Federal fishery disaster aid extended to crawfish
In committeeH.R. 4800Latest action
Sponsor: Clay Higgins · Representative · LA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Fisheries Modernization Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 4800 expands federal fishery disaster relief to cover crawfish harvesters hurt by flood control infrastructure failures.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill adds freshwater crawfish fisheries to an existing federal disaster relief program that currently covers ocean and coastal fisheries. It creates a new eligible cause called "infrastructure-related," meaning damage from government flood control systems, levees, spillways, or water diversions can now trigger relief. Two crawfish species — red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish — are specifically named, and flooding, drought, and water quality problems can now be considered when assessing crawfish disasters.
Who does it affect?
Crawfish harvesters, commercial fishermen, and subsistence fishers who depend on these freshwater species are affected. Ocean and coastal fishermen are not affected, as their existing protections remain unchanged.
Why does it matter?
Without this change, crawfish fishermen affected by infrastructure failures or environmental events had no access to this federal disaster program. The bill creates a path for those harvesters to receive assistance when such events damage their fisheries.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 29, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Jul 29, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.