Summary of HR 2293: Cormorant Relief Act of 2025

Purpose and Intent

The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 (HR 2293) aims to address the economic challenges faced by aquaculture facilities due to the predation of double-crested cormorants. The bill mandates the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations that allow for the management of cormorant populations at these facilities, thereby providing relief to fish farmers suffering significant economic losses.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important provisions:

1. Reissuance of the Depredation Order:

   • The Secretary of the Interior is required to reissue the original depredation order for double-crested cormorants, which allows for their management at aquaculture facilities.

2. Expanded Applicability:

   • The reissued order will apply to additional states beyond the original list, specifically including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The Secretary may also add other states or territories as deemed appropriate.
   • The order will now also include lake and pond managers, expanding the scope of those who can utilize the order.

3. Modernization and Simplification:

   • The bill aims to incorporate modern terminology and simplify compliance provisions with other federal laws.
   • It will modernize recordkeeping requirements and remove the previous expiration date of June 30, 2014, ensuring ongoing applicability.

4. Renewal Requirement:

   • The reissued depredation order must be renewed at least once every five years.

5. Compliance with Existing Laws:

   • The bill explicitly states that it does not waive the Secretary's obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Impact

The Cormorant Relief Act is expected to significantly benefit aquaculture facilities, which have reported economic losses of approximately $64.7 million annually due to cormorant predation. By reestablishing a structured management approach, fish farmers will have more effective tools to mitigate these losses.

Affected Parties

• Aquaculture Facilities: The primary beneficiaries of the bill, as it aims to reduce economic losses caused by cormorants.
• Lake and Pond Managers: New stakeholders included in the management provisions.
• State and Federal Agencies: The bill will require coordination between the Secretary of the Interior and various state regulatory agencies.

Legislative Timeline

• Introduced: March 24, 2025
• Reported (Amended): September 15, 2025
• Placed on Union Calendar: September 15, 2025
• Committee Actions: The bill has undergone several committee reviews and amendments, including a markup session on July 15, 2025.

Sponsors

The bill is primarily sponsored by Mike Ezell, with additional support from cosponsors including Michael Guest, Bennie G. Thompson, and Trent Kelly.

Related Legislation

• S 1255: A companion bill in the Senate addressing similar issues related to cormorant management.

This summary provides an overview of HR 2293, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on stakeholders involved in aquaculture and wildlife management.