US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB130

Introduced
1/3/25  

Caption

Trust the Science Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to remove protections for the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Specifically, the bill requires Interior to reissue the final rule titled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and published on November 3, 2020. The rule removed the gray wolf in the lower 48 United States, except for the Mexican wolf (C. l. baileyi) subspecies, from the endangered and threatened species list. However, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the rule on February 10, 2022. As a result, the gray wolf reattained the protection status it had prior to the rule's promulgation. The bill also prohibits the reissuance of the rule from being subject to judicial review.

Impact

If passed, HB 130 would effectively modify federal regulations concerning wildlife protection, specifically targeting the status of the gray wolf. By removing this protection, the bill could allow for greater state control over wolf populations, potentially impacting hunting regulations and conservation efforts. This change may be perceived as a significant alteration in federal wildlife policy, shifting away from protection towards more localized management strategies, which proponents argue could lead to better control of wolf populations in regions where they are deemed overpopulated.

Summary

House Bill 130, known as the 'Trust the Science Act', seeks to compel the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations that would remove the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bill pushes for the reissuance of a previous rule established in 2020, reflecting an ongoing debate regarding the management and conservation status of the gray wolf in North America. Advocates for the bill argue that the removal is essential for effective wildlife management and recognizes the species' recovery in certain areas.

Contention

The proposed legislation raises notable concerns among environmental groups and other stakeholders who fear that the removal of the gray wolf's endangered status may lead to detrimental effects on ecosystems where these predators play a crucial role. Additionally, the bill includes a clause that prevents any judicial review of the reissuance of the final rule, which has sparked further debate about accountability and the role of scientific evidence in policymaking. Critics argue that such a measure undermines the checks and balances typically associated with federal regulatory changes and may set a concerning precedent for future wildlife management legislation.

Congress_id

119-HR-130

Policy_area

Animals

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

US HB845

Related bill Pet and Livestock Protection Act

Previously Filed As

US SB1306

A bill to require the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue a final rule removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

US HB2608

To remove certain species from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

US SB171

A bill to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act, and for other purposes.

US HB102

American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act of 2025This bill limits the protection of endangered or threatened species to species that are native to the United States. In addition, the bill prohibits certain funding for endangered or threatened species from being used to acquire lands, waters, or other interests in foreign countries.

US HR0030

A resolution urging the United States Congress to enact legislation that would reinstate the Department of Interior’s prior removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list, thus allowing gray wolf population management to be handled at the state level.

US HB587

To remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened species and endangered species published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and to amend that Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from the authority of that Act.

US HB106

Less Imprecision in Species Treatment Act of 2025 or the LIST Act of 2025This bill modifies the process for removing a species from the endangered or threatened species lists and makes related requirements. A species must be removed from the endangered or threatened species lists if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service produces or receives substantial scientific or commercial information demonstrating that the species is recovered or that recovery goals set for the species have been met.The publication and notice of a proposed regulation to remove a species from the lists must consist solely of a notice of the removal.The bill establishes a process for removing species from the lists if they were erroneously or wrongfully listed. The bill prohibits a person from submitting a petition to list a species as a threatened or endangered species for 10 years if the person knowingly submitted a petition with information that was inaccurate beyond scientifically reasonable margins of error, fraudulent, or misrepresentative.

US HB840

To provide that the final rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service titled "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status With Critical Habitat for Guadalupe Fatmucket, Texas Fatmucket, Guadalupe Orb, Texas Pimpleback, Balcones Spike, and False Spike, and Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule and Critical Habitat for Texas Fawnsfoot" shall have no force or effect.

US HJR78

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Distinct Population Segment of the Longfin Smelt".

US SB946

Endangered and Threatened Species - Incidental Taking - Bats

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.