Legislative History
Editor’s note: The documents below have been scanned from the legislative history of the ESA prepared by the Congressional Research Service and delivered to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee in December 1981. Please direct inquiries to Steve Davies of ESWR (steve@eswr.com).
Thanks go to Lydia Fiedler, without whose efforts this would not have been possible. I am also grateful to the staff at NOAA’s Central Library in Silver Spring. — Steve Davies, editor, ESWR.
………………LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973
Pages
Introduction and Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966; Public Law 89-669 ………………………………………………… 8
Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969, Public Law 91-135 ……………………………………………….. 14
(includes Chronology of Public Law 93-205)
Endangered Species Act of 1973, Public Law 93-205……………………………………………………………………. 24
House action
H.R. 37 as introduced, January 3, 1973…………………………………………………………………………………… 45
Mr. Dingell’s extended remarks on H.R. 37, January 11, 1973………………………………………………….. 72
H.R. 37 as reported by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, July 27, 1973 ……………………… 74
House Report 93-412 (to accompany H.R. 37), July 27, 1973……………………………………………………140
House consideration and passage of H.R. 37, with amendments, Sept. 18, 1973……………………………….. 180
House consideration and passage of S. 1983, as amended, Sept. 18, 1973 (in lieu of H.R. 37) ……………… 208
Senate action …………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………… ………..
S. 1983 as introduced June 12, 1973, and as amended by the Commerce Committee, July 1, 1973 ……. 225
S. Rept. 93-307 (to accompany S. 1983 as reported by the Committee on Commerce), July 1, 1973 …… 298
Senate consideration and passage of S. 1983, with amendments, July 24, 1973 …………………………… 342
Conference committee and executive action
House Conf. Rpt. 93-740 (to accompany S. 1983 as reported by the Conf. Cmte.), Dec. 19, 1973 …….. 426
Senate agreement to conference report, December 19, 1973………………………………………………………… 455
House agreement to conference report December 20, 1973………………………………………………………. 474
S. 1983 presented to President for signature, December 21, 1973 ……………………………………………… 486
Presidential statement on signing S. 1983 into law December 28, 1973 ……………………………………… 486
Annotated bibliography of hearings ………………………………………………………………………………. 487
PART II
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF 1976 AMENDMENTS TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Endangered Species Act appropriation authorization extension, Public Law 94-325
Background ………………………………………………… 489
Chronology—Public Law 94-325 …………………………………………………. 491
Public Law 94-325 …………………….. 492
House action
H.R. 8092 as introduced, June 20, 1975………………………………………………………………. 493
H. Rept. 94-887 (to accompany H.R. 8092 as reported with amendment by
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries), March 11, 1976 …………………………………………………… 495
Dissenting views on H.R. 8092 (Reps. Gene Snyder, R-Ky., and Bob Bauman, R-Md.)……………………. 504
House consideration and passage of H.R. 8092, amended, March 15, 1976 ………………………………… 505
House passage of S. 3122 in lieu of H.R. 8092 as previously passed, June 17, 1976 …………………….. 510
Remarks of Senator Moss on introduction of S. 3122, March 10, 1976………………………………………… 512
S. 3122 as introduced, March 10, 1976, and as reported
with amendment, by Committee on Commerce, May 14, 1976…………………………………………….. 514
S. Rept. 94-837 (to accompany S. 3122 as reported
by the Committee on Commerce), May 13, 1976 ………………………………………516
Senate consideration and passage of S. 3122, amended, May 18, 1975 ………………………….. 523
S. 3122, presented to the President, June 21, 1976 ……………………………………….. 523
Annotated bibliography of hearings ………………………………………………………………….. 523
Endangered Species Act amendments, Public Law 94-359
Background…………………………………………………………………………………..525
Chronology-Public Law 94-359 ………………………………………………………………………… 528
Public Law 94-359 …………………………………………………………………………. 529
H.R. 10229 as introduced, October 20, 1975………………………………………………………………… 532
H. Rept. 94-823 (to accompany H.R. 10229 as reported with amendments
by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries), February 11, 1976 ……………………..… 533
House consideration and passage of H.R. 10229, amended, February 17, 1976……………………….. 552
House consideration and passage of S. 229, amended, in lieu of H.R. 10229, February 17, 1976…. 560
House concurrence in Senate amendments to House amendments to S. 229, June 29, 1976 …. 562
Senate action (and link to Senate and Executive action on S. 229)
S. 229, as introduced, January 17, 1975, and as reported,
with amendments, by Committee on Commerce, April 4, 1975 …………………………………….. 565
S. Rept. 94-63 (to accompany S. 229 as reported, with amendments,
by the Committee on Commerce), April 4, 1975 ………………………………………………………….. 572
Senate consideration and passage of S. 229, amended, April 14, 1975 …………….. 581
Senate concurrence in House amendments to S. 229, with amendments, June 24, 1976……………. 592
S. 229, presented to the President, July 1, 1976…………………………………………………………….… 597
S. 229, signed into law (Public Law 94-359), July 12, 1976………………………………………………………. 598
Annotated bibliography of hearings………………………………………………………………………………. 598
PART III
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF 1977 AMENDMENTS TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
ESA, section 6, extension of appropriation authorization, Public Law 95-212
Background………………………………………………………………………………….….….………..…………. 601
Chronology-Public Law 95-212……………………………………………………………………………………. 602
Public Law 95-212……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 604
H.R. 6405 as introduced, April 20, 1977, and as reported by the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, May 16, 1977…………………………………………………………. 605
H. Rept. 95-333 (to accompany H.R. 6405 as reported by
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries), May 16, 1977………………………………………………………… 607
House consideration and passage of H.R. 6405, October 18, 1977…………………………………………..……. 617
House consideration and passage of S. 1316, amended,
in lieu of H.R. 6405, October 18, 1977…………………………………………..…………………………………………..… 621
S. 1316, as introduced, April 20, 1977……………………………………………………………………………….………… 622
S. 1316, as reported, with amendment, by Committee
on Environment and Public Works, May 16, 1977…………………….…………………………………………..…….. 623
S. Rept. 95-186 (to accompany S. 1316 as reported with amendment
by the Committee on Environment and Public Works, May 16, 1977…………………………………..………. 625
Senate consideration and passage of S. 1316, amended, May 25, 1977…………………………………..….. 629
Conference committee and executive action
S. Rept. 95-607 (to accompany S. 1316) as reported
by the Committee of Conference, November 29, 1977………………………………………………………………… 630
Senate agreement to conference report, November 29, 1977………………………………………………………. 634
House agreement to conference report, November 30, 1977…………………………………..…………………… 634
S. 1316, presented to President, December 7, 1977……………………………………………………..…………….. 641
Annotated bibliography of hearings………………………………………………….………………………………………….. 641
PART IV
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF 1978 AMENDMENTS TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978, Public Law 95-632
Background………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 643
Chronology-Public Law 95-632……………………………………………………………….……………………….…………. 646
Public Law 95-632………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………….. 647
House action
H.R. 14104 as introduced, September 18, 1978……………………………………………………….……….………… 664
H.R. 14104 as reported, with amendments, by the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, September 25, 1978…………………………………………………….…………. 693
H. Rept. 95-1625 (to accompany H.R. 14104 as reported by the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries), September 25,1978…………………………….……………….. 725
- Main report plus Additional Views (Reps. Gerry Studds, Norman D’Amours, Don Bonker, Joel Pritchard, David E. Bonior, Barbara Mikulski)
H. Rept. 95-1757 (to accompany H. Res. 1423) by the Committee
on Rules providing for the consideration of H.R. 14104……………………………………………………………..… 794
House consideration and adoption of House Resolution 1423
providing for the consideration of H.R. 14104…………………………………………………………..…….….………. 795
House consideration and passage of H.R. 14104, with amendments, October 14, 1978………………… 800
House consideration and passage of S. 2899, with amendment,
in lieu of H.R. 14104, Oct. 14, 1978…………………………………………………………………………………………… 898
Senate action
S. 2899, as introduced, April 12, 1978……………………………………………………………………………………….. 905
Statements of Mr. Culver, Mr. Baker, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Wallop on introduction of S. 2899……………. 918
(last line on page 923: “biological facts and reason guide our perspective.”)
S. 2899, as reported, with amendments, by the
Committee on Environment and Public Works, May 15, 1978…………………………………………………….. 924
S. Rept. 95-874 (to accompany S. 2899 as reported by the
Cmte. on Environment and Public Works), May 15, 1978…………………………………………………………… 939
Senate consideration and passage of S. 2899, with amendments
July 17, 1978………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………….………. 951
July 18, 1978………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………….. 996
July 19, 1978……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….……..….. 1073
S. 2899 as passed by the Senate, July 19, 1978…………………………………………………………..…………. 1169
Conference committee and executive action
H. Rept. 95-1804 (to accompany S. 2899 as reported by the
Committee of Conference), October 15, 1978………………………………………………………….……………… 1192
House agrees to conference report, October 14, 1978…………………………………………….…….………… 1220
Senate agrees to conference report, October 14, 1978……………………………………………………………. 1223
Presidential statement on signing S. 2899 into law, November 10, 1978……………………………………. 1230
Annotated bibliography of hearings…………………………………………………………………………………………. 1231
PART V
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF 1979 AMENDMENTS TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES
Tellico Dam rider to the 1980 Energy and Water
Development Appropriations Act (Public Law 96-69)
Background and Chronology…………………………………………………………………………………………..………. 1235
Public Law 96-69……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……. 1237
Further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4388) begun……….…………………………………………….……………. 1238
Agreement to Duncan floor amendment on the Tellico Dam and Reservoir………………………………… 1238
House passage of H.R. 4388, with amendments, June 18, 1979……………………………………….………. 1239
H.R. 4388, as introduced in the Senate, June 20, 1979…………………………………………………………….. 1243
Consideration of H.R. 4388, with amendments, begun……………………………………………..…….………… 1244
Consideration and passage of floor amendment striking Tellico provision from the bill………………….. 1245
Senate passage of H.R. 4388, with amendments; appointment of conferees………………………….….. 1255
Conference committee, post-conference congressional, and executive actions
House conference report 96-388 (to accompany H.R. 4388
as reported by the Committee of Conference), July 25, 1979…………………………….……………….……. 1260
House commences consideration of conference report on H.R. 4388 (Aug. 1, 1979, but appears in the
proceedings of the House of that day as published in the Congressional Record of Aug. 2, 1979).. 1262
Comments of Mr. Bevill concerning Tellico Dam and Reservoir…..………………………………….…………… 1262
House considers, adopts motion insisting on its disagreement to Senate amendment No. 30,
which the conference committee reported in disagreement)…………………………………………………….. 1263
Senate consideration and adoption of a motion to recede from its Amendment No. 30
(and accept the House language), September 10, 1979………………………………………………………….. 1288
H.R. 4388, presented to President, September 13, 1979…………………………………………………………. 1300
H.R. 4388, signed into law, September 25, 1979 (Public Law 96-69)………………………………………… 1301
Endangered Species Act of 1973, appropriation authorization, Public Law 96-159
Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1302
Chronology-Public Law 96-159………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1303
Public Law 96-159…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1304
House action
H.R. 2218 as introduced, February 15, 1979…………………………………………………………………………. 1311
H.R. 2218 as reported by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, May 15, 1979………. 1313
House Report 96-167 (to accompany H.R. 2218), May 15, 1979…………………………………………….. 1317
House Committee on Rules cleared H.R. 2218; referred to the House Calendar…………………………. 1336
Proposed amendment to H.R. 2218, submitted by Mr. Breaux………………………………………………… 1336
House consideration and approval of H. Res. 417, providing for consideration of H.R. 2218………. 1340
Proposed amendment by Mr. Breaux to the amendment to H.R. 2218 offered by Mr. Breaux…… 1347
House consideration of H.R. 2218, Oct. 22, 1979 …………………………………………………………………… 1348
Statement of Mr. Young in support of his proposed amendment to H.R. 2218, Oct. 24, 1979….. 1358
House consideration and passage of H.R. 2218, Oct. 24, 1979……………………………………………….. 1360
House consideration and passage of S. 1143, amended, Oct. 24, 1979 (in lieu of H.R. 2218)……. 1382
Senate action
S. 1143, an original bill, as reported by the Environment
and Public Works Committee, May 15, 1979………………………………………………………………………… 1387
Senate Report 96-151 (to accompany S. 1143), May 15, 1979…………………………………………….. 1391
Additional views of Sen. Howard Baker (R-Tenn.)……………………………………………………………………. 1402
Senate consideration and passage of S. 1143, June 13, 1979……………………..……………………..…. 1404
Conference committee and executive action
House Conference Report 96-697 (to accompany S. 1143
as reported by the Conference Committee), Dec. 11, 1979…………………………………………………… 1431
House agrees to conference report on S. 1143, Dec. 19, 1979…………………………………….……….. 1450
Senate agrees to conference report on S. 1143, Dec. 19, 1979………………………………….……..….. 1455
Presidential Statement on signing S. 1143 into law, Dec. 28, 1979 (Public Law 96-159)…………… 1457
Annotated bibliography of hearings……………………………………………………………………………….……… 1457
PART VI
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE 1980 AMENDMENTS TO THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Endangered Species Act of 1973, appropriation authorization (section 6), Public Law 96-246
Background……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 1461
Chronology—Public Law 96-246………………………………………………………………………………….……… 1462
Public Law 96-246………………………………………………………………………..……………………………..…….. 1463
H.R. 6839 as introduced, March 18, 1980, and as reported without amendment
by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, April 22, 1980……………………………………… 1464
H. Rept. 96-896 (to accompany H.R. 6839 as reported by
the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries), April 22, 1980…………………………………………. 1465
House consideration and passage of H.R. 6839, without amendment, May 5, 1980..…….………. 1474
Senate action
Senate consideration and passage of H.R. 6839, without amendment, May 12, 1980…………… 1476
Executive action
H.R. 6839 signed into law, May 23, 1980 (Public Law 96-246) without statement……..…….…… 1477
Annotated bibliography of hearings and a committee print……………………….………………….……… 1477
PART VII
Unofficial codified version of the ESA of 1973, as amended through Dec. 31, 1980……………… 1479
PART VIII
Section-by-section index…………………………………………..…………………………………………………….. 1493
