PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Dec 10, 2020
Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act
This bill addresses certain driftnet fishing. (Driftnet fishing is a method of fishing in which a gillnet composed of a panel or panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, is placed in the water and allowed to drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of entangling fish in the webbing.)
Currently, the use of large-scale drift gillnets with a total length of 2.5 kilometers or more is prohibited in the United States. The bill expands the definition of large-scale driftnet fishing to prohibit the use of gillnets with a mesh size of 14 inches or greater. This expanded prohibition does not apply within the U.S. exclusive economic zone for five years.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The Department of Commerce must conduct a transition program to facilitate the phase out of large-scale driftnet fishing and to promote the adoption of alternative fishing practices that minimize the incidental catch of living marine resources.
Commerce must award grants to program participants.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council may recommend and Commerce may approve regulations that require charter operators to pay fees on vessels that harvest Pacific halibut in specific International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory areas.
People & committees
Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Vetoed by President.
Vetoed by President.
Veto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk. (consideration: CR S8001-8002; text: CR S8002)
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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 283 - 105 (Roll no. 242). (text: CR H7115)
House roll call 242 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 283 - 105 (Roll no. 242).(text: CR H7115)
House roll call 242 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7126-7127)
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 S. 906.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7115-7118)
Mr. Huffman 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 Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S4398-4399; text: CR S4398-4399)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S4398-4399; text: CR S4398-4399)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment. With written report No. 116-166.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment. With written report No. 116-166.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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