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HR 2602 108th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative procedure Animals Biological research Conflict of interests Decision making Department of the Interior Ecological research Endangered species Environmental Protection Environmental assessment Federal advisory bodies Federal-state relations Government Operations and Politics Government paperwork Government publicity Habitat conservation Landowners Law Planning

Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act

Introduced: June 25, 2003 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 1, 2003
Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
Jun 25, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Jun 25, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to change from mandatory to discretionary the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to designate critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species.

Directs the Secretary, when required by the Act to use the best scientific and commercial data available, in evaluating comparable data to give greater weight to such data that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer-reviewed.

Specifies requirements for the use of sound science in the listing of endangered or threatened species such as: (1) the establishment of criteria for scientific studies to support the listing; (2) use of data obtained by observation of the species in the field; and (3) use of data from landowners who have observed such species on their land. Requires the use of sound science in the preparation of a recovery plan for an endangered or threatened species.

Sets forth requirements for: (1) peer review before certain action can become final with respect to endangered or threatened species; and (2) use of information provided by States affected by such species or their habitat for recovery plans.

What's happening now July 1, 2003

Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Jul 15, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2602: Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2602/
MLA
"H.R. 2602: Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2602/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2602, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2602/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2602: Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-2602/)
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