H.R. 8598

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8598 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8598

To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
to ensure representation for all fishery user groups on the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
to ensure representation for all fishery user groups on the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council Representation Enhancement Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 
established under section 302(a)(1)(G) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1852(a)(1)(G)), plays a critical role in managing fisheries in 
the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of 
Alaska seaward of Alaska, where diverse user groups--including 
recreational (sport) fishers, non-industrial commercial 
fishers, rural subsistence users, and urban subsistence users--
depend on sustainable fishery resources.
(2) Current council composition, while requiring fair and 
balanced apportionment under section 302(b)(2)(B) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1852(b)(2)(B)), does not mandate minimum representation 
for those specific user groups, leading to potential 
underrepresentation of recreational, non-industrial commercial, 
and subsistence interests amid dominance by large-scale 
commercial sectors.
(3) Subsistence fishing is vital to Alaska's cultural, 
economic, and food security needs, with rural residents 
harvesting an estimated 36.9 million pounds of wild foods 
annually and urban residents contributing to an additional 13.4 
million pounds through personal use and subsistence activities.
(4) Non-industrial commercial fishing, often involving 
owner-operated vessels under 160 feet, supports local economies 
and differs significantly from industrial operations, 
warranting dedicated representation.
(5) Recreational fishing, including sport and charter 
operations, contributes to tourism and community livelihoods 
but lacks guaranteed voice in council decisions.
(6) Ensuring minimum appointments for these groups will 
promote balanced management, address ongoing criticisms of bias 
toward large-scale commercial interests, and align with the 
goals of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) of conservation, 
sustainability, and stakeholder inclusion-driven policymaking.

SEC. 3. NORTH PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATION.

(a) In General.--The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3 (16 U.S.C. 1802)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (31) through (50) 
as paragraphs (32) through (51), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (30) the 
following:
``(31) The term `non-industrial commercial fishing 
interest' means a person that is or represents the interests of 
a commercial fishing operation that--
``(A) is owner-operated;
``(B) utilizes only vessels less than 160 feet in 
length; and
``(C) is not a participant in large-scale 
industrial seafood harvesting or processing.'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (39) through (51), 
as so redesignated, as paragraphs (40) through (52), 
respectively;
(D) by inserting after paragraph (38), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(39) The term `recreational fishing interest' means a 
person that is a participant in, or represents a person that is 
a participant in, recreational fishing activities conducted for 
noncommercial purposes, including sport fishing, charter 
fishing, and guided fishing.'';
(E) by redesignating paragraphs (41) through (52), 
as so redesignated, as paragraphs (42) through (53), 
respectively;
(F) by inserting after paragraph (40), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(41) The term `rural subsistence user group' means a 
person that represents residents of rural areas in Alaska who 
rely on the noncommercial harvest of fish for purposes such as 
food, cultural practices, or sharing.'';
(G) by redesignating paragraphs (51) through (53), 
as so redesignated, as paragraphs (52) through (54); 
and
(H) by inserting after paragraph (50), as so 
redesignated, the following:
``(51) The term `urban subsistence user group' means a 
person that represents residents of areas in Alaska that are 
not rural areas who rely on the noncommercial harvest of fish 
for purposes such as food, cultural practices, or sharing.''; 
and
(2) in section 302 (16 U.S.C. 1852)--
(A) in subsection (a)(1)(G), by adding ``The 5 
voting members of the North Pacific Council appointed 
by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (b)(2) 
from the State of Alaska shall include at least 1 
representative of each of a non-industrial commercial 
fishing interest, recreational fishing interest, rural 
subsistence user group, and urban subsistence user 
group.'' at the end; and
(B) in subsection (b)(2), by adding at the end the 
following:
``(F) Requirement for Lists Submitted by Governor of Alaska.--With 
respect to each list of individuals submitted by the Governor of Alaska 
for appointment to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
subparagraph (C), the Governor shall indicate whether an individual 
included in the list is a representative of a non-industrial commercial 
fishing interest, recreational fishing interest, rural subsistence user 
group, or urban subsistence user group.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to appointments to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
established by section 302(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(a)) made on or after 
the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
section.
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