PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-405.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 31, 2018
Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018
(Sec. 3) This bill defines "mixed-use fishery" to mean a federal fishery in which two or more of the following occur: (1) recreational fishing, (2) charter fishing, or (3) commercial fishing.
TITLE I--CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 101) The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on mixed-use fisheries in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
(Sec. 102) The bill authorizes a regional fishery management council to use management measures in developing a plan or proposed regulations for a recreational fishery or the recreational component of a mixed-use fishery.
(Sec. 103) The Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must complete a study on the use of limited access privilege programs to harvest fish in mixed-use fisheries, including an assessment of the social, economic, and ecological effects of the program on businesses, coastal communities, and the environment.
TITLE II--RECREATION FISHERY INFORMATION, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT
(Sec. 201) The Department of Commerce must develop a report on facilitating greater incorporation of data, analysis, stock assessments, and surveys from state agencies and nongovernmental sources into fisheries management decisions.
(Sec. 202) Commerce must also establish partnerships with states and make grants to improve recreational fisheries data collection.
People & committees
Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] · R–MS
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 115-405.
Became Public Law No: 115-405.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 350 - 11 (Roll no. 444). (text: CR H10306-10308)
House roll call 444 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 350 - 11 (Roll no. 444).(text: CR H10306-10308)
House roll call 444 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10319)
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Graves (LA) objected to the Yea - Nay vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1520.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10306-10309)
Mr. Graves (LA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7636-7639; text as reported in Senate: CR S7636-7638)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 441.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-264.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-264.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.1520 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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