U.S. Reps. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and a group of fellow legislators from the Endangered Species Act Working Group introduced the State, Tribal and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act on Monday.
If passed, the legislation would mandate the federal government to disclose data used before any listing decisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It also would require that the “best available scientific and commercial data” used include data provided by states, tribes and local governments that are affected by the regulations and decisions handed down via the ESA.
“For far too long, bureaucrats in Washington have used the Endangered Species Act to bring heavy-handed regulations to hardworking farmers, ranchers and business owners in West Texas and the Big Country,” Neugebauer, vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee said. “These regulations are incredibly expensive and can greatly harm future opportunity in the communities most impacted. We must ensure that the federal government is using the best available science to evaluate whether a listing is necessary or if other conservation efforts will be successful.”
The bill would increase transparency, and the opportunity for more community reaction and engagement.
“My bill increases transparency by expanding access to the data used to justify a listing and gives communities across America a greater say in the ESA listing process,” Neugebauer continued.
During the last congressional session, a similar bill introduced by Neugebauer passed in the House.