SHRIMP Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9154
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-04: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9154 (SHRIMP Act of 2026)
Purpose
This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to create a method for determining the country of origin of shrimp. The goals include supporting efforts against illegal fishing, enhancing food safety and supply chain tracking, and aiding port screening, import oversight, and enforcement of trade rules and duties.
Key Provisions
- Development Timeline and Consultation: Within 18 months of enactment, the Secretary must develop the methodology in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard.
- Methodology Requirements: It must use chemical analysis, address needs for combating illegal fishing, produce quick results, fit into a portable field kit for one person, and apply to raw shrimp, cooked shrimp, and prepared foods containing shrimp.
- Reporting Requirement: Within 2 years of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to relevant congressional committees. This report includes a methodology summary, an operational plan, and explanations for any parts that cannot be easily implemented, including alternatives or non-chemical methods if applicable.
- Definitions: The "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Commerce acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. "Shrimp" covers species from specific suborders and infraorders harvested, cultivated, or imported in the U.S. for human consumption.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill introduces a new federal mandate for a specialized, chemical-analysis-based origin identification system for shrimp, which is not currently required under existing statutes. It adds operational and reporting duties to the Department of Commerce without altering prior laws on fishing enforcement or imports.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Requires coordination among the Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, and Coast Guard; may increase workloads for testing, monitoring, and enforcement at ports.
- Citizens and Industry: Could improve food safety and traceability for consumers while affecting shrimp importers by enabling stricter origin verification.
- International Relations: May influence trade with shrimp-exporting countries by strengthening enforcement of restrictions and duties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard).
- State law enforcement agencies.
- Shrimp importers, processors, and the broader seafood industry.
- U.S. consumers concerned with food safety and origin labeling.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill grants the executive branch authority to develop and implement technical standards without apparent constitutional conflicts, as it focuses on agency directives rather than new regulatory powers over private parties. It may support broader policy goals on sustainable fishing and trade compliance but introduces no major shifts in legal frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-04: 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.
- 2026-06-04: 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.
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Shrimp Honesty and Responsibility in Import Monitoring Protocols Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-04 — PDF (5 pages)