Legislative Hearing on H.R. 338, H.R. 1514, H.R. 3756 and H.R. 5699

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP held a legislative hearing on November 20, 2025, to discuss several bills including H.R. 338, H.R. 1514, H.R. 3756, and H.R. 5699, focusing on natural resource management, fisheries, and water infrastructure. Key procurement-related discussions centered on the establishment of the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission under H.R. 1514, which would provide stable, noncompetitive grant funding to state entities for interjurisdictional fisheries management and invasive species control. The hearing also addressed H.R. 338, the Every Drop Counts Act, which proposes expanding eligibility and funding for groundwater recharge projects in California and the western U.S., aiming to improve water storage infrastructure with potential federal cost-sharing. Additionally, H.R. 3756, the FISH Act, was discussed as a bipartisan effort to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by creating enforcement mechanisms such as vessel blacklists, port entry bans, and sanctions, thereby protecting U.S. fisheries and seafood markets. Witnesses highlighted the need for improved data accuracy in fisheries management, funding for state-led data collection programs, and enhanced coordination among federal and state agencies. The committee considered the economic impacts of IUU fishing and the importance of federal investment in water infrastructure and fisheries management to support sustainable resource use and protect American industries. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were mentioned, but the legislation discussed would influence future procurement and funding opportunities in fisheries and water resource management.