To nullify the decision and order of the Endangered Species Committee with respect to certain oil and gas activities, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8919
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-25T08:08:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation nullifies a specific decision by the Endangered Species Committee that exempted certain oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America from requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also temporarily restricts the Committee's ability to grant similar exemptions and ensures prior environmental protections remain in place.
Key Provisions
- The March 31, 2026, decision and order of the Endangered Species Committee, as described in the April 3, 2026, Federal Register notice, is declared to have no legal effect, and no federal funds may be used to carry it out.
- For a three-year period after enactment, the Endangered Species Committee is prohibited from issuing any exemption under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities.
- The requirements of the Endangered Species Act in effect on March 30, 2026, continue to apply fully to these activities.
- Definitions clarify the covered federal agencies (Interior, Army, EPA, Agriculture, Council of Economic Advisers, and Commerce), the Endangered Species Committee, and the referenced activities and notice.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill overrides an existing exemption granted by the Endangered Species Committee and imposes a three-year moratorium on new exemptions for the specified oil and gas activities. It effectively freezes the legal status of Endangered Species Act compliance at the rules in place on March 30, 2026, rather than allowing the Committee to alter those requirements.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The listed federal agencies involved in the original notice (Interior, Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, Agriculture, Council of Economic Advisers, and Commerce) cannot implement the nullified decision and must continue applying pre-March 31, 2026, Endangered Species Act standards.
- Citizens and industry: Oil and gas operators in the Gulf of America face continued Endangered Species Act consultation and protection requirements, potentially affecting project timelines and costs.
- International relations: No direct effects are specified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies listed in the bill.
- Oil and gas companies conducting activities in the Gulf of America.
- Environmental organizations and species protected under the Endangered Species Act.
- Congress, which is exercising oversight over the Endangered Species Committee process.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation represents a direct congressional intervention to nullify an administrative decision under the Endangered Species Act, raising questions about the balance of authority between the legislative and executive branches in implementing environmental statutes. It also limits the discretion of the Endangered Species Committee for a defined period, potentially affecting how future exemption requests are handled.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Cosponsors (21)
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To nullify the decision and order of the Endangered Species Committee with respect to certain oil and gas activities, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (3 pages)