Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1078
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-10T07:32:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act aims to create a new federal commission to improve coordination among states, federal agencies, and tribes in managing shared fishery resources across the vast Mississippi River Basin. This includes promoting sustainable fisheries, addressing invasive species like carp, and building on existing partnerships to ensure long-term biological and economic health of these resources.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Membership: The Act creates the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission within the Department of the Interior. Eligible entities—such as the 31 states in the basin (e.g., Alabama, Illinois, Texas), federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Tennessee Valley Authority), and certain Indian tribes—can join by notifying the commission. Voting delegates represent each member, with states appointing their top fisheries official.
- Governance Structure: The commission operates as a corporate body with an elected chair and vice chair, an appointed executive director (who has no vote), and staff. It adopts its own rules, holds annual meetings, and makes decisions by majority vote while aiming for consensus. It is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which normally governs federal advisory groups to allow more flexible operations.
- Management Duties: The commission oversees fishery management in six sub-basins (Arkansas-Red-White, Lower Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee-Cumberland, Upper Mississippi). It adopts the existing Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Agreement (MICRA) Joint Strategic Plan as its framework, researches best practices for conservation, develops strategies to control invasive species (especially "invasive carp" like bighead, black, grass, and silver carp), and advises agencies on regulations. Every 30 years, it must review and update the plan and report to Congress on fishery status and invasive species efforts.
- Grant Program: Within two years of enactment, the commission establishes competitive and formula-based grants (in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior). Competitive grants go to states, federal agencies, tribes, nonprofits, universities, and partnerships for projects aligned with management plans, prioritizing applicants with at least 10% matching funds. Formula grants support state-led interjurisdictional projects. Funds must be used for basin-specific work, with up to 5% for administrative costs. Annual reports to Congress detail grant awards and outcomes.
- Nonbinding Authority and Flexibility: Commission recommendations are advisory only and do not override state laws or existing authorities (e.g., Great Lakes Fishery Commission). States can enact stricter rules, and members can withdraw with six months' notice.
- Reporting and Funding: The commission submits annual reports to Congress on its activities. Appropriations include $1 million in FY2026 for startup, $30 million annually (FY2027–2031) and $50 million annually (FY2032–2036) for management and grants (available until spent), and $500,000 annually (FY2025–2035) for housing.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This Act introduces a new basin-wide commission, expanding on voluntary partnerships like the 1991 MICRA without creating binding mandates. It formalizes federal support for interjurisdictional fisheries management (building on laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act) by providing dedicated funding and structure, but it does not alter core state or federal regulatory powers. A key addition is the emphasis on invasive species control, integrating it into a coordinated framework absent in prior isolated efforts.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances collaboration among federal agencies (e.g., Interior, Army Corps) and state fisheries departments, streamlining management of shared resources and reducing duplication. Tribes gain a formal voice in decisions affecting their waters.
- On Citizens: Supports sustainable fisheries, benefiting recreational anglers, commercial fishers, and subsistence users by protecting native species and controlling invasives that harm ecosystems and economies. This could boost local economies in the 41% of the U.S. covered by the basin through better resource health.
- On International Relations: Indirectly involves two Canadian provinces sharing the basin, potentially fostering cross-border cooperation on migratory fish and invasives, though the Act focuses on U.S. entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States: The 31 Mississippi River Basin states, whose fisheries directors lead voting and receive formula grants.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority—providing expertise and competing for grants.
- Indian Tribes: Specifically those managing basin fisheries (e.g., Chippewa-Cree, Chickasaw), with appointed representatives.
- Other Groups: Commercial and recreational fishers, conservation organizations, universities, and basin residents reliant on fisheries for economic or cultural reasons.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The nonbinding nature preserves state sovereignty, avoiding conflicts with the 10th Amendment (which reserves powers to states). Exemption from FACA streamlines operations but ensures transparency through required reports. It complements existing interstate compacts without superseding them.
- Constitutional: Supports the Commerce Clause by addressing interstate economic interests in fisheries, while respecting tribal sovereignty under federal Indian law.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan cooperation across a large geographic area (involving 31 states), potentially reducing conflicts over resource management. The 30-year review cycle ensures adaptability, but reliance on appropriations could lead to funding debates in Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (18 pages)