To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective.
- Sponsor
- Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
- Committees
- Natural Resources Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 27, 2026
Bottom line
This bill extends existing federal protections for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale by seven years, from 2028 to 2035.
What it actually does
This bill proposes to extend the effectiveness of certain federal regulations pertaining to the North Atlantic right whale. Specifically, it amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, by changing the sunset date for these regulations from 2028 to 2035, thereby prolonging their enforcement by seven years. The underlying regulations, referenced by statute, are designed to protect the critically endangered species from human-caused threats.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that extending these regulations is a critical step for the survival and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale, a species facing severe threats from vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement. They contend that a longer regulatory period provides essential stability for ongoing conservation efforts, allowing more time for the whale population to rebound and for scientific data to inform future policy without the uncertainty of an impending expiration.
Opponents contend
Opponents, particularly from industries affected by the regulations, might argue that a blanket extension without a comprehensive review of their effectiveness or economic impact is problematic. They may contend that the regulations impose significant economic burdens on sectors like fishing and shipping, and that a scheduled review in 2028 would have provided a necessary opportunity to assess their efficacy and make adjustments based on new scientific findings or technological advancements.
The bill text is exceptionally short and clear, making it very accessible for readers to understand its direct legislative impact quickly.
Section 1
Extension of North Atlantic Right Whale Regulations
This provision directly amends Section 101 of division JJ of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which contains regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale. The amendment changes the expiration date of these regulations from '2028' to '2035' wherever it appears in that section. This action effectively extends the period during which these specific federal protections for the North Atlantic right whale remain in force by an additional seven years.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that extending these regulations is vital for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, as the species continues to face significant threats. They contend that maintaining these protections for an extended period provides necessary stability for conservation efforts and allows more time for the population to recover without the disruption or uncertainty of a looming expiration date.
Critics contend
Critics, particularly from affected maritime industries, contend that extending the regulations without a scheduled review in 2028 removes an important opportunity to assess their efficacy and economic impact. They argue that such an extension could perpetuate potentially burdensome regulations that may not be the most effective or efficient, especially if new scientific data or technological solutions emerge.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the urgent need for continued conservation measures for a critically endangered species against the economic impacts and regulatory burdens placed on maritime industries. It prioritizes long-term species protection by deferring a re-evaluation of the existing regulatory framework.
The bill amends 'Section 101 of division JJ of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (16 U.S.C. 1387 note)'. This external statutory reference contains the specific regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale that are being extended.
Section 1
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice. Bills typically amend existing law by referencing the relevant sections of code rather than reprinting entire sections, which streamlines the legislative text.
Case for: Referencing existing law makes the bill concise and focused on the proposed change, avoiding redundancy and simplifying the legislative drafting process.
Case against: For a casual reader, the lack of explicit detail within the bill text means that a full understanding of the bill's impact requires additional research into external legal documents, potentially obscuring the specific regulatory effects.
Estimated impact: The impact is the continued enforcement of all regulations detailed in 16 U.S.C. 1387 note for an additional seven years, affecting marine activities in the North Atlantic and the right whale population.