Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
Where it stands
- Introduced1/28/25
- Passed SenatePassed 7/14/25
- HousePassed 9/14/26
- PresidentSigned 10/15/26
- LawPublic Law 119-123
Passed the Senate by unanimous consent on July 14, 2025. Passed the House by voice vote on September 14, 2026. Became Public Law 119-123 on October 15, 2026.
Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.
Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to jointly develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing). It also authorizes technical assistance to other countries to help combat IUU fishing and transnational organized crime.
NOAA and NIST must consult with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard in developing the methodology, which must use chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood. The methodology must be consistent with the needs of federal and state law enforcement agencies in combating IUU fishing. The methodology must also include a portable field kit and, to the extent practicable, be appropriate for testing prepared food (including raw preparations of seafood such as sushi). The agencies must conduct pilot studies of the methodology on red snapper and tuna.
Within two years after the bill's enactment, NIST must report to Congress regarding the methodology and a plan for operationalizing it. The report must explain any aspects of its methodology that are impracticable, whether additional research would make the methodology practicable, and whether an alternate approach might be practicable.
The bill also authorizes the Department of Defense to use operation and maintenance funds to provide technical assistance to maritime forces of other countries to help combat IUU fishing and transnational organized crime (e.g., by providing observers or data analysis).
4
1/28/25
What happens next
Became Public Law 119-123.
All actions (23)
- 1/28/25Introduced in Senate
- 1/28/25Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2/5/25Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 5/21/25Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-24.
- 5/21/25Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
- 7/14/25Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 7/14/25Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4341; text: CR S4341-4342)
- 7/15/25Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 7/15/25Received in the House.
- 7/15/25Held at the desk.
- 9/14/26Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/14/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5557-5558)
- 9/14/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 283.
- 9/14/26Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)
- 9/14/26On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)
- 9/14/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 9/15/26Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
- 9/24/26Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
- 9/24/26Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
- 9/28/26Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 10/5/26Presented to President.
- 10/15/26Signed by President.
- 10/15/26Became Public Law No: 119-123.