Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]
In Committee
Summary
**This bill would expand efforts to *prevent and control aquatic invasive species* by funding technology development, watercraft inspections, monitoring, and rapid response across regional waterways.** It also would strengthen interagency and stakeholder coordination and set new definitions and regional panel roles.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New interstate monitoring and barriers
This bill would require a national interbasin and intrabasin monitoring program within two years. It would track invasive species in canals and major rivers, including the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Champlain Canal. The Task Force would assess dispersal barriers and issue reports every two years with plans for more barrier demonstrations. National and regional management plans would be updated within five years to add new prevention and control practices and coordinate across states.
New boat inspections and ballast support
This bill would require the Task Force to develop a two-year plan for watercraft inspection and decontamination stations at launches, access points, and roadsides. The plan would create an interagency certification so inspections are recognized across agencies and recommend penalties for noncompliance. It would also recommend incentives for manufacturers and user-operated cleaning stations and try to avoid blocking access for clean boats. Separately, grant rules would be allowed to pay for installing or maintaining ballast water systems that meet or exceed international standards.
Faster rapid response grants and review
This bill would create a competitive rapid-response grant program to fund urgent eradication, surveys, containment, and monitoring once a species is confirmed. Eligible recipients would include states, tribes, universities, interstate groups, and nonprofits. The Task Force would also be required to complete a two-year study of federal laws that may slow rapid responses and recommend exemptions or streamlined procedures to speed action.
Task Force membership and definitions
This bill would expand the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to add a representative from each regional panel and allow nongovernmental organizations to participate. It would require the Task Force to coordinate with the National Invasive Species Council and allow agencies to detail staff on a reimbursable basis. The bill would also add clear definitions for 'rapid response activities' and list the six regional panels.
Federal grants and technology funding
This bill would authorize annual appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 for multiple AIS programs. It would authorize $10 million a year for program operations, $3 million a year for specified activities, $5 million a year for rapid-response grants, $1.5 million a year for regional panels, $20 million a year for State management grants, and $10 million a year for technology grants. The bill would also require a peer-reviewed technology grant program to start within one year and a report to Congress within three years. These are authorizations that Congress would still have to fund.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]
MI • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 6/2/2026
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/2/2026
Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]
MI • R
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov