S. 283 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-123
Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act
2 sections in the law; 1 added after the bill was introduced.
Signed October 15, 2026 · Introduced January 28, 2025 in the Senate
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) · 4 cosponsors (1 D, 3 R)
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What the law says it does
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Official title
To require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes.
Official summary (Congressional Research Service) · as public law
This act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to jointly develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) and seafood fraud.
NOAA and NIST must consult with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard in developing the methodology, which must use chemical analysis to identify the country of origin of seafood. The methodology must be consistent with the needs of federal and state law enforcement agencies in combating IUU fishing and seafood fraud. The methodology must also include a portable field kit and, to the extent practicable, be appropriate for testing prepared food (including raw preparations of seafood such as sushi). The agencies must conduct pilot studies of the methodology on red snapper and tuna.
Within two years after the act's enactment, NIST must report to Congress regarding the methodology and a plan for operationalizing it. The report must explain any aspects of its methodology that are impracticable, whether additional research would make the methodology practicable, and whether an alternate approach might be practicable.
How it grew
1 section added after the bill was introduced
The bill had 3 sections when it was introduced. A section counts as added when it can’t be traced to the introduced text through the earlier versions and no introduced section has the same heading. Being added says nothing about whether a section is good or bad, or why it was added.
- Sec. 2Methodology for identifying country of origin of seafoodFirst appears in: Enrolled Bill
How it became law
- IntroducedJan 28
- CommitteeFeb 5
- HouseSep 14
- SenateJul 14
- SignedOct 15
As introduced: To require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and the Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood to support enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes.
Key steps, cosponsors and text changes (15)
Sponsor
Original cosponsors
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
SenateIntroduced in Senate
- Text: Introduced in Senate
3 sections
SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Text: Reported to Senate
3 sections, no changes
Cosponsor joined
SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4341; text: CR S4341-4342)
- Text: Engrossed in Senate
3 sections, no changes
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)
- Text: Engrossed Amendment House
Text replaced or amended (section count not available for amendment documents).
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
2 sections: 2 added, 2 removed
Became Public Law No: 119-123.
Signed by President.
Show every recorded step (25)
Sponsor
Original cosponsors
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
SenateIntroduced in Senate
- Text: Introduced in Senate
3 sections
SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-24.
- Text: Reported to Senate
3 sections, no changes
Cosponsor joined
SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4341; text: CR S4341-4342)
- Text: Engrossed in Senate
3 sections, no changes
HouseReceived in the House.
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5557-5558)
HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 283.
HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5557-5558)
HouseMr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Text: Engrossed Amendment House
Text replaced or amended (section count not available for amendment documents).
SenateMessage on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
SenateSenate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
SenateResolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 283 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5020)
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
2 sections: 2 added, 2 removed
Became Public Law No: 119-123.
Signed by President.
Source: GovInfo bill status and text versions. 4 cosponsors.
Every section
All 2 sections, in order
From the enrolled bill text on GovInfo. Read any section in full on Congress.gov.
- Sec. 1Short title
- Sec. 2Methodology for identifying country of origin of seafoodAdded in: Enrolled Bill
Sponsor and cosponsors
Show all 5 members, by last name
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
- Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL)
- Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)
- Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)
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Sources: bill text and status, GovInfo (Enrolled Bill) · Official summary, Congressional Research Service · Congress.gov, as of November 1, 2026. US government works are in the public domain · This bill on Congress.gov (opens in new tab)