Bill

HR 1514

Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 40.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brooks Landgraf

Creates the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission to coordinate interstate fishery management, science, and a grant program for habitat restoration and research.

Reported enrolled

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Bill Summary · HR 1514

Summary — H.R. 1514 (Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025)

Short title: Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025
Bill number: H.R. 1514
Introduced: February 24, 2025
Classification / Subjects: Business & Commerce; Corporations & Associations; Courts; Conference Committee Reports (resolution)
Status (as provided): Reported enrolled (filed, laid before House and adopted June 1, 2025); subcommittee hearings held November 19, 2025
Companion bill: S. 1078

Note: the bill package title shown separately (“Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 40”) appears inconsistent with the text provided. This summary focuses on the legislative text titled the “Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act of 2025.”

Purpose and intent

The bill would create a new interstate/ federal commission to coordinate fishery management, research, conservation, and grant-making for the Mississippi River Basin. The stated intent is to strengthen collaborative fishery management across basin jurisdictions, improve science-based decisionmaking, and provide a mechanism for funding and technical support.

Key provisions (section-by-section overview)

Sec. 1 — Short title and table of contents: establishes the Act’s name and organizational structure.
Sec. 2 — Findings: legislative findings justifying the need for coordinated basin-level fishery efforts (text not provided).
Sec. 3 — Definitions: defines terms used in the Act (e.g., “Commission,” “basin,” participant roles).
Sec. 4 — Establishment of Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission: creates the Commission as the central body for coordination.
Sec. 5 — Commission governance: sets governance structures (membership, officers, voting, meeting procedures — details not shown).
Sec. 6 — Commission management duties: assigns operational duties such as coordinating science, convening stakeholders, and policy guidance.
Sec. 7 — Commission grant program: authorizes a grant program to support projects (research, habitat restoration, monitoring); appropriations mechanism referenced but no dollar amounts provided.
Sec. 8 — Nonbinding authority: clarifies that the Commission’s actions or recommendations are advisory/nonbinding.
Sec. 9 — Withdrawal from the Commission: procedures for a member (likely a state or other entity) to withdraw.
Sec. 10 — Report to Congress: requires periodic reporting to Congress on activities, findings, or outcomes.
Sec. 11 — Appropriations: authorizes funding (specific amounts not included in the provided text).

Who would be affected

State and tribal governments within the Mississippi River Basin and their fishery/wildlife agencies. Examples include (but are not limited to) states whose lands lie in the basin.
Federal natural resources agencies and partners that would participate or coordinate with the Commission.
Commercial and recreational fishery stakeholders, conservation organizations, and local communities that benefit from basin-level coordination and grants.
Entities applying for and receiving grants funded under Sec. 7.

Potential impact

Improved interstate coordination on fisheries science, habitat conservation, and management across the Mississippi River Basin.
New grant funding and technical assistance opportunities for conservation and fishery projects (budgetary impact depends on appropriations authorized under Sec. 11).
Commission recommendations would be advisory (nonbinding), preserving existing statutory authority of states and federal agencies while creating a forum for collaboration.

Procedural / Timeline notes

Referred to House Natural Resources Committee (Feb 24, 2025), then to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries (Mar/Nov dates listed).
Subcommittee hearings held Nov 19, 2025 (per record).
Reported enrolled and adopted/laid before the House on June 1, 2025 (per the status log); companion S. 1078 exists in the Senate.
The bill requires appropriations action to fund the authorized activities; it also mandates reporting to Congress, which creates ongoing oversight points.

Notes

The summary is based on the section headings and legislative actions provided. The bill text with full operational details, membership composition, specific grant eligibility, and appropriation amounts would be necessary to assess precise fiscal impacts and implementation details.

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