Mississippi River Basin Commission

Full Title:
Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act

Summary#

This bill creates the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission inside the Department of the Interior. Eligible members include State fisheries agencies in the basin, certain Indian Tribes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Army Corps of Engineers and related Corps units, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The Commission will be governed by member voting delegates, hire an executive director and staff, elect a Chair and Vice Chair, meet at least once a year, and adopt rules for its business. The Commission’s work will be nonbinding and it will aim to operate by consensus, making recommendations by majority vote.

The Commission must oversee management of six sub-basins (Arkansas-Red-White, Lower Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee-Cumberland, and Upper Mississippi) using the MICRA Joint Strategic Plan as its management framework. It will research and promote best methods and practices, develop strategies to prevent and control invasive carps and other prioritized aquatic invasive species, advise relevant agencies, and reexamine the Joint Strategic Plan not later than 30 years after enactment.

The Commission must set up a competitive grant program and a formula grant program within two years. Competitive grants are open to eligible non-State entities and State member entities; formula grants are for State member entities. Competitive grant applicants that provide at least a 10% non-Federal match will get priority. Grant funds must be used for projects in Mississippi River Basin States, and grantees may use up to 5% of grant funds for administrative costs. The Commission must report annually to Congress and report on grants within one year of disbursement.

The bill authorizes specific appropriations: $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for initial administration; $30,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2027–2031 and $50,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2032–2036 for carrying out the Commission’s management and grant programs; and $500,000 for each fiscal year 2025–2035 to the Secretary of the Interior for housing the Commission.

What it means for you#

  • State fishery agencies and other eligible entities can join the Commission and name voting delegates.
  • If you work for a member State, Tribe, federal agency, university, NGO, or eligible private group, you may be eligible to apply for competitive grants or receive formula grants (for State members).
  • The Commission will provide shared planning, research, and recommendations for fishery management and for controlling invasive carps; its recommendations are nonbinding.
  • The Commission will hire staff and an executive director to run operations and will report yearly to Congress on its activities.

Expenses#

  • $1,000,000 authorized for fiscal year 2026 for initial administrative setup.
  • $30,000,000 authorized each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out management duties and grants, to remain available until expended.
  • $50,000,000 authorized each year for fiscal years 2032 through 2036 to carry out management duties and grants, to remain available until expended.
  • $500,000 authorized each year for fiscal years 2025 through 2035 to the Secretary of the Interior for housing the Commission, to remain available until expended.
  • Grantees may use up to 5% of grant funds for administrative costs.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s findings state that proponents believe a basin-wide Commission will improve coordinated, inter-agency management of interjurisdictional fishery resources, help sustain economically and culturally important fisheries, and provide a focused effort to prevent, control, and remove invasive carps and other prioritized aquatic invasive species across the Mississippi River Basin.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.