Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025
This bill provides $2.7 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund a federal program that tags hatchery-raised fish released into the Great Lakes. By marking these fish, scientists and wildlife managers can track how well stocked fish survive compared to wild fish and determine whether stocking efforts are succeeding. The data collected will be shared with state, federal, and tribal wildlife agencies to help manage fish populations and support the region's commercial and recreational fishing industries.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceReceives authorized funding of $2.7 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and authority to hire personnel and buy equipment to run the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program (Sec. 4(a)-(b), Sec. 5).
- State and tribal fish management agenciesGain access to fish tagging and tracking data collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assist with fish stocking, habitat restoration, and predator-prey management (Sec. 4(c)-(d)).
Who it burdens
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceMust carry out the mass marking program, collaborate with federal, state, and tribal agencies, and share all tracking and tagging data collected under the program (Sec. 4(a), (c), (d)).
Who backs it
- Federal taxpayersProvides $2.7 million annually in authorized appropriations from federal revenues for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program (Sec. 5).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 5 provisions
Establishes the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to tag hatchery-raised fish released into the Great Lakes basin.
Directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to share fish tagging and tracking data with federal, state, and tribal fisheries agencies to guide fish stocking, predator-prey balancing, and habitat restoration.
Authorizes $2.7 million in annual funding for the program for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to hire staff and purchase equipment, tags, and supplies needed for fish tagging, tag recovery, and data tracking operations.
Requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to carry out the program in collaboration with federal, state, and tribal fish management agencies and regional Great Lakes fishery groups.
Establishes the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to tag hatchery-raised fish released into the Great Lakes basin.
Directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to share fish tagging and tracking data with federal, state, and tribal fisheries agencies to guide fish stocking, predator-prey balancing, and habitat restoration.
Authorizes $2.7 million in annual funding for the program for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 18 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3545)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1917.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3543-3544)
- Mr. Tiffany moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 171.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-210.
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 - 57 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H3543)
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-210.
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 (H.R. 1917, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-1917. Congress.gov record as of Jul 18, 2026.