Supporting the designation of May 15, 2026, as "Endangered Species Day".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1294
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-29T16:37:16Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This resolution supports designating May 15, 2026, as "Endangered Species Day" to recognize the value of plants and wildlife and the role of conservation efforts in protecting species at risk of extinction.
Key Provisions Outlined
- States that plants and wildlife provide health, cultural, economic, recreational, and spiritual benefits.
- Notes that more than 2,300 species in the United States and worldwide are at risk of extinction, amid a broader biodiversity crisis.
- Highlights the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as a key law that has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of listed species, with examples including the American bald eagle, California condor, and Florida manatee.
- Recognizes the cultural and subsistence importance of at-risk species to Tribal, indigenous, and Native Alaskan communities, along with their role in conservation using traditional knowledge.
- Points to economic benefits from wildlife-related tourism and recreation that support millions of jobs.
- Resolves that the House of Representatives supports the designation, recognizes the value of plants and wildlife and the Endangered Species Act, and acknowledges the ongoing need for conservation measures to address the biodiversity crisis.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced This measure introduces no changes to existing law. It is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for the Endangered Species Act of 1973 without amending any statutes or creating new legal requirements.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- May raise public awareness among citizens about species conservation and the Endangered Species Act.
- Could encourage voluntary conservation activities by individuals and groups.
- Has no direct effects on government agencies, as it does not allocate funds, assign duties, or alter agency operations.
- No anticipated impacts on international relations, as the resolution focuses on domestic U.S. conservation efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected by This Legislation
- Members of Congress and their offices involved in introducing and considering the resolution.
- Conservation organizations and environmental groups focused on species protection.
- Tribal, indigenous, and Native Alaskan communities that value at-risk species for cultural and subsistence reasons.
- Industries and workers in wildlife-related tourism and recreation.
- The general public with interests in environmental heritage and biodiversity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Symbolically reinforces the importance of the Endangered Species Act without creating enforceable legal obligations.
- Carries no constitutional concerns, as resolutions of this type fall within Congress's authority to express views on policy matters.
- May reflect bipartisan interest in environmental issues, given the sponsors from different political parties, but remains a statement of support rather than a policy shift.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-05-15: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the designation of May 15, 2026, as "Endangered Species Day". — issued 2026-05-15 — PDF (3 pages)