# Endangered Species Act

Type: legislation

Source: Legal & RegTech Intelligence Brief — https://getlegalbrief.com/entity/endangered-species-act-legislation
Canonical HTML page: https://getlegalbrief.com/entity/endangered-species-act-legislation

## Timeline

- **2026-09-12**: Effective Date — The rescission takes effect; 'harm' no longer includes indirect habitat modification.
- **2026-09**: Executive orders signed — Trump signs orders on wolf protection, meat processing expansion, and movement toward country-of-origin labelling.
- **2026-08**: Beef trimming import quota expanded — Administration temporarily permits 300,000 metric tons of lower-tariff lean beef trimmings over three months.
- **2026-07-14**: Final Rule Published in Federal Register — FWS and NMFS formally publish the final rescission rule, triggering 60-day effective countdown.
- **2026-07-10**: Joint Announcement — U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Commerce announce final rule rescinding the 'harm' definition.
- **2026**: Cattle herd falls to 75-year low — Retail beef prices reach record levels as drought and wildfires contract US cattle supplies.
- **2025-04-24**: Proposed Rule Released — FWS and NMFS publish proposed rule to rescind the 'harm' definition, initiating public comment period.
- **1995-06-29**: Babbitt v. Sweet Home Decision — Supreme Court upholds regulatory 'harm' definition including habitat modification; Justice Scalia files dissent.

## Recent coverage (2 stories)

### Trump COOL Order Needs Congress: 75-Year Cattle Low
2026-09-05 10:21:19 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 5/10 · Sources: 2

Trump's executive order moves toward beef country-of-origin labelling but avoids mandatory requirements, leaving Congress and trade law as the next battleground. Legal readers should watch Endangered Species Act implications and the 300,000-metric-ton import expansion.
Full story: https://getlegalbrief.com/story/trump-cool-order-legal-congressional-mandate

### ESA 'Harm' Rule Gone: Agencies Adopt Scalia Dissent, Effective Sept. 12, 2026
2026-07-15 00:04:12 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 2

Federal agencies have finalized the rescission of the Endangered Species Act's 'harm' definition, replacing it with Justice Scalia's dissent interpretation. This dramatically narrows what constitutes a prohibited 'take' and eliminates indirect habitat liability, creating significant legal uncertainty and anticipated litigation from conservation groups.
Full story: https://getlegalbrief.com/story/esa-harm-rescission-legal-impact

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