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119-hr-10774119th Congress

SWIMS Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

Introduced

Summary

Prohibits public display and breeding of orcas, belugas, false killer whales, and pilot whales. This bill would make it unlawful to export, import, take, or breed these four cetaceans for the purpose of public display, while allowing narrow exceptions for release to the wild or transfer to a qualifying sanctuary.

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  • For the animals and sanctuaries: It steers affected animals away from exhibition and toward sanctuaries or release, and defines sanctuaries as nonprofit places that prioritize individual well‑being and mimic natural environments as closely as possible.
  • For public display facilities and breeders: It would bar any permit that authorizes taking or importing these species for display and would make breeding or artificial insemination for display purposes unlawful under the Animal Welfare Act.
  • For commercial fishing and transfers: Incidental takes in commercial fishing remain limited to existing narrow statutory exceptions, and export is generally prohibited except for transfer to a certified sanctuary or release to the wild.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Bans breeding whales for public display

If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful for any person to breed or artificially inseminate orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, or pilot whales when the offspring would be used for public display. The ban would apply upon enactment and would directly stop breeding aimed at producing display animals.

Limits permits for whale display

If enacted, the bill would bar the Secretary from issuing any permit to take or import orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, or pilot whales for public display. It would also narrow incidental-take permits during commercial fishing so those permits are allowed only as provided in section 101(a)(5), section 306, or subsection (h). These changes would limit how exhibitors and some fisheries may lawfully capture, import, or move these species.

Limits whale exports and sanctuaries

If enacted, the bill would make it unlawful to export orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, and pilot whales. An exception would allow transport only to a marine mammal sanctuary if the Secretary finds it is in the individual animal’s best interest, or for release to the wild. The bill would define a sanctuary as a captive refuge that mimics natural habitat, prioritizes each animal’s well-being and autonomy, and does not use animals for profit or breed them for public display. These rules would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 10/9/2026

  • Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

    TN • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 10/19/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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