This legislation, titled the Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026, significantly amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to enhance efforts against aquatic invasive species. It introduces new definitions for "rapid response activities" and "regional panels," clarifying and expanding the scope of prevention and control measures. The bill aims to improve the effectiveness and coordination of national and regional strategies to combat these harmful species. A key provision establishes a new grant program to fund research, development, demonstration, and verification of environmentally sound and cost-effective technologies for controlling and eradicating aquatic invasive species. This program, managed by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF), will support various governmental and nongovernmental entities. Grants will be awarded through a competitive, merit-based process, with a report on findings due to Congress within three years. The bill strengthens the ANSTF by adding regional panel representatives and expanding consultation to include nongovernmental organizations. It mandates the ANSTF to develop a plan for enhanced coordination with the National Invasive Species Council. Furthermore, the legislation requires a comprehensive study of Federal laws governing rapid response activities to identify and recommend changes that could expedite these crucial efforts. To prevent dispersal, the bill directs the ANSTF to develop a plan for Federal agencies to conduct watercraft inspections and decontaminations at stations on Federal and non-Federal waterways. This plan will include processes for station installation, an interagency certification system, and incentives for manufacturers to design watercraft that limit invasive species transfer. Additionally, an interbasin and intrabasin monitoring program will be established to track species movement through critical waterways and assess the efficacy of dispersal barriers. A separate competitive, merit-based rapid response activities grant program is created to fund immediate actions such as eradication, spatial assessment, and containment of aquatic invasive species populations. The bill also updates existing aquatic nuisance species management plans and authorizes substantial appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 for various programs, including general operations, monitoring, rapid response grants, and State management. It also allows existing coastal aquatic invasive species mitigation grants to encourage the installation of advanced ballast water management systems.