# Plain Language Summary: The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Bill

This bill is Congress's way of saying "no" to a rule that the Fish and Wildlife Service created to protect the lesser prairie-chicken. In November 2022, that federal agency decided to list this bird as endangered or threatened, which triggers automatic legal protections. This joint resolution would cancel that decision and make the rule disappear—essentially saying the bird doesn't get federal protection status.

Here's what that means in practical terms: The lesser prairie-chicken is a ground-dwelling bird found in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. When a species gets listed as endangered or threatened, landowners and businesses have to follow strict rules about what they can do on their land. They might not be able to develop property, drill for oil and gas, graze cattle, or conduct other activities in areas where the bird lives. If this bill passes, those restrictions would go away. Ranchers, energy companies, and developers in prairie regions would have fewer limitations on how they use their land.

The bill was introduced by representatives from states where the prairie-chicken lives—mostly from Kansas and Oklahoma—suggesting it has support from lawmakers in areas where the restrictions would have the biggest impact. On the flip side, environmental groups and wildlife advocates would likely oppose this because they argue the bird needs protection to survive. The practical outcome depends on whether Congress votes to approve this disapproval resolution, which would require both the House and Senate to pass it.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment".

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

 <p>This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service titled <i>Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segmen</i>t and published on November 25, 2022. The rule adds the Northern Distinct Population Segment of lesser prairie-chicken to the list of threatened species and the Southern District Population Segment of lesser prairie-chicken to the list of endangered species.</p>