Golden Mussel Eradication Act

Summary#

This bill adds a new Golden Mussel Demonstration Program to the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. The Task Force, working with State and local entities, port authorities, industry partners, colleges, and nonprofits, must develop a program for prevention, monitoring, control, eradication, education, and research about the golden mussel.

Key parts of the program include research on the mussel's biology and environmental tolerances; study of effects on fisheries, water quality, and other ecosystem parts; testing control technologies; tracking dispersal and creating an early warning system; and developing control and eradication methods (including actions around derelict vessels, public infrastructure, fish screens, waterways, and hull inspections). The Task Force must also provide technical assistance and collect and share information and guidance.

The program will be implemented in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and any other waters the Task Force determines are infested or likely to become infested. The Task Force must develop control and eradication guidelines within one year, and those guidelines may include setting up watercraft inspection stations. The bill also creates a competitive grant program for States, local entities, colleges, nonprofits, and industry to develop and test removal technologies and to study the mussel's biology and containment. The Task Force may allow technology transfer or sales of technologies developed under the grants. The program includes coordination with Federal agencies, ports of entry, and local agencies, and the Task Force may delegate implementation to qualified entities.

The bill authorizes $15,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the subsection. "Institution of higher education" is defined by reference to the Higher Education Act.

Sponsor and status: Introduced May 20, 2026 by Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

What it means for you#

• If you are a State or local agency, port authority, nonprofit, college, or industry partner, the bill creates opportunities for technical assistance and competitive grants to help detect, study, and remove golden mussels.
• If you operate boats or water infrastructure in affected areas, the Task Force will develop guidelines that may include watercraft inspection stations and hull inspection practices.
• If you are a researcher, the program funds studies on mussel biology, environmental limits, and control technologies.
• For residents in affected waters (for example, the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta), the bill directs coordinated monitoring and guidance but does not specify immediate actions beyond planning and grant funding.

Expenses#

The bill authorizes $15,000,000 to be appropriated to the Task Force for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 (a total authorization of $75,000,000 across those five years). No publicly available information on actual appropriations, broader budget impacts, or costs outside this authorization.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.