Bill · H.R. 180· House(119-HR-180)
Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 7/22/2025 — Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Sponsored by
- Tom McClintock
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It requires the Secretary to publish the scientific and commercial data used to determine if a species is endangered or threatened on the internet. The Act also mandates that affected States receive all data used for such determinations before a decision is made. Additionally, it requires the disclosure of Federal Government expenditures related to certain lawsuits through a searchable online database. Finally, it adjusts how litigation costs are awarded to prevailing parties.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
It mandates the publication of scientific basis for species listings and a database of litigation expenditures.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+3
The bill empowers states by requiring data sharing and allowing them to restrict certain public disclosures.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+2
It enhances transparency by requiring the publication of federal expenditure data for species-related lawsuits.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The bill imposes stricter data transparency requirements that may impact the speed of species listings.
Does this give the federal government more power?-1
The bill seeks to limit federal autonomy by mandating data sharing with the states.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency via Internet Publication: The Secretary would be required to make the best scientific and commercial data used for species listings available on the internet, which provides public access to the basis for these regulations (Section 2).
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Improved State Involvement: Affected States would be provided with all data used for a determination before the determination is made (Section 3(a)).
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Inclusion of Local Information: The definition of "best scientific and commercial data available" would explicitly include data submitted by State, Tribal, or county governments (Section 3(b)).
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Public Accountability of Expenditures: The bill requires the creation of a monthly updated, searchable online database detailing Federal Government expenditures for covered suits, including case names, agency names, and funds expended (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Information Disclosure: The Secretary is not required to make information available if a State determines that public disclosure is prohibited by state law or regulation, such as those protecting personal information (Section 2(A)).
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Protection of Classified Information: The bill requires an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to prevent the disclosure of classified information regarding Department of Defense personnel, facilities, lands, or waters (Section 2(B)).
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Limitation on Information Disclosure: There are limitations on the disclosure of information that is not specifically described in the expenditure report requirements (Section 4(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increase States Rights+3Increases Federal Power-1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2Reduces Government Spending+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+1Improves Environmental Protections-2
- 7/22/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 7/16/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House