PRIA Logo™
119-hr-8598119th Congress

North Pacific Fishery Management Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

Introduced

Summary

Minimum representation for four Alaska fishery user groups on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is the bill's main goal. It would add clear definitions for those groups and require Alaska nominees to be identified by category when sent for appointment.

Show full summary
  • Rural and urban subsistence harvesters would get guaranteed representation among Alaska-appointed Council members, making food, cultural, and sharing needs more visible in Council policy.
  • Small, owner-operated commercial fishers (vessels under 160 feet) and recreational fishers (including sport, charter, and guided anglers) would be formally defined and ensured representation so non-industrial and sport perspectives are listed and considered.
  • The Governor of Alaska would have to mark each nominee's category on appointment lists, and these appointment rules would apply to Council picks made one year after enactment.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More Alaska voices on fisheries council

If enacted, this bill would amend the Magnuson-Stevens Act to set minimum representation on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. It would require the Secretary's five voting members appointed from Alaska to include at least one representative of each: non-industrial commercial fishers, recreational fishers, rural subsistence user groups, and urban subsistence user groups. The Governor of Alaska would have to indicate for each nominee which of those four categories they represent. The bill defines each category, including that non-industrial commercial fishers are owner-operated, use vessels under 160 feet, and do not take part in large-scale industrial harvesting. These rules would apply to appointments made one year after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

AK • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation