A bill to authorize appropriations to carry out the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act for fiscal years 1989 through 1991, and for other purposes.
Public Law 100-589 · H.R. 4124 · 100th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Nov 3, 1988 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA-10)
Cosponsors (4): Rep. Robert Davis, Rep. Don Young,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Authorizes appropriations for the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act for FY 1989 through 1991. Makes such Act effective until the end of FY 1991. Extends the funding of striped bass studies under the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act through FY 1991.
Authorizes the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to make specified determinations at any other time it deems necessary (in addition to its required annual determinations in December of each fiscal year).
Requires the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for Fisheries, to: (1) undertake a study of the striped bass fishery resources and habitats of the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River basin area; (2) develop short-term and long-term recommendations for Federal and State government agencies for restoring and conserving such resources and habitats; and (3) submit such study results and recommendations to the Congress and the States of North Carolina and Virginia, within 36 months after enactment of this Act. Provides for study contents, participation by specified State and Federal agencies, and consultation with various entities. Authorizes appropriations for such study. Prohibits funds appropriated under specified provisions of the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act from being used for the study.
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations governing the fishing for Atlantic striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which are consistent with the national standards set forth in provisions of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) and necessary and appropriate to: (1) ensure the effectiveness of State regulations or a Federal moratorium on fishing for such fish within the coastal waters of a coastal State; and (2) achieve conservation and management goals for the Atlantic striped bass resource.
Allows the appropriate Regional Fishery Mangement Councils to prepare a fishery management plan on Atlantic striped bass. Declares that if a plan is approved and implemented by the Secretary, it shall supersede any regulations promulgated by a State under this Act.
Makes provisions of the Magnuson Act regarding prohibited acts, civil penalties, criminal offenses, civil forfeitures, and enforcement apply to regulations and plans issued under provisions of this Act relating to regulation of striped bass fishing in the EEZ.
Terminates the provisions of this Act relating to regulation of such fishing in the EEZ on September 30, 1991.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 19 actions.
- Nov 3, 1988Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 100-589.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 27, 1988PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 19, 1988Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Voice Vote.
- Oct 14, 1988FloorFloor · Passed Senate in lieu of S. 2384 with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Aug 2, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
- Jul 26, 1988FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Jul 12, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- May 25, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- May 18, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- May 5, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Mar 14, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- Mar 9, 1988CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.