SWIMS Act of 2026 has not moved since its introduction on Oct 9, 2026, with cosponsors, all Democrats
Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 143 words.
Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings Act of 2026 or the SWIMS Act of 2026 This bill establishes prohibitions on capturing, importing, exporting, or breeding of orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, or pilot whales for the purpose of public display. Specifically, the bill prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from issuing any permit under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 that authorizes the taking (e.g., capturing) or importation of such orcas or whales for the purpose of public display. The bill further revises the act to make it unlawful to export such orcas or whales, unless they are being transported to marine mammal sanctuaries or for release into the wild. Further, the bill makes it unlawful under the Animal Welfare Act for any person to breed or artificially inseminate such marine mammals for purposes of using their progeny for public display.
- Committees
- House Agriculture Committee
House Natural Resources Committee - Policy area
- Animals: 6 of 413 bills became law, 113th–118th (1.5%)
- Sponsor
- 2 of 127 bills enacted since 2013
- Text versions
- 1: introduced in house · 540 words
- Latest action
- Oct 9, 2026: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Records
- Congress.gov · Bill text
Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 4 in all.
Related, per CRS or House · 4
- 118th H.R. 7145 SWIMS Act of 2024 D · Introduced
- 118th S. 3694 SWIMS Act of 2024 D · Introduced
- 117th H.R. 8514 SWIMS Act of 2022 D · Introduced
- 117th S. 4740 SWIMS Act of 2022 D · Introduced