H.R. 1514: Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025, proposes the creation of a commission dedicated to the management and sustainability of fishery resources within the Mississippi River Basin. The key components of the bill are outlined below:

Establishment of the Commission

The bill establishes the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission under the Department of the Interior. This body will consist of representatives from various eligible entities, which may include state governments, Indian tribes, and federal agencies involved in fishery management.

Commission Membership and Governance

Eligible entities can join the commission by notifying its executive director. The governance structure will allow each member entity to appoint representatives to vote on matters affecting the commission. The commission will elect a chair and vice chair from among its members.

Management Duties

The commission will oversee fishery management plans for six specific sub-basins within the Mississippi River Basin. These plans will aim to maintain and enhance the biologic and economic sustainability of fisheries.

Strategies for Invasive Species Control

One of the commission's primary tasks will be to address the threat of aquatic invasive species, particularly invasive carp. It will develop strategies for managing and controlling these species to protect native fish populations and the overall ecosystem.

Grant Programs

The commission is tasked with establishing two types of grant programs:

• Competitive Grants: Offered to various entities, including state agencies and private organizations, for eligible fishery projects.
• Formula Grants: Provided to state member entities based on predetermined criteria for managing their fisheries.

Both grant types will support projects aligned with the commission's strategic goals.

Nonbinding Authority

The commission's authority is noted to be nonbinding, meaning recommendations made by the commission do not impose legal requirements on member entities, which retains the right to enact their own regulations.

Reporting Requirements

The commission is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing its activities, achievements, and financial expenditures. Additionally, it must evaluate its management strategies and report on the status of fisheries and invasive species control at specific intervals.

Funding Provisions

The bill authorizes a budget for the commission, allocating:

• $1,000,000 for establishing commission operations in fiscal year 2026,
• $30,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 to 2029 for management actions,
• $50,000,000 for fiscal years 2030 to 2032 for ongoing projects,
• and $500,000 annually for supporting the Secretary of the Interior's role in housing the Commission.

These appropriations are intended to enhance resource management and collaboration among jurisdictions within the basin.

Relevant Companies

None found.