HR 4051 United States House · 118th Congress

Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act

This bill establishes a 7-year task force under the Commerce Secretary to address shark interactions with fishing gear (referred to as "shark depredation"). The task force, including representatives from regional fisheries councils, coastal states, and shark experts, will identify research priorities (like shark behavior causes and non-lethal deterrents), develop management strategies, and create educational materials for the fishing community. It directly affects coastal states, fisheries management councils, and commercial fishermen by improving coordination and funding for shark interaction research. The task force must submit biennial reports to Congress and will sunset after 7 years. The bill does not change fishing regulations but focuses on research and education to reduce harmful shark-human interactions.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics: Coastal & Flood Protection

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2023

Committee Review

Feb 2024

House Passage

Feb 2024

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jun 12, 2023 Last action Feb 6, 2024

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 5 edits · Feb 5, 2024

MODERATE

The Engrossed version of HR 4051 expands the shark depredation task force by adding a fourth member with expertise in shark ecology, broadens the scope of coordination to include the shark research community, adds two new research priorities (shark role in ocean food web and climate change impacts), and clarifies that the Act does not affect existing authority under the Endangered Species Act or Magnuson-Stevens Act.

SCOPE

A fourth task force member was added: a researcher with expertise in shark ecology (new paragraph D).

The coordination responsibility was expanded from 'across the fisheries management community' to 'across the fisheries management community and shark research community.'

A new subsection (c) was added stating that nothing in the Act shall be construed to affect the authority and responsibility of the Secretary of Commerce under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

REQUIREMENT

Two new research priorities were added: (vi) the role of healthy shark populations in the ocean food web, and (vii) climate change impacts on shifting shark populations, prey, and shark behavior.

The educational materials responsibility was expanded to explicitly include 'changed angler behavior and expectations' as a method to minimize shark interactions.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 6, 2024

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

upper

Feb 5, 2024

Introduced

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H400-401)

lower

Feb 5, 2024

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H400-401)

lower

Feb 5, 2024

Introduced

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Jan 30, 2024

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-368.

lower

Sep 20, 2023

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

lower

Sep 20, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Sep 20, 2023

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged

lower

Jul 27, 2023

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Hearings Held

lower

Jul 21, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.

lower

Jun 12, 2023

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

lower

Jun 12, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors