Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 2293 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
4 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 3 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Ezell, Mike (R-MS) (Introduced 03/24/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Right · DW-NOMINATE +0.56 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 4 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Environment and Public Works Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee; House - Natural Resources Committee |
| Latest Action | 12/10/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. |
| Roll Call Votes | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Reported to House (09/15/2025)
Cormorant Relief Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to reissue the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities in certain states. (The previous order was vacated in 2016 by court order.)
Depredation orders allow for the taking (i.e., capturing, killing, dispersing, or transport of the carcass) of a specified species without a permit, generally to reduce damage caused by the species or to protect interests like health or property. Reissuing this order authorizes landowners, operators, tenants, and employees of entities engaged in aquaculture to take double-crested cormorants that are causing or threatening harm at aquaculture facilities and state and federal fish hatcheries.
Interior must reissue the depredation order with updates, including an expansion of (1) the number of states covered by the order, and (2) the entities to whom the order applies (i.e., private lake and pond managers who are licensed by the state).
Under the bill, Interior must renew the depredation order every five years.
119 HR 2293 EH: Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 2293
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025.
2.Regulations relating to taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities (a)In generalThe Secretary shall reissue the original depredation order in accordance with subsection (b). (b)RequirementsThe depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall be the same as the original depredation order, except that the depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall— (1)apply to— (A)each of the States of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and any other State or territory of the United States the Secretary determines appropriate in addition to and in the same manner as each of the States to which the original depredation order applied; and (B)lake managers and pond managers in addition to and in the same manner as each of the entities to which the original depredation order applied; (2)incorporate modern terminology; (3)simplify the provisions contained in the original depredation order related to compliance with other Federal law; (4)modernize the recordkeeping requirements contained in the original depredation order; and (5)remove the June 30, 2014, expiration date contained in the original depredation order. (c)RenewalNot less than once every 5 years after the date on which the Secretary reissues the original depredation order under subsection (a), the Secretary shall renew the depredation order reissued under subsection (a). (d)Rule of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed to waive the obligation of the Secretary to comply with the— (1)National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); or (2)Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.). (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Lake managerThe term lake manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private lake. (2)Original depredation orderThe term original depredation order means the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities contained in section 21.47 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2016). (3)Pond managerThe term pond manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private pond. (4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Passed the House of Representatives December 9, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 2293 IH: Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2293IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 24, 2025Mr. Ezell (for himself, Mr. Guest, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Kelly of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025.2.Regulations relating to taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities(a)In generalThe Secretary shall reissue the original depredation order in accordance with subsection (b).(b)RequirementsThe depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall be the same as the original depredation order, except that the depredation order reissued under subsection (a)—(1)shall apply to each of the States of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in addition to and in the same manner as each of the States to which the original depredation order applied; and(2)shall apply to lake managers and pond managers in addition to and in the same manner as each of the entities to which the original depredation order applied.(c)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Lake managerThe term lake manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private lake.(2)Original depredation orderThe term original depredation order means the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities contained in section 21.47 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2016).(3)Pond managerThe term pond manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private pond.(4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
119 HR 2293 : Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-12-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2293IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 10, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksAN ACTTo require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025.2.Regulations relating to taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities(a)In generalThe Secretary shall reissue the original depredation order in accordance with subsection (b).(b)RequirementsThe depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall be the same as the original depredation order, except that the depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall—(1)apply to—(A)each of the States of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and any other State or territory of the United States the Secretary determines appropriate in addition to and in the same manner as each of the States to which the original depredation order applied; and(B)lake managers and pond managers in addition to and in the same manner as each of the entities to which the original depredation order applied;(2)incorporate modern terminology;(3)simplify the provisions contained in the original depredation order related to compliance with other Federal law;(4)modernize the recordkeeping requirements contained in the original depredation order; and(5)remove the June 30, 2014, expiration date contained in the original depredation order.(c)RenewalNot less than once every 5 years after the date on which the Secretary reissues the original depredation order under subsection (a), the Secretary shall renew the depredation order reissued under subsection (a).(d)Rule of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed to waive the obligation of the Secretary to comply with the—(1)National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); or(2)Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.).(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Lake managerThe term lake manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private lake.(2)Original depredation orderThe term original depredation order means the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities contained in section 21.47 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2016).(3)Pond managerThe term pond manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private pond.(4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.Passed the House of Representatives December 9, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 2293 RH: Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-15 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 241119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2293[Report No. 119–285]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 24, 2025Mr. Ezell (for himself, Mr. Guest, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, and Mr. Kelly of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesSeptember 15, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 24, 2025A BILLTo require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025.2.Regulations relating to taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities(a)In generalThe Secretary shall reissue the original depredation order in accordance with subsection (b).(b)RequirementsThe depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall be the same as the original depredation order, except that the depredation order reissued under subsection (a) shall—(1)apply to—(A)each of the States of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin and any other State or territory of the United States the Secretary determines appropriate in addition to and in the same manner as each of the States to which the original depredation order applied; and(B)lake managers and pond managers in addition to and in the same manner as each of the entities to which the original depredation order applied;(2)incorporate modern terminology;(3)simplify the provisions contained in the original depredation order related to compliance with other Federal law;(4)modernize the recordkeeping requirements contained in the original depredation order; and(5)remove the June 30, 2014, expiration date contained in the original depredation order.(c)RenewalNot less than once every 5 years after the date on which the Secretary reissues the original depredation order under subsection (a), the Secretary shall renew the depredation order reissued under subsection (a).(d)Rule of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed to waive the obligation of the Secretary to comply with the—(1)National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); or(2)Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.).(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Lake managerThe term lake manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private lake.(2)Original depredation orderThe term original depredation order means the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities contained in section 21.47 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2016).(3)Pond managerThe term pond manager means a person that is licensed by a State regulatory agency to manage a private pond.(4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.September 15, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 03/24/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 03/24/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 03/24/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. |
| 04/01/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. |
| 04/08/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 07/15/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged |
| 07/15/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 07/15/2025 | House committee actions | Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent. |
| 09/15/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-285. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-285. |
| 09/15/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 241. |
| 12/09/2025 | House floor actions | Mr. Hurd (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. |
| 12/09/2025 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5076-5077) |
| 12/09/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2293. |
| 12/09/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5076-5077) |
| 12/09/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5076-5077) |
| 12/09/2025 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 12/10/2025 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 |
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities. |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 |
| Display Title | Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 |
| Official Title as Introduced | To require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Environment and Public Works Committee | 12/10/2025 Referred To |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 09/15/2025 Reported By |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 07/15/2025 Markup By |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 07/15/2025 Discharged from |
| House - Natural Resources Committee | 03/24/2025 Referred To |
Policy Area: Animals
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