US HB65

Prohibits the Secretary of Interior from designating any military installation, State-owned National Guard installation, or other lands used by the Department of Defense as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act

Allows the Secretary of Defense to unilaterally exclude any lands, waters, or geographical areas from critical habitat designation by written determination that the area is necessary for military training, weapons testing, or other defense purposes

Eliminates the requirement for the Department of Defense to consult with the Secretary of Interior under Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act regarding agency actions on these defense-related lands

Exempts military personnel, civilian employees, and defense contractors from Section 9 prohibitions on taking, harming, or destroying endangered or threatened species during national defense-related operations including training, weapons testing, and research

Defines "military personnel" broadly to include Armed Forces members, DOD civilian employees and contractors, and other federal agency employees supporting DOD missions overseas