Whale CHARTS Act of 2026

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Introduced 2026-02-03Topic: environment · transportation · technology privacy

Summary

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This bill expands an existing federal whale monitoring program run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration into a broader mapping, surveying, monitoring, and mitigation program for migratory whales and other large whales. It requires the agency to produce detailed and predictive maps of where migratory whales live and travel in U.S. waters, and to make those maps available in formats that can be used in vessel navigation systems and online. It requires surveys of understudied whale populations and creates a competitive grant program, run by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, for technologies and activities that reduce harmful contact between ocean users and whales. It authorizes funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and requires reports to Congress every 3 years.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Action history

Date	Chamber	Action	Status effect
2026-07-21	House	Subcommittee Hearings Held	refer
2026-07-14	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.	refer
2026-02-04	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.	refer
2026-02-03	House	Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.	refer
2026-02-03	House	Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.	refer
2026-02-03		Introduced in House	introduce
2026-02-03		Introduced in House	introduce

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Action history