All Roll Calls
Yes: 404 • No: 11
117-s-497117th CongressWALLET
American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Became Law
Summary
Creates the American Fisheries Advisory Committee (AFAC) to steer federal fisheries research and grant decisions. AFAC will identify fishing-community needs, develop and review grant proposals, set regional priorities, expand grant goals to include fisheries science and recreational fishing, and require public titles and abstracts for funded projects.
Show full summary
- Fishing communities and industry: The law sets six geographic regions and three regional members per region, giving harvesters, processors, and recreational interests formal input on priorities and grant selection.
- Researchers and applicants: Grant applications face mandatory independent technical review by three or more experts, enhanced conflict-of-interest disclosures, and public posting of project titles and abstracts.
- Federal grant process: The Secretary must consider AFAC recommendations, confirm an applicant's technical and financial capacity before funding, and provide written justification if a recommended project is not funded.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Fisheries grants now cover science and recreation
The law expands fisheries research and development grants. Projects in fisheries science and recreational fishing now qualify, alongside harvesting and processing. Researchers and fishing businesses can apply if their work fits these purposes. The change takes effect upon enactment. The law does not set new dollar amounts.
New committee and stricter grant reviews
The law creates the American Fisheries Advisory Committee within 90 days to help run fisheries grants across six regions. Members come from fishing, processing, growing, and fisheries science. They serve three-year terms, meet no more than twice a year, and get travel costs reimbursed. The Committee identifies needs, writes requests for proposals, reviews grants, and selects applications. The Secretary must consider its picks and give a written reason if a selected grant is not funded. Before AFAC review, the Secretary gets three or more independent technical reviews with no conflicts and issues guidance for these reviews within 180 days. Conflict-of-interest and recusal rules apply, and awardees must publish a title and abstract on how the project helps U.S. fisheries.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 3/1/2021
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/1/2021
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 3/1/2021
Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 3/1/2021
Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/13/2021
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/7/2021
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 4/26/2022
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 404 • No: 11