Bill · H.R. 65· House(119-HR-65)
Armed Forces Endangered Species Exemption Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Biggs
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Armed Forces Endangered Species Exemption Act" aims to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This bill seeks to restrict the Secretary of the Interior from designating certain lands used for national defense as critical habitat. It specifically targets military installations and lands designated for use by the Secretary of Defense. Additionally, the bill broadens exclusions and exemptions from the Act for various defense-related purposes. These changes include limiting required consultations between agencies and providing exemptions for actions taken by military personnel.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill increases the authority of the Secretary of Defense to designate lands for use and exempts them from consultation with the Secretary of the Interior.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The bill may benefit rural residents by facilitating military training and land use often located in rural areas.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+1
The bill expands the scope of national defense-related operations which may indirectly support the training and preparedness of service members.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-8
The bill reduces environmental protections by restricting the designation of critical habitats and allowing for the taking or destruction of endangered species during defense operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Streamlined Military Operations: The bill prevents the Secretary of the Interior from designating military installations or State-owned National Guard installations as critical habitat (Section 2). This could allow for more direct use of these lands for defense purposes without habitat designation constraints.
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Increased Flexibility for Defense Lands: The Secretary of Defense can designate other lands, waters, or areas as necessary for military training, weapons testing, or other appropriate reasons, which limits critical habitat designations (Section 2).
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Expanded Scope for Defense Operations: The bill provides exclusions for the taking, damaging, or destroying of species by military personnel engaged in national defense-related operations (Section 3). This includes activities such as research, development, testing, and general military training (Section 3).
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Protection for Personnel during Duty: The act specifies that injuries to or mortality of species resulting from a national defense-related operation are excluded from certain prohibitions, even if the operation is not on a military installation (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Oversight of Military Lands: The Secretary of Defense is no longer required to consult with the Secretary of the Interior regarding agency action on specific military areas, regardless of whether there is a natural resources management plan in place (Section 2).
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Increased Impact on Endangered Species: The bill allows for the taking, damaging, or destroying of endangered or threatened species by military personnel during national defense-related operations (Section 3).
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Broad Definition of Defense Operations: The term "national defense-related operation" includes any action or duty the Secretary of Defense deems necessary to support the Department of Defense mission (Section 3).
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Extended Liability for Contractors: The exemptions apply to military personnel, which includes civilian employees or contractors at any tier of the Department of Defense or other Federal agencies supporting the mission (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-8
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Paul GosarRepublican · Arizona