Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would create a new Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission inside the Department of the Interior to coordinate fishery management across the Basin. Its core aim is regional coordination to sustain fisheries and control invasive carp.
Show full summary
- State and tribal managers can join the Commission and receive annual formula grants to support interjurisdictional fishery plans. The Commission uses the Joint Strategic Plan that 28 Basin States approved as its management framework.
- Local communities, universities, NGOs, and private partners can compete for grants to fund projects, research, personnel, and programs in Basin states. Competitive grants require at least a 10% non‑Federal match and up to 5% of grant funds may cover administrative costs.
- Federal agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Army Corps of Engineers can be members or partners and get advisory roles. The Commission must develop interagency strategies to prevent and control invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species.
*This bill authorizes about $244.5 million for FY2026–FY2032 for setup, grants, and housing and would increase federal spending and likely increase the deficit unless offsets are provided.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for Mississippi River fisheries
If enacted, the commission would set up two grant programs within 2 years. One would be competitive and open to State members, nonprofits, universities, federal agencies, private entities, and partnerships. The other would use a formula and go to State member entities. Competitive applicants that offer at least a 10% non‑Federal match would get priority. Money must follow the joint plan and basin fishery plans, be spent in basin states, and up to 5% could cover admin costs.
Multi-year funding for basin work
The bill would authorize $1 million in FY2026 to set up the commission. It would authorize $30 million each year for FY2027–FY2029 for planning and grants. It would authorize $50 million each year for FY2030–FY2032 for the same. It would also provide $500,000 each year for FY2026–FY2032 to house the commission. These funds would remain available until spent.
Create Mississippi River fisheries commission
If enacted, this bill would create a Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission inside the Interior Department. States, Tribes, and key federal agencies could join, with one voting delegate each. The commission would hire a full‑time director and staff who would not vote. Its recommendations would be nonbinding, and States could keep and enforce their own conservation laws. A member would need to give 6 months’ written notice to leave.
Shared plan to fight invasive carp
The commission would use the MICRA Joint Strategic Plan to guide work across the basin. It would coordinate strategies to prevent and control invasive carp and other harmful species. It would advise agencies on conserving shared fisheries. The commission would send Congress a report by September 1 each year. Within 1 year after any grant payouts, the Chair would report who got funds, amounts, uses, and results.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 2/24/2025
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
LA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov