HR102-119

What This Bill Does

The American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act changes Endangered Species Act authority for nonnative species. Congress.gov text shows that the Secretary could not list a species as endangered or threatened if it is not native to the United States, and ESA section 8 financial assistance could not be used to acquire land, water, or other interests in a foreign country. The bill therefore narrows ESA reach away from foreign or nonnative species and foreign land acquisition, shifting resources toward domestic species and domestic habitat.

Who Benefits and How

Domestic landowners benefit if nonnative species can no longer trigger ESA restrictions affecting U.S. activities. Industry permit applicants benefit from reduced risk that a nonnative species listing creates consultation or compliance duties. ESA sovereignty advocates benefit because the bill confines listing and financial assistance more tightly to U.S.-native species and domestic interests. Federal grant overseers benefit from a clearer prohibition on using ESA assistance to acquire foreign land or water interests.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Conservation organizations working on nonnative species lose federal listing leverage under the ESA. Foreign habitat projects lose access to ESA financial assistance for land or water acquisition. Fish and Wildlife Service listing staff must screen species for U.S. native status before listing decisions. Species not native to the United States lose potential endangered or threatened status under the amended section 4 rule.

Key Provisions

• Bars endangered or threatened species listings for species not native to the United States.
• Amends ESA financial-assistance authority to prohibit acquisition of foreign land, water, or other interests.
• Redirects ESA listing authority toward species native to the United States.
• Restricts federal conservation funding for foreign real-property interests.