I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7037 
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to exclude certain populations 
of the lake sturgeon from the authority of such Act. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 18, 2024 
Mr. GALLAGHER (for himself and Mr. GROTHMAN) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to exclude 
certain populations of the lake sturgeon from the author-
ity of such Act. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Sturgeon Protected 
and Exempt from Absurd Regulations Act’’ or the 
‘‘SPEAR Act’’. 
SEC. 2. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN POPULATIONS OF LAKE 
STURGEON UNDER ENDANGERED SPECIES 
ACT OF 1973. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
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(1) The lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) 
holds a special place in the cultural fabric of Wis-
consin, especially for the communities located on 
Lake Winnebago and the Winnebago System. 
(2) Through the staunch dedication and close 
public-private collaboration of the Wisconsin Depart-
ment of Natural Resources, Sturgeon for Tomorrow, 
the Sturgeon Advisory Committee, the Sturgeon 
Guard, and local fishing, sportsmen, and conserva-
tion groups, Wisconsin has become the global leader 
in lake sturgeon management. 
(3) As a result of these efforts and the develop-
ment and implementation of a comprehensive man-
agement plan, the Lake Winnebago system is home 
to a thriving lake sturgeon population, one of the 
largest in North America, and the most successful 
sustainable sturgeon fisheries in the world. 
(4) An integral component of this management 
plan is the annual sturgeon spearing season that is 
meticulously managed and provides the data nec-
essary, along with data from detailed spawning as-
sessments, to maintain an accurate account of popu-
lation levels needed and allowable maximum harvest 
rates to ensure the health and sustainability of the 
species. 
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(5) Mandatory registration stations are estab-
lished to collect detailed data on the length, weight, 
sex, and tag status of each harvested fish and en-
sure strict seasonal harvest caps are followed. 
(6) The spearing season has grown into a 
unique cultural event filled with strong traditions 
and community ties, drawing participants from 
throughout Wisconsin and many other States, and is 
crucial to the livelihoods of local communities and 
small businesses near the Winnebago System who 
rely on the annual season. 
(7) It is vital that this long-standing and cher-
ished tradition be protected and that Wisconsin is 
allowed to continue its successful Winnebago System 
and statewide management of lake sturgeon. 
(b) EXCLUSION FROM LISTING.—Section 4(a) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary shall by regulation’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as 
provided in paragraph (4), the Secretary shall by 
regulation’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) APPLICABILITY TO LAKE STURGEON.—The Sec-
retary may not make a determination under this sub-
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section that any population of the lake sturgeon 
(Acipenser fulvescens) in Wisconsin is threatened or en-
dangered.’’. 
Æ 
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