Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
Latest action (15 Oct 2026): Became Public Law No: 119-123.
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
Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
This act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to jointly develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) and seafood fraud.
NOAA and NIST must consult with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard in developing the methodology, which must use chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood. The methodology must be consistent with the needs of federal and state law enforcement agencies in combating IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The methodology must also include a portable field kit and, to the extent practicable, be appropriate for testing prepared food (including raw preparations of seafood such as sushi). The agencies must conduct pilot studies of the methodology on red snapper and tuna.
Within two years after the act's enactment, NIST must report to Congress regarding the methodology and a plan for operationalizing it. The report must explain any aspects of its methodology that are impracticable, whether additional research would make the methodology practicable, and whether an alternate approach might be practicable.
Timeline
15 Oct 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-123.
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?
- Yes. S. 283 has been enacted. Status last updated 15 Oct 2026.
- Who sponsored S. 283?
- S. 283 was sponsored by Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 283?
- Became Public Law No: 119-123. (15 Oct 2026).
Related bills in Public Lands and Natural Resources
Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026
Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act
Chiricahua National Park Act
Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act
More bills from Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026
Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026
Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act of 2026
Right to Worship Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.