119-HR-3831 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 3831 Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025
Bipartisan House bill to ban shark feeding in federal waters off Florida, expanding an existing federal prohibition; advanced out of committee on March 5, 2026, with backers citing safety and conservation and potential critics pointing to tourism and enforcement concerns.
Public Summary (119-HR-3831)
Headline Summary: A bipartisan bill would ban intentionally feeding sharks in federal waters off Florida, aiming to reduce risky shark–human interactions and support conservation.
What It Does: H.R. 3831 (the “Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025”) amends the Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to add Florida to the list of places where feeding sharks is prohibited in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (federal waters offshore). In plain terms, it would make it illegal to attract or feed sharks on purpose in federal waters off Florida, aligning those waters with an existing federal prohibition that already covers Hawaii.
- Who’s For It: The bill is led by Reps. Daniel Webster (R‑FL) and Darren Soto (D‑FL), indicating bipartisan support from Florida’s delegation.
- Who’s For It: The House Natural Resources Committee advanced the bill by unanimous consent on March 5, 2026, a sign of cross‑party agreement at the committee stage.
- Who’s Against It: No formal opposition was recorded during the March 5, 2026 committee action.
- Potential Concerns (not yet formally registered in the record provided): operators in shark‑tourism or baited dive/charter businesses could worry about economic impacts; some stakeholders may question definitions (what counts as “feeding”) and how enforcement would work in busy offshore areas.
What’s Next: After being ordered reported on March 5, 2026, the bill awaits a written committee report and potential scheduling for a vote by the full House. If it passes the House, it would move to the Senate for consideration.
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