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Bill113th CongressFiled Mar 27, 2014Environmental Protection
H.R. 4315

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jul 29, 2014)

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.

Prohibits the appropriate Secretary from making the information publicly available when: (1) the public disclosure of the information is prohibited by a state law requiring the protection of personal information, and (2) the state requests that the information be withheld.

Requires the appropriate Secretary to execute an agreement with the Department of Defense (DOD) that prevents the disclosure of classified information pertaining to DOD personnel, facilities, lands, or waters.

(Sec. 3) Requires the appropriate Secretary to: (1) provide to affected states all data that is used as the basis of a determination on whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species before making a determination; and (2) use data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government in making such a determination.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit an annual report detailing federal expenditures for civil actions brought under the ESA containing claims that are based on the actions of the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, or the Southeastern Power Administration. Requires Interior to make the information available online in a searchable database.

Requires the report to include the total funds expended to respond to ESA lawsuits, the number of full-time federal employees dedicated to ESA lawsuits, attorneys' fees awarded in the course of ESA lawsuits and settlements, and any federal funding used in bringing a claim under the ESA.

(Sec. 5) Replaces the current standard for awarding court costs, including attorney's fees, in citizen suits with the federal judicial code standard for awarding costs to a prevailing party.

What just happenedJul 30, 2014

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Hastings, Doc [R-WA-4](R-WA)Sponsor
28 cosponsors28 R
Read on Congress.gov
28cosponsors2committees32actions4amendments2related bills5subjects
  • Referred in SenateJul 30, 2014
  • Engrossed in HouseJul 29, 2014
  • Reported in HouseJul 17, 2014
  • Introduced in HouseMar 27, 2014
  1. Jul 30, 2014IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

  2. Jul 29, 2014FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 190 (Roll no. 463).

  3. Jul 29, 2014Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 190 (Roll no. 463).

  4. Jul 29, 2014FloorH36110

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 197 - 225 (Roll no. 462).

  5. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require the Secretary of the Interior to consult with affected Indian tribes to ensure that the Federal trust responsibility with respect to Indian tribes is fulfilled when carrying out any provision of H.R. 4315.

  6. Jul 29, 2014FloorH36100

    Mrs. Kirkpatrick moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H7022-7023; text: CR H7022)

  7. Jul 29, 2014FloorH34400

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

  8. Jul 29, 2014FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H7022)

  9. Jul 29, 2014FloorH32600

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4315.

  10. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that, pursuant to clause 6 of Rule XVIII, the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

  11. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duffy amendment No. 4.

  12. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

  13. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3.

  14. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the DeFazio amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. DeFazio demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.

  15. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeFazio amendment No. 2.

  16. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (WA) amendment No. 1.

  17. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4315.

  18. Jul 29, 2014FloorH32400

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Rodney Davis to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  19. Jul 29, 2014FloorH32020

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 693 and Rule XVIII.

  20. Jul 29, 2014FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4315 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

  21. Jul 29, 2014FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 693. (consideration: CR H7007-7024; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H7015-7016)

  22. Jul 29, 2014FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 693 passed House.

  23. Jul 28, 2014FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 693 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4315 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.

  24. Jul 17, 2014CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.

  25. Jul 17, 2014CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-537.

  26. Jul 17, 2014Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-537.

  27. Apr 30, 2014Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 15.

  28. Apr 30, 2014Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  29. Apr 8, 2014Committee

    Committee Hearings Held.

  30. Mar 27, 2014IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  31. Mar 27, 2014IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  32. Mar 27, 2014IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJul 29, 201436

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.

Prohibits the appropriate Secretary from making the information publicly available when: (1) the public disclosure of the information is prohibited by a state law requiring the protection of personal information, and (2) the state requests that the information be withheld.

Requires the appropriate Secretary to execute an agreement with the Department of Defense (DOD) that prevents the disclosure of classified information pertaining to DOD personnel, facilities, lands, or waters.

(Sec. 3) Requires the appropriate Secretary to: (1) provide to affected states all data that is used as the basis of a determination on whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species before making a determination; and (2) use data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government in making such a determination.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit an annual report detailing federal expenditures for civil actions brought under the ESA containing claims that are based on the actions of the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, or the Southeastern Power Administration. Requires Interior to make the information available online in a searchable database.

Requires the report to include the total funds expended to respond to ESA lawsuits, the number of full-time federal employees dedicated to ESA lawsuits, attorneys' fees awarded in the course of ESA lawsuits and settlements, and any federal funding used in bringing a claim under the ESA.

(Sec. 5) Replaces the current standard for awarding court costs, including attorney's fees, in citizen suits with the federal judicial code standard for awarding costs to a prevailing party.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Jul 17, 201417

21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.

Prohibits the appropriate Secretary from making the information publicly available when: (1) the public disclosure of the information is prohibited by state law relating to the protection of personal information, and (2) the state requests that the information be withheld.

Introduced in HouseMar 27, 2014

21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act — Informed