American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act (H.R. 48; 117th Congress)

by Andy Biggs

117th CONGRESS
1st Session

H.R. 48

To amend the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, to prohibit certain types of financial assistance, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2021

Mr. Biggs introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, to prohibit certain types of financial assistance, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act”.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON LISTING OF NOT NATIVE SPECIES AND PROVISION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Limitation On Listing Of Not Native Species.—Section 4(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(D) NOT NATIVE SPECIES.—The Secretary may not determine that a species is an endangered species or a threatened species pursuant to section 4 if such species is not native to the United States.”.

(b) Limitation On Provision Of Certain Financial Assistance.—Section 8(a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1537(a)) is amended—

(1) by striking “As a demonstration of” and inserting the following:

“(1) IN GENERAL.—As a demonstration of”;

(2) by striking “(which includes, but is not limited to, the acquisition, by lease or otherwise, of lands, waters, or interests therein)”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(2) PROHIBITION ON PURCHASING LAND IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY.—No financial assistance provided under paragraph (1) may be used to acquire, by lease or otherwise, lands, waters, or other interests in a foreign country.”.