United States 113th Congress Status: Died 1 R cosponsors

HR 4315 — Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act

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

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. Died in session

This bill died with 113th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

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.

Bill Text

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Read HR 4315 on the official United States source →

Action History

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

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

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

  4. 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.

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

  6. 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.

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

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

  9. H.AMDT.1129 On agreeing to the Holt amendment (A003) Failed by recorded vote: 204 - 215 (Roll no. 461).

  10. H.AMDT.1128 On agreeing to the DeFazio amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 188 - 227 (Roll no. 460).

  11. 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.

  12. H.AMDT.1130 On agreeing to the Duffy amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.

  13. 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.

  14. H.AMDT.1130 Amendment (A004) offered by Mr. Duffy. (consideration: CR H7019-7020; text: CR H7019)Amendment requires disclosure of any federal funding used by a person or a governmental or non-governmental entity in bringing a claim in a covered suit.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. H.AMDT.1129 Amendment (A003) offered by Mr. Holt. (consideration: CR H7018-7019, H7021-7022; text: CR H7018)Amendment sought to strike a provision which automatically defines all data submitted by State, County or Tribal governments as the "best available science," regardless of its merit.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. H.AMDT.1128 Amendment (A002) offered by Mr. DeFazio. (consideration: CR H7017-7018, H7020-7021; text: CR H7017)Amendment sought to exclude scientific information published solely in internal Interior Department publications from the definition of "best available science.".

  21. H.AMDT.1127 On agreeing to the Hastings (WA) amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote.

  22. 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.

  23. H.AMDT.1127 Amendment (A001) offered by Mr. Hastings (WA). (consideration: CR H7016-7017; text: CR H7016)Manager's amendment clarifies that the intent of the bill is for any Federal public disclosure of ESA data on the Internet to be completely consistent with data privacy laws of States, including those that protect personal identifiable information from disclosure. Amendment also clarifies that the bill would not require disclosure of classified DOD information related to lands, personnel, installations, or waters within their jurisdictions.

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

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

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

  27. 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.

  28. 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)

  29. Rule H. Res. 693 passed House.

  30. 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.

  31. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.

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

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

  34. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  35. Committee Hearings Held.

  36. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 4315 do?
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.
Who sponsors HR 4315?
HR 4315 is sponsored by Doc Hastings (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 4315?
This bill died with 113th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 4315?
Track HR 4315 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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