H.R. 1195House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Local Fishing Access Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:59 PM UTC

The Local Fishing Access Act would let the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, working with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, create rules that allow Atlantic striped bass fishing in a specific offshore area of the Exclusive Economic Zone between Montauk, New York, and Point Judith, Rhode Island. The bill mainly affects anglers and fishing businesses that want to fish for striped bass in that zone, while making sure existing NOAA permits remain unchanged.

Key Provisions

Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, to issue regulations permitting and managing striped bass fishing in the defined Block Island Sound transit zone.
Defines the Block Island Sound transit zone as the EEZ area north of a line from Montauk Light to Block Island Southeast Light and west of a line from Point Judith Light to Block Island Southeast Light.
Includes a savings clause that protects any existing NOAA permits for fishing in the zone and any activities authorized under those permits.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

March 7, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 16, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

February 16, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

March 7, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 16, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1195

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 16, 2017

Mr. Zeldin introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to permit striped bass fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone transit zone between Montauk, New York, and Point Judith, Rhode Island, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Local Fishing Access Act.

Fishing in Block Island Sound Transit Zone

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, may issue regulations to permit and regulate Atlantic striped bass fishing in the Block Island Sound Transit Zone.

(b)

Block Island Sound Transit Zone defined

In this section the term Block Island Sound transit zone means the area of the exclusive economic zone north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, New York, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, Rhode Island; and west of a line connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, Rhode Island, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, Rhode Island.

(c)

Savings clause

Nothing in this section or the regulations issued under this section shall affect—

(1)

any permit that—

(A)

is issued under any other provision of law by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including a permit issued before the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(B)

authorizes fishing in the Block Island Sound Transit Zone; or

(2)

any activity authorized by such a permit.