SHRIMP Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Troy Carter and 3 co-sponsors

Direct the Secretary of Commerce to develop a formal methodology to identify the country of origin for shrimp.

Introduced in House

Summary of HR 9154 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

HR 9154 aims to direct the Secretary of Commerce to develop a methodology for identifying the country of origin of shrimp. The bill text as described indicates a focus on origin labeling or traceability to determine where shrimp were harvested or produced, potentially to support supply chain transparency, enforcement, and consumer information. The bill title specifies “and for other purposes,” suggesting additional related provisions may accompany the origin methodology.

Key provisions and changes

Directive to the Secretary of Commerce:

Develop a formal methodology to identify the country of origin for shrimp. This likely involves defining criteria, data collection methods, and verification processes to determine origin for shrimp products.

Potential mechanisms (inferred from common structuring of such legislation):

Development of standards or criteria for origin determination (e.g., catch location, processing location, or a combination).
Establishment of reporting or documentation requirements for shrimp imported into or sold within the United States.
Possible coordination with other agencies (e.g., NOAA, customs) to implement and enforce the methodology.
Timelines for the Secretary to draft, finalize, and publish the methodology.

“Other purposes” clause:

The bill’s title indicates additional companion measures may accompany the origin methodology, potentially addressing labeling requirements, traceability systems, or enforcement enhancements.

Affected parties and impacts

Government agencies:

Secretary of Commerce would lead development of the country-of-origin methodology, with possible collaboration with other federal agencies involved in trade, labeling, and fisheries.

Industry and stakeholders:

Shrimp producers, processors, importers, and retailers may be subject to new or clarified origin verification processes.
Consumer information and labeling practices could be affected if the methodology informs or leads to labeling requirements.

Public and consumers:

Potential for improved transparency around where shrimp are harvested and processed, influencing consumer trust and market choice.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referrals:

Introduced in the House on June 4, 2026.
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and, in addition, to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Separate consideration within each committee for provisions within their jurisdiction; timeline to be determined by the Speaker.

Next steps (typical for such bills):

Committee hearings and markups to analyze the methodology proposal.
Potential amendments refining scope, costs, and implementation steps.
Floor consideration in the House, and, if passed, transition to the Senate for a companion process.

Additional context

Co-sponsors include Representatives Troy Carter, Nancy Mace, and Mike Ezell, indicating bipartisan interest from different regions.

The bill’s precise text, including cost estimates, enforcement mechanisms, and implementation dates, would be found in the introduced version and any subsequent committee reports or amendments.

If you’d like, I can extract and summarize the exact statutory text or provide a comparison with current U.S. labeling and traceability policies for seafood.