H.R. 8508 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8508 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2024Mrs. Peltola (for herself, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to reauthorize the bycatch reduction engineering program and establish the Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bycatch Reduction and Mitigation Act of 2024. 2. Bycatch reduction and mitigation (a) Reauthorization of bycatch reduction engineering program Section 316 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1865) is amended by adding at the end the following: (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. . (b) Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund Title III of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1851 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 322. Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund (a) In general There is established in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund, which shall— (1) be administered by the Foundation; and (2) consist of donations of amounts accepted pursuant to subsection (c). (b) Use (1) In general The Foundation shall use the amounts in the Fund to reduce or mitigate bycatch, including by providing financial assistance to fishermen and owners and operators of commercial fishing vessels to purchase fishing gear, equipment, or technology. (2) Small vessels In using the amounts in the Fund under paragraph (1), the Foundation shall distribute not less than 60 percent of such amounts to owners and operators of small commercial fishing vessels. (c) Donations The Foundation may solicit and accept donations of amounts for deposit into the Fund. (d) Consultation In administering the Fund, the Foundation shall consult with the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, each Council, and each of the regional science centers of the National Marine Fisheries Service to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, amounts in the Fund are used in an efficient and cost-effective manner. (e) Report Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the Foundation shall publish and post online in a manner available to the public information regarding the use of the Fund during— (1) with respect to the first publication of information, the preceding 3 years; and (2) with respect to each subsequent publication of information, the preceding 2 years. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Foundation The term Foundation means the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. (2) Fund The term Fund means the Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund established under subsection (a). (3) Small commercial fishing vessel The term small commercial fishing vessel means a commercial fishing vessel that is 65 feet or less in length. .