Summary

Creates a new Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission inside the Department of the Interior to coordinate fishery management across the basin and combat invasive species like invasive carp. It sets clear duties, opens membership to eligible entities, and requires annual reports to Congress. It funds startup and housing costs, and launches competitive and formula grant programs within two years to support science‑based management, invasive species prevention and control, and other shared priorities. The Commission’s guidance is nonbinding, so member States keep their own authority to make and enforce stronger rules.

Key Points

• Creates a Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission within the Department of the Interior to coordinate fishery management and invasive species control.
• Uses the MICRA Joint Strategic Plan as the basin‑wide management framework across six sub‑basins.
• Launches both competitive and formula grant programs within 2 years to fund coordinated, science‑based projects.
• Requires annual reports to Congress by September 1 and a long‑term reassessment and report within 30 years.
• Sets startup funding in FY2026 and housing funds through FY2032, with multi‑year program funds available until expended.
• Commission authority is nonbinding; States retain full power to set and enforce their own rules.
• The Commission is a corporate body, adopts its own rules, meets at least annually, and is exempt from FACA.
• Membership is open to eligible entities via written notice; withdrawal requires 6 months’ written notice to all members.

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