This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the House Committee on Natural Resources. It is actively moving forward as it waits for the committee to review it. There are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
House
Senate
President
Law
Unlikely to pass
While this bill addresses major concerns for local Alaskans, it may face heavy opposition from large-scale commercial fishing interests that currently hold significant influence.
Key Points
This bill changes who sits on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which decides the rules for fishing in the waters around Alaska. It requires that at least four of the five voting members from Alaska represent specific groups: small-scale commercial fishers, recreational fishers, rural subsistence users, and urban subsistence users.
The goal is to give a stronger voice to people who fish for food, culture, or small businesses. Currently, there are concerns that large industrial fishing companies have too much influence over how ocean resources are managed. This bill ensures that smaller groups have a guaranteed seat at the table.
Small-scale commercial fishers are defined as those who own and operate their own boats that are less than 160 feet long. This separates them from massive industrial fleets. The bill also protects subsistence fishing, which provides over 50 million pounds of food for Alaskans every year.
If this bill becomes law, the Governor of Alaska would have to clearly label which group a person represents when suggesting them for a council seat. These new requirements would start affecting who gets picked for the council one year after the bill is signed.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Apr 30, 2026House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Apr 30, 2026
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Related Bills
No related bills have been identified yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
North Pacific Fishery Management Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026
Bill NumberHR 8598
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
