H.R. 5471: Advancing Quality U.S. Aquaculture Act

This bill, known as the Advancing Quality U.S. Aquaculture Act, seeks to amend the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to enhance and extend aquaculture programs in the United States. Below are the key points and provisions of the bill:

Key Amendments to the National Aquaculture Act of 1980

The bill aims to make several important changes to the existing text of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, including:

• Correction of Terminology: The term "acquaculture" would be corrected to "aquaculture."
• Regular Reviews: It mandates that periodic reviews of aquaculture practices and policies be conducted at least once every three years.
• Reports on Capital and Regulatory Barriers: The bill requires a catalog of capital constraints and regulatory barriers that affect aquaculture development to be created, ensuring better understanding of challenges in the aquaculture industry.

Aquaculture Advisory Committee

The bill proposes the establishment of an Aquaculture Advisory Committee to support the development of aquaculture practices in the U.S. The committee's responsibilities would include:

• Advising on aquaculture best practices using the best available science.
• Providing technical assistance to aquaculture businesses and farmers.
• Identifying barriers to successful aquaculture practices and offering recommendations to overcome them.

The committee would consist of 14 non-government members, appointed by the Secretary, with defined terms of service. The committee would also meet at least three times a year.

Annual Reporting Requirements

The bill requires that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with relevant departments, provide an annual report to Congress on the status of aquaculture in the U.S. This report would cover:

• A description and evaluation of actions taken regarding the aquaculture program.
• Revisions to the plan during the reporting year.
• The results of ongoing assessments and evaluations of federal involvement in the aquaculture industry.
• Details on federal expenditures related to aquaculture.
• Activities and recommendations made by the Aquaculture Advisory Committee.

Specifications and Timing

On the legislative timeline, the act stipulates that significant operational changes, such as the formation of the advisory committee, must be enacted within 180 days after the bill's passage. Additionally, it sets a termination date for the committee five years after its creation, with options for extension.

Conclusion of Amendments

Finally, the bill also proposes updating certain references within the existing law to extend deadlines from the year 2023 to 2029, thereby allowing more time for the implementation of these initiatives and assessments.

Relevant Companies

None found