H.R. 9436 · House bill · 119th Congress

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

Sponsored by Rep. Michael Lawler, New York with 1 co-sponsor

Introduced Jun 24, 2026

Referred to the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Latest action Sep 14, 2026

SponsorRep. Michael Lawler, New York· 1 cosponsorRep. Jared Golden, Maine

What the bill does

This bill extends the deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations that protect the endangered Atlantic large whale from certain lobster and crab fishing gear. Under current law, the new regulations must include requirements for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries to utilize existing and innovative fishing gear technologies as appropriate to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled in their gear.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Aug 28, 2026.

Read the bill

About 100 words

Contents

Sec. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026”.

Sec. 2. Extension of effectiveness of certain regulations concerning North Atlantic right whale

Section 101 of division JJ of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (16 U.S.C. 1387 note) is amended by striking “2028” each place it appears and inserting “2035”.

Official text, Referred in Senate (Sep 14, 2026), from the Government Publishing Office via Congress.gov. Printed version (PDF) · All versions on Congress.gov

What the bill does

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Aug 28, 2026.