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Bill

HR 8919

To nullify the decision and order of the Endangered Species Committee with respect to certain oil and gas activities, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Nanette Barragán and 18 co-sponsors

Nullify the March 31, 2026 decision on Gulf of America oil and gas, halt any ESA Section 7 exemptions for 3 years, and maintain current ESA requirements during that period.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8919

Overview

HR 8919, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to nullify the March 31, 2026 decision and order of the Endangered Species Committee regarding certain oil and gas activities, and to restrict reissuance of similar exemptions for a period of time. The bill also preserves existing Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements for the Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities and defines key terms.

Main purpose and intent

  • Nullify the Endangered Species Committee’s March 31, 2026 decision/order related to Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities.
  • Prohibit the Endangered Species Committee from issuing any exemption or similar decision under ESA section 7 for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities during a 3-year window after enactment.
  • Ensure the ESA requirements in effect on March 30, 2026 remain in full force and effect for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Nullification of the March 31, 2026 decision/order

    • The decision and order issued by the Endangered Species Committee will have no force or effect.
    • Federal funds cannot be used to implement, administer, or enforce that decision/order.

  2. Temporary prohibition on reissuance

    • For 3 years from the date of enactment, the Endangered Species Committee may not issue any decision or order under ESA Section 7 exempting Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities (or portions) from ESA requirements.

  3. Continuation of existing ESA requirements

    • The ESA requirements in effect as of March 30, 2026 remain in full force and effect for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities during the 3-year period.

  4. Definitions

    • Covered agencies: Includes key federal entities such as the Department of the Interior (Office of the Secretary), Department of the Army, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Council of Economic Advisers (Executive Office of the President), and Department of Commerce.
    • Endangered Species Committee: The committee established under ESA Section 7(e)(1).
    • Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities: As defined in the Notice.
    • Notice: The 91 Fed. Reg. 16966 (April 3, 2026) federal Register notice describing the Endangered Species Committee.

Affected parties and potential impact

  • Federal agencies identified as “covered agencies” would be limited in issuing exemptions or adjustments under ESA Section 7 for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities for three years, effectively maintaining stricter ESA oversight during that period.
  • The Endangered Species Committee would be constrained from issuing exemptions for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities for the 3-year window.
  • Operators and developers involved in Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities would face continued ESA requirements and limits on exemptions during the moratorium.
  • Funding: The bill prohibits federal funds from being used to implement or enforce the nullified decision/order, reducing potential administrative actions tied to that decision.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Enactment would immediately nullify the March 31, 2026 decision/order and halt related obligations funded by federal dollars.
  • A 3-year temporary moratorium on issuing ESA Section 7 exemptions for Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities would begin on the date of enactment.
  • During the moratorium, the Gulf of America activities would remain subject to the ESA requirements in effect as of March 30, 2026.

Sponsorship and support (notable details)

  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Beyer (with multiple co-sponsors listed, including notable names such as Rep. Castor, Rep. Casten, Rep. Dingell, Rep. Jayapal, Rep. Huffman, Rep. Soto, Rep. Norton, and others).
  • Co-sponsors include a broad group of representatives from diverse caucus backgrounds.

Summary

HR 8919 aims to overturn a specific Endangered Species Committee decision related to Gulf of America Oil and Gas Activities and to pause any similar exemptions for three years, while preserving existing ESA protections and requirements for those activities. It would limit the use of federal funds to implement the challenged decision and maintain the status quo ante March 30, 2026 ESA requirements during the moratorium.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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