Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 360–57
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The program uses automated technology to tag hatchery-produced fish to help manage fish stocking rates and habitat restoration. It requires collaboration between Federal, State, and Tribal agencies. The goal is to better understand the balance between hatchery and wild fish to support the regional economy and fisheries. Funding is authorized at $2,700,000 annually from 2026 through 2030.
Yes· 3 of 21
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill supports the Great Lakes ecosystem, improving environmental protections.
- Scored +3
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly requires collaboration with Tribal fish management agencies to support and improve the economic status of Tribal fisheries.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill funds a science-based program to assist in making management decisions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 360 yes · 57 no
07/22/2025 · Roll call 216 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Support: The bill notes that the Great Lakes support a regional economy valued at over $7,000,000,000, and the program aims to support and improve the economic status of commercial, recreational, and Tribal fisheries (Section 2(7) and Section 4(d)(4)).
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Fishery Management: The program provides a precise tool to keep hatchery fish in balance with wild fish, which assists in the rehabilitation of important fish species and native species recovery (Section 2(3)(A) and Section 2(5)(A)).
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Science-Based Decision Making: By making data available to Federal, State, and Tribal agencies, the program helps evaluate habitat restoration and the effectiveness of fishery management actions (Section 4(d)(2) and Section 4(d)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly requires collaboration with Tribal fish management agencies to support and improve the economic status of Tribal fisheries. Would business owners be better off under this? — Supports commercial fisheries and related businesses. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill supports rural economies that depend on the Great Lakes. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Supports recreational opportunities and economic benefits. Would children be better off under this? — Improved ecosystems and recreational fishing opportunities benefit children. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Supports recreational opportunities and economic benefits. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Supports recreational opportunities and economic benefits. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Supports access to recreational fishing and potential economic benefits. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Supports economic stability and recreational fishing opportunities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Supports recreational opportunities and economic stability. Would retired people be better off under this? — Supports recreational fishing opportunities and ecosystem health. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Supports recreational fishing opportunities and ecosystem health. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Supports recreational opportunities and economic benefits. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Supports recreational opportunities and potential employment in related sectors.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill supports the Great Lakes ecosystem, improving environmental protections. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports rural economies that rely on the Great Lakes.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Supporting the Great Lakes ecosystem can contribute to regional economic growth. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Supporting fisheries indirectly aids small businesses that rely on them. Is this likely to create jobs? — The program supports fisheries, which can lead to job creation in related industries.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds a science-based program to assist in making management decisions regarding fish stocking rates, the rehabilitation of important fish species, and habitat restoration.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The data collected under the program will be available to federal, state, and tribal fish management agencies to increase understanding of management action.
- 7/23/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 7/22/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3545)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1917.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3543-3544)
- Mr. Tiffany moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 7/21/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-210.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 171.
- 6/25/2025
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 5/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 3/18/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Bill HuizengaRepublican · Michigan
Marcy KapturDemocrat · Ohio
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Tim WalbergRepublican · Michigan