I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 131 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2023 Mr. Buchanan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To designate the West Indian manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Manatee Protection Act of 2023 . 2. West Indian manatee designated endangered species (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the species known as the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) shall be treated as an endangered species for purposes of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ). (b) Listing of West Indian manatee Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior shall include the species known as the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the endangered species list published under section 4(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1533(c) ).