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Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8496| House 
| Updated: 4/27/2026
Julia Brownley

Julia Brownley

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (6)
Ed Case (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Dave Min (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act of 2026 amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to establish a framework for conserving marine mammals threatened by climate change. It mandates the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission, to identify and list marine mammal species and population stocks in U.S. waters that are likely to experience population decline or reduced carrying capacity due to climate change within 20 years, or 100 years for Endangered Species Act-listed species. For each listed species or stock, the Secretary must develop a climate impact management plan (CIMP) within 18 to 30 months. These plans will outline comprehensive strategies for conservation and recovery, focusing on increasing resiliency, reducing human impacts like fisheries interactions, and managing prey species. Other federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to support these CIMPs and ensure their actions do not conflict with the plans' objectives. The bill also establishes a monitoring program within NOAA to track climate change's adverse effects on marine mammals, improve predictive models, and assess their contribution to carbon reduction. It directs the Secretary to publish regulations for listing climate-impacted species, emphasizing that a lack of quantitative data should not prevent such listings. Furthermore, the bill requires considering climate impacts when estimating potential biological removal levels in stock assessments and authorizes appropriations for its implementation.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-8795
Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3692
Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1383
Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act
Apr 27, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-8795
    Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3692
    Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1383
    Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act


  • April 27, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 27, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Animals

Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8496| House 
| Updated: 4/27/2026
The Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act of 2026 amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to establish a framework for conserving marine mammals threatened by climate change. It mandates the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission, to identify and list marine mammal species and population stocks in U.S. waters that are likely to experience population decline or reduced carrying capacity due to climate change within 20 years, or 100 years for Endangered Species Act-listed species. For each listed species or stock, the Secretary must develop a climate impact management plan (CIMP) within 18 to 30 months. These plans will outline comprehensive strategies for conservation and recovery, focusing on increasing resiliency, reducing human impacts like fisheries interactions, and managing prey species. Other federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to support these CIMPs and ensure their actions do not conflict with the plans' objectives. The bill also establishes a monitoring program within NOAA to track climate change's adverse effects on marine mammals, improve predictive models, and assess their contribution to carbon reduction. It directs the Secretary to publish regulations for listing climate-impacted species, emphasizing that a lack of quantitative data should not prevent such listings. Furthermore, the bill requires considering climate impacts when estimating potential biological removal levels in stock assessments and authorizes appropriations for its implementation.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-8795
Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3692
Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1383
Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act
Apr 27, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-8795
    Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3692
    Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1383
    Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act


  • April 27, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 27, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Julia Brownley

Julia Brownley

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (6)
Ed Case (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Dave Min (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Suzanne Bonamici (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

Animals

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted