What does Preamble of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This bill aims to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 The amendment seeks to optimize conservation through resource prioritization It also aims to incentivize wildlife conservation on private lands The bill intends to create greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species It aims to streamline the permitting process and eliminate barriers to conservation

What does ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 DEFINITIONS. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by redefining key terms. The term 'foreseeable future' is redefined to mean the period of time within which the Secretary can determine a factor is likely to occur with respect to the species. The term 'habitat' is redefined to mean the abiotic and biotic setting that supports life processes of the threatened or endangered species. The section also amends the definition of 'best scientific and commercial data available' to include credible and reliable data. An 'environmental baseline' is defined as the condition of the species or critical habitat without the consequences of the proposed agency action.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 15 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It modifies funding appropriations for various subsections (a), (b), and (c) of Section 15. Specific dollar amounts are authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) receive updated appropriations. Subsection (b) also receives additional authorized appropriations. Subsection (c) is amended with updated appropriations. A technical amendment is made to Section 15(b) to correct references to subsections of section 7.

What does RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a rule of construction regarding the Act's effect on state authority. The Act does not intend to expand or reduce a State's authority to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife. This authority extends to lands and waters, including Federal lands and waters, within the State. The definition of 'State' used in this section is the same as defined in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

What does RENAMING OF ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 TO ENDANGERED of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section renames the Endangered Species Act of 1973 The new name is the Endangered Species Recovery Act References to the old name are deemed references to the new name

What does PRIORITIZATION OF LISTING PETITIONS, REVIEWS, AND of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a national listing work plan. The Secretary must submit a national listing work plan to Congress, including schedules for findings, proposed/final determinations, and critical habitat designations. The work plan must be submitted with the annual budget request and include descriptions of requested funding. Species are assigned priority classifications (Priority 1 through Priority 5) based on their conservation status and need for action. Priority 1 represents species of highest priority, while Priority 5 represents species with limited conservation benefit from listing. The Secretary must use a specific methodology for assigning priority classifications, as outlined in a published notice. The Secretary may extend the work plan for certain priority classifications (Priority 3, 4, and 5) by up to 5 years under specific circumstances. The Secretary may revise a species' priority classification at any time. The assignment of a priority classification is not a final agency action. The Secretary must act on petitions to add species to lists by the deadline specified in the most recent work plan.

What does CONSERVATION BENEFIT AGREEMENTS. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to include Conservation Benefit Agreements. The Secretary must consider the net conservation benefit of such agreements when making listing determinations. Covered parties can submit proposed agreements to the Secretary for approval. Approved agreements provide assurances that no additional conservation measures will be required if the covered species becomes listed. The Secretary may enter into programmatic Conservation Benefit Agreements with covered parties. Technical assistance is available to covered parties developing proposed agreements. Exemptions from certain laws and regulations apply to the approval of proposed agreements.

What does CONSERVATION PLANS. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends Section 10(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The amendment to subparagraph (B) requires conservation plans to include legally binding terms and conditions for all parties. A new subparagraph (D) requires Federal agencies to adopt mitigation measures from permits issued under subparagraph (B) where practicable. Subparagraph (E) prevents the Secretary from seeking additional mitigation measures from a permittee, provided the action is covered by a permit and consistent with the conservation plan. This section also amends Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by adding a provision stating that Section 7(a)(2) does not apply to the issuance of permits under this subsection.

What does NEPA EXEMPTION FOR INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMITS. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 It adds an exemption to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 The exemption applies to the issuance of incidental take permits

What does PROTECTIVE REGULATIONS UNDER ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973. of ESA Amendments Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to include protective regulations for threatened species. The Secretary must issue regulations necessary for the conservation of a threatened species, considering conservation and economic effects. The Secretary must establish objective, incremental recovery goals for a species and decrease regulation stringency as goals are met. A State may develop a recovery strategy for a threatened species and submit it to the Secretary for approval. The Secretary may approve or deny a petition for a recovery strategy, and must publish the decision on their website.

Back to bills

ESA Amendments Act of 2025

Last updated: 4/20/2026 · Introduced: 3/6/2025

Author: Bruce Westerman (R-AR)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to optimize conservation through resource prioritization and incentivize wildlife conservation on private lands.
It establishes a national listing work plan, which includes schedules for findings, proposed and final determinations, and critical habitat designations.
The bill allows the Secretary to list a species as threatened or endangered only within a 'significant portion' of its range, and it modifies the designation of critical habitat to consider economic impacts and national security.
It expands the exemption process under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, allowing applicants to seek exemptions if an agency action would violate the Act or result in significant adverse national or regional economic impacts.
The bill also requires the Secretary to publish the basis for listings and critical habitat designations online, and it limits agency regulations to optimize conservation and provide greater transparency.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes