Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1917
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:28:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 aims to establish a formal, collaborative program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to mass mark (tag) hatchery-produced fish stocked in the Great Lakes. This helps improve fishery management by tracking the balance between hatchery and wild fish, evaluating stocking effectiveness, and supporting habitat restoration amid challenges like invasive species and declining prey fish.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: Creates the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program under the USFWS to tag hatchery fish in the Great Lakes basin using automated technology, building on a limited program started in 2010 that currently tags 9–11 million fish annually out of 21 million stocked each year.
- Authorized Activities: The USFWS Director may buy equipment, fish tags, and supplies for tagging and data processing; hire additional staff; and ensure data is shared with partners to assess management outcomes, restore native species, balance predator-prey populations, support fisheries economies, and evaluate habitat efforts.
- Collaboration Requirements: The program must involve federal, state (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin), and Tribal fish management agencies, the Council of Lake Committees of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries.
- Funding: Authorizes $2.7 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support the program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Formalizes and expands the existing USFWS mass marking efforts, which have been limited in scale since 2010, by dedicating specific funding and mandating broader collaboration and data sharing.
- Introduces a structured, basin-wide approach to fishery research and management, emphasizing science-based decisions on stocking rates and species rehabilitation, without altering broader environmental laws like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances USFWS capabilities through new resources and hiring, while fostering inter-agency cooperation to improve data-driven decisions on fish stocking and invasive species control.
- Citizens: Supports recreational and commercial fishing industries, which contribute over $7 billion to the regional economy, by promoting sustainable fish populations and habitat health; benefits communities in Great Lakes states through stable fisheries.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, though the program aligns with U.S. commitments under binational agreements like the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (involving Canada), potentially aiding cross-border fishery management indirectly.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily USFWS, with involvement from other federal fish management entities.
- State Agencies: Fish and wildlife departments in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin.
- Tribal Nations: Indian Tribes in these states, who co-manage fisheries and benefit from data for native species recovery.
- Fishery Users: Recreational anglers, commercial fishers, and related businesses reliant on Great Lakes resources.
- Collaborative Bodies: Council of Lake Committees and signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens implementation of existing fishery management frameworks by providing dedicated funding and data-sharing mandates, potentially reducing litigation over stocking practices through evidence-based approaches; no new regulatory burdens on private entities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate waters and fisheries; respects Tribal sovereignty by requiring collaboration, avoiding conflicts with treaty rights.
- Political: Signals bipartisan support for Great Lakes conservation (passed House in 2025), emphasizing economic and ecological priorities in a region vital to U.S. stability; the modest funding level suggests a targeted investment without broad fiscal controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-07-22: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-07-22: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543) (Roll call 216)
- 2025-07-22: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543: 1) (Roll call 216)
- 2025-07-22: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3545)
- 2025-07-22: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-07-22: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1917.
- 2025-07-22: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3543-3544)
- 2025-07-22: Mr. Tiffany moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-07-21: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 171.
- 2025-07-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-210.
- 2025-07-21: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-210.
- 2025-06-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-06-25: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
Bill Versions
- Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (8 pages)
- Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (6 pages)
- Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (6 pages)
- Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-21 — PDF (8 pages)