H.R. 9299

119 HR 9299 IH: Advancing Next-Generation Genetic Learning for Effective Resource Strategy Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-06-11
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 9299  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   June 11, 2026   Ms. Scholten  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Natural Resources    A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program to award amounts to eligible entities to develop and carry out programs to incorporate eDNA monitoring techniques into and use eDNA monitoring techniques in carrying out sport fish surveys, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Advancing Next-Generation Genetic Learning for Effective Resource Strategy Act  .
2.
e DNA sport fish survey grant program
(a)
In general
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, shall establish a grant program to award amounts to eligible entities to develop and carry out programs to incorporate eDNA monitoring techniques into and use eDNA monitoring techniques in carrying out sport fish surveys, to be known as the  eDNA Sport Fish Survey grant program .
(b)
Applications
To be eligible for a grant under the grant program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(c)
State and tribal fish and wildlife
  agencies
In carrying out the grant program, the Secretary shall encourage each eligible entity that is awarded a grant under the grant program to collaborate and work in coordination with relevant State and Tribal fish and wildlife agencies.
(d)
Eligible uses
An eligible entity that is awarded a grant under the grant program shall use such grant to develop and carry out a program to incorporate eDNA monitoring techniques into and use eDNA monitoring techniques in carrying out sport fish surveys in order to—
(1)
increase the spatial scale of the sampling of sport fish surveys across broader geographic areas, including under surveyed or remote regions;
(2)
increase the frequency of sport fish surveys for improved accuracy of population count and species distribution for management;
(3)
enhance the accuracy of species identification and population estimates of sport fish;
(4)
improve the availability of data for sport fish populations to inform fisheries management and conservation practices;
(5)
detect invasive species; or
(6)
monitor species listed as endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1533 ).
(e)
Priority
In awarding grants under the grant program, the Secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible entities that demonstrate the intent of the eligible entity to collaborate with other eligible entities in using any awarded amounts.
(f)
Data collection
In carrying out the grant program, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, identify and collect data that informs objective metrics of the efficacy of each program carried out by each eligible entity that is awarded a grant under the grant program.
(g)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033.
(h)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
e DNA
The term  eDNA  means genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, that is collected from an environmental sample of water or sediment.
(2)
Eligible entity
The term  eligible entity  means—
(A)
a State, local, or Tribal government;
(B)
an institution of higher education; and
(C)
a nonprofit organization.
(3)
Grant program
The term  grant program  means the eDNA Sport Fish Survey grant program established under subsection (a).
(4)
Institution of higher education
The term  institution of higher education  has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ).
(5)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey.