Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
Latest action (14 Sep 2026): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
What this bill does
S. 283, the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, directs federal agencies to develop scientific tools and provide assistance aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, working with Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, to jointly create a standard, chemical-analysis-based methodology for determining the country of origin of seafood, using red snapper and tuna as initial test species. The methodology must be field-usable, minimize processing time, and where practicable work on prepared dishes like sushi, ceviche, and poke. A report on the methodology's development and implementation is due to congressional committees within two years. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Defense, coordinating with the Coast Guard, to use existing operation and maintenance funds to provide technical assistance—such as observers, shipriders, and intelligence support—to foreign maritime forces fighting IUU fishing and related transnational crime.
The bill primarily affects federal enforcement and standards agencies, seafood importers and sellers subject to origin verification, and foreign partner nations receiving U.S. maritime assistance. Consumers could benefit indirectly through improved verification of seafood origin and legality.
The bill passed the Senate on July 14, 2025, and was later passed by the House with amendments on September 14, 2026. It has been returned to the Senate, which must next agree to the House's changes—or the two chambers must reconcile differences—before the bill can be sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill passed in the Senate and the House, but the House made changes and sent it back to the Senate on September 14, 2026.
Timeline
14 Sep 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
14 Jul 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
5 Feb 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 283 do?
- S. 283, the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, directs federal agencies to develop scientific tools and provide assistance aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, working with Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard, to jointly create a standard, chemical-analysis-based methodology for determining the country of origin of seafood, using red snapper and tuna as initial test species. The methodology must be field-usable, minimize processing time, and where practicable work on prepared dishes like sushi, ceviche, and poke. A report on the methodology's development and implementation is due to congressional committees within two years. The bill also authorizes the Secretary of Defense, coordinating with the Coast Guard, to use existing operation and maintenance funds to provide technical assistance—such as observers, shipriders, and intelligence support—to foreign maritime forces fighting IUU fishing and related transnational crime. The bill primarily affects federal enforcement and standards agencies, seafood importers and sellers subject to origin verification, and foreign partner nations receiving U.S. maritime assistance. Consumers could benefit indirectly through improved verification of seafood origin and legality. The bill passed the Senate on July 14, 2025, and was later passed by the House with amendments on September 14, 2026. It has been returned to the Senate, which must next agree to the House's changes—or the two chambers must reconcile differences—before the bill can be sent to the President.
- Has S. 283 become law?
- Not yet. As of 14 Sep 2026, S. 283 is passed house with changes (back to senate).
- Who sponsored S. 283?
- S. 283 was sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX] (Republican-TX), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 283?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (14 Sep 2026).
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