H.R. 1894: Federally Integrated Species Health Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Federally Integrated Species Health Act of 2025 (FISH Act of 2025), proposes several changes to the management of certain species of fish under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Here are the key provisions:

Transfer of Functions

The bill will transfer all responsibilities regarding anadromous and catadromous species from the Secretary of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the Secretary of the Interior. Anadromous species are defined as fish that spawn in fresh or estuarine waters and migrate to ocean waters, while catadromous species spawn in ocean waters and migrate to fresh or estuarine waters.

Conforming Amendments

To facilitate the transfer of these functions, the bill will amend the Endangered Species Act to clarify that the Secretary of the Interior will have authority over anadromous and catadromous species. This includes modifying definitions related to these species in the Act.

Reconsideration of Administrative Determinations

After the transfer of responsibilities is complete, any decisions made by the NMFS within three years prior to the transfer can be reconsidered by the Secretary of the Interior. Individuals or entities can request a review of these past determinations, and the Secretary can either grant or deny these requests. Final decisions made on such requests will be made publicly available.

Miscellaneous Provisions

The bill includes additional provisions to ensure a smooth transition of authority:

• All references in federal laws and regulations to the Secretary of Commerce or the NMFS will now refer to the Secretary of the Interior and the Department of the Interior, respectively.
• The Secretary of the Interior will retain all authorities necessary to perform the functions transferred by the bill.
• Existing legal documents, such as rules or permits, that were in effect prior to the enactment of the bill will continue until they are modified or revoked.
• Pending proceedings and applications related to the transferred functions will also continue as if the bill had not been enacted.
• The enactment of this bill will not affect any ongoing lawsuits or legal actions.

Definitions

Finally, the bill defines terms such as "function," which encompasses various duties and powers, and reiterates the definitions of anadromous and catadromous species as recognized in the much earlier legislation.

Relevant Companies

• CCL (Carnival Corporation): This company, which operates cruises that may involve activities impacting marine environments, could face regulatory changes following the transfer of fish species oversight to the Department of the Interior.
• DCE (Daqo New Energy Corp): As a company involved in industries with potential environmental impacts, any changes in regulations about fish species could affect their operational requirements related to water and wildlife protections.