US HB2176

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to designate marine reef species listed in CITES Appendix II as "covered coral reef species," automatically protecting species collected commercially for the aquarium and curio trade

Prohibits the take, import, export, sale, purchase, or transport of covered coral reef species within U.S. jurisdiction, with exceptions for qualified scientific management plans, aquaculture facilities, cooperative breeding programs, and scientific/museum purposes

Bans destructive collection practices including reef-dredging, explosives, and poison, with the presence of poison metabolites in specimens serving as evidence of illegal collection

Establishes civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, criminal penalties of up to 6 months imprisonment (2 years for commercial importers/exporters or false certifications), and allows equipment/vessel forfeiture upon conviction

Takes effect 1 year after enactment, with the Secretary of Interior authorized to remove species designations if removal does not pose substantial harm to species sustainability or coral reef ecosystems