Lummis Introduces Legislation To Give State Wildlife Data a Role in Endangered Species Listings

March 19, 2026

Washington, D.C. - Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today introduced the Local Data for Better Conservation Act, legislation to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require federal officials to accept and incorporate data collected by state wildlife agencies when making listing and delisting determinations for endangered and threatened species.

"Smart conservation means using the best data available," said Senator Cynthia Lummis. "State agencies are on the ground every day, generating critical, real-time data on the species they manage. This bill ensures that information is fully considered in Endangered Species Act decisions, improving the accuracy and scientific integrity of species listings decisions."

"Wildlife will benefit if all of the best available data are used to make decisions," said Angi Bruce, Director of Wyoming Game and Fish Department. "However, decisions about endangered species sometimes exclude the wealth of relevant data that states collect. We appreciate that this bill recognizes states as essential partners and on-the-ground experts for species conservation."

"State fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of stewarding our nation's wildlife and are often the first to detect changes in species populations on the ground," said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. "This legislation ensures that the most up-to-date, field-based data informs ESA decisions, leading to better informed listings and timely delisting decisions. By formally incorporating state-collected science, we can strengthen outcomes for species while reinforcing the cooperative framework that is foundational to conservation."

Background:

Under current practice, federal listing decisions under the Endangered Species Act can overlook the substantial troves of species data that state agencies collect. This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to accept and integrate state-collected data into any determination to list or delist a species - ensuring the best available science truly means the best available science.

Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) are cosponsors.

Read the full bill text here.