Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2026

Overview

• Bill: S. 4603 (Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2026)
• Sponsor(s): Sen. Richard Schiff (primary) with Sen. Alex Padilla; co-sponsors include Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla
• Date introduced: May 20, 2026
• Purpose: Amend the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish a federal demonstration program and corresponding grant program focused on the prevention, monitoring, control, eradication, education, and research related to the golden mussel.

Main purpose and intent

• Create a federally led but partnership-based approach to address the golden mussel invasion.
• Establish a structured demonstration program to test and implement prevention, detection, control, and eradication methods, with an emphasis on practical application in high-risk areas and waterways.
• Fund research, technology development, and rapid-response capabilities to reduce spread and impact on ecosystems, water infrastructure, fisheries, and related components.

Key provisions and changes

• Designation and structure:

  • Introduces a new subsection (j) within Section 1202 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, redesignating existing subsections (j) and (k) as (k) and (l).
  • Creates a “Golden Mussel Demonstration Program” managed by a Task Force in partnership with states, local entities, port authorities, industry, higher education institutions, and local nonprofits.

• Demonstration program components (paragraph (1)(A)):

  • Research and development on:
  • Golden mussel biology and environmental tolerances
  • Impacts on fisheries, water quality, and other ecosystem components
  • Efficacy of control and eradication technologies
  • Tracking dispersal and establishing an early warning system for potential infestations
  • Development of control and eradication methods and plans, including:
  • In and around derelict vessels, public infrastructure, fish screens, and waterways
  • Hull inspections
  • Provision of technical assistance to regional, state, and local entities

• Implementation area (paragraph (1)(B)):

  • Targeted in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and other U.S. waters deemed infested or at high risk of infestation.

• Information sharing (paragraph (1)(C)):

  • Mandates collection and dissemination of control/eradication information to state/local entities and port authorities.

• Control guidelines (paragraph (1)(D)):

  • Develop guidelines to prevent spread and eradicate the golden mussel within one year of enactment.
  • Includes establishing watercraft inspection stations.

• Response and containment research grant program (paragraph (2)):

  • Establish a competitive grant program for state/local entities, universities, nonprofits, and industry partners.
  • Fund projects that:
  • Identify effective technologies and methods to remove mussels from water intakes, conveyance infrastructure, fish screens, derelict vessels, boat hulls, waterways, and other areas
  • Improve understanding of the mussel's biology and containment science
  • Allow technology transfer, including agreements to use or sell new technologies to accelerate control/eradication efforts.

• Coordination and delegation (paragraph (3)):

  • The Demonstration Program will guide other federal agencies, states, port authorities, local governments, and regional entities.
  • The Task Force may delegate implementation to capable entities when appropriate to improve efficiency or effectiveness.

• Authorization of appropriations (paragraph (4)):

  • Authorizes $15 million per fiscal year for 2026 through 2030 to carry out the section.

• Definitions (paragraph (5)):

  • Clarifies terms: Demonstration Program, Grant Program, and Institution of Higher Education (as defined in the Higher Education Act).

Who would be affected

• Federal level:
  • The Task Force within the federal framework implementing the demonstration and grant programs.
• State and local governments:
  • Participation in the demonstration program, access to guidance, and eligibility for grants.
• Port authorities and industry partners:
  • Involvement in prevention, monitoring, and deployment of control technologies; potential implementation of new measures at ports and waterways.
• Institutions of higher education and nonprofits:
  • Eligibility to apply for grants to conduct research, development, and dissemination related to the golden mussel.
• Water users and infrastructure operators:
  • Potential need to adopt watercraft inspection stations, monitoring systems, and control measures near water intakes, fish screens, and other affected infrastructure.

Procedural and timeline aspects

• Implementation timeline:
  • Within one year of enactment, the Task Force must develop control and eradication guidelines, including watercraft inspection stations.
• Funding:
  • Authorization of $15 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to support demonstration and grant activities.
• Reporting and information sharing:
  • Requires dissemination of methods, plans, and findings to states, port authorities, and local entities to enable rapid adaptation and action.
• Coordination and potential delegation:
  • Allows delegation of certain responsibilities to capable entities to improve efficiency.

Potential impact and considerations

• Aims to slow or halt the spread of the golden mussel in critical U.S. waterways, with an emphasis on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
• Seeks to accelerate development and deployment of practical control technologies and practices.
• Establishes a formal funding stream and collaborative framework that includes academia, local governments, and industry.
• The program emphasizes early warning, transparency of information, and standardized guidelines for preventing spread through watercraft and infrastructure.