Sponsors (11)
The bill creates a funded, permanent federal commission and grant programs to coordinate Mississippi River Basin fisheries and invasive-species control—promising stronger ecosystem and fishing-economy outcomes across many states but adding recurring federal costs, new administrative complexity, reduced FACA transparency, and possible limits on local flexibility and participation.
Federal employees, states, tribes, and partners get dedicated, multi-year funding and staff to establish and run a Mississippi River Basin Commission, enabling sustained coordination and program delivery.
People and communities across the Basin (commercial and recreational fishers, rural towns, and tribal communities) gain coordinated invasive-species control and basinwide fisheries management expected to improve fish populations, protect ecosystems, and support local economies.
Commercial and recreational fishers, plus businesses tied to fisheries, could see more stable catches and economic benefits from scientifically guided, coordinated management across states.
Taxpayers and federal budgets will shoulder new, recurring costs (roughly $30M–$50M per year plus startup and grant spending), increasing federal outlays or requiring offsets elsewhere.
The Commission is exempted from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, reducing public meeting and disclosure requirements and limiting transparency and direct public oversight of deliberations and decisions.
Creating and running the Commission, plus grant application and reporting requirements, imposes administrative burdens and staff time on federal, state, and local agencies and on applicant organizations.
Based on analysis of 20 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission to coordinate interjurisdictional fisheries management, control invasive species, and run grant programs with authorized funding.
Introduced February 24, 2025 by Mike Ezell · Last progress February 24, 2025
Creates a Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission inside the Department of the Interior to coordinate basin-wide management of shared fishery resources and to prevent and control aquatic invasive species (including invasive carp). The Commission will adopt an existing multi‑state strategic plan, hire staff, set governance rules, and run competitive and formula grant programs to fund interjurisdictional fisheries projects. The bill authorizes start‑up and multi‑year funding for the Commission and requires annual reports to Congress on its activities.