Bill Sponsor
House Bill 5126
116th Congress(2019-2020)
DESCEND Act of 2020
Became Law
Became Law
Became Public Law 116-340 on Jan 13, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Nov 15, 2019
Latest Action
Jan 13, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
5126
Congress
116
Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Primary focus of measure is natural areas (including wilderness); lands under government jurisdiction; land use practices and policies; parks, monuments, and historic sites; fisheries and marine resources; mining and minerals. Measures concerning energy supplies and production may fall under Energy policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Louisiana
Democrat
California
Republican
Mississippi
Democrat
South Carolina
House Votes (1)
Senate Votes (1)
checkPassed on October 1, 2020
Status
Passed
Type
Voice Vote
Voice Vote
A vote in which the presiding officer states the question, then asks those in favor and against to say "Yea" or "Nay," respectively, and announces the result according to his or her judgment. The names or numbers of senators voting on each side are not recorded.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Summary

Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019 or the DESCEND Act of 2019

This bill addresses the use of descending devices to release reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. (A descending device is an instrument that will release fish at a depth sufficient for the fish to be able to recover from the effects of barotrauma.)

Specifically, the bill requires

  • commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone,
  • the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and produce a report on discard mortality in the Gulf reef fish fisheries, and
  • Commerce and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to develop guidance for reporting discards and associated mortality and develop a plan to assess the effectiveness and usage of barotrauma-reducing devices.
Text (5)
October 19, 2020
October 1, 2020
September 24, 2020
November 15, 2019
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:44:37 PM