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H.R. 2823 104th Congress House

International Dolphin Conservation Program Act

Official title: To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to support the International Dolphin Conservation Program in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, and for other purposes.

Introduced: December 21, 1995 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative procedureAgriculture and FoodAnimalsCommerce
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 31 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 1, 1996
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Jul 31, 1996
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 31, 1996
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 316 - 108 (Roll no. 385).
Jul 31, 1996
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jul 31, 1996
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jul 31, 1996
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2823.
Jul 31, 1996
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 489, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of debate on the Studds amendment.
Jul 31, 1996
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Jul 31, 1996
The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Collins to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jul 31, 1996
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 489 and Rule XXIII.
Jul 31, 1996
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2823 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 1 pursuant to clause 6 of rule XXIII. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Jul 31, 1996
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 489. (consideration: CR H9431-9450)
Jul 31, 1996
Rule H. Res. 489 passed House.
Jul 25, 1996
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 489 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2823 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature printed in the Congressional Record and numbered 1 pursuant to clause 6 of rule XXIII. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Jul 23, 1996
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 366.
Jul 23, 1996
Reported by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 104-665, Part II.
Jul 17, 1996
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jul 17, 1996
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 10, 1996
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on Ways and Means for a period ending not later than July 23, 1996 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(s), rule X.
Jul 10, 1996
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 104-665, Part I.
May 8, 1996
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
May 8, 1996
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 18, 1996
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 18, 1996
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 29, 1996
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 22, 1996
Executive Comment Received from Commerce.
Feb 14, 1996
Executive Comment Received from State.
Dec 29, 1995
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, State.
Dec 29, 1995
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans.
Dec 21, 1995
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Dec 21, 1995
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 31, 1996 House · vote #385 On Passage Passed 316–108 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,372 – An amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order by the rule and considered as an original bill for t… Agreed to Jul 31, 1996
HAMDT 1,371 – An amendment to specify that tuna sold commercially in the U.S may only be labled as being caught using a "do… Failed Jul 31, 1996
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 Latest action August 1, 1996

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

International Dolphin Conservation Program Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow authorizations for the incidental taking of marine mammals during commercial yellowfin tuna fishing. Removes provisions requiring that, for purse seine yellowfin fishing, the goal of reducing incidental kill to insignificant levels be satisfied by the best safety techniques and equipment economically and technologically practicable.

Modifies requirements regarding export to the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested with purse seine nets in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETPO). Exempts a U.S. citizen from the Act in specified circumstances. Changes requirements regarding the issuance of general permits for the taking of marine mammals.

Mandates initiation of: (1) discussions regarding certain revisions to the Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission; (2) a revised schedule of annual contributions to the Commission; and (3) discussions with countries participating in the International Dolphin Conservation Program to identify alternative funding for the protection of marine species and the marine ecosystem.

Amends the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act regarding the circumstances in which tuna products may be labeled "Dolphin Safe." Mandates implementing regulations, including regulations establishing a domestic and international tracking and verification program.

(Sec. 5) Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to declare that it is U.S. policy to support the International Dolphin Conservation Program and to ensure that the U.S. market does not act as an incentive to tuna harvesting that is not in compliance with the Program.

Mandates regulations to authorize and govern the incidental taking of marine mammals in the ETPO. Authorizes emergency regulations.

Requires undertaking or supporting scientific research to further the Program's goals.

Repeals provisions relating to bans on imports from countries failing to implement a moratorium on purse seine harvesting.

Replaces provisions concerning permits for taking dolphins with provisions mandating issuance of a permit to a U.S. vessel authorizing participation in the Program. Prohibits U.S. vessels from operating in the ETPO yellowfin tuna fishery without such a permit. Authorizes permit sanctions. Modifies the list of prohibited acts.

(Sec. 6) Amends the Tuna Conventions Act to modify the composition of the U.S. representation on the International Commission for the Scientific Investigation of Tuna and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Modifies requirements regarding a related advisory committee.

(Sec. 7) Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that each nation participating in the Program should contribute an equitable amount to Commission expenses.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 1420 Identical bill International Dolphin Conservation Program Act
  • HRES 489 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2823) to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to support the In…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2823: International Dolphin Conservation Program Act. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2823/
MLA
"H.R. 2823: International Dolphin Conservation Program Act." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2823/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2823, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2823/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2823: International Dolphin Conservation Program Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-2823/)
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