Cormorant Relief Act of 2025

Sponsored byRep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]MS· Introduced 24 March 2025

Open on Congress.gov

Cosponsors

Actions

Amendments

Committees

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Since introduced

Introduced

Committee

Passed Chamber

Passed Both

Enacted

Step 1 of 0

Latest action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

10 December 2025·7 months ago

Summary

Reported to House · Updated 10 December 2025

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.

Timeline

18 actions

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
10 December 2025 · IntroReferral
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)
9 December 2025 · Floor
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5076-5077)
9 December 2025 · Floor
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9 December 2025 · Floor
Mr. Hurd (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
9 December 2025 · Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5076-5077)
9 December 2025 · Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2293.
9 December 2025 · Floor
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 241.
15 September 2025 · Calendars
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-285.
15 September 2025 · Committee
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-285.
15 September 2025 · Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
15 July 2025 · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
15 July 2025 · Committee
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
15 July 2025 · Committee
Subcommittee Hearings Held
8 April 2025 · Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
1 April 2025 · Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
24 March 2025 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
24 March 2025 · IntroReferral
Introduced in House
24 March 2025 · IntroReferral

Sponsorship

3 cosponsors

Sponsor

Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]MS

Cosponsors

Democrat133%
Republican267%

Republican:Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]MS
Democrat:Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]MS
Republican:Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1]MS

Classification

Policy area

Animals

Legislative subjects

AlabamaAquacultureArkansasBirdsCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaIowa

Committees

Natural Resources Committee
House · Standing
- Referred To24 Mar 2025
- Discharged from15 Jul 2025
- Markup By15 Jul 2025
- Reported By15 Sept 2025
- Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee
  - Referred to1 Apr 2025
  - Hearings By (subcommittee)8 Apr 2025
Environment and Public Works Committee
Senate · Standing
- Referred To10 Dec 2025

Reports

H. Rept. 119-285

Track Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 as it moves through Congress