119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 8876
The Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026 strengthens federal efforts to prevent, manage, and eliminate invasive aquatic species by updating laws from 1990 and establishing new grant programs. The bill creates competitive grants for rapid response activities to combat invasive species, funds research into environmentally sound control technologies, and supports state management programs and ballast water management systems on ships. It restructures the federal task force to include regional representatives and nongovernmental organizations, requires updated management plans within two years, and mandates planning for watercraft inspection stations and monitoring systems. The legislation authorizes $5 million annually through 2031 for rapid response grants, plus additional funding of $20 million per year for state programs, $10 million per year for technology development, and $10-3 million per year for the general invasive species program. These efforts affect states, tribes, universities, nonprofits, and federal agencies working to protect native ecosystems and water resources from invasive species.