Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to bar the Secretary of the Interior from determining that any population of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Wisconsin is threatened or endangered. It includes congressional findings describing Wisconsin’s Winnebago sturgeon management, the cultural importance of the annual sturgeon spearing season, and state data-collection efforts used to manage harvest.
Progressives emphasize weakening ESA and loss of federal fallback
Narrow local carve-out could win House support from affected members but may face partisan/environmental opposition.
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to bar the Secretary of the Interior from determining that any population of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Wisconsin is threatened or endangered.
It includes congressional findings describing Wisconsin’s Winnebago sturgeon management, the cultural importance of the annual sturgeon spearing season, and state data-collection efforts used to manage harvest.
The statutory change is a geographic, species-specific exemption from ESA listing authority for Wisconsin lake sturgeon populations.
Narrow scope aids consideration, but statutory erosion of a major federal law and lack of compromise features reduce chances, especially in Senate.
How solid the drafting looks.
Progressives emphasize weakening ESA and loss of federal fallback
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize weakening ESA and loss of federal fallback
Likely opposed overall.
While acknowledging Wisconsin’s local conservation successes, this persona views the bill as weakening the federal ESA safety net and creating a risky geographic carve-out.
They would worry about future declines and loss of federal enforcement tools.
Mixed/unsure.
This persona respects demonstrated state management and cultural importance but is cautious about a categorical federal bar.
They would seek time limits, scientific triggers, or safeguards against setting a harmful precedent.
Likely supportive.
This persona favors reducing federal intervention, deferring to state and local management, and protecting the cultural and economic interests of Wisconsin communities.
They see the bill as appropriate deference to effective local conservation.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow scope aids consideration, but statutory erosion of a major federal law and lack of compromise features reduce chances, especially in Senate.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize weakening ESA and loss of federal fallback
Narrow scope aids consideration, but statutory erosion of a major federal law and lack of compromise features reduce chances, especially in…
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