H.R. 6668 – MUSSELS Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC

The MUSSELS Act changes the Endangered Species Act of 1973 so that freshwater mussels can no longer be listed as endangered or threatened. By inserting a new rule that blocks any such classification, the bill removes these species from federal protection under the ESA. The law also directs the responsible agency to quickly revise the official species list to show the change.

Key Provisions

Adds a new subsection to the Endangered Species Act stating that freshwater mussel species cannot be classified as endangered or threatened under the law.
Requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Secretary to update and republish the official list of endangered and threatened species within 30 days of the law’s enactment to reflect the removal of freshwater mussels.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

August 10, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 10, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

August 10, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued August 10, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6668

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 10, 2018

Mr. Rokita introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to remove freshwater mussels from the list of endangered and threatened species.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Modifying Unaccountable Standards and Simplifying Endangered Lists or the MUSSELS Act.

2.

Removal of freshwater mussels from endangered and threatened species list

(a)

In general

Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j)

Limitation on treatment of freshwater mussels

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any species of freshwater mussel shall not be treated as an endangered species or threatened species for purposes of this Act.

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(b)

Publication of list

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, as that term is defined in section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532), shall revise and republish the list of endangered species and threatened species under section 4(c) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)) in accordance with this section.