September 18, 2025
Mr. LaLota introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to extend aquaculture programs under such Act, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Advancing Quality U.S. Aquaculture Act
.
Sec. 2. National Aquaculture Act of 1980
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in section 4 (16 U.S.C. 2803)—
(A)
in subsection (a)(2), by striking acquaculture
and inserting aquaculture
;
(B)
in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , not less than once every 3 years,
after periodic reviews
; and
(C)
in subsection (e)—
(i)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , not less than once every 3 years,
after undertake a continuing assessment of aquaculture in the United States
;
(ii)
in paragraph (5), by striking and
at the end;
(iii)
in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(iv)
by adding at the end the following:
(7)
a catalog of new and existing capital constraints, as described in the capital requirements plan formulated under section 8(b), that affect the development of the aquaculture industry in the United States; and
(8)
a catalog of new and existing Federal or State regulatory barriers, as described in the regulatory constraints plan formulated under section 9(b), to the initiation and operation of commercial aquaculture ventures.;
(2)
in section 5 (16 U.S.C. 2804), by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
(d) Aquaculture advisory committee
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee, to be known as the Aquaculture Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the
Committee), to advise the Secretary on—(A)
oversight of programs of the Department and other members of the coordinating group to support development of, and to advance, aquaculture best practices using the best available science, in consultation with farmers and industry partners;
(B)
providing technical assistance to aquaculture farmers and businesses, including technical assistance that pertains to shellfish, algae, and land-based aquaculture systems, using the best available science; and
(C)
any other aspects of the implementation of this Act.
(2) Membership
(A) In general
The Committee shall be composed of 14 members, who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government.
(B) Initial appointments
The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section.
(C) Period of initial appointment; vacancies
(i) In general
Except as provided in clause (ii), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
(ii) Initial appointments
Of the members first appointed to the Committee—
(I)
5 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;
(II)
5 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
(III)
4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.
(iii) Vacancies
Any vacancy in the Committee—
(I)
shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and
(II)
shall be filled as soon as practicable in the same manner as the original appointment.
(D) Consecutive terms
An initial appointee of the Committee may serve an additional consecutive term if the member is reappointed by the Secretary.
(3) Meetings
(A) Frequency
The Committee shall meet not fewer than 3 times per year.
(B) Initial meeting
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the Committee.
(4) Duties
The Committee shall—
(A)
develop recommendations and advise the Secretary on aquaculture policies, initiatives, and outreach administered by the Department;
(B)
evaluate and review ongoing research and extension activities relating to aquaculture practices;
(C)
identify new and existing barriers to successful aquaculture practices; and
(D)
provide additional assistance and advice to the Secretary as appropriate.
(5) Personnel matters
(A) Compensation
A member of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
(B) Travel expenses
A member of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(6) Termination
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B).
(B) Extensions
Before the date on which the Committee terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee for 1 or more 2-year periods.
(e) Annual report
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, and each year thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the coordinating group and in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, shall prepare on an annual basis, and submit to Congress, a report on the status of aquaculture in the United States. Such report shall contain—
(1)
a description and evaluation of the actions undertaken with respect to the Plan during the reporting period;
(2)
an explanation of any revisions made to the Plan during the reporting period;
(3)
the results of the continuing assessment established under section 4(e);
(4)
an evaluation of the role each Federal department or agency has in supporting the aquaculture industry;
(5)
the total amount and value of expenditures of Federal departments or agencies on—
(A)
aquaculture purchases;
(B)
aquaculture promotion and outreach supporting the aquaculture industry;
(C)
grants made to the aquaculture industry; and
(D)
grants to facilitate aquaculture research and the subject matter of such research;
(6)
a summary of the activities and recommendations of the Aquaculture Advisory Committee established under subsection (d);
(7)
a summary of the activities and recommendations of the coordinating group; and
(8)
such other comments and recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate.; and
(3)
in section 10 (16 U.S.C. 2809), by striking 2023
each place it appears in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting 2029
.