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HCR 78

SEAFOOD: Memorializes Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jacob Braud and 7 co-sponsors

The act would expand USDA loan and credit programs to include commercial fishing and seafood processing, boosting access to capital for fishermen and processors.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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Bill Summary · HCR 78

Summary of HCR 78 (2026) – Louisiana

What the bill is

  • Type: House Concurrent Resolution (HCR)
  • Session: 2026 Regular Session
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Sponsor: Rep. Jessica Domangue (primary); co-sponsor listed
  • Title: SEAFOOD: Memorializes Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026

Purpose and intent

  • The resolution urges and requests the United States Congress to take action to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026.
  • It ties the measure to President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, framing the Act as a step toward strengthening domestic seafood production and markets.

Key provisions and changes proposed by the Act (as described in the resolution)

Note: As a memorial, the bill itself does not enact policy in Louisiana law but advocates for federal action. The summary below reflects the Act’s provisions as described in the resolution and digest.

  • Eligibility expansion for USDA programs:
    • Amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include commercial fishing and fish processing as activities eligible for USDA programs (loans, grants, credit programs).
  • Inclusion of seafood under USDA programs:
    • Extend eligibility for the USDA Local Agriculture Market Program to include wild-caught fish and shellfish as qualifying agricultural products.
  • Financing for fishermen and processors:
    • Commercial fishermen would be eligible for:
    • USDA farm ownership loans (used to purchase commercial fishing licenses and vessels)
    • USDA farm operating loans (to cover operating and maintenance costs)
    • Fish processors would be eligible for:
    • Farm ownership loans (to acquire or upgrade processing facilities)
    • Farm operating loans (to address operating and maintenance costs)
  • Expanded access to credit:
    • Extend farm credit eligibility to businesses that provide services to commercial fishermen and fish processing facilities (supporting coastal communities dependent on the fishing economy).
  • Implementation and outreach provisions:
    • The Act would require USDA to:
    • Conduct outreach and provide technical assistance
    • Train agency staff
    • Coordinate with NOAA and other federal/state agencies to ensure USDA programs are accessible to the commercial fishing industry

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries:
    • Commercial fishermen (access to ownership and operating loans)
    • Fish processors (access to ownership and operating loans for facilities)
  • Supporting beneficiaries:
    • Businesses and rural communities that provide services to commercial fishermen and processing facilities (via expanded eligibility for USDA credit programs)
  • Geographic focus: Louisiana’s coastal and fishing communities are highlighted as particular beneficiaries, given the state’s reliance on the seafood economy.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The document is a memorial resolution urging federal action, not a bill with immediate effects in Louisiana law.
  • Action history shows the resolution was read by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment (April 22, 2026).
  • If enacted, the affected changes would occur at the federal level through the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, with implementation to be carried out by the USDA (in coordination with NOAA and other agencies).

Bottom line

HCR 78 seeks to mobilize federal support for the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 by urging Congress to pass it. The Act would expand USDA loan and credit programs to include commercial fishing and seafood processing, broaden eligibility of the Local Agriculture Market Program to cover wild-caught seafood, and establish targeted financing mechanisms to strengthen domestic seafood production and coastal economies, with a focus on improving access to capital for fishermen, processors, and related service businesses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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