WHALE Act

Hozzl · 2024-03-14T06:19:29Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 2986 WHALE Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Energy. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/14/2024, 6:19 AM

Summary of Bill S 2986

The WHALE Act, also known as Bill 118 s 2986, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of whale entanglement in fishing gear and other marine debris.

The bill aims to reduce the number of whales that become entangled in fishing gear by requiring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address this issue. This strategy would include measures such as improving gear technology, increasing monitoring and reporting of entanglements, and implementing measures to reduce the amount of marine debris in the ocean.

Additionally, the WHALE Act would provide funding for research and development of new technologies to prevent whale entanglements, as well as for outreach and education programs to raise awareness about the issue. The bill also includes provisions for the establishment of a grant program to support projects that aim to reduce whale entanglements. Overall, the WHALE Act is aimed at protecting whales and other marine life from the dangers of entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris. It seeks to address this issue through a combination of research, technology development, and education initiatives.

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Current Status of Bill S 2986

Bill S 2986 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since September 28, 2023. Bill S 2986 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on September 28, 2023. Bill S 2986's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. as of September 28, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 2986

Total Number of Sponsors

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Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 2986

Primary Policy Focus

Energy

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 2986

WHALE Act

Warding off Hostile Administrative Leasing Efforts Act

A bill to prohibit the issuance of an interim or final rule, and to prohibit the inclusion in certain oil and gas leases, exploration or development plans, or well permits requirements or recommendations, that establish a vessel speed or operational restriction in the Central or Western Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico of the outer Continental Shelf until the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce complete a study demonstrating that proposed mitigation efforts would have no negative impact on supply chains, United States offshore energy production and generation, military activities, including readiness, and United States commercial and recreational fishing maritime commerce, and for other purposes.