Local Data for Better Conservation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9184
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T19:37:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9184: Local Data for Better Conservation Act
Purpose
This legislation aims to modify the process for listing and delisting species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by requiring the use of state-collected data in federal decisions.
Key Provisions
- The bill adds a new subsection (j) to Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act.
- It directs the Secretary to accept and integrate state-collected data when making determinations to list or delist a species as threatened or endangered.
- The short title of the act is the "Local Data for Better Conservation Act."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The Endangered Species Act currently does not include an explicit requirement to incorporate state-collected data in listing or delisting decisions.
- This amendment introduces a mandatory obligation for the Secretary to accept and integrate such data, potentially altering how federal agencies evaluate species status.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Federal agencies responsible for Endangered Species Act implementation, such as those under the Department of the Interior or Commerce, would need to adjust their review processes to include state data.
- Citizens and states: State governments and local entities could see greater influence in species conservation decisions through their data contributions.
- International relations: No direct effects are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies handling species listings.
- State governments and agencies providing data.
- Industries and landowners impacted by species protections, such as those in agriculture, energy, or development.
- Conservation organizations and environmental groups involved in species management.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The change emphasizes state input in a primarily federal regulatory framework, which could raise questions about the balance of authority between federal and state governments in environmental policy.
- It may influence the scientific basis for future listing decisions without altering the core standards for determining species status.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Local Data for Better Conservation Act — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (2 pages)