HR 2293 ยท Cormorant Relief Act of 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Introduced
- Mar 24, 2025
- Latest action
- Dec 10, 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Mike Ezell [R-MS-4]
- Policy area
- Animals
- Cosponsors
- 3
Summary
Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to reissue the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities in certain states. (The previous order was vacated in 2016 by court order.) Depredation orders allow for the taking (i.e., capturing, killing, dispersing, or transport of the carcass) of a specified species without a permit, generally to reduce damage caused by the species or to protect interests like health or property. Reissuing this order authorizes landowners, operators, tenants, and employees of entities engaged in aquaculture to take double-crested cormorants that are causing or threatening harm at aquaculture facilities and state and federal fish hatcheries. Interior must reissue the depredation order with updates, including an expansion of (1) the number of states covered by the order, and (2) the entities to whom the order applies (i.e., private lake and pond managers who are licensed by the state). Under the bill, Interior must renew the depredation order every five years.
Recent actions
- Dec 10, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Dec 9, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Dec 9, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5076-5077)
- Dec 9, 2025 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5076-5077)
- Dec 9, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2293.
- Dec 9, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5076-5077)
- Dec 9, 2025 Mr. Hurd (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Sep 15, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 241.
Votes
No recorded votes are available for this bill.