Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026
A bill to improve fisheries stock assessments by incorporating eDNA, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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
The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 aims to improve fisheries stock assessments by incorporating eDNA technology. The bill directs the Administrator of NOAA to conduct a multi-year pilot study to evaluate how eDNA can estimate fish abundance and validate its use in federal assessments. Following the pilot, an implementation plan will be developed to integrate these methods into federally managed fisheries. The Act also establishes the National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network to coordinate eDNA activities across various federal agencies and environments. Additionally, the legislation focuses on expanding the workforce, supporting research, and fostering technological innovation.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The act creates a network to coordinate and advance eDNA scientific research.
- Scored +4
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill includes specific protections for Tribal data sovereignty.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill enhances ecosystem monitoring and manages fish stocks through modernized technology.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Fishery Assessments: The pilot study aims to evaluate eDNA-based abundance estimation to validate its use in Federal fishery stock assessments (Section 101(a)).
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Cost Reductions and Efficiency: The bill directs the evaluation of eDNA sampling for its potential to reduce costs and uncertainty in stock assessments (Section 101(c)(2)), as well as increasing survey efficiencies through emerging technologies (Section 101(c)(3)).
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Economic and Subsistence Protections: The implementation plan includes a framework to prioritize fisheries based on their economic or subsistence importance (Section 102(b)(2)).
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Support for Local Industry and Research: The bill encourages the integration of emerging technologies, such as autonomous or artificial intelligence-enabled samplers (Section 101(c)(3)), and promotes technology transfer among private-sector firms (Section 202(b)(4)).
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Workforce Development: The Act provides for training survey technicians and supporting training for National Marine Fisheries Service personnel in eDNA handling and modeling (Section 103(b)(1) and 103(b)(5)). It also supports training programs and fellowships to build expertise in genomics and bioinformatics (Section 203(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Regulatory Restrictions on Sampling: The bill specifies that the collection of water, air, or sediment samples for eDNA analysis shall not constitute a taking under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 or the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (Section 3).
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Data Privacy Concerns: The implementation plan requires the identification of appropriate safeguards for the use of genetic information, including guidance on genetic stock identification (Section 102(b)(9)).
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Data Sovereignty Issues: The National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network is tasked with developing open-access data practices that must include appropriate protections for Tribal data sovereignty (Section 201(d)(7)).
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 includes specific protections for Tribal data sovereignty. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill encourages private-sector investment and technology transfer. Would students be better off under this? — The bill supports academic fellowships and training programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports workforce expansion and training in genomics and bioinformatics. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill aims to reduce costs and uncertainty in fisheries stock assessments through technological efficiency. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By fostering technological innovation and technology transfer, the bill supports sector growth.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The act creates a network to coordinate and advance eDNA scientific research. Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes provisions for safeguards regarding the use of genetic information.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances ecosystem monitoring and manages fish stocks through modernized technology. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill improves the management of marine and aquatic environments through better data.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires annual reports to Congress and documentation of sampling protocols. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases NOAA's role in coordinating multi-agency aquatic biomolecular activities.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes funding for eDNA research, pilot studies, and technological innovation.
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island