This legislation establishes the **Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission** within the Department of the Interior, aiming to enhance the management of **interjurisdictional fishery resources** across the vast Mississippi River Basin. The Commission's primary purpose is to foster basin-wide, inter-agency collaboration for shared management objectives and the collaborative planning and implementation of actions. Membership is open to eligible entities, including States, Federal agencies, and Indian Tribes, which will appoint voting delegates to represent their interests. The Commission is tasked with overseeing the management plans of the six Mississippi River sub-basins to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries. It will adopt and utilize the **MICRA Joint Strategic Plan** for Mississippi River Fisheries as its foundational framework. A critical duty involves developing and coordinating inter-agency strategies to prevent the introduction and control the spread of **invasive carp** and other prioritized **aquatic invasive species** within the basin, while also researching and implementing best scientific methods for conservation. To support these efforts, the Commission will establish two grant programs: a **competitive grant program** and a **formula grant program**. These grants will be awarded to various entities, including State member entities, private organizations, Federal agencies, and institutions of higher education, to carry out eligible interjurisdictional fisheries projects. Grant funds must align with the goals of the Joint Strategic Plan and the sub-basin management plans, focusing on projects within the Mississippi River Basin States. It is important to note that the Commission's authority is **nonbinding**, meaning it will not limit the powers of member States to enact or enforce their own laws or supersede existing authorities like the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Significant appropriations are authorized, including $1,000,000 for initial administrative setup in fiscal year 2026, and substantial funds for management duties and grant programs from fiscal years 2027 through 2036, along with annual funding for the Secretary of the Interior to house the Commission.