Bycatch Reduction Act
Latest action (16 Sep 2026): Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
What this bill does
S. 4938, the Bycatch Reduction Act, would direct the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA to reduce bycatch and seafloor damage from trawl fishing in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. It requires new performance standards for pelagic and nonpelagic trawl gear, seafloor-contact detection systems, modified footropes and sweeps, and mandatory salmon excluder devices, with baseline studies, independent review by the National Academies, phase-in periods, and enforcement under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It also amends Council procedures to require recorded votes, public webcasts/transcripts of meetings, longer public comment periods, and a review of financial-disclosure and recusal rules. Additionally, it reconstitutes a research task force (renamed the Bycatch Reduction Task Force), mandates salmon-tagging research, a genetic-sampling grant program, and broader ecosystem studies.
The bill mainly affects commercial trawl vessel operators, processors, and communities in Alaska's groundfish fisheries, as well as NOAA, the Council, and researchers who would face new reporting, technology, and consultation requirements. Subsistence and recreational fishing communities are cited as parties to be consulted throughout implementation.
The bill was introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) on June 24, 2026, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. On September 16, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and if passed, by the House, before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on September 16, 2026.
Timeline
16 Sep 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 4938 do?
- S. 4938, the Bycatch Reduction Act, would direct the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA to reduce bycatch and seafloor damage from trawl fishing in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. It requires new performance standards for pelagic and nonpelagic trawl gear, seafloor-contact detection systems, modified footropes and sweeps, and mandatory salmon excluder devices, with baseline studies, independent review by the National Academies, phase-in periods, and enforcement under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It also amends Council procedures to require recorded votes, public webcasts/transcripts of meetings, longer public comment periods, and a review of financial-disclosure and recusal rules. Additionally, it reconstitutes a research task force (renamed the Bycatch Reduction Task Force), mandates salmon-tagging research, a genetic-sampling grant program, and broader ecosystem studies. The bill mainly affects commercial trawl vessel operators, processors, and communities in Alaska's groundfish fisheries, as well as NOAA, the Council, and researchers who would face new reporting, technology, and consultation requirements. Subsistence and recreational fishing communities are cited as parties to be consulted throughout implementation. The bill was introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) on June 24, 2026, and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. On September 16, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and if passed, by the House, before it could become law.
- Has S. 4938 become law?
- Not yet. As of 16 Sep 2026, S. 4938 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 4938?
- S. 4938 was sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan [R-AK] (Republican-AK), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4938?
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. (16 Sep 2026).
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