John Rutherford (R-FL)
Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2025," aims to reform the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) of the National Marine Fisheries Service. It directs the Administrator of NOAA to update data collection to better meet the needs of individual regions and States. The Act establishes a standing committee with the National Academies to discuss recreational fisheries data and management. It also allows States to develop their own programs to collect catch and effort data to replace or supplement the MRIP. Additionally, the bill creates a program for independent entities to conduct fishery-independent surveys to estimate fish abundance. Finally, it mandates a new Stock Assessment Plan and seeks to increase transparency in scientific and regulatory processes.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates that councils provide webcasts, audio, or video recordings of their meetings to the public.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill improves fisheries management through modernized data collection and more accurate stock assessments.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill establishes a program for independent entities to conduct fishery-independent surveys using modern science.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Data Accuracy and Management: The bill requires the Administrator to reform the MRPI to meet the unique needs of specific regions and States, ensuring data is more useful for management decisions (Section 3(a)).
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Independent Oversight: By establishing a standing committee within the National Academies that operates independently of the Administrator, the bill introduces expert, unbiased oversight of recreational fisheries data (Section 3(b)(1)).
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State Empowerment and Flexibility: States are given the opportunity to run their own catch and effort data collection programs, which can include universal standards that allow for flexibility based on specific State activities (Section 4(a)).
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Financial Support for States: A grant program is established to help States develop or improve their own data collection programs, with $15,000,000 authorized for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 (Section 4(b) and 4(e)).
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Better Science for Healthy Fisheries: The bill mandates a Stock Assessment Plan to evaluate the status of fish stocks, including their life history and fishing status, to improve the accuracy of future assessments (Section 5(b)).
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Increased Public Access and Transparency: The bill requires scientific and statistical committees to develop advice transparently and mandates that Councils provide webcasts, audio, or video recordings of their meetings to the public (Section 8).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Burden on Anglers: The bill explicitly directs officials to consider whether new data collection options are "burdensome to anglers" (Section 3(c)(3)(B)(i)) and requires State programs to ensure they are not "overly burdensome" to prevent noncompliance (Section 4(a)(2)(D)).
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Management Adjustments: If data error rates (PSE) are too high, the Administrator may adjust the management of seasonal fisheries, which could include changes to management approaches or catch limits (Section 3(b)(2)(A)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that councils provide webcasts, audio, or video recordings of their meetings to the public.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill empowers state-level programs which often serve rural coastal communities. Would students be better off under this? — The bill allows institutions of higher education to serve as independent entities for fishery surveys. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill increases transparency in federal regulatory processes.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill improves fisheries management through modernized data collection and more accurate stock assessments.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill establishes a program for independent entities to conduct fishery-independent surveys using modern science.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill authorizes $15,000,000 annually for state data collection programs from 2026 through 2031.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill includes provisions for transparency and public access to regulatory meeting records.
- 1/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/19/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 11/17/2025
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- 11/12/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 10/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Vern BuchananRepublican · Florida
Earl CarterRepublican · Georgia
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi
Russell FryRepublican · South Carolina
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Daniel WebsterRepublican · Florida
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas