Bills · HR 181
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 181Endangered and threatened speciesAnimal protection and human-animal relationships
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.
INTRO JAN 3· LAST ACTION JAN 3
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it could fundamentally change the approach to protecting endangered species in the United States. If enacted, it blurs the line between saving species in their natural environments and merely preserving genetic material in captivity. Voters should care because it could mean that a species is considered 'recovered' or less endangered based on a large captive population, even if its wild numbers are critically low or its natural habitat has been destroyed. This could lead to a less stringent application of the ESA for species with robust captive breeding programs, potentially allowing more development in areas critical for wild populations.
It also impacts how environmental damage is addressed. By mandating that artificial propagation be accepted for mitigation, the bill might reduce incentives to avoid or minimize harm to wild populations and their habitats in the first place. Instead of protecting existing ecosystems, the default could become breeding animals elsewhere to 'make up' for the loss, which critics argue does not achieve the core goal of the ESA: recovering species in their natural ecosystems.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The bill prohibits the government from distinguishing between naturally wild animals and artificially bred animals when making any decisions under the Endangered Species Act.
This provision could lead to endangered or threatened species being considered recovered or less at-risk based on captive populations, regardless of their status in the wild.
PROVISION 02
The bill requires the government to authorize the use of artificially bred animals for purposes of any mitigation required under the Endangered Species Act.
This means that if a project harms an endangered species, developers could be compelled to use captive breeding as a way to offset that harm, potentially shifting focus from habitat preservation.
PROVISION 03
The changes made by this bill would apply to all species, regardless of when they were initially listed as endangered or threatened.
This ensures that the new rules immediately impact all current and future endangered species conservation and mitigation efforts, not just new listings.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· California
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
26
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSJAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 181
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Last actionJan 3, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025
House BillHR 181Endangered and threatened speciesAnimal protection and human-animal relationships
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that artificially propagated animals shall be treated the same under that Act as naturally propagated animals, and for other purposes.
INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 3, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
