SUSHI Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3706
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-11: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-26T09:06:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SUSHI Act aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by requiring the development of a standardized scientific method to trace the country of origin of seafood products. This tool would help U.S. law enforcement agencies verify seafood authenticity and enforce fishing regulations more effectively.
Key Provisions
- Development of Methodology: The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology (part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST) and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must collaborate with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard to create a standard methodology based on chemical analysis (examining the chemical makeup of seafood to determine its origin).
- Requirements for the Methodology:
- It must align with the needs of federal and state law enforcement to fight IUU fishing.
- It should reduce testing time for efficiency.
- It must use a portable field kit that one person can carry.
- Where possible, it should work on prepared seafood, such as raw dishes like ceviche, sashimi, sushi, or poke.
- Pilot Studies: Initial testing focuses on red snapper (a fish that stays in one area, called a "stationary stock") and specific tuna species (bigeye, yellowfin, and bluefin, which migrate long distances, called a "highly migratory stock").
- Reporting Requirement: Within two years of the bill's enactment, NIST's Under Secretary must submit a report to designated congressional committees summarizing the methodology, outlining a plan to put it into practice, and explaining any impractical aspects (including if more research or alternative methods, beyond chemical analysis, are needed).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates for federal agencies to develop and test a specific traceability tool for seafood origin, which does not appear to amend prior laws directly. It builds on existing U.S. efforts to regulate IUU fishing (such as through the Magnuson-Stevens Act) by adding a science-based enforcement mechanism, but it creates fresh requirements for inter-agency collaboration and reporting.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NOAA, NIST, CBP, and the Coast Guard would gain a standardized tool to streamline seafood inspections at ports and borders, potentially reducing illegal imports and improving enforcement efficiency. This could increase workload initially for development and pilots but save time long-term.
- Citizens: Consumers may benefit from safer, more sustainable seafood supplies, as better tracing could reduce health risks from unregulated fishing and support U.S. fisheries. Fishermen and the seafood industry might face stricter import checks, affecting supply chains.
- International Relations: The methodology could strengthen U.S. efforts in global anti-IUU initiatives (e.g., through agreements like the Port State Measures Agreement), pressuring foreign fishing nations to comply with international standards and potentially leading to trade disputes or enhanced cooperation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: NOAA (oversees oceans and fisheries), NIST (handles scientific standards), CBP (manages imports), and Coast Guard (enforces maritime laws).
- Congressional Committees: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; House Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Natural Resources (they receive the report and oversee implementation).
- Seafood Industry: Importers, processors, restaurants, and retailers dealing with species like red snapper and tuna, who may need to adapt to new testing.
- Consumers and Environmental Groups: U.S. citizens buying seafood and organizations focused on sustainable fishing, who could see indirect benefits from reduced IUU activities.
- International Entities: Foreign governments and fishing fleets involved in global seafood trade, potentially facing U.S. enforcement actions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enhances enforcement under existing fishing laws without creating new penalties, focusing instead on evidence-gathering tools. It promotes inter-agency coordination, which could set a precedent for science-driven regulatory development.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; it aligns with Congress's authority over commerce and foreign affairs (Article I, Section 8), particularly in regulating imports and protecting natural resources.
- Political: As a bipartisan tool against environmental threats like overfishing, it could garner support from conservation advocates but might spark debate over regulatory burdens on trade. The focus on popular species like tuna and sushi ingredients adds public appeal, potentially easing passage in committees.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-11: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-02-11: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-11: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- 2025-07-22: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-07-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Standards for Understanding Source and Habitat Identification Act — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (4 pages)