WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 283 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-123

Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act

Became lawPublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedJan 28, 2025
Passed SenateJul 14, 2025
Passed HouseSep 14, 2026
To PresidentOct 5, 2026
Became lawOct 15, 2026

What it does

Sourced

Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act

This act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to jointly develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) and seafood fraud.

NOAA and NIST must consult with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard in developing the methodology, which must use chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood. The methodology must be consistent with the needs of federal and state law enforcement agencies in combating IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The methodology must also include a portable field kit and, to the extent practicable, be appropriate for testing prepared food (including raw preparations of seafood such as sushi). The agencies must conduct pilot studies of the methodology on red snapper and tuna.

Within two years after the act's enactment, NIST must report to Congress regarding the methodology and a plan for operationalizing it. The report must explain any aspects of its methodology that are impracticable, whether additional research would make the methodology practicable, and whether an alternate approach might be practicable.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Oct 15, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2026-10-15Became Public Law No: 119-123.Library of Congress
  2. 2026-10-15Became Public Law No: 119-123.Library of Congress
  3. 2026-10-15Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2026-10-15Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2026-10-05Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2026-10-05Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2026-09-28Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2026-09-24Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)Senate
  9. 2026-09-24Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)Library of Congress
  10. 2026-09-15Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.Senate
  11. 2026-09-14Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  12. 2026-09-14On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)House floor actions
  13. 2026-09-14Passed/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)Library of Congress
  14. 2026-09-14DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 283.House floor actions
  15. 2026-09-14Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5557-5558)House floor actions
  16. 2026-09-14Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  17. 2025-07-15Held at the desk.House floor actions
  18. 2025-07-15Received in the House.House floor actions
  19. 2025-07-15Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  20. 2025-07-14Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4341; text: CR S4341-4342)Senate
  21. 2025-07-14Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  22. 2025-05-21Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.Senate
  23. 2025-05-21Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-24.Senate
  24. 2025-05-21Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-24.Library of Congress
  25. 2025-02-05Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
  26. 2025-01-28Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
  27. 2025-01-28Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

  • Sen. Katie Boyd Britt R-AL
  • Brian Schatz D-HI
  • Tommy Tuberville R-AL
  • Sen. Roger F. Wicker R-MS