Florida Senator Rick Scott was joined by fellow Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Alaska’s Senators Lisa Murkowski (R), and Dan Sullivan (R), to introduce the “Fishery Improvement to Streamline Untimely Regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act” (FISHES Act).

If passed, the FISHES Act is expected to streamline the distribution of federal disaster relief following official fishery disaster declarations.

“When disaster strikes, families and small businesses can’t be left wondering whether the federal government is going to show up,” Scott said. “Floridians know that better than anyone. The federal government must step up and get folks the help they need as fast as possible as they work to get back on their feet. As we head into hurricane season, now is the time to prepare and I ask Congress to pass this legislation as soon as possible to ensure our fishing industry in Florida and across the country have a reliable partner in Washington.”

According to Scott, the FISHES Act improves the federal regulatory processes associated with fishery disaster relief funding within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); an cuts red tape by enacting a 30-day decision requirement for OMB to deny/approve the State’s spending plan, which will ultimately expedite the federal fishery disaster relief funding process overall.

Joining the senators and Representative Donalds are Representatives Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), as co-lead, and bipartisan cosponsors, including Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), James Moylan (R-Guam), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-America Samoa), Clay Higgins (R-La.) and Brian Mast (R-Fla.).

“Arbitrary bureaucratic delays to Congressionally-appropriated fishery disasters prevent businesses from getting back on their feet,” Rubio said. “This bill will cut red tape so that these Florida businesses can receive disaster relief in a reasonable and prompt manner after a federal disaster, like a hurricane.”

Florida Congressman Byron Donalds introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Following Hurricane Ian, Southwest Florida’s seafood industry incurred catastrophic devastation and its impact still persists,” Donalds said. “Waterways are the lifeblood of our economy and our community. It has always been my commitment to advocate for the vitality of water—which ultimately benefits countless families, businesses, and the overall development of Florida’s 19th Congressional District.”