Congress 116 - HR 5126 - DESCEND Act of 2020

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

Atlantic Ocean Civil actions and liability Congressional oversight Fishes Government studies and investigations Gulf of Mexico Hunting and fishing Marine and coastal resources, fisheries Marine and inland water transportation Public Lands and Natural Resources Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Full Text

View Full Bill Text

Votes

Summary

Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 or the DESCEND Act of 2020

This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. (A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.)

Specifically, the bill requires

commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone,
the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries, and
Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices.

Actions

Jan 13, 2021

Became Public Law No: 116-340.
Jan 13, 2021

Signed by President.
Jan 1, 2021

Presented to President.
Dec 21, 2020

Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 21, 2020

Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
Dec 21, 2020

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
Dec 21, 2020

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7902)
Dec 21, 2020

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 19, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Oct 1, 2020

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 1, 2020

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5176)
Oct 1, 2020

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Oct 1, 2020

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5126.
Oct 1, 2020

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5176-5178)
Oct 1, 2020

Mrs. Dingell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 24, 2020

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 431.
Sep 24, 2020

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-531.
Mar 11, 2020

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 11, 2020

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 11, 2020

Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.
Jan 14, 2020

Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Dec 4, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Nov 15, 2019

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Nov 15, 2019

Introduced in House

Amendments

Related Bills