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HR 404 117th Congress House Public Lands and Natural Resources Animal protection and human-animal relationships Fishes Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act

Introduced: April 1, 2021 Introduced by: Lieu, Ted Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 16, 2022
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-561.
Nov 16, 2022
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 402.
Nov 17, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 17, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Nov 17, 2021
Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.
Feb 18, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Jan 21, 2021
Introduced in House
Jan 21, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act

This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.

Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States. The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone for five years.

The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources.

Commerce must award grants to program participants.

Further, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council may recommend and Commerce may approve regulations to collect fees from charter vessel operators that guide recreational anglers who harvest Pacific halibut.

What's happening now November 16, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 402.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 273 Related bill Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 19
All 19 Democratic 11 Republican 5
D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · Oct 28, 2022
 D
Matsui, Doris O.
California · Oct 8, 2021
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Oct 5, 2021
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jun 4, 2021
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · May 13, 2021
Rice, Tom
· May 13, 2021
DEFAZIO, PETER
· Apr 1, 2021
 R
Buchanan, Vern
Florida · Jan 21, 2021
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Jan 21, 2021
 R
Fitzpatrick, Brian K.
Pennsylvania · Jan 21, 2021
 R
Griffith, H. Morgan
Virginia · Jan 21, 2021
 D
Harder, Josh
California · Jan 21, 2021
 D
Larsen, Rick
Washington · Jan 21, 2021
 R
Mast, Brian J.
Florida · Jan 21, 2021
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jan 21, 2021
Palazzo, Steven
· Jan 21, 2021
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Jan 21, 2021
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · Jan 21, 2021
 R
Wittman, Robert J.
Virginia · Jan 21, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 404: Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-404/
MLA
"H.R. 404: Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-404/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 404, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-404/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 404: Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-404/)
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