H.R. 3831 Updates & Timeline

Current Status

H.R. 3831 Has Passed the House. The Fight Moves to the Senate.

H.R. 3831, the Florida Safe Seas Act, has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now advances to the United States Senate.

While the bill is often presented as a public safety measure, it would prohibit the use of food or any other substance to attract sharks in Florida’s federal waters for virtually any purpose other than harvesting them.

If enacted, the bill could effectively end Florida’s shark diving industry and impact research, education, conservation, and tourism activities that rely on predictable shark encounters.

Why This Matters

Florida is one of the world’s premier shark diving destinations, attracting visitors from across the United States and around the globe.

If passed, H.R. 3831 will impact:

Educational programs that increase understanding and protection of sharks
Shark diving charter operators
Tourism-dependent small businesses
Hotels, restaurants, and local economies
Underwater photographers and filmmakers
Marine researchers
Conservation organizations

The Congressional Budget Office acknowledged that the prohibition would result in lost tourism revenue and economic impacts to private-sector businesses.

What Happens Next?

The Senate will now determine whether H.R. 3831:

Advances through committee
Receives amendments
Moves to a Senate vote
Stalls without further action

Many House-passed bills never become law.

The legislative process is far from over, and public engagement remains critical.

Timeline

June 2026

H.R. 3831 Passes the U.S. House of Representatives

The House approved H.R. 3831 and transmitted the bill to the Senate for consideration.

Status: Passed House → Awaiting Senate Action

May 2026

Congressional Budget Office Releases Cost Estimate

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) determined that the bill would create economic impacts for private-sector businesses by prohibiting shark-feeding activities that support tourism operations.

The CBO specifically acknowledged that tourism-related revenue losses would occur if the prohibition became law.

Status: Economic impacts formally recognized by Congress.

April–May 2026

Industry, Researchers, and Conservation Organizations Raise Concerns

As the bill advanced through Congress, concerns were raised regarding:

Shark conservation impacts
Research access
Public education opportunities
Tourism losses
Effects on small businesses

Stakeholders began organizing outreach efforts and public awareness campaigns.

June 2025

H.R. 3831 Introduced

Representative Daniel Webster introduced the Florida Safe Seas Act.

The legislation proposed prohibiting the introduction of food or other substances into the water to attract sharks within Florida’s federal waters except for harvesting purposes.

Status: Bill introduced and referred to committee.

How You Can Help

Sign the Petition & Contact Your Senators

Tell Senate offices why shark conservation, research, education, and responsible tourism matter.

Take the Florida Shark Diving Impact & Conservation Survey

Help document the economic, educational, and conservation value of shark diving.

Share Your Story

Personal experiences can help policymakers understand the real-world impact of this legislation.

Spread Awareness

Share information, educational resources, and updates across social media platforms.

Senate Status Tracker

Current Status: Passed House ✓

Current Stage: Senate Consideration

Next Possible Milestones:

⬜ Senate Committee Review

⬜ Senate Hearings

⬜ Senate Vote

⬜ House/Senate Reconciliation (if amended)

⬜ Presidential Signature

⬜ Becomes Law