Summary:
Sage-Grouse Protection and Conservation Act

This bill addresses the management of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

If the Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Department of the Interior receives, or has already received, from one of those states a statewide conservation and management plan for the protection and recovery of those sage-grouse species, the appropriate department must take steps during the next six years to: (1) allow for appropriate monitoring and collection of data, and (2) assess the state plan's success.

The appropriate department must: (1) share data with states and assist them in developing and implementing plans; (2) require states that opt to have plans in lieu of federal endangered species plans to monitor and report on relevant data, including population trends; (3) use statewide plans as the basis for all relevant determinations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and (4) stay any land use planning activities relating to federal management of sage-grouse species on public land or National Forest System land within those states that have plans.

The appropriate department may extend the provisions of the bill for six more years with the consent of the relevant state.

Interior must fully implement for at least six years Secretarial Order 3336 to prevent and suppress rangeland fire and restore sagebrush landscapes impacted by fire across the Western United States.

sage grouse protection conservation act bill addresses management greater sage grouse sage grouse minimus california colorado idaho montana nevada north_dakota oregon south_dakota utah washington wyoming department_of_agriculture usda department_of_the_interior receives received states statewide conservation management plan protection recovery sage grouse species appropriate department steps years allow appropriate monitoring collection data assess state plan success appropriate department share data states assist developing implementing plans require states opt plans lieu federal endangered species plans monitor report relevant data including population trends use statewide plans basis relevant determinations national_environmental_policy_act stay land use planning activities relating federal management sage grouse species public land national_forest_system land states plans appropriate department extend provisions bill years consent relevant state interior fully implement years secretarial order prevent suppress rangeland fire restore landscapes impacted fire


Summary:
Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act

 Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit the use or possession of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Imposes on persons who possess or use such traps in the System: (1) for a first offense, a civil fine of up to $500 for each body-gripping trap possessed or used; and (2) for subsequent offenses, a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each body-gripping trap possessed or used, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both such a civil fine and imprisonment.

Makes any body-gripping traps that are possessed or used in violation of this Act, and any wildlife captured by the use of such traps, including the pelts and raw fur, subject to civil forfeiture.

Requires persons found to be in violation of such prohibition to pay all associated court costs.

refuge cruel trapping act amends national_wildlife_refuge_system_administration_act prohibit use possession body gripping traps national_wildlife_refuge_system imposes persons possess use traps system offense civil fine body gripping trap possessed subsequent offenses civil fine body gripping trap possessed imprisonment days civil fine imprisonment makes body gripping traps possessed violation act wildlife captured use traps including pelts raw fur subject civil forfeiture requires persons found violation prohibition pay associated court costs


Summary:
Common Sense in Species Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce to exclude an area from designation as a critical habitat to conserve an endangered or threatened species if the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of including the area, unless the failure to designate the area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the species.

At the time a proposed rule to designate a critical habitat is published, the appropriate department must make available for public comment a draft analysis that: (1) examines the incremental and cumulative economic effects of all actions to protect the species and its habitat upon each state and locality that is affected by the proposed designation; (2) includes consideration of economic effects on possible uses of land and property values, employment, revenues available for state and local governments, and the provision of water, power, or other public services; and (3) assesses those effects on a quantitative and qualitative basis.

The bill applies to any designation of critical habitat on or after August 28, 2013.

species protection act bill amends endangered species act require department_of_the_interior_or_the_department_of_commerce exclude area designation critical habitat conserve endangered threatened species benefits exclusion outweigh benefits including area failure designate area critical habitat result extinction species time proposed rule designate critical habitat published appropriate department available public comment draft analysis examines incremental cumulative economic effects actions protect species habitat state locality affected proposed designation includes consideration economic effects possible uses land property values employment revenues available state local governments provision water power public services assesses effects quantitative qualitative basis bill applies designation critical habitat august


Summary:
Endangered Species Litigation Reasonableness Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to replace the current standard for awarding court costs, including attorney fees, in citizen suits with the federal judicial code standard for awarding costs to a prevailing party.

endangered species litigation reasonableness act bill amends endangered species act replace current standard awarding court costs including attorney fees citizen suits federal judicial code standard awarding costs prevailing party


Summary:
Listing Reform Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to allow the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to prioritize the consideration of petitions to list a species as endangered or threatened other than in the order in which the petitions are received. The appropriate department may not give general priority to petitions to add species to the list of endangered or threatened species over petitions to remove a species from the list.

The deadline for the appropriate department to decide on whether or not a petition to list or remove a species should be granted is changed from within 12 months to as expeditiously as possible.

The appropriate department is given the authority to preclude the listing of a species as threatened due to the likelihood of significant, cumulative economic effects that would result from such listing or from the likely resulting designation of critical habitat of the species. Once a petition is precluded due to those economic effects, the appropriate department may not reconsider that finding unless the department: (1) determines there is endangerment of extinction of the species; or (2) receives a new petition to add the species to the list that includes an analyses concluding that alternative actions are possible other than those resulting in significant, cumulative economic effects.

listing reform act bill amends endangered species act allow department_of_the_interior_or_the_department_of_commerce appropriate prioritize consideration petitions list species endangered threatened order petitions received appropriate department general priority petitions add species list endangered threatened species petitions remove species list deadline appropriate department decide petition list remove species granted changed months expeditiously possible appropriate department given authority preclude listing species threatened likelihood significant cumulative economic effects result listing likely resulting designation critical habitat species petition precluded economic effects appropriate department reconsider finding department determines endangerment extinction species receives new petition add species list includes analyses concluding alternative actions possible resulting significant cumulative economic effects


Summary:
Transparency for Lethal Control Act

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to report annually to Congress on the animals killed under the Wildlife Services program or by a state or local entity acting in cooperation with or on behalf of the program. The report must be made publicly available on the Internet and must include: the number of animals killed, species names, methods used to kill the animals, and reasons for killing the animals.

transparency lethal control act bill requires report annually congress animals killed program state local entity acting cooperation behalf program report publicly available internet include number animals killed species names methods kill animals reasons killing animals


Summary:
Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act or the Wildlife VET Act

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to award grants to wildlife or veterinary institutions to create additional clinical and research positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians. Preference must be given to institutions that will create positions in areas of need, including wildlife disease research and training, disease surveillance, ecology and wildlife population management, and conservation and management of the health of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species.

Interior must establish: (1) the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program to pay educational loans of eligible individuals for a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine or a graduate degree in veterinary medicine, and (2) the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program to award students enrolled in an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine scholarships. Those loans may be repaid and the awards may be given only if the recipient of the loan or the award agrees to serve for at least four consecutive years at a wildlife or veterinary institution as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian.

Interior must also: (1) establish a pilot program to award grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine to develop or improve new or existing curricula that specialize in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine, and (2) award grants to eligible wildlife or veterinary institutions to establish or expand training programs that will enhance the ability of a trainee to practice as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian. Those training programs may include externship, internship, fellowship, or residency programs.

wildlife veterinarians employment training_act bill authorizes department_of_the_interior award grants wildlife veterinary institutions create additional clinical research positions wildlife zoological veterinarians preference given institutions create positions areas need including wildlife disease research training disease surveillance ecology wildlife population management conservation management health endangered threatened sensitive species interior establish wildlife zoological veterinary workforce loan repayment program pay educational loans eligible individuals doctoral degree veterinary medicine graduate degree veterinary medicine wildlife zoological veterinary workforce scholarship program award students enrolled accredited school college veterinary medicine scholarships loans repaid awards given recipient loan award agrees serve consecutive years wildlife veterinary institution wildlife zoological veterinarian interior establish pilot program award grants accredited schools colleges veterinary medicine develop improve new existing curricula specialize wildlife zoological veterinary medicine award grants eligible wildlife veterinary institutions establish expand training programs enhance ability trainee practice wildlife zoological veterinarian training programs include externship internship fellowship residency programs


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on November 16, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act

(Sec. 2) This bill redesignates the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state as the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

(Sec. 3) The bill establishes, as a unit of the National Park System, the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial within the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to commemorate the location of the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854 between the U.S. government and leaders of the Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island Indian Tribes.

The Department of the Interior must: (1) establish the boundaries of the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial and to provide for its administration and interpretation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and (2) coordinate with representatives of the Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island Indian Tribes in providing for that interpretation.

measure amended reported house november summary version repeated tell story act sec bill redesignates washington state national wildlife refuge sec bill establishes unit national_park_system national wildlife refuge commemorate location signing government leaders tribes department_of_the_interior establish boundaries provide administration interpretation coordinate representatives tribes providing interpretation


Summary: This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to delay by 10 years until 2026 the date after which interest from the wildlife conservation and restoration fund is available for apportionment.

bill amends pittman-robertson_wildlife_restoration_act delay years date interest wildlife conservation restoration fund available apportionment


Summary:
State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to 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.

The appropriate Department must use data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government in making such a determination.

state tribal local species transparency recovery_act bill amends endangered species act require department_of_the_interior_or_the_department_of_commerce appropriate provide affected states data basis determination species endangered species threatened species making determination appropriate department use data submitted state tribal county government making determination


Summary:
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee Act

This bill amends the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act to establish the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee to advise the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture on wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational shooting.

The Advisory Committee must advise the departments on policies or programs related to:

 implementing Executive Order No. 13443: Facilitation of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation; conserving and restoring wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, forest, and rangeland habitats; promoting opportunities for and access to hunting and shooting sports on federal lands; recruiting and retaining new hunters and shooters; increasing public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the benefits of recreational hunting and shooting; and encouraging coordination among the public, the hunting and shooting sports community, wildlife conservation groups, states, tribes, and the federal government. The bill also specifies requirements for membership, meetings, pay and expenses, administrative support, and annual reports to Congress. The Advisory Committee is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The bill abolishes the existing Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, effective on the date of the first meeting of the Advisory Committee established by this bill.

wildlife hunting heritage conservation council advisory committee act bill amends establish advise department_of_the_interior_and_the_department_of_agriculture wildlife habitat conservation hunting recreational shooting advisory committee advise departments policies programs related implementing executive order facilitation hunting heritage wildlife conservation conserving restoring wetlands agricultural lands forest rangeland habitats promoting opportunities access hunting shooting sports federal lands recruiting retaining new shooters increasing public awareness importance wildlife conservation benefits recreational hunting shooting encouraging coordination public hunting shooting sports community wildlife conservation groups states tribes federal government bill specifies requirements membership meetings pay expenses administrative support annual reports congress advisory_committee exempt federal_advisory_committee_act bill abolishes existing wildlife hunting heritage conservation council effective date meeting advisory_committee established bill


Summary:
Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act or the SHARE Act

This bill revises a variety of existing programs to expand access to, and opportunities for, hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting.

TITLE I--HUNTING, FISHING AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTING PROTECTION ACT

Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act

(Sec. 102) Components of firearms and ammunition and sport fishing equipment and its components (such as lead sinkers) are exempted from regulation of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

(Sec. 103) The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture (USDA) may not regulate the use of ammunition and fishing tackle based on their lead content if such use complies with state law. This limitation is inapplicable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Park Service (NPS).

TITLE II--TARGET PRACTICE AND MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING SUPPORT ACT

Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act

(Sec. 204) The bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act by increasing the proportion of: (1) funding from that Act that states may use for public target ranges, and (2) the federal share of costs for public target ranges. A public target range is a specific location that is identified for recreational shooting.

(Sec. 205) The bill shields the United States from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function.

(Sec. 206) The bill urges the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range. TITLE III--POLAR BEAR CONSERVATION AND FAIRNESS ACT

Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act

(Sec. 302) The bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 by requiring Interior to issue permits to allow a hunter to import polar bear parts (other than internal organs) if the bear was legally harvested in Canada from an approved population before the May 15, 2008, listing of the polar bear as threatened.

TITLE IV--RECREATIONAL LANDS SELF-DEFENSE ACT

Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act

(Sec. 402) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may not prohibit individuals from possessing a firearm in public areas of a water resources development project.

TITLE V--WILDLIFE AND HUNTING HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Sec. 501) The bill replaces the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council with the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee. TITLE VI--RECREATIONAL FISHING AND HUNTING HERITAGE OPPORTUNITIES ACT Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act

(Sec. 603) Federal land management officials must facilitate the use of, and access to, federal lands for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting with specified exceptions.

Interior must integrate wildlife-dependent recreational uses into regulations, policies, criteria, plans, or other activities to amend the manner in which individual refuges or the National Wildlife Refuge System are managed.

Actions taken under this title or the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 may not be considered to be a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

The bill requires BLM and Forest Service lands, excluding lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, to be open to recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting unless the managing agency acts to close such lands to such activities for purposes of resource conservation, public safety, energy production, water supply facilities, or national security.

Heads of federal agencies must use their authorities to lease their lands or permit use of their lands for shooting ranges, and designate specific lands for recreational shooting activities.

(Sec. 604) The bill establishes requirements for a permanent or temporary withdrawal, change of classification, or change of management status that effectively closes or significantly restricts public lands for fishing or hunting or related activities.

TITLE VII--FARMER AND HUNTER PROTECTION ACT

Hunter and Farmer Protection Act

(Sec. 702) The bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to revise standards for determining what constitutes baiting for purposes of the prohibition on taking migratory game birds.

In the case of waterfowl, cranes, and coots, a baited area includes a standing, unharvested crop that has been manipulated through activities such as mowing, discing, or rolling, unless the activities are normal agricultural practices. An area is not considered to be a baited area if it: (1) has been treated with a normal agricultural practice, (2) has standing crops that have not been manipulated, or (3) has standing crops that have been or are flooded.

USDA must submit to Interior a report on changes to normal agricultural practices across the range of crops grown by agricultural producers in each region of the United States in which USDA harvest practice recommendations are provided to agricultural producers. TITLE VIII--TRANSPORTING BOWS ACROSS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LANDS

Hunter Access Corridors Act

(Sec. 802) The NPS may not prohibit individuals from transporting bows and crossbows if certain requirements are met.

The NPS may establish hunter access corridors. Actions taken to establish such corridors may not be considered to be a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment under the NEPA.

TITLE IX--FEDERAL LAND TRANSACTION FACILITATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION (FLTFA)

Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization

(Sec. 902) The bill amends the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA), including by permanently authorizing Interior to sell certain public land and use the proceeds from those sales for acquiring land located within or adjacent to federal lands.

The bill expands the program by allowing lands to be acquired from those proceeds for: (1) hunting, recreational fishing, recreational shooting, and other recreational activities; or (2) deferred maintenance activities that enhance opportunities for recreational access.

Interior must establish and maintain a public database containing a comprehensive list of all public land identified for disposal.

TITLE X--AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION AND LEGAL IVORY POSSESSION ACT

African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act

The bill revises and reauthorizes the African Elephant Conservation Act through FY2020.

 (Sec. 1003) Ivory may be imported or exported under that Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 if: (1) the raw ivory or worked ivory is for a museum; (2) it was lawfully importable into the United States on February 24, 2014, regardless of when it was acquired; or (3) the worked ivory was previously lawfully possessed in the United States.

This bill authorizes commerce in African elephant ivory or in products containing African elephant ivory that have been lawfully imported or crafted in the United States. (Sec. 1004) Interior may station USFWS law enforcement officers in each African country that has a significant population of African elephants to assist local wildlife rangers in protecting the elephants and facilitating the apprehension of individuals who illegally kill them or assist in killing them.

(Sec. 1005) The President may embargo any products from a country if it is a significant transit or destination point for illegal ivory trade.

(Sec. 1006) Interior's only means for determining whether trade in African elephant ivory is legal are the means used as of February 24, 2014, including any presumption or the burden of proof applied in those determinations. (Sec. 1007) The bill authorizes the importation of a sport-hunted African elephant trophy if the trophy was taken from certain elephants populations that at the time were not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may have become so unless trade was closely controlled. (Sec. 1008) In providing financial assistance under the African Elephant Conservation Act, Interior must prioritize projects for facilitating the acquisition of equipment and training to wildlife officials in ivory-producing countries to be used in anti-poaching efforts. (Sec. 1009) The Government Accountability Office must study and report on the effects of a ban of the trade in of fossilized ivory from mammoths and mastodons on the illegal importation and trade of African and Asian elephant ivory within the United States, with the exception of importation or trade related to museum exhibitions or scientific research. TITLE XI--RESPECT FOR TREATIES AND RIGHTS

(Sec. 1101) The bill may not be construed to affect any treaty or other right of a federally recognized Indian tribe. TITLE XII--PERMITS FOR FILM CREWS OF FIVE PEOPLE OR LESS (Sec. 1201) This bill provides special rules to expand access to federal land and waterways for film crews of five people or fewer.

TITLE XIII--STATE APPROVAL OF FISHING RESTRICTION

(Sec. 1301) Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must obtain approval from the relevant fish and wildlife management agency of a state or territory before restricting fishing access to state or territorial marine waters (including coastal waters and estuaries) or Great Lakes waters that are within the jurisdiction of the NPS or the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

TITLE XIV--HUNTING AND RECREATIONAL FISHING WITHIN CERTAIN NATIONAL FORESTS

(Sec. 1402) USDA and the Forest Service may not establish policies, directives, or regulations that restrict the type, season, or method of hunting or recreational fishing on lands within the National Forest System that are otherwise open to those activities and are consistent with the applicable forest plan if those lands are located in: (1) the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana; (2) the De Soto National Forest in Mississippi; (3) the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri; and (4) the Ozark National Forest, the St. Francis National Forest and the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

(Sec. 1403) The Forest Service must publish a notice of the closure of any public road on Forest System lands, along with a justification for the closure.

TITLE XV--GRAND CANYON BISON MANAGEMENT ACT Grand Canyon Bison Management Act (Sec. 1503) Interior must publish a management plan to reduce, through humane lethal culling by skilled public volunteers and other nonlethal means, the population of bison in the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona that Interior determines are detrimental to the uses of the park.

 Those volunteers may remove a full bison harvested from the park.

 Interior must coordinate with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission regarding the development and implementation of the management plan.

TITLE XVI--OPEN BOOK ON EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act

(Sec. 1602) The bill amends the Equal Access to Justice Act and the federal judicial code to require the Administrative Conference of the United States to make an initial report on the amount of fees and other expenses awarded to nonfederal entities when they prevail against the United States in certain administrative proceedings and civil action cases. The conference must report on those fees and expenses for the next six years after the initial report was submitted. Those reports must: (1) describe information that may aid Congress in evaluating the scope and impact of such awards; and (2) be made available to the public online.

The conference must create online a searchable database that contains certain information concerning the awards. The database must be maintained until a year after the final report is submitted. TITLE XVII--UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLES

(Sec. 1701) The Forest Administrator must amend the applicable travel plan to allow utility terrain vehicles access on all roads nominated by the Secretary of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries in the Kisatchie National Forest, except when the designation would pose an unacceptable safety risk, in which case the administrator must publish a notice in the Federal Register with a justification for the closure.

TITLE XVIII--GOOD SAMARITAN SEARCH AND RECOVERY

Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act

(Sec. 1802) This bill directs Interior and USDA to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated.

The bill sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission.

 Interior and USDA must develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for finding missing individuals. TITLE XIX--INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION

(Sec. 1901) This title amends the federal criminal code by permitting an individual to transport a firearm between two states where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport firearms. The firearm must be unloaded and securely stored during transport.

 A firearm transported by means other than a motor vehicle (e.g. air) must be secured in a locked container or a gun storage or safety device.

Individuals may also transport ammunition between two states where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport ammunition. Ammunition transported by motor vehicle must be inaccessible from the vehicle's passenger compartment. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the ammunition must be secured in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Ammunition transported by other means must be secured in a locked container.

Individuals may not be arrested or detained for violation of any state or local law or regulation related to the possession, transportation, or carrying of firearms or ammunition unless there is probable cause to believe that the individual failed to securely store them during transport.

When a person asserts compliance with this title as a defense in a criminal proceeding: (1) the prosecution must bear the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the person's conduct did not satisfy federal conditions; and (2) the court must award the prevailing defendant a reasonable attorney's fee.

The bill authorizes a person who is deprived of a right, privilege or immunity secured by federal firearms provisions to bring an action in court for damages and other appropriate relief.

TITLE XX--GRAY WOLVES

(Sec. 2001) Interior must reissue: (1) the final rule published on December 28, 2011, that removed the gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and that removed the designation of critical habitat for that wolf in Minnesota and Michigan; and (2) the final rule published on September 10, 2012, that removed the gray wolf in Wyoming from the list and removed the Yellowstone Experimental Protection Area that was established to facilitate reintroduction of the wolf. Reissued rules are not subject to judicial review.

TITLE XXI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (Sec. 2101) The USFWS may not issue a final rule that succeeds, or is substantially similar to, the proposed rule entitled, "Non-Subsistence Take of Wildlife, and Public Participation and Closure Procedures, on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska," published on January 8, 2016, that specifies allowable predator control practices in wildlife refuges in Alaska.

(Sec. 2102) The NPS must withdraw the final rule entitled, "Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves," published on October 23, 2015.

sportsmen heritage recreational enhancement act share act bill revises variety existing programs expand access opportunities hunting fishing recreational shooting title hunting fishing recreational shooting protection act hunting fishing sec components firearms ammunition sport fishing equipment components lead exempted regulation chemical substances toxic_substances_control_act sec departments interior agriculture usda regulate use ammunition fishing tackle based lead content use complies state law limitation inapplicable fish wildlife service usfws national_park_service nps title target practice marksmanship training support act target practice marksmanship training support act sec bill amends pittman-robertson_wildlife_restoration_act increasing proportion funding act states use public target ranges federal share costs public target ranges public target range specific location identified recreational shooting sec bill shields united_states civil action claim money damages injury loss property personal injury death caused activity occurring public target range funded federal government pursuant act located federal land extent provided federal tort claims act respect exercise performance discretionary function sec bill urges forest_service bureau_of_land_management blm cooperate state local authorities entities carry waste removal activities federal land public target range title iii polar bear conservation fairness act polar bear conservation fairness act sec bill amends marine_mammal_protection_act requiring interior issue permits allow hunter import polar bear parts internal organs bear legally harvested canada approved population listing polar bear threatened title recreational lands self defense act recreational lands self defense act sec prohibit individuals possessing firearm public areas water resources development project title wildlife hunting heritage conservation council advisory committee sec bill replaces title recreational fishing hunting heritage opportunities act recreational fishing hunting heritage opportunities act sec federal land management officials facilitate use access federal lands fishing sport hunting recreational shooting specified exceptions interior integrate wildlife dependent recreational uses regulations policies criteria plans activities amend manner individual refuges national_wildlife_refuge_system managed actions taken title national_wildlife_refuge_system_administration_act considered major federal action significantly affecting quality human environment national_environmental_policy_act nepa bill requires blm forest_service lands excluding lands outer_continental_shelf open recreational fishing hunting shooting managing agency acts close lands activities purposes resource conservation public safety energy production water supply facilities national security heads federal agencies use authorities lease lands permit use lands shooting ranges designate specific lands recreational shooting activities sec bill establishes requirements permanent temporary withdrawal change classification change management status effectively closes significantly restricts public lands fishing hunting related activities title vii farmer hunter protection act hunter farmer protection act sec bill amends migratory bird treaty act revise standards determining constitutes baiting purposes prohibition taking migratory game birds case waterfowl cranes coots baited area includes standing unharvested crop manipulated activities mowing rolling activities normal agricultural practices area considered baited area treated normal agricultural practice standing crops manipulated standing crops flooded usda submit interior report changes normal agricultural practices range crops grown agricultural producers region united_states usda harvest practice recommendations provided agricultural producers title viii transporting bows national park service lands hunter access corridors act sec nps prohibit individuals transporting bows certain requirements met nps establish hunter access corridors actions taken establish corridors considered major federal action significantly affecting quality human environment nepa title federal land transaction facilitation act reauthorization fltfa federal_land_transaction facilitation act reauthorization sec bill amends federal_land_transaction_facilitation_act fltfa including permanently authorizing interior sell certain public land use proceeds sales acquiring land located adjacent federal lands bill expands program allowing lands acquired proceeds hunting recreational fishing recreational shooting recreational activities deferred maintenance activities enhance opportunities recreational access interior establish maintain public database containing comprehensive list public land identified disposal title african elephant conservation legal possession act legal possession act bill revises reauthorizes african_elephant_conservation_act fy2020 sec imported exported act endangered species act raw worked museum lawfully united_states february regardless acquired worked previously lawfully possessed united_states bill authorizes commerce african elephant products containing african elephant lawfully imported united_states sec interior station usfws law enforcement officers african country significant population african assist local wildlife protecting facilitating apprehension individuals illegally kill assist killing sec president embargo products country significant transit destination point illegal trade sec interior means determining trade african elephant legal means february including presumption burden proof applied determinations sec bill authorizes importation sport hunted african elephant trophy trophy taken certain populations time threatened extinction trade closely controlled sec providing financial assistance african_elephant_conservation_act interior prioritize projects facilitating acquisition equipment training wildlife officials producing countries anti efforts sec government_accountability_office study report effects ban trade illegal importation trade african asian elephant united_states exception importation trade related museum exhibitions scientific research title respect treaties rights sec bill construed affect treaty right federally recognized indian tribe title xii permits film crews people sec bill provides special rules expand access federal land waterways film crews people fewer title xiii state approval fishing restriction sec interior national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration obtain approval relevant fish wildlife management agency state territory restricting fishing access state territorial marine waters including coastal waters estuaries great lakes waters jurisdiction nps title xiv hunting recreational fishing certain national forests sec usda forest_service establish policies directives regulations restrict type season method hunting recreational fishing lands national_forest_system open activities consistent applicable forest plan lands located kisatchie_national_forest louisiana mississippi missouri ouachita_national_forest arkansas oklahoma sec forest_service publish notice closure public road forest system lands justification closure title grand canyon bison management act grand canyon bison management act sec interior publish management plan reduce humane lethal skilled public volunteers nonlethal means population bison grand canyon national park arizona interior determines detrimental uses park volunteers remove bison harvested park interior coordinate arizona_game development implementation management plan title xvi open book open book equal access justice act sec bill amends equal_access justice act federal judicial code require administrative_conference_of_the_united_states initial report fees expenses awarded nonfederal entities prevail united_states certain administrative proceedings civil action cases conference report fees expenses years initial report submitted reports describe information aid congress evaluating scope impact awards available public online conference create online searchable database contains certain information concerning awards database maintained year final report submitted title xvii utility terrain vehicles sec amend applicable travel plan allow utility terrain vehicles access roads nominated secretary kisatchie_national_forest designation pose unacceptable safety risk case administrator publish notice federal_register justification closure title xviii good samaritan search recovery good samaritan search recovery_act sec bill directs interior usda implement process provide eligible organizations individuals expedited access federal land conduct good samaritan search recovery missions searches missing individuals believed deceased time search initiated bill sets forth procedures approval denial requests eligible organizations individuals carry good samaritan search recovery mission interior usda develop search recovery focused partnerships search recovery organizations coordinate good samaritan search recovery missions expedite accelerate mission efforts finding missing individuals title xix interstate transportation firearms ammunition sec title amends federal criminal code permitting individual transport firearm states legal possess carry transport firearms firearm unloaded securely stored transport firearm transported means motor vehicle air secured locked container gun storage safety device individuals transport ammunition states legal possess carry transport ammunition ammunition transported motor vehicle inaccessible vehicle passenger compartment vehicle compartment separate passenger compartment ammunition secured locked container compartment ammunition transported means secured locked container individuals arrested detained violation state local law regulation related possession transportation carrying firearms ammunition probable cause believe individual failed securely store transport person asserts compliance title defense criminal proceeding prosecution bear burden proving reasonable doubt person conduct satisfy federal conditions court award prevailing defendant reasonable attorney fee bill authorizes person right privilege immunity secured federal firearms provisions bring action court damages appropriate relief title gray wolves sec interior reissue final rule published december removed gray wolf western great lakes distinct population segment list endangered threatened wildlife removed designation critical habitat wolf minnesota michigan final rule published september removed gray wolf wyoming list removed established facilitate reintroduction wolf reissued rules subject judicial review title xxi miscellaneous provisions sec usfws issue final rule substantially similar proposed rule entitled non subsistence wildlife public participation closure procedures alaska published january specifies allowable predator control practices wildlife refuges alaska sec nps withdraw final rule entitled alaska hunting trapping national preserves published october


Summary:
Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act of 2016

This bill addresses wildlife trafficking, which is the poaching or other illegal taking of protected or managed species and the illegal trade in wildlife and their related parts and products.

TITLE I--PURPOSES AND POLICY

(Sec. 102) The bill states that it is the policy of the United States to:

 take immediate actions to stop the illegal global trade in wildlife and wildlife products and associated transnational organized crime; employ appropriate assets and resources for curtailing poaching and disrupting and dismantling illegal wildlife trade networks and the financing of those networks in each foreign country that is a major source or major transit point of wildlife trafficking products or their derivatives, or a major consumer of wildlife trafficking products (focus country); provide assistance in helping focus countries in halting the poaching of imperiled species and ending the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products; build upon the "National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking" published on February 11, 2014, or a successor strategy, to further combat wildlife trafficking; and recognize the ties of wildlife trafficking to broader forms of transnational organized criminal activities, and where applicable, to focus on those crimes. TITLE II--REPORT ON MAJOR WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING COUNTRIES

(Sec. 201) The Department of State must submit an annual report for five years after this bill's enactment that: (1) lists each focus country as determined by the State Department; and (2) identifies each country of concern, which is a focus country with a government that has actively engaged in or knowingly profited from the trafficking of endangered or threatened species.

TITLE III--FRAMEWORK FOR INTERAGENCY RESPONSE

(Sec. 301) The bill establishes coordination and collaboration requirements for the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking.

 Each year the task force must submit a strategic assessment of its work and provide a briefing to appropriate congressional committees.

The bill terminates the task force five years after enactment of this bill, unless the President terminates it on an earlier date.

 TITLE IV--PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE ESCALATING WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING CRISIS

(Sec. 401) The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) may provide assistance to focus countries for improving the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement in regions and countries that have demonstrated capacity, willingness, and need for assistance.

The bill urges the United States to continue providing defense articles (not including significant military equipment), defense services, and related training to appropriate security forces of African countries for countering wildlife trafficking and poaching.

(Sec. 402) The State Department and USAID may design and implement programs in focus countries for: (1) increasing the capacity of wildlife law enforcement and customs and border security officers in the countries, or (2) combating the transnational trade in illegal wildlife.

(Sec. 403) Each chief of mission to a focus country should begin to implement the recommendations on wildlife trafficking contained in the task force's strategic plan within two years of this bill's enactment. (A chief of mission is the principal officer in charge of a U.S. diplomatic mission or of a U.S. office abroad which is diplomatic in nature. The chief of mission is often, but not always, an ambassador.)

(Sec. 404) The State Department may also provide support in focus countries to carry out the recommendations on wildlife trafficking contained in the task force's strategic plan related to the development, scaling, and replication of community wildlife conservancies and community conservation programs in those countries to: (1) assist with rural stability and security for people and wildlife, (2) empower and support communities in managing or benefiting from their wildlife resources in a long-term biologically viable manner, and (3) reduce the threat of poaching and trafficking.

 TITLE V--OTHER ACTIONS RELATING TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING PROGRAMS

(Sec. 501) The State Department is included in the certification process under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967. (The Pelly Amendment authorizes the President to embargo wildlife products when the Department of Commerce or the Department of the Interior certifies that nationals of a foreign country are engaging in trade or certain actions that diminish the effectiveness of an international agreement for the conservation of endangered or threatened species.) Commerce and Interior shall each report each certification to the President within 15 days after it is made.

(Sec. 502) The bill applies provisions of the federal criminal code concerning money laundering to wildlife trafficking violations of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the African Elephant Conservation Act, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, if the endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife, products, items, or substances involved in the violation and relevant conduct have a total value of more than $10,000.

disrupt wildlife trafficking act bill addresses wildlife trafficking illegal taking protected managed species illegal trade wildlife related parts products title purposes policy sec bill states policy united_states immediate actions stop illegal global trade wildlife wildlife products associated transnational organized crime employ appropriate assets resources disrupting dismantling illegal wildlife trade networks financing networks foreign country major source major transit point wildlife trafficking products derivatives major consumer wildlife trafficking products focus country provide assistance helping focus countries species ending illegal trade wildlife wildlife products build published february successor strategy combat wildlife trafficking recognize ties wildlife trafficking broader forms transnational organized criminal activities applicable focus crimes title report sec department_of_state submit annual report years bill enactment lists focus country determined state_department identifies country concern focus country government actively engaged knowingly trafficking endangered threatened species title iii framework interagency response sec bill establishes coordination collaboration requirements year task force submit strategic assessment work provide briefing appropriate congressional committees bill terminates task force years enactment bill president terminates earlier date title programs address wildlife trafficking crisis sec state_department international_development usaid provide assistance focus countries improving effectiveness wildlife law enforcement regions countries demonstrated capacity willingness need assistance bill urges united_states continue providing defense articles including significant military equipment defense services related training appropriate security forces african countries countering wildlife trafficking sec state_department usaid design implement programs focus countries increasing capacity wildlife law enforcement customs border security officers countries combating transnational trade illegal wildlife sec chief mission focus country begin implement recommendations wildlife trafficking contained task force strategic plan years bill enactment chief mission principal officer charge diplomatic mission office abroad diplomatic nature chief mission ambassador sec state_department provide support focus countries carry recommendations wildlife trafficking contained task force strategic plan related development scaling replication community wildlife community conservation programs countries assist rural stability security people wildlife empower support communities managing benefiting wildlife resources long term biologically viable manner reduce threat trafficking title actions relating wildlife trafficking programs sec state_department included certification process amendment fishermen protective act amendment authorizes president embargo wildlife products department_of_commerce department_of_the_interior certifies nationals foreign country engaging trade certain actions diminish effectiveness international agreement conservation endangered threatened species commerce interior shall report certification president days sec bill applies provisions federal criminal code concerning money laundering wildlife trafficking violations endangered species act african_elephant_conservation_act rhinoceros tiger conservation act endangered threatened species fish wildlife products items substances involved violation relevant conduct total value


Summary:
Rare Cats and Canids Act of 2015

This bill establishes a Rare Cats and Canids Conservation Fund as a separate account within the Multinational Species Conservation Fund. The Department of the Interior must use amounts in the fund to provide assistance for the conservation of rare felids and rare canids. Grant amounts may not be used for captive breeding unless it is a part of an accredited reintroduction or restoration program.

Rare felids or rare canids are any population in the family Felidae (cats) or Canidae (dogs), respectively, that are listed in the Red List of Threatened Species Maintained by the World Conservation Union as near-threatened, vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, excluding any population native to the United States or Canada. Tigers are not considered to be rare felids.

 Interior may convene an advisory group of individuals representing organizations actively involved in the conservation of felids and canids.

rare cats canids act bill establishes rare cats canids conservation fund separate account multinational_species_conservation_fund department_of_the_interior use amounts fund provide assistance conservation rare felids rare canids grant amounts captive breeding accredited reintroduction restoration program rare felids rare canids population family cats dogs respectively listed species maintained world_conservation_union near threatened vulnerable endangered critically endangered excluding population native united_states canada considered rare felids interior convene advisory group individuals representing organizations actively involved conservation felids canids


Summary:
Accountable Recovery Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to direct the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce as appropriate to make recovery plans for the conservation and survival of a species publicly available at the time of a determination that the species is endangered or threatened. The plans must incorporate objective numerical recovery goals for removal of species from the endangered and threatened species list.

The appropriate department is given 30 days to deny a petition stating that the numerical recovery goal has been achieved for a species. If the department has not acted on a petition at the end of that period, the species is removed from the endangered and threatened species list.

accountable recovery act bill amends endangered species act direct department_of_the_interior_or_the_department_of_commerce appropriate recovery plans conservation survival species publicly available time determination species endangered threatened plans incorporate objective numerical recovery goals removal species endangered threatened species list appropriate department given days deny petition stating numerical recovery goal achieved species department acted petition end period species removed endangered threatened species list


Summary:
Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the list of permissible sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities to include dogs and cats obtained: (1) from a licensed dealer, (2) from a publicly owned and operated pound or shelter that meets specified requirements, (3) by donation from a person who bred and raised the dog or cat or owned it for not less than one year, or (4) from a research facility licensed by the Department of Agriculture. The requirements pertaining to sources apply to dogs and cats obtained through sales, donations, or offers. Monetary penalties are established for violations.

pet_safety_and_protection_act bill amends animal welfare act revise list permissible sources dogs cats research facilities include dogs cats obtained licensed dealer publicly owned operated pound shelter meets specified requirements donation person bred raised dog cat owned year research facility licensed department_of_agriculture requirements pertaining sources apply dogs cats obtained sales donations offers monetary penalties established violations


Summary:
Humane Cosmetics Act

This bill prohibits testing cosmetics on animals, effective on the date that is one year after enactment of this Act. No cosmetic may be sold or transported if the final product or any component was developed or manufactured using animal testing after such date, effective three years after enactment of this Act.

humane cosmetics act bill prohibits testing cosmetics animals effective date year enactment act cosmetic sold transported final product component developed manufactured animal testing date effective years enactment act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 12, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

National Bison Legacy Act

(Sec. 3) This bill adopts the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.

measure amended reported house april summary version repeated national bison legacy act sec bill adopts north american bison national mammal united_states


Summary:
Mexican Wolf Transparency and Accountability Act

This bill nullifies: (1) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's determination to list the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) as an endangered subspecies under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and (2) the rule entitled, "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision to the Regulations for the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf."

mexican wolf transparency accountability act bill nullifies fish wildlife service determination list mexican wolf canis lupus endangered subspecies endangered species act rule entitled endangered threatened wildlife plants revision regulations nonessential experimental population mexican wolf


Summary:
Captive Primate Safety Act

This bill amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to prohibit importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing in interstate or foreign commerce any live animal of a non-human primate species.

The bill also limits any licensed or registered person from allowing direct contact between any member of the public and a live bear, tiger, lion, jaguar, cougar, African leopard, snow leopard, ape, gibbon, siamang, monkey, or loris.

The Lacey Act prohibition applies to state-licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

captive primate safety act bill amends prohibit importing exporting transporting selling receiving acquiring purchasing interstate foreign commerce live animal non human primate species bill limits licensed registered person allowing direct contact member public live bear tiger lion jaguar african leopard snow leopard ape lacey act prohibition applies state licensed wildlife


Summary:
Justice Attributed to Wounded Sharks Act or the JAWS Act

Prohibits federal assistance to a country that does not prohibit: (1) shark finning in its territorial waters; and (2) the importation, sale, or possession, of shark fins obtained by shark finning.

justice attributed wounded act prohibits federal assistance country prohibit shark territorial waters importation sale possession shark fins obtained shark


Summary: The bill revises and reauthorizes the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act through FY2020. The cap on the amount that the Department of the Interior may expend from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund on administrative expenses is increased from 3% to 4%.

bill revises reauthorizes neotropical_migratory_bird_conservation_act fy2020 cap department_of_the_interior expend administrative expenses increased


Summary:
Enforcement Transparency Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue and publish on its website guidelines relating to the calculation of civil fines for violating provisions of the Animal Welfare Act regarding the transportation, sale, and handling of certain animals. USDA must update the guidelines on a quarterly basis, provide notice on its website prior to making the updates, and publish the updates in the Federal Register.

enforcement transparency act bill requires department_of_agriculture usda issue publish website guidelines relating calculation civil fines violating provisions animal welfare act transportation sale handling certain animals usda update guidelines quarterly basis provide notice website prior making updates publish updates federal_register


Summary:
Endangered Species Recovery Transparency Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Department of the Interior to make available online a searchable database detailing federal expenditures for civil actions brought under the Act containing claims that are based on the actions of 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. Interior must submit an annual report to Congress including this information.

endangered species recovery transparency act bill amends endangered species act require department_of_the_interior available online searchable database detailing federal expenditures civil actions brought act containing claims based actions interior forest_service national_marine_fisheries_service bonneville_power_administration western_area_power_administration southwestern_power_administration southeastern_power_administration interior submit annual report congress including information


Summary:
Wild Horse Oversight Act

 Amends the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to direct the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, upon request, to allow a state or an Indian tribe to assume all management and protection functions under the Act with regard to wild free-roaming horses and burros on land within the boundaries of the state or the tribe.

wild horse oversight act amends wild free roaming horses burros_act direct department_of_the_interior_and_the_department_of_agriculture request allow state indian tribe assume management protection functions act regard wild free roaming horses burros land boundaries state tribe


Summary:
Sportsmen's Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Enhancement Act

This bill reauthorizes several programs supporting the conservation of wildlife habitat.

The bill amends the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act by extending until July 25, 2022, the Department of the Interior's authority to sell certain public land and use the proceeds from those sales for acquiring land located within or adjacent to federal lands. When prioritizing the acquisition of inholdings (private land that is surrounded by public land) and nonfederal lands with exceptional resources, Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must consider the extent to which an acquisition of land would increase the public availability of resources for, and the public's access to, hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. The bill also removes from the scope of the Act land that is eligible for sale under specified public land laws.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2020 and revises the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act.

Interior and USDA must ensure that specified amounts from the Land and Water Conservation Fund are made available each year for securing public access to federal land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes through land transactions.

sportsmen conservation outdoor recreation enhancement act bill reauthorizes programs supporting conservation wildlife habitat bill amends federal_land_transaction_facilitation_act extending july department_of_the_interior authority sell certain public land use proceeds sales acquiring land located adjacent federal lands prioritizing acquisition inholdings private land public land nonfederal lands exceptional resources interior department_of_agriculture usda consider extent acquisition land increase public availability resources public access hunting fishing recreational activities bill removes scope act land eligible sale specified public land laws bill reauthorizes partners fish wildlife act bill reauthorizes fy2020 revises national fish wildlife foundation establishment act neotropical_migratory_bird_conservation_act interior usda ensure specified amounts land_and_water_conservation_fund available year securing public access federal land hunting fishing recreational purposes land transactions


Summary:
Animal Emergency Planning Act of 2015

This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to require research facilities, dealers, exhibitors, intermediate handlers, and carriers (covered persons) to develop, document, and follow a contingency plan to provide for the humane handling, treatment, transportation, housing, and care of their animals in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The plan must:

 identify situations that the covered person might experience that would trigger the need to implement the measures identified in the plan; outline tasks to be carried out in response to emergencies or disasters; establish a chain of command and identify the individuals responsible for fulfilling the tasks; and address how response and recovery will be handled in terms of materials, resources, and training needed. Covered persons must review their plan at least annually, train personnel in their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the plan, and provide training when the plan changes.

The bill does not preempt state law that provides equal or greater protection for animals.

animal emergency planning act bill amends animal welfare act require research facilities dealers intermediate handlers carriers covered persons develop document follow contingency plan provide humane handling treatment transportation housing care animals event emergency disaster plan identify situations covered person experience trigger need implement measures identified plan outline tasks carried response emergencies disasters establish chain command identify individuals responsible fulfilling tasks address response recovery handled terms materials resources training needed covered persons review plan annually train personnel roles responsibilities outlined plan provide training plan changes bill preempt state law provides equal greater protection animals


Summary:
Lionfish Elimination and Prevention Act of 2015 or the LEAP Act of 2015

This bill amends the Lacey Act to prohibit the importation or interstate shipment of the:

 red lionfish of the species Pterois volitans, devil lionfish of the species Pterois miles, Hawaiian turkeyfish of the species Pterois sphex, soldier lionfish of the species Pterois russelii, clearfin lionfish of the species Pterois radiata, lionfish species Pterois paucispinula, frillfin turkeyfish of the species Pterois mombasae, luna lionfish of the species Pterois lunalata, mandritsa of the species Pterois brevipectoralis, spotfin lionfish of the species Pterois antennata, and scorpionfish of the species Pterois andover.

elimination prevention act leap act bill amends lacey_act prohibit importation interstate shipment red species species miles hawaiian species soldier species species species species species species species species


Summary:
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2015 or the PAST Act

This bill amends the Horse Protection Act to establish a new system for inspecting horses for soring, revise penalties for violations of the Act, and modify enforcement procedures. The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish requirements to license, train, assign, and oversee persons hired by the management of horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions to detect and diagnose sore horses. A license may not be issued to a person with conflicts of interest, and USDA must give preference to veterinarians. USDA may revoke a license for unsatisfactory performance. USDA must assign licensed inspectors after receiving notice that management intends to hire the inspectors. An inspector must issue a citation for violations and notify USDA of violations. USDA must publish information on violations of this bill and disqualify a horse that is sore.

The bill prohibits a person in any horse show, exhibition, sale, or auction from causing or directing a horse to become sore for the purpose of showing, exhibiting, selling, or auctioning the horse.

The bill prohibits the use of specified devices on a Tennessee Walking, a Racking, or a Spotted Saddle horse at a show, exhibition, sale, or auction.

The bill increases the maximum criminal and civil liability penalties for certain violations. USDA may disqualify violators from specified activities related to horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions.

prevent soring tactics act past act bill amends horse_protection_act establish new system inspecting horses soring revise penalties violations act modify enforcement procedures soring horses actions taken horse limb produce higher gait cause pain distress inflammation lameness department_of_agriculture usda establish requirements license train assign oversee persons hired management horse shows exhibitions sales auctions detect diagnose sore horses license issued person conflicts interest usda preference veterinarians usda revoke license unsatisfactory performance usda assign licensed inspectors receiving notice management intends hire inspectors inspector issue citation violations notify usda violations usda publish information violations bill disqualify horse sore bill prohibits person horse exhibition sale auction causing directing horse sore purpose showing exhibiting selling auctioning horse bill prohibits use specified devices tennessee walking spotted saddle horse exhibition sale auction bill increases maximum criminal civil liability penalties certain violations usda disqualify violators specified activities related horse shows exhibitions sales auctions


Summary:
Sanctuary Regulatory Fairness Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to promulgate a final rule revising federal regulations regarding the importation of nonhuman primates (i.e. chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, macaques, and numerous other species) to expand the categories of uses for which nonhuman primates may be imported and distributed to include live nonhuman primates imported into the United States by a certified primate sanctuary for purposes of providing lifetime shelter and care.

Requires such rule to establish a process for the certification of facilities as primate sanctuaries for purposes of the importation, shelter, and care of nonhuman primates.

sanctuary regulatory fairness act directs_the_department_of_health_and_human_services promulgate final rule revising federal regulations importation nonhuman primates chimpanzees numerous species expand categories uses nonhuman primates imported distributed include live nonhuman primates imported united_states certified primate sanctuary purposes providing lifetime shelter care requires rule establish process certification facilities primate sanctuaries purposes importation shelter care nonhuman primates


Summary:
Cecil the Lion Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 2015

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit: (1) taking endangered or threatened species within the United States or U.S. territorial seas as trophies, or (2) importing such trophies.

Any person seeking to import a fish or wildlife trophy must submit documentation establishing that the trophy was taken before the enactment of this bill.

species act bill amends endangered species act prohibit taking endangered threatened species united_states territorial seas importing person seeking import fish wildlife trophy submit documentation establishing trophy taken enactment bill


Summary:
Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2015

This bill amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to reauthorize through FY2020 appropriations from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund for various fish, boating, and coastal wetlands restoration programs. The bill also revises amounts allocated from the Fund to various programs, including amounts for programs concerning: (1) coastal wetlands, (2) boating safety, and (3) boating infrastructure. A separate amount is set aside each fiscal year through FY2020 for the Coast Guard's administration of the national recreational boating safety program.

When the President submits a budget for FY2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must submit an assessment of the administrative services it provides under the Act to states and the sportfishing community.

sport fish restoration recreational boating safety act bill amends dingell-johnson_sport_fish_restoration_act reauthorize fy2020 appropriations sport_fish_restoration boating trust fund fish boating coastal wetlands restoration programs bill revises amounts allocated fund programs including amounts programs concerning coastal wetlands boating safety boating infrastructure separate set aside fiscal year administration national recreational boating safety program president submits budget fy2017 fiscal year fish wildlife service submit assessment administrative services provides act states community


Summary:
Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act or the CECIL Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to apply the Act's prohibitions on importing or exporting species listed as threatened or endangered to species proposed to be listed as well.

The Government Accountability Office must conduct and submit a report on the results of a study of the effectiveness of trophy hunting in supporting international wildlife conservation efforts.

conserving ecosystems ceasing act act bill amends endangered species act apply act prohibitions importing exporting species listed threatened endangered species proposed listed government_accountability_office conduct submit report results study effectiveness trophy hunting supporting international wildlife conservation efforts


Summary:
Big Cat Public Safety Act

This bill amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to prohibit any person from breeding or possessing any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species (i.e., any live species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. The bill extends forfeiture provisions to fish, wildlife, or plants that are bred or possessed.

The bill revises the list of entities that are exempt from Lacey Act prohibitions to include:

 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; certain facilities that have an active written contract with an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan or Taxon Advisory Group for breeding prohibited wildlife species; persons who do not allow the transportation and display of prohibited wildlife species off-site; current owners of animals that were born before this bill's enactment if the animals are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within 180 days; and certain traveling circuses that hold Class C licenses under the Animal Welfare Act. Entities exempt from Lacey Act prohibitions must require that current owners and circuses not allow direct contact between the public and the prohibited wildlife species.

act bill amends prohibit person breeding possessing live animal prohibited wildlife species live species lion tiger leopard cheetah jaguar hybrid species breeding means facilitating propagation reproduction intentionally failing prevent propagation reproduction bill extends forfeiture provisions fish wildlife plants bred possessed bill revises list entities exempt lacey_act prohibitions include institutions accredited association_of_zoos aquariums certain facilities active written contract association_of_zoos aquariums species survival plan taxon advisory group breeding prohibited wildlife species persons allow transportation display prohibited wildlife species site current owners animals born bill enactment animals registered animal plant_health_inspection_service days certain traveling hold class licenses animal welfare act entities exempt lacey_act prohibitions require current owners allow direct contact public prohibited wildlife species


Summary:
Federal Duck Stamp Price Stability Act of 2015

This bill amends the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to authorize the Department of the Interior, after notice and public comment, to increase the price of each Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp by up to $10 for a hunting year if the increase is: (1) commensurate with the level of inflation since the last increase, and (2) approved unanimously by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission.

An increase in price shall take effect: (1) at least two years after the effective date of the last price increase, and (2) no later than January 1 of the calendar year preceding the hunting year.

federal duck stamp price stability act bill amends authorize department_of_the_interior notice public comment increase price migratory bird hunting conservation stamp hunting year increase commensurate level inflation increase approved migratory_bird_conservation_commission increase price shall effect years effective date price increase later january calendar year preceding hunting year


Summary:
Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit taking, importing, or exporting the killer whale (orcinus orca) species, or any product that contains that species, for public display purposes.

The bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit any person from artificially inseminating or breeding that species for exhibition purposes.

advancement act bill amends marine_mammal_protection_act prohibit taking importing exporting whale species product contains species public display purposes bill amends animal welfare act prohibit person artificially breeding species exhibition purposes


Summary:
Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2015

This bill amends the Horse Protection Act to replace the Designated Qualified Persons program responsible for inspecting horses for soring with a new inspection system. (The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness.)

The Department of Agriculture must establish a single Horse Industry Organization (HIO) in order to establish a formal affiliation with the management of each horse sale, horse exhibition, and horse sale or auction, appoint inspectors to conduct inspections, and otherwise ensure compliance with the Horse Protection Act.

The Commissioners of Agriculture for Tennessee and Kentucky must appoint individuals to the HIO. Those individuals must appoint individuals representing the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

horse protection amendments act bill amends horse_protection_act replace designated_qualified_persons program responsible inspecting horses soring new inspection system soring horses actions taken horse limb produce higher gait cause pain distress inflammation lameness department_of_agriculture establish single order establish formal affiliation management horse sale horse exhibition horse sale auction appoint inspectors conduct inspections ensure compliance horse_protection_act commissioners agriculture tennessee kentucky appoint individuals individuals appoint individuals representing tennessee walking horse industry


Summary:
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Protection Act

This bill authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to seek compensation from individuals or entities for costs or damages for destroying, causing the loss of, or injuring any living, nonliving, historical, cultural, or archaeological resource on land managed by the USFWS, or for causing the USFWS to carry out actions to prevent, minimize, or abate such destruction, loss, or injury.

Amounts recovered as a result of such destruction, loss, or injury must be made available to USFWS to: (1) reimburse response costs and damage assessments; (2) restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of a resource that was destroyed, lost, or injured; or (3) monitor and study those resources.

united_states bill authorizes usfws seek compensation individuals entities costs damages destroying causing loss injuring living historical cultural archaeological resource land managed usfws causing usfws carry actions prevent minimize abate destruction loss injury amounts recovered result destruction loss injury available usfws reimburse response costs damage assessments restore replace acquire equivalent resource destroyed lost injured monitor study resources


Summary:
Help Extract Animals from Red Tape Act of 2016 or the HEART Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the general rules that govern civil forfeiture proceedings. Specifically, it adds requirements with respect to the seizure of an animal involved in animal fighting.

red tape act heart act bill amends federal criminal code modify general rules govern civil forfeiture proceedings specifically adds requirements respect seizure animal involved animal fighting


Summary:
Greater Sage Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2016

This bill delays findings by the Department of the Interior with respect to the greater sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act until September 30, 2026.

Additionally, Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA)are prohibited from amending any federal resource management plans that affect the greater sage grouse in a state in which the governor has notified Interior or USDA that a state management plan is in place.

greater sage grouse protection recovery_act bill delays findings department_of_the_interior respect greater sage grouse endangered species act september additionally interior department_of_agriculture prohibited amending federal resource management plans affect greater sage grouse state governor notified interior usda state management plan place


Summary:
Finding Innovative Lionfish Elimination Technologies Act of 2016 or the FILET Act of 2016

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to award competitive grants for colleges and universities to research lionfish and their impact on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

An educational institution must satisfy specific requirements to be eligible for a grant. Grants awarded must be used to develop innovative technologies that can detect, monitor, and help mitigate the spread of lionfish in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

finding innovative elimination technologies act act bill directs national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration award competitive grants colleges universities research impact atlantic_ocean gulf_of_mexico ecosystems educational institution satisfy specific requirements eligible grant grants awarded develop innovative technologies detect monitor help mitigate spread atlantic_ocean gulf_of_mexico


Summary:
Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2016

This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to make it one of the purposes of the Act to extend financial and technical assistance to the states for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.

The bill also prescribes a formula for the allocation of funds apportioned to a state that may be used for any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters.

Amounts apportioned to the states from any taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows may be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment.

The funds apportioned to a state for wildlife restoration management may be used for related public relations.

If a state has not used all of the tax revenues apportioned to it for firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants, it may use its remaining apportioned funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment.

Up to $5 million of the revenues covered into wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury from any tax imposed for a fiscal year on the sale of certain bows, arrows, and archery equipment shall be available to the Department of the Interior exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities.

modernizing tomorrow needs act bill amends pittman-robertson_wildlife_restoration_act purposes act extend financial technical assistance states promotion hunting recreational shooting bill prescribes formula allocation funds apportioned state activity project recruit retain recreational shooters amounts apportioned states taxes pistols bows arrows hunter recruitment recreational shooter recruitment funds apportioned state wildlife restoration management related public relations state tax revenues apportioned firearm hunter education safety program grants use remaining apportioned funds enhancement hunter recruitment recreational shooter recruitment million revenues covered wildlife restoration fund treasury tax imposed fiscal year sale certain bows arrows equipment shall available department_of_the_interior exclusively making hunter recruitment recreational shooter recruitment grants promote national hunting shooting sport recruitment program including related communication outreach activities


Summary:
Efficient Marine Mammal Protection Act

This bill abolishes the Marine Mammal Commission and transfers to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service its functions, including its duties, obligations, powers, authorities, responsibilities, rights, privileges, activities, or programs.

efficient marine mammal protection act bill abolishes transfers functions including duties obligations powers authorities responsibilities rights privileges activities programs


Summary:
Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) by requiring the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce to obtain the consent of each state for adding species to the list of threatened or endangered plants and animals when the species is present in the state.

Interior must submit to Congress a list of all endangered or threatened species. Congress must give its approval by a joint resolution before the list may take effect.

 Species are automatically taken off the list after five years. Interior may petition for the species to be relisted.

The bill eliminates provisions of the ESA allowing interested persons to petition for the addition or removal of a species from the list.

A state may regulate intrastate endangered or threatened species that are only present within its boundaries. If a state elects to regulate those species, it is given exclusive authority with respect to managing species and their habitats. State action with respect to intrastate species is not subject to judicial review.

The Bonneville, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Area Power Administrations must include in customer monthly billing statements information on the share of costs to the customer incurred as a result of compliance with the ESA, unless the costs are for intrastate species regulated by states.

Owners or lessees of property may apply to Interior for a determination of whether a proposed property use will violate the ESA. The use is deemed compliant if Interior fails to respond within 90 days. The owners and lessees may seek monetary compensation for unfavorable determinations.

The bill eliminates awards of attorney fees in citizen suits under the ESA.

endangered species management self determination act bill amends endangered species act esa requiring department_of_interior department_of_commerce obtain consent state adding species list threatened endangered plants animals species present state interior submit congress list endangered threatened species congress approval joint resolution list effect species automatically taken list years interior petition species bill eliminates provisions esa allowing interested persons petition addition removal species list state regulate intrastate endangered threatened species present boundaries state elects regulate species given exclusive authority respect managing species habitats state action respect intrastate species subject judicial review bonneville southeastern southwestern include customer monthly billing statements information share costs customer incurred result compliance esa costs intrastate species regulated states owners lessees property apply interior determination proposed property use violate esa use deemed compliant interior fails respond days owners lessees seek monetary compensation determinations bill eliminates awards attorney fees citizen suits esa


Summary:
This bill prohibits any authorization of appropriations for the National Park Service to:

 study how artificial light affects the movements and behavior of insects, or develop or test remote sensing technology that measures distance by illuminating a target with a laser and analyzing the reflected light to determine how artificial light affects insect movements and behavior.

bill prohibits authorization appropriations national_park_service study artificial light affects movements behavior insects develop test remote sensing technology measures distance target laser analyzing reflected light determine artificial light affects insect movements behavior


Summary:
Public Safety and Wildlife Protection Act

This bill prohibits importing, exporting, delivering, carrying, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing steel-jaw leghold traps or Conibear traps.

Steel-jaw leghold traps are certain spring-powered pan or sear-activated devices with steel jaws that are designed to snap closed on animals. Conibear traps consist of metal frames hinged at the center point and powered by two torsion springs that create a scissor-like action designed to kill animals by snapping their spinal columns. Both types of traps exclude cage or box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, or mouse or rat snap traps.

The bill establishes penalties for violating the prohibition on the traps.

The Department of the Interior must pay rewards for information that leads to a conviction of a violation of this bill, unless the information was provided by officers or employees of federal, state, or local governments while they were performing official duties.

public safety wildlife protection act bill prohibits importing exporting delivering carrying transporting selling receiving acquiring purchasing steel traps traps steel traps certain spring powered activated devices steel designed snap closed animals traps consist metal frames center point powered springs create like action designed kill animals spinal types traps exclude box traps type live traps snap traps bill establishes penalties violating prohibition traps department_of_the_interior pay rewards information leads conviction violation bill information provided officers employees federal state local governments performing official duties


Summary:
Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act of 2016

This bill makes it illegal to possess, buy, sell, transport, or trade shark fins or any product containing shark fins.A person may possess a shark fin that was lawfully taken consistent with a license or permit under certain circumstances.

 Penalties areimposedfor violations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

bill makes illegal possess buy sell transport trade shark fins product containing shark fins person possess shark fin lawfully taken consistent license permit certain circumstances penalties violations magnuson-stevens_fishery_conservation_and_management_act


Summary:
Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2016

This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to direct the Department of the Treasury to transfer, beginning in FY2016, revenues from energy and mineral development on federal lands totaling $1.3 billion to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount of the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, to be available without further appropriation. The purpose of the subaccount is to fund state wildlife conservation and restoration programs for managing fish and wildlife species of the greatest conservation need as determined by a state fish and wildlife agency.

wildlife act bill amends pittman-robertson_wildlife_restoration_act direct department_of_the_treasury transfer beginning fy2016 revenues energy mineral development federal lands totaling billion available appropriation purpose subaccount fund state wildlife conservation restoration programs managing fish wildlife species greatest conservation need determined state fish wildlife agency


Summary:
Conserving Our Reefs and Livelihoods Act of 2016

This bill amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to expand the coral reef conservation program by awarding remaining program grant funds to appropriate projects, including monitoring and assessment, research, and education necessary to protect and restore coral reefs.

The Coral Reef Conservation Fund is renamed the Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration Fund.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)must establish the Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Ecosystem Science Cooperative Institute.Additionally, the bill directs NOAAto submit to Congress a national coral reef action strategy.

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force is authorized to carry out prize competitions that promote coral reef research and conservation. The prize competitions must be designed to help the United States achieve its goal of developing new and effective ways to advance the understanding, monitoring, and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems.

The Department of the Interior may provide coral reef conservation and restoration assistance. Interior must obtain approval from the relevant fish and wildlife management agency of a state or territory before restricting fishing access to state or territorial waters within its jurisdiction.

The bill directs NOAA to award competitive grants for colleges, universities, and nonprofit research organizations to research lionfish and their impact on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

conserving reefs bill amends coral_reef_conservation_act expand coral reef conservation program awarding remaining program grant funds appropriate projects including monitoring assessment research education necessary protect restore coral reefs renamed national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration establish center_of_excellence coral reef ecosystem science cooperative institute additionally bill directs submit congress national coral reef action strategy authorized carry prize competitions promote coral reef research conservation prize competitions designed help united_states achieve goal developing new effective ways advance understanding monitoring sustainability coral reef ecosystems department_of_the_interior provide coral reef conservation restoration assistance interior obtain approval relevant fish wildlife management agency state territory restricting fishing access state territorial waters jurisdiction bill directs noaa award competitive grants colleges universities nonprofit research organizations research impact atlantic_ocean gulf_of_mexico ecosystems