A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a procedure for approval of certain settlements.
Bill journey · stage 1 of 5
Just introduced
What it doesSummary introduced in senate (Jan 28, 2015)
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise provisions governing citizen suits against the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, that allege a failure of the relevant department to perform an act or duty related to an endangered species or threatened species. Interior must publish the complaint in a citizen suit within 30 days of being served. Affected parties shall be given a reasonable opportunity to intervene in the suit. If affected parties intervene, the court must refer the action to a mediation program or magistrate judge to facilitate settlement discussions.
The court is prohibited from: (1) awarding litigation costs in a citizen suit that is settled by a consent decree, or (2) awarding litigation costs to a plaintiff in a citizen suit that is settled.
Interior must provide notice of a proposed settlement to each state or county in which an affected species occurs. A settlement can only be approved if states or counties approve the settlement or fail to respond.
What just happenedMay 6, 2015
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in SenateJan 28, 2015
- May 6, 2015Committee
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
Environment and Public Works Committee - Jan 28, 2015IntroReferral
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S602)
Environment and Public Works Committee - Jan 28, 2015IntroReferral10000
Introduced in Senate