Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2878
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-67
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-67.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T13:57:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act (S. 2878) aims to extend federal funding for ongoing efforts to monitor, assess, and conduct research on the Great Lakes Basin, a shared freshwater ecosystem spanning the United States and Canada. This ensures continued scientific support for managing fish populations and environmental health in the region.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorizes funding under existing law for monitoring, assessing, and researching the Great Lakes Basin.
- Extends the funding authorization period through fiscal year 2030.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 201(d) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (codified at 16 U.S.C. 941h(d)), which previously authorized funding only through 2025.
- The change simply replaces "2025" with "2030," providing a five-year extension without altering the scope or amount of funding.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Supports agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in maintaining research programs, potentially improving data-driven decision-making for fishery management.
- Citizens: Benefits communities in the eight U.S. states bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) by sustaining efforts to protect fish stocks, water quality, and recreational/commercial fishing opportunities.
- International Relations: Enhances U.S.-Canada cooperation on Great Lakes management, as the basin is binational; continued funding could strengthen joint initiatives under agreements like the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal and State Agencies: Involved in environmental monitoring and fishery enforcement, gaining extended resources for operations.
- Researchers and Scientists: Academic and government experts focused on aquatic ecosystems, who rely on this funding for studies on invasive species, pollution, and fish health.
- Fishing Industries and Communities: Commercial and recreational fishers, as well as local economies dependent on the Great Lakes, who benefit from sustained resource protection.
- Environmental Groups: Organizations advocating for conservation, which may use the research to support habitat restoration efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: This is a minor, procedural reauthorization that builds on prior appropriations law without introducing new mandates or controversies; it upholds congressional authority over federal spending under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges, as it involves routine extension of environmental funding without infringing on states' rights or individual liberties.
- Political: Reinforces bipartisan interest in Great Lakes preservation, potentially facilitating future collaborations on water resource issues amid climate change pressures, but it does not address broader funding debates or policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-67.
- 2025-12-26: Became Public Law No: 119-67.
- 2025-12-26: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-26: Signed by President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-18: Presented to President.
- 2025-12-15: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-12-15: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5878)
- 2025-12-15: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5878)
- 2025-12-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2878.
- 2025-12-15: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5878-5879)
- 2025-12-15: Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-11-20: Held at the desk.
- 2025-11-20: Received in the House.
- 2025-11-20: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Bill Versions
- Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (1 pages)
- Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (4 pages)
- Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (2 pages)
- Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-10-29 — PDF (4 pages)