To provide that the final rule of the United States Fish and...
To provide that the final rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration titled "Rescinding the Definition of 'Harm' Under the Endangered Species Act" shall have no force or effect.
This bill, HB9901, aims to nullify a recent rule by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that changed the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed rule would have limited how harm is interpreted in the context of protecting endangered species. The bill seeks to ensure that this rule does not go into effect, thereby maintaining the existing definition of harm.
The bill would affect those who work with endangered species, including environmental organizations, conservation groups, and industries that may be regulated under the Endangered Species Act. By preventing the rule from taking effect, the bill would maintain the current protections for endangered species, ensuring that any action that could harm these species remains subject to regulation.
HB9901 was introduced on July 23, 2026, and has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for further consideration. The next steps will involve committee review, potential amendments, and a vote to decide whether the bill should move forward in the legislative process. The bill currently has two sponsors: Mike Quigley, a Democrat, and Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican, who is the primary sponsor.
