PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Congressional Research Service
No official summary is available in the imported record yet.
People & committees
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Jul 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-02-13 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The bill would require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to sequence aquatic species’ genomes in coordination with government entities, Native Hawaiian organizations, nonprofits, and higher education institutions. Its stated purpose is to support scientific understanding, conservation, management, and enforcement. Program sequencing data generally would have to be submitted for public access within 360 days after sequencing is completed, but Tribal governments would control whether and when to submit data when they sequence a genome or supply the sample used by the Secretary.
The Secretary shall establish and carry out a program to sequence the genomes of aquatic species, in coordination with covered entities, to enhance scientific understanding and conservation, management, and enforcement efforts with respect to such species.
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.
The term covered entity means— (A) a Federal agency; (B) a State Government; (C) a Tribal Government; (D) a Native Hawaiian organization; (E) a nonprofit organization; and (F) an institution of higher education.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the Secretary or a covered entity sequences the genome of an aquatic species pursuant to the Program, not later than 360 days after the date on which the sequencing of such genome is completed, the Secretary or the covered entity that sequenced such genome, as applicable, shall submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available such sequenced genome and any associated raw sequence data and metadata
If, pursuant to the Program, a Tribal Government sequences the genome of an aquatic species or provides a sample of an aquatic species to the Secretary that the Secretary uses to sequence the genome of such species, the Tribal Government shall be the only entity with the authority to determine whether and when to submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available the data collected and produced through such sequencing.
The proposed law would be called the Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act of 2025.
This Act may be cited as the Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation Act of 2025.
The Secretary would have to catalogue specimens whose identities have been verified by a species-identification specialist, obtain genetic samples of priority species, and process DNA from aquatic species or environmental samples. Samples could be purchased or collected in the field.
In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall carry out activities that include the following: (1) Identify and catalogue vouchered specimens, verifiably identified by a taxonomist, of aquatic species held by covered entities for the purpose of including such aquatic species in the Program. (2) Obtain genetic samples, including through purchase or field collection, of priority species. (3) Extract and process DNA from samples of aquatic species or the environment through laboratory analysis, including carrying out any labor and acquiring any supplies required for such analysis.
Sequencing would have to meet accepted completeness and quality standards for reference genomes, which serve as genetic reference records. The Secretary could determine which specified types of DNA to include and would have to collect, catalogue, and store metadata—information describing the sequencing and its samples.
(4) Sequence the genomes of aquatic species to accepted completeness and quality standards for reference genomes, including, as the Secretary determines appropriate, nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast DNA. (5) Collect, catalogue, and store the metadata created by sequencing the genomes of aquatic species under paragraph (4).
Federal agencies, State and Tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, qualifying nonprofits, and higher education institutions could perform the program’s specimen, laboratory, sequencing, and publication work. The Secretary would provide funding and technical assistance to covered entities the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out those activities.
The term covered entity means— (A) a Federal agency; (B) a State Government; (C) a Tribal Government; (D) a Native Hawaiian organization; (E) a nonprofit organization; and (F) an institution of higher education.
(7) Provide funding and technical assistance to covered entities that the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (6).
A covered entity may carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (b) pursuant to the Program.
Eligible nonprofits would need to be described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a). The Native Hawaiian organization definition covers organizations serving and representing Native Hawaiians, with a primary stated purpose of providing them services and expertise in their affairs; it also expressly includes Native Hawaiian organizations registered with the Interior Department’s Office of Native Hawaiian Relations. The bill’s definition of State includes the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions.
The term nonprofit organization means an organization— (A) described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and (B) that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code.
The term Native Hawaiian organization— (A) means an organization that— (i) serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians; (ii) has as a primary and stated purpose the provision of services to Native Hawaiians; and (iii) has expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs; and (B) includes Native Hawaiian organizations registered with the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations of the Department of the Interior.
The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory or possession of the United States.
To qualify as a priority species, an aquatic species would need a genome that has not been fully sequenced or is not publicly available, plus membership in a listed category. Those categories include threatened or endangered species, species in the U.S. Geological Survey’s non-indigenous aquatic species database, species listed under the international wildlife trade convention, macroinvertebrates that indicate aquatic ecosystem health, and species contributing to harmful algal blooms or seafood-related illness.
The term priority species means an aquatic species— (A) the genome of which has not been fully sequenced or is not publicly available; and (B) that is— (i) listed as a threatened species or as an endangered species pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); (ii) included in the Non-indigenous Aquatic Species database of the United States Geological Survey; (iii) listed in 1 of the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; (iv) a macroinvertebrate that acts as a biological indicator of aquatic ecosystem health; (v) a species that contributes to harmful algal blooms or a foodborne illness derived from eating seafood;
Other priority categories would include fish managed under the named federal fisheries law, species of greatest conservation need, species protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and species monitored under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. A further category covers look-alike species and species closely related in physical form or genetics, although that clause refers to a range of clauses that includes itself.
(vi) a species of fish that is managed pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801); (vii) an aquatic species of greatest conservation need; (viii) a species protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); (ix) a species monitored under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service; or (x) a look-alike species or a species that is morphologically or genetically closely related to a species described in clauses (i) through (x).
Unless otherwise specified, the Secretary would determine which aquatic species need conservation attention because of low or declining populations, threats, or biological or cultural significance for indigenous purposes recognized by a Tribal government or Native Hawaiian organization.
The term aquatic species of greatest conservation need means an aquatic species that, unless otherwise specified, the Secretary determines requires conservation attention because such species— (A) has a low or declining population; (B) is facing threats; or (C) is considered by a Tribal Government or Native Hawaiian organization to be biologically or culturally significant for indigenous purposes.
Program duties would include making sequenced aquatic genomes and their associated descriptive information publicly available when they are not already public. The bill separately gives Tribal governments control over submission for public access in the circumstances described in its Tribal exception. The Secretary would also establish data management and sharing principles consistent with the specified FAIR scientific data guidance published March 15, 2016.
(6) Make publicly available the genomes and associated metadata of aquatic species that have been sequenced but are not publicly available.
If, pursuant to the Program, a Tribal Government sequences the genome of an aquatic species or provides a sample of an aquatic species to the Secretary that the Secretary uses to sequence the genome of such species, the Tribal Government shall be the only entity with the authority to determine whether and when to submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available the data collected and produced through such sequencing.
(8) Establish principles for the management and sharing of data collected and produced through the Program in accordance with the document titled The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship (published March 15, 2016).
Subject to the Tribal government exception, the Secretary or covered entity that sequences a genome under the program would have to submit it, its associated raw sequence data, and metadata to the National Center for Biotechnology Information for public access within 360 days of completing sequencing. This is a submission deadline; the text does not expressly set a separate publication deadline. Required information would include the species, sample collection location, time and date, sequencing process, and information required by the program’s data principles.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the Secretary or a covered entity sequences the genome of an aquatic species pursuant to the Program, not later than 360 days after the date on which the sequencing of such genome is completed, the Secretary or the covered entity that sequenced such genome, as applicable, shall submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available such sequenced genome and any associated raw sequence data and metadata, including— (A) the species of such genome; (B) the location of where the sample that was used to sequence such genome was collected; (C) the time and date of when such sample was collected; (D) the process by which such genome was sequenced; and (E) any information required pursuant to the principles for the management and sharing of data collected and produced through the Program established under subsection (b)(8).
A Tribal government would have exclusive authority to decide whether and when sequencing data are submitted for public access if it sequences the genome under the program or supplies a sample the Secretary uses for sequencing. The bill defines Tribal government as the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe.
If, pursuant to the Program, a Tribal Government sequences the genome of an aquatic species or provides a sample of an aquatic species to the Secretary that the Secretary uses to sequence the genome of such species, the Tribal Government shall be the only entity with the authority to determine whether and when to submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available the data collected and produced through such sequencing.
The term Tribal Government means the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe.
The bill would authorize appropriations of $2 million for the program in each fiscal year from 2025 through 2031. This authorization would not itself provide the money.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2031.
The program section would take effect 180 days after its enactment.
This section shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated July 11, 2025, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Natural Resources on February 13, 2025. It does not establish the bill’s subsequent status.
Source snapshot updated 2025-07-11T08:05:23Z. 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-02-13. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No earmark was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version; the source set cannot establish formal earmark status or absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied introduced text contains a narrow exception to a generally applicable program requirement. This classification describes special treatment without judging its justification.
Tribal governments would receive exclusive control over whether and when data are submitted for public access when they sequence a genome under the program or provide a sample sequenced by the Secretary. This is a targeted exception to the general 360-day submission requirement and directly concerns the program’s data-sharing policy.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the Secretary or a covered entity sequences the genome of an aquatic species pursuant to the Program, not later than 360 days after the date on which the sequencing of such genome is completed, the Secretary or the covered entity that sequenced such genome, as applicable, shall submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available such sequenced genome and any associated raw sequence data and metadata
If, pursuant to the Program, a Tribal Government sequences the genome of an aquatic species or provides a sample of an aquatic species to the Secretary that the Secretary uses to sequence the genome of such species, the Tribal Government shall be the only entity with the authority to determine whether and when to submit to the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available the data collected and produced through such sequencing.
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