(d) FORMULA GRANT PROGRAM.—The Commission 
shall determine the amount that each State member entity 
shall receive annually under the formula grant program. 
(e) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity that receives a grant 
under this section shall use the grant funds— 
(1) in the case of— 
(A) a competitive grant, in accordance with 
the goals and objectives of the Joint Strategic 
Plan described in section 6(b)(1) and each of 
the 
interjurisdictional 
fishery 
management 
plans of the 6 Mississippi River sub-basins de-
scribed in section 6(a)(2); and 
(B) a formula grant, to carry out eligible 
interjurisdictional fishery projects carried out in 
accordance with the recommendation of the 
Commission or the Joint Strategic Plan de-
scribed in section 6(b)(1); and 
(2) only for projects, research, personnel, work, 
and programs located wholly or partially in a Mis-
sissippi River Basin State. 
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—An entity awarded a 
grant under this section may use not more than 5 percent 
of the grant funds for administrative costs relating to the 
grant. 
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(g) REPORT REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the disbursement of grant funding under this sec-
tion, the Chair of the Commission shall submit to Con-
gress a report on— 
(1) the entities awarded grants under this sec-
tion; 
(2) the amount each such grant; 
(3) how such entities used the grant awards; 
and 
(4) how such grant awards enhanced the man-
agement and sustainability of the interjurisdictional 
fisheries of the Mississippi River Basin. 
SEC. 8. NONBINDING AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The authority of the Commission 
shall be nonbinding. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 
shall be construed— 
(1) to limit the powers of any member entity 
that is a State to repeal or enact State laws; or 
(2) to limit the enforcement of any requirement 
by any member entity that is a State imposing addi-
tional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fish-
eries within the borders of the State. 
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SEC. 9. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COMMISSION. 
A member entity that intends to withdraw from the 
Commission shall submit a notice of intent to withdraw 
in writing not later than 6 months before the date of the 
withdrawal to— 
(1) the Commission; and 
(2) each of the other member entities of the 
Commission. 
SEC. 10. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
Not later than September 1 of each year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall sub-
mit a report to Congress which shall set forth the activities 
of the Commission during the previous year. 
SEC. 11. APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated— 
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out 
the initial administrative steps necessary to set up 
operations, house, and administer the Commission; 
(2) to carry out sections 6 and 7— 
(A) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 through 2029, to remain available until 
expended; and 
(B) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2030 through 2032, to remain available until 
expended; and 
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(3) $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
through 2032 to the Secretary of the Interior for 
housing the Commission, to remain available until 
expended. 
Æ 
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