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H.R. 4315 113th Congress House

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act

Official title: To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require publication on the Internet of the basis for determinations that species are endangered species or threatened species, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 2, 2014 See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of the InteriorEndangered and threatened speciesGovernment information and archivesWildlife conservation and habitat protection
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This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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 29 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 30, 2014
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Jul 29, 2014
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 693 and Rule XVIII.
Jul 29, 2014
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 190 (Roll no. 463).
Jul 29, 2014
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 197 - 225 (Roll no. 462).
Jul 29, 2014
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require the Secretary of the Interior to consult with affected Indian tribes to ensure that the Federal trust responsibility with respect to Indian tribes is fulfilled when carrying out any provision of H.R. 4315.
Jul 29, 2014
Mrs. Kirkpatrick moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H7022-7023; text: CR H7022)
Jul 29, 2014
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jul 29, 2014
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H7022)
Jul 29, 2014
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4315.
Jul 29, 2014
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that, pursuant to clause 6 of Rule XVIII, the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Jul 29, 2014
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duffy amendment No. 4.
Jul 29, 2014
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 29, 2014
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment No. 3.
Jul 29, 2014
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the DeFazio amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. DeFazio demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Jul 29, 2014
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeFazio amendment No. 2.
Jul 29, 2014
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 693, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (WA) amendment No. 1.
Jul 29, 2014
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4315.
Jul 29, 2014
The Speaker designated the Honorable Rodney Davis to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jul 29, 2014
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4315 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 29, 2014
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 693. (consideration: CR H7007-7024; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H7015-7016)
Jul 29, 2014
Rule H. Res. 693 passed House.
Jul 28, 2014
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 693 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4315 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 17, 2014
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 403.
Jul 17, 2014
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-537.
Apr 30, 2014
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 30, 2014
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 15.
Apr 8, 2014
Committee Hearings Held.
Mar 27, 2014
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 27, 2014
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 29, 2014 House · vote #463 On Passage Passed 233–190 See who voted →
Jul 29, 2014 House · vote #462 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 197–225 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 4

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

2 agreed to 2 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,130 – Amendment requires disclosure of any federal funding used by a person or a governmental or non-governmental e… Agreed to Jul 29, 2014
HAMDT 1,129 – Amendment sought to strike a provision which automatically defines all data submitted by State, County or Tri… Failed Jul 29, 2014
HAMDT 1,128 – Amendment sought to exclude scientific information published solely in internal Interior Department publicati… Failed Jul 29, 2014
HAMDT 1,127 – Manager's amendment clarifies that the intent of the bill is for any Federal public disclosure of ESA data on… Agreed to Jul 29, 2014
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 Latest action July 30, 2014

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.

Prohibits the appropriate Secretary from making the information publicly available when: (1) the public disclosure of the information is prohibited by a state law requiring the protection of personal information, and (2) the state requests that the information be withheld.

Requires the appropriate Secretary to execute an agreement with the Department of Defense (DOD) that prevents the disclosure of classified information pertaining to DOD personnel, facilities, lands, or waters.

(Sec. 3) Requires the appropriate Secretary to: (1) provide to affected states all data that is used as the basis of a determination on whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species before making a determination; and (2) use data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government in making such a determination.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit an annual report detailing federal expenditures for civil actions brought under the ESA containing claims that are based on the actions of the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, or the Southeastern Power Administration. Requires Interior to make the information available online in a searchable database.

Requires the report to include the total funds expended to respond to ESA lawsuits, the number of full-time federal employees dedicated to ESA lawsuits, attorneys' fees awarded in the course of ESA lawsuits and settlements, and any federal funding used in bringing a claim under the ESA.

(Sec. 5) Replaces the current standard for awarding court costs, including attorney's fees, in citizen suits with the federal judicial code standard for awarding costs to a prevailing party.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HRES 693 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4315) to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require publication …
  • S 2635 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 24
All 24 Republican 13
Pearce, Stevan
· Jun 12, 2014
Franks, Trent
· May 22, 2014
JONES, WALTER
· May 22, 2014
 R
Smith, Jason
Missouri · May 22, 2014
Tipton, Scott
· May 22, 2014
TIBERI, PATRICK
· May 9, 2014
Olson, Pete
· May 1, 2014
 R
Cotton, Tom
Arkansas · Apr 29, 2014
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Apr 29, 2014
 R
Gosar, Paul A.
Arizona · Apr 29, 2014
 R
McClintock, Tom
California · Apr 29, 2014
WALDEN, GREG
· Apr 8, 2014
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · Apr 2, 2014
 R
Amodei, Mark E.
Nevada · Mar 27, 2014
Bishop, Rob
· Mar 27, 2014
Collins, Doug
· Mar 27, 2014
 R
Harris, Andy
Maryland · Mar 27, 2014
 R
Huizenga, Bill
Michigan · Mar 27, 2014
 R
Lankford, James
Oklahoma · Mar 27, 2014
Luetkemeyer, Blaine
· Mar 27, 2014
 R
Lummis, Cynthia M.
Wyoming · Mar 27, 2014
Neugebauer, Randy
· Mar 27, 2014
 R
Thompson, Glenn
Pennsylvania · Mar 27, 2014
 R
Valadao, David G.
California · Mar 27, 2014
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4315: Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4315/
MLA
"H.R. 4315: Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4315/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4315, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4315/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4315: Endangered Species Transparency and Reasonableness Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4315/)
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