S. 2484: South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act

113th Congress · introduced 2014-06-17 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 113-315.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2014-06-17 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: By Senator Rockefeller from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 113-315. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act

Plain summary

South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act - Authorizes Department of Commerce to promulgate regulations to implement the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean, which was adopted at Auckland, New Zealand, on November 14, 2009. (The Convention includes the objectives of ensuring the long term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources and safeguarding the marine ecosystems in the Convention Area.) (Sec. 3) Limits U.S. representation on the South Pacific Fisheries Commission to no more than three commissioners. Requires the President to appoint the representative to the Commission. Establishes an advisory committee for the Commission. Requires Commerce to develop a memorandum of understanding with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council to clarify the role of the Council with respect to participating in or working with U.S. delegations to international fishery organizations and making recommendations related to fishery resources in the Convention Area. (Sec. 4) Sets forth Department of State's authority and responsibilities with respect to the Commission, including authorizing the State Department to approve, disapprove, object to, or withdraw objections to bylaws and rules adopted by the Commission. (Sec. 5) Authorizes Commerce to promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the U.S. international obligations under the South Pacific Fisheries Convention and this Act. Requires Commerce and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to administer and enforce this Act, except to the extent otherwise provided for in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Gives the district courts of the United States exclusive jurisdiction over any case or controversy arising under this Act. (Sec. 7) Sets forth prohibited fishing and shipping acts in the Convention Area. (Sec. 9) Requires Commerce to ensure participation in the Commission and its subsidiary bodies by the by American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the same extent provided to the territories of other nations. (Sec. 10) Establishes notification requirements commercial fishing vessels before entering or transiting the exclusive economic zone of the Convention Area, if the vessels do not carry vessel monitoring systems capable of communicating with U.S. enforcement authorities. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations to Commerce and the State Department to carry out this Act and to pay for the United State's contribution to the Commission. Requires Commerce or the State Department to provide appropriate assistance to assist developing nations in meeting their obligations under the Convention.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

South Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] reported raising $1.8 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (5)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Jurisdiction: The area or the matters a government or court has authority over.
Obligation: A binding promise by a government agency to pay money, for example by signing a contract or awarding a grant. Spending data such as USAspending.gov counts money when it is obligated, which can be before it is actually paid out.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113s2484.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/s>

Record fed-us-cong113-s2484 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113