Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act of 2025

# Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill aims to protect and support America's fishing communities and coastal economies. It would establish oversight and funding mechanisms to monitor marine resources and ensure that waterfront industries—particularly commercial fishing—remain economically viable. The legislation focuses on environmental assessment and research to balance resource management with the needs of fishing communities and coastal workers. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects commercial fishermen, fishing industry workers, coastal communities, and state and local governments that depend on marine resources.

Environmental agencies and federal fisheries management bodies would also be involved in implementing the bill's requirements. **Key Provisions:** While specific details require reviewing the full text, the bill appears to include: establishing advisory bodies to coordinate between fishing communities and regulators, requiring environmental monitoring and research on marine resources, directing funding to support coastal economies, and providing congressional oversight of federal waterfront policies. The focus seems to be ensuring that conservation efforts don't unnecessarily harm working waterfronts. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House. It was sponsored by Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a representative from a state heavily dependent on fishing industries.