the highest level of Congressional support each pertain to litigation associated with the ESA. H.R. 2109: Endangered Species Litigation Reasonableness Act The Endangered Species Litigation Reasonableness Act (H.R. 2109) was introduced by Representative Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and referred to the House Natural Resource Committee on April 29. The legislation would alter the court’s ability to award financial reimbursement for the costs of litigation brought forth through the ESA. As it currently stands, courts may award reimbursement to both defendants and plaintiffs in any amount which the court determines as appropriate. The bill would instead have courts only issue reimbursements to the prevailing party. [...]

 

Read more: http://wildlife.org/congressional-efforts-to-modify-the-endangered-species-act/