Sponsors (7)
The bill directs federal funding, technical assistance, and research grants to prevent and control invasive golden mussels—protecting water infrastructure, recreation, and fisheries—but does so at modest federal cost while creating potential inspection burdens, uneven local implementation, and risks that commercial vendors may be favored over cheaper community solutions.
Water utilities and irrigation districts will receive federal grants to develop and deploy mussel-control technologies, reducing clogging of intakes and preserving reliable water delivery.
State, port, and local governments will get technical assistance and coordinated control plans to detect and respond earlier to infestations, helping limit spread to new waters.
Fisheries, recreation operators, and water-dependent small businesses will face reduced risk of habitat and infrastructure damage because clearing and control efforts protect water-based economic activity.
Boaters and commercial vessels will face new inspections and control activities that could impose added costs and delays at ports and waterways.
Rural communities and jurisdictions with limited capacity may receive uneven protections because implementation is delegated to state or regional entities, leaving some waters more vulnerable.
Taxpayers will fund an estimated $75 million over five years to support the program and grants, increasing federal spending.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a federal demonstration and competitive research grant program for golden mussel prevention, monitoring, control, eradication, education, and research and provides $15M/year for FY2026–FY2030.
Introduced June 4, 2025 by Josh Harder · Last progress June 4, 2025
Creates a federal Golden Mussel Demonstration Program and a competitive Response and Containment Research Grant Program run by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force in partnership with state/local governments, port authorities, industry, universities, and nonprofits. The programs fund prevention, monitoring, control, eradication, education, and research on golden mussels (including biology, dispersal tracking, control methods, and hull inspection systems) for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and other infested or at-risk U.S. waters, and authorizes $15 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 to carry out these activities. Requires the Task Force to develop control and eradication guidelines (including watercraft inspection stations) within one year, to collect and share information, to delegate implementation as needed, and to enter agreements to use or sell relevant technologies; funds are authorized but will require subsequent appropriations to be spent.