Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on “Keeping the Lights On and Reducing Catastrophic Forest Fire Risk: Proper Management of Electricity Rights of Way on Federal Lands.” The hearing examined the need for improved management and better communication with electric utilities on electricity rights of way on federal lands so that falling, dead,… Read more »
Today, the House Natural Resources Committee approved four targeted bills that would improve and modernize the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The primary focus of these four bills is to promote data and cost transparency and species recovery.
These bills have been endorsed by over 25 organizations including, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Family Farm Alliance, National Rural Electric… Read more »
Yesterday, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Skilled Trades Workers.” The hearing examined the well-paying jobs opportunities for technical and skilled workers that have been created by the recent American energy boom. Mike Rowe, former host of Discovery’s “Dirty Jobs” and CEO of mikeroweWorks testified at this… Read more »
Reporting H.R. 4318 Out of Committee (Passed 27-15. View Roll Call Vote)
This bill would prioritize resources towards species protection by placing a reasonable cap on the hourly rate of attorneys fees that may be awarded to prevailing parties and making the ESA consistent with current federal law.
* For complete legislative action for the April 30, 2014 Full Committee Markup, click here. Read more »
Reporting H.R. 4317 Out of Committee (Passed 26-16. View Roll Call Vote)
This bill would require the federal government to disclose to affected states all data used prior to any ESA listing decisions and require that the “best available scientific and commercial data” used by the federal government include data provided by affected states, tribes, and local governments.
Huffman 001… Read more »
Reporting H.R. 4316 Out of Committee (Passed 26-16. View Roll Call Vote)
This legislation would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to track, report to Congress, and make available online funds expended to respond to ESA lawsuits, the number of employees dedicated to litigation; and attorneys fees awarded in the course of ESA litigation and settlement agreements.
Lummis 033… Read more »
Reporting H.R. 4315 Out of Committee (Passed 17-15. View Roll Call Vote)
This legislation would require data used by federal agencies for ESA listing decisions to be made publicly available and accessible through the Internet. The bill would allow the American people to actually see what data is being used to make key listing decisions.
Hastings of Washington 031 Amendment (Approved by… Read more »
Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing on “American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Skilled Trades Workers.” The hearing examined the well-paying jobs opportunities for technical and skilled workers that have been created by the recent American energy boom.
Unemployment in the United States remains at 6.7 percent, whereas states like North Dakota with a… Read more »
The House Committee on Natural Resources’ majority website today was recognized, for a third consecutive Congress, one of the best websites in Congress by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF). The Committee received a Gold Mouse award, one of only three House Committees to receive this honor for the 113th Congress.
“For three consecutive sessions of Congress, the Natural… Read more »
