Whale CHARTS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a comprehensive mapping, monitoring, and mitigation program for migratory whales and other large cetaceans to reduce vessel strikes and other harms. The bill would expand near real-time monitoring into coordinated distribution mapping, population surveys, detection-technology grants, and regular public reporting.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to develop whale detection
If enacted, the bill would require NOAA to set up a competitive annual grant program run by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program would start within 180 days and the Foundation would get each year’s funds as an advance payment on October 1. Grants would pay for developing, testing, and deploying whale detection tools, outreach, and information sharing. Projects that reduce whale collisions, include ocean-user cooperation, or help U.S. small fishing, tourism, or maritime businesses would get priority. Grantees generally would not be allowed to give grant resources to non-U.S. persons except limited partnerships where funds go to a U.S. partner.
Near real-time whale monitoring program
If enacted, the bill would require NOAA, working with other federal agencies, to design and deploy a near real-time monitoring and mitigation subprogram for threatened or endangered large whales. The subprogram’s purpose would be to reduce vessel-collision risk and other harms by using near real-time location monitoring and information sharing. Agencies would coordinate to make the subprogram cost-effective and results-oriented.
NOAA maps and surveys for whales
If enacted, the bill would require NOAA to make high-accuracy, high-resolution distribution maps for migratory whales and other large cetaceans. The maps would be machine-readable and suitable for ship navigation systems and NOAA products, and NOAA would post them on a public online platform. NOAA would also run surveys of understudied whale stocks in U.S. waters to estimate abundance and identify calving, mating, feeding, and migration areas, noting scientific certainty. NOAA would review maps not later than 3 years after enactment and every 3 years after that to decide on updates or new maps. NOAA would coordinate map formats and carriage requirements with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
AS • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
SC • R
Sponsored 2/3/2026
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/17/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov