American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced
Summary
Would expand USDA farm and rural development loans and grants to explicitly include commercial fishing and fish processing. It would add new definitions for commercial fishing, fish processing, vessels, and facilities so those activities fit existing farm ownership, operating, and related lending programs.
Show full summary
- Commercial fishing participants would be eligible for direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to buy commercial fishing permits and vessels, make capital improvements, and cover vessel operating and maintenance costs.
- Fish processors would be eligible for loans to acquire or upgrade fish processing facilities and to cover operating and maintenance costs, and grant matching requirements may be waived or reduced for seafood participants.
- Credit authorities for Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations would extend to businesses that provide services to aquatic producers and harvesters, and the Secretary would have one year to integrate, train, and coordinate outreach so these groups can use USDA programs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More USDA loans for fishing businesses
If enacted, the bill would add commercial fishing and fish processing to USDA loan and grant law so fishers and processors can be treated as farmers. You would be able to get direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans to buy a commercial fishing permit, buy a commercial fishing vessel, or make capital improvements to a vessel or processing facility. You would be able to get farm operating loans to pay to operate and maintain a commercial fishing vessel or a fish processing facility. The Agriculture Secretary would have one year after enactment to integrate these participants and provide outreach, training, and coordination with NOAA and other agencies.
Farm Credit loans for service firms
If enacted, Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations would be allowed to lend to businesses that provide services directly to aquatic producers and harvesters. You would be able to borrow from Farm Credit if your business does vessel maintenance, gear supply, processing services, transport, or other support for fishers. This expands credit access for service firms that support the seafood industry.
Local market grants for seafood
If enacted, wild-caught fish and shellfish would count as eligible commodities under the Local Agriculture Market Program so harvesters and processors could apply for grants for domestic seafood marketing. The Agriculture Secretary would be allowed to waive or reduce matching-fund requirements for grant recipients engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing. That could lower out-of-pocket costs and help smaller seafood operators take part in local marketing programs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov