Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1514
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-19: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-04T09:06:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025 aims to create a new commission to coordinate the management of fish and other aquatic resources across the vast Mississippi River Basin. This includes promoting long-term sustainability of shared fisheries, enhancing cooperation among states, federal agencies, and tribes, and addressing threats like invasive species (non-native organisms that harm ecosystems). The goal is to build on existing partnerships, such as the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA), to improve planning, research, and actions for fisheries that cross state borders.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Membership (Sections 4-5): Creates the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission within the Department of the Interior. Eligible members include state fishery agencies from 31 basin states (e.g., Alabama to Wyoming), federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), tribes, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. States appoint their top fishery official as a voting delegate; other entities appoint one representative. The commission elects a chair and vice chair, hires an executive director (non-voting), and operates by consensus with majority votes for decisions. It is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which normally governs advisory groups to streamline operations.
- Management Duties (Section 6): The commission oversees fishery management in six sub-basins (Arkansas-Red-White, Lower Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee-Cumberland, Upper Mississippi). It adopts MICRA's Joint Strategic Plan as its framework, focusing on science-based conservation, sustainable practices, and strategies to prevent and control invasive species like carp (non-native fish that damage native populations and economies). The commission advises agencies, recommends regulations, and must review and report on the plan to Congress after 30 years.
- Grant Programs (Section 7): Establishes two grant types within two years:
- Competitive grants for projects aligning with the strategic plan, prioritizing applicants with at least 10% matching funds (cash or in-kind contributions).
- Formula grants distributed annually to state members for recommended fishery projects.
Eligible recipients include states, federal agencies, tribes, nonprofits, universities, and partnerships. Funds support research, projects, and personnel in the basin, with up to 5% for administrative costs. Annual reports to Congress detail grant usage and benefits.
- Authority and Operations (Sections 8-10): The commission's recommendations are nonbinding, preserving state rights to enact or enforce their own laws. Members can withdraw with six months' notice. It must submit yearly activity reports to Congress and hold meetings at least annually, with offices in the basin.
- Funding (Section 11): Authorizes $1 million in FY2026 for startup; $30 million annually for FY2027-2029 and $50 million for FY2030-2032 for management and grants (funds carry over if unused); plus $500,000 yearly for FY2026-2032 for housing via the Secretary of the Interior.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces a new federal commission specifically for inland basin fisheries, expanding beyond current interstate agreements like the 1990 Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Agreement and MICRA. It formalizes basin-wide coordination, including dedicated funding and invasive species focus, which were not previously centralized at this scale. Unlike ocean fishery management under laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Act (which governs commercial fishing in U.S. coastal waters), this targets freshwater interjurisdictional resources without granting binding regulatory power. It also exempts the commission from FACA, allowing more flexible operations compared to other advisory bodies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances coordination among federal entities (e.g., Interior Department, USGS) and state agencies, potentially reducing duplication in fishery management and invasive species control. Provides new funding streams for research and projects, easing budget pressures.
- Citizens and Communities: Supports sustainable commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing, which could boost local economies in the 31 states (covering 41% of the continental U.S.). Better invasive species control may protect water quality, recreation, and food security for millions reliant on the basin's ecosystems.
- International Relations: Acknowledges shared management with two Canadian provinces; the commission could indirectly foster cross-border cooperation on migratory fish and invasives, though it lacks formal international authority.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Agencies: 31 Mississippi River Basin states, particularly their fishery directors, who gain a platform for joint planning and formula grants.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Tennessee Valley Authority, which provide expertise and receive competitive grants.
- Tribes and Nations: Entities like the Chippewa-Cree Tribe and Chickasaw Nation, involved in basin fisheries management.
- Fishing Industries and Communities: Commercial fishers, recreational anglers, and subsistence users benefiting from sustainable resources and invasive control.
- Environmental and Research Groups: Nonprofits, universities, and partnerships eligible for grants to conduct studies and projects.
- Canadian Provinces: Indirectly affected through shared watershed resources, building on existing informal ties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The nonbinding nature upholds federalism by not overriding state sovereignty (e.g., states retain full power over in-state laws and enforcement), avoiding potential Tenth Amendment challenges (which protects state rights from federal overreach). Definitions clarify terms like "interjurisdictional fishery resource" (fish crossing state lines) to ensure precise application.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate resources, similar to Great Lakes or ocean fishery commissions, without infringing on state police powers.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan collaboration on environmental and economic issues in a politically diverse region. Authorizations signal federal commitment but depend on appropriations, potentially sparking debates on funding priorities amid invasive species threats like carp, which have caused billions in damages. The 30-year review provision ensures adaptability without rigid mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-19: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-11-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 2025-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-24 — PDF (18 pages)