House Natural Resources Committee considers the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025

Large bison walks across prairie

Key Takeaways

On March 6, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1897), which makes several important changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and addresses key county concerns. The Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee held a legislative hearing which included H.R. 1897 on March 25. 

What does the bill change about the ESA?

The legislation makes impactful changes to the ESA, including:

  • Amends the definition of “best scientific and commercial data available” to include data submitted by county, state or tribal governments
  • Allows states to develop and submit recovery strategies for species that are candidates for listing or currently listed
  • Replicates on private lands language from the Sikes Act, which provides additional regulatory certainty that critical habitat will not be designated if a landowner is working to implement a species conservation strategy
  • Creates additional transparency during the listing process by requiring analysis of the economic and national security impacts of all species listing and critical habitat designation
  • Places a cap on attorney’s fees that can be awarded in successful litigation in line with other legislation
  • Restores Congressional intent by clarifying that federal agencies do not have the ability to create regulations based on the potential of impacting species

What are the potential impacts for counties? 

The bill’s broad changes to the ESA will address key county concerns, including:

  • Requiring impact assessments to ensure that listing decisions are made with a comprehensive understanding of the local context
  • Encouraging state-led recovery strategies to allow for conservation strategies tailored to particular state and local characteristics and challenges
  • Greater recognition when submitting data related to planned species and habitat designations, reinforcing the intergovernmental partnership between federal, state and local officials

NACo will continue to provide periodic updates as this vital legislation advances. 

Related News

Cooling towers byron IL
Advocacy

White House signs executive orders to advance nuclear power

On May 23, President Trump signed four executive orders focused on expanding the nuclear energy industry. The executive orders aim to position nuclear power as a key contributor to energy reliability, economic growth and national security — especially as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and military operations increase demand for stable, high-density power sources. 

Image of supreme court.jpg
Advocacy

U.S. Supreme Court issues unanimous decision in landmark National Environmental Policy Act case

On May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado that will reshape requirements for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environment impact statements. 

Bureau of Land Management Acting Director John Raby speaks to the WIR Board of Directors during the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference in March. He addressed a workshop remotely during the 2025 WIR Conference in Pennington County, S.D. in May. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

BLM, HUD target public lands for housing

A multi-agency push could open up hundreds of thousands of BLM acres near towns and cities to development for attainable housing.