United StatesFederal agencies must develop tests to identify seafood’s country of origin
Federal officials must develop chemical tests to identify seafood’s country of origin and help authorities enforce laws against illegal fishing and seafood fraud.
What it does
Federal agency leaders must develop a chemical testing method to identify seafood’s country of origin, using a field kit one person can easily carry.
Commerce’s standards and technology chief must report to Congress within two years of enactment, explaining the testing method, plans to use it, and any parts found impractical.
Argument forPortable tests could help officers check seafood’s origin where they work, supporting enforcement against illegal fishing and seafood fraud.
Argument againstChemical testing may prove impractical for some uses, leaving enforcement agencies needing more research or a different approach.
More detail
Commerce’s standards and technology chief and the national ocean agency’s leader must develop the method, consulting Customs and the Coast Guard. Pilot studies must cover red snapper and three tuna species: bigeye, yellowfin, and bluefin. The method must meet federal and state enforcement needs, minimize processing time, and use a kit one person can easily carry. Where practical, the method must be able to test prepared seafood, including raw dishes.
Commerce’s standards and technology chief must send Congress a report on the method and a plan for putting it to use. If the chief finds any part impractical, the report must explain why and whether more research or an approach other than chemical testing could work. The report is due within two years of the law’s October 15, 2026 enactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 15Signed by President.Became Law
- Oct 15Became Public Law No: 119-123.Minor
- Oct 5Presented to President.To President
- Sep 28Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 24Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
- Sep 24Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
- Sep 15Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
- Sep 14Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Sep 14Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5557-5558)
- Sep 14DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 283.
- Sep 14Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)Passed House
- Sep 14Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025
- Jul 15Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Jul 15Received in the House.
- Jul 15Held at the desk.
- Jul 14Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4341; text: CR S4341-4342)Passed Senate
- May 21Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-24.
- May 21Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
- Feb 5Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Jan 28Introduced in Senate
- Jan 28Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Introduced
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