S. 2870 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2870 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 20, 2023Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to allow certain activities to be conducted with respect to sturgeon held in captivity or in a controlled environment in the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act. 2. Sturgeon held in captivity or controlled environments in the United States Section 9(b) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Sturgeon (A) In general Subsection (a)(1) and section 7(a)(2) shall not apply to— (i) a sturgeon farmed in the United States that is legally held in captivity or in a controlled environment as of the date of enactment of this paragraph, until such time as the sturgeon is intentionally returned to a wild state; or (ii) progeny of a sturgeon described in clause (i), until such time as the progeny is intentionally returned to a wild state. (B) Demonstration; requirements (i) In general Any person holding any sturgeon or progeny described in subparagraph (A) shall— (I) be able to demonstrate that the sturgeon or progeny qualifies as a sturgeon or progeny, as applicable, described in that subparagraph; and (II) maintain and submit to the Secretary, on request of the Secretary, such inventories, documentation, and records as the Secretary may, by regulation, require as being reasonably appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph. (ii) Requirements Requirements described in clause (i)(II) shall not unnecessarily duplicate the requirements of other rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary under this Act. .