H.R. 3189 (119th)Bill Overview

Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act of 2025

Animals|Animals
Cosponsors
Support
Lean Democratic
Introduced
May 5, 2025
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for co…

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief

This bill implements the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels by establishing U.S. authority, definitions, conservation measures, prohibitions, permitting, exemptions, enforcement, reporting, and international cooperation.

It authorizes habitat restoration, invasive species control, research, bycatch monitoring and mitigation in fisheries, and education programs, while prohibiting take except via narrow permits or specified exemptions.

Enforcement mechanisms borrow powers and penalties from the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Passage45/100

Technocratic, treaty-implementation bill with moderate regulatory impacts; chances improved by bipartisan framing but impeded by fisheries stakeholder concerns and Senate procedure.

CredibilityPartially aligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill provides a clear statutory framework to implement the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels: it defines covered organisms and range, creates prohibitions and permit authority, assigns implementing authorities, integrates existing law, and establishes reporting and coordination mechanisms. It delegates many operational specifics to agency rulemaking and omits explicit funding provisions.

Contention65/100

Liberal emphasizes habitat, bycatch reductions, and international cooperation

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Who this appears to help vs burden50% / 50%
StatesFederal agencies
Likely helped
  • Targeted stakeholdersImproved conservation status of albatrosses and petrels through reestablishment and habitat restoration.
  • Targeted stakeholdersReduced seabird bycatch by authorizing fisheries mitigation, monitoring, and observer programs.
  • StatesEnhanced international cooperation and technical assistance to range states to protect migratory species.
Likely burdened
  • Targeted stakeholdersIncreased regulatory compliance and costs for fisheries due to new bycatch measures and monitoring.
  • Targeted stakeholdersExpanded inspection and enforcement authorities could raise operational burdens on vessels and operators.
  • Federal agenciesPotential federal-state jurisdictional tensions over area-based management and enforcement authority.
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Liberal emphasizes habitat, bycatch reductions, and international cooperation
Progressive90%

Generally strongly supportive because the bill implements international protections, addresses bycatch, restores habitat, and tackles invasive species.

It advances conservation of threatened seabirds, adds monitoring and reporting, and creates joint authority between Interior and Commerce.

The inclusion of indigenous-use allowances and training programs is viewed positively.

Leans supportive
Centrist70%

Cautiously supportive: the bill implements an international agreement and creates needed tools for conservation, while preserving exemptions for defense and emergency activities.

It raises realistic concerns about administrative complexity, costs, and coordination among agencies and fisheries managers.

The centrist view values measurable implementation, clear permitting limits, and cost oversight.

Leans supportive
Conservative25%

Skeptical or somewhat opposed: the bill expands federal regulatory reach over fisheries and U.S. nationals abroad, and may impose costs on commercial fishing and other activities.

While it includes military, Coast Guard, and enforcement exemptions, it still creates new reporting duties and potential international obligations.

The preference is for limited federal intrusion and protection of economic and sovereign interests.

Likely resistant
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood45/100

Technocratic, treaty-implementation bill with moderate regulatory impacts; chances improved by bipartisan framing but impeded by fisheries stakeholder concerns and Senate procedure.

Scope and complexity
52%
Scopemoderate
52%
Complexitymedium
Why this could stall
  • Absent formal cost estimate or appropriation details
  • Reaction from commercial fishing industry and regional councils
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

No vote history yet

The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Liberal emphasizes habitat, bycatch reductions, and international cooperation

Technocratic, treaty-implementation bill with moderate regulatory impacts; chances improved by bipartisan framing but impeded by fisheries…

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill provides a clear statutory framework to implement the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels: it defines covered organisms and range, creates prohib…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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