TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved a bill declaring that the federal government has no authority to regulate prairie chickens in the state.

The measure approved Friday night is a response to the federal government’s March listing of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened. The listing allows federal oversight of state conservation efforts.

The House passed the bill, 87-37, shortly after the Senate approved it, 30-7. The measure goes to Gov. Sam Brownback.

The bill covers both the lesser prairie chicken and the larger, darker and more abundant greater prairie chicken. It allows the attorney general to file lawsuits to block federal attempts to regulate the birds and their habitats.

State officials fear conservation efforts will restrict agriculture and energy companies. Environmentalists say Kansas should work to increase the bird’s population.