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119-s-5604119th Congress

Improving Species Recovery Act

Sponsored By: Senator Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create clear pre-listing conservation standards and tie measurable conservation milestones to increased regulatory flexibility for species under the Endangered Species Act. It would also require more transparent baselines for listing decisions and push digital tools to speed interagency reviews.

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  • Private landowners and States: Would be more likely to see voluntary conservation actions counted toward avoiding listings because agencies must consider those actions and assess their durability after delisting.
  • Federal agencies and project planners: Would get an expanded Online Tool To Expedite Interagency Cooperation (IPAC) with "determination keys" to speed consultations, plus a 1-year study to find other digital or AI automation options, with expansion subject to appropriations.
  • Scientists and the public: Would get listing rules that document baselines, data, assumptions, and gaps, and regular public reports at least every 3 years on population status, threat reduction, milestone progress, and the effectiveness of voluntary measures.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Faster digital interagency consultations

If enacted, the bill would direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to expand its online consultation tool to cover more categories of federal actions. The agency would add more pre-made "determination keys" so some consultations can be completed automatically. Expansion of those keys would depend on the availability of appropriations. The bill would also require a study within one year to find other reviews that could be sped up by digital tools, with a report to Congress.

Milestones for species listing and delisting

If enacted, the bill would make species listing and delisting more milestone- and data-driven. The Secretary would set science-based pre-listing demographic standards when those standards would encourage voluntary conservation. Final listing rules would have to show a baseline condition, with abundance, range, habitat, data, assumptions, and material gaps. The Secretary would issue delisting rules within 3 years explaining how voluntary actions and work with States and landowners would be judged durable. Recovery plans would list priority science gaps and conservation milestones and the agency would report at least every 3 years on status and milestone progress. Meeting milestones could trigger more regulatory flexibility and priority for some conservation funding.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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