Sponsors (7)
The bill provides targeted federal funding, monitoring, and R&D to detect and control golden mussels—improving local response and protecting waterways—while requiring modest federal spending and imposing compliance costs that may burden boaters, ports, and smaller firms and could shift resources away from other priorities.
State and local governments receive federal funding and technical assistance to detect, control, and eradicate golden mussel infestations, strengthening local response capacity.
Residents and water users in affected waterways gain improved monitoring and early-warning systems that reduce the spread of mussels and lower risks of damage to water infrastructure and recreation.
The bill funds R&D and technology transfer to develop effective control and eradication tools, which could lower long-term management costs and spur private-sector solutions.
New compliance measures (mandatory hull inspections, watercraft inspection stations) could impose time and out‑of‑pocket costs on boat owners, ports, and related businesses.
The program increases federal spending by about $75 million over FY2026–FY2030, which is a modest taxpayer cost to fund the initiative.
Rapid deployment and technology‑transfer/sale agreements may advantage firms that receive grants, raising competition and equity concerns for smaller entities and nonprofits.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Task Force-led golden mussel demonstration and grant program, requires R&D and control plans, and authorizes $15M/year for FY2026–2030.
Introduced June 4, 2025 by Josh Harder · Last progress June 4, 2025
Creates a federal program to detect, study, control, and help eradicate the invasive golden mussel in U.S. waterways. It directs the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to run demonstration projects with states, ports, industry, universities, nonprofits, and local partners; requires research, early-warning tracking, control plans (including hull inspections), and publicly available guidance; and sets up a competitive grant program. The legislation authorizes $15 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 to support these activities and requires the Task Force to issue control and inspection guidelines within one year of enactment.