Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act of 2025
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Rhode Island Fishermen's Fairness Act changes representation on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It inserts Rhode Island into the list of represented states, increases the total membership count from 21 to 23, and increases the appointed voting membership count from 13 to 14. The practical effect is to give Rhode Island a formal place in council governance over Mid-Atlantic fishery management decisions that can affect commercial fishing, recreational fishing, quota debates, conservation measures, and coastal economies.
Who Benefits and How
Rhode Island commercial fishermen benefit because their state would receive direct representation on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Rhode Island recreational fishing interests benefit from a formal voice in council decisions affecting regional fishery rules. Rhode Island coastal communities benefit if council representation improves attention to local fishing economies. Rhode Island fisheries officials benefit from statutory recognition within the council structure.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council administrators must update membership structure and voting-seat logistics. Existing council members must share agenda and voting influence with added Rhode Island representation. NOAA fisheries staff must implement conforming council appointment and roster changes. Other Mid-Atlantic fishing stakeholders may face changed coalition dynamics in fishery management decisions.
Key Provisions
- Adds Rhode Island to the states represented on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
- Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Act council membership provision.
- Increases total council membership from 21 to 23.
- Increases appointed voting membership from 13 to 14.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Adds Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and increases the council's total and appointed voting membership counts to reflect the added state seat.
Key Policy Areas
Fisheries, Ocean Policy, State Government
Primary Purpose
Adds Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and increases the council's total and appointed voting membership counts to reflect the added state seat.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- Rhode Island commercial fishermen
- Rhode Island recreational fishing interests
- Rhode Island coastal communities
- Rhode Island fisheries officials
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Identified Costs
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation- Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council administrators
- Existing council members
- NOAA fisheries staff
- Other Mid-Atlantic fishing stakeholders
Contextual inference, no direct clause citation
Sponsors
Seth Magaziner
D-RI | Primary Sponsor
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMr. Magaziner (for himself and Mr. Amo) introduced the following …
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology