Sponsors (10)
The bill directs substantial federal funding and expert coordination to protect the Great Lakes from invasive mussels, delivering environmental and economic benefits for local communities while increasing federal spending and creating potential budgeting and administrative burdens for partners.
State, Tribal, and local governments (and communities on tribal lands) will receive coordinated federal support and scientific assistance (USFWS, USGS, NOAA) to plan and implement invasive-mussel prevention and response programs.
State and local authorities will receive $500 million (FY2026–2035) dedicated to prevention, control, and mitigation of invasive mussels in the Great Lakes.
Communities, water utilities, and businesses near the Great Lakes will likely face reduced damage and lower maintenance costs thanks to improved protection of water infrastructure and recreational fisheries.
Taxpayers could face higher federal spending and a larger budget deficit because the bill allocates $500 million over FY2026–2035 unless offsets are identified.
Great Lakes programs and commissions may have reduced budgeting flexibility and more complicated appropriations because funds are designated as 'in addition to' existing section 13 appropriations.
State, tribal, and local partners could face new administrative and reporting burdens from federal coordination and program requirements during program development and implementation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced November 17, 2025 by Debbie Dingell · Last progress November 17, 2025
Authorizes the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to develop coordinated federal, interstate, Tribal, state, and local efforts to prevent and control invasive mussel species in the Great Lakes region. Requires assistance from the Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey) and the Department of Commerce (NOAA) to support those efforts. Provides authorization of $500,000,000 in funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 to carry out the new activities, with those amounts available to the Commission as supplemental to other appropriations under the Great Lakes Fishery Act of 1956.