Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Lisa Murkowski
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create regional Ocean Innovation Clusters to grow coastal economies by funding technology R&D, workforce training, and cross‑sector partnerships. It sets rules for designation, governance, and performance metrics and establishes regional Ocean Innovation Centers for collaboration and training.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal Coordination and Agency Liaisons
This bill would require the Commerce Secretary to coordinate with many federal agencies on the Blue Economy. The Department of Energy could give advice without a formal request. Sea Grant, NOAA Oceans and Atmosphere, and Economic Development must each name a partnership manager to serve as a liaison to every Ocean Innovation Cluster. Liaisons would help clusters communicate with agencies and align on regional goals.
Definitions for Blue Economy Programs
This bill would add clear definitions used across the Act. It would define "Blue Economy" and list example industries like fishing, shipbuilding, offshore energy, aquaculture, tourism, and coastal resilience. It would also define terms like Director of Sea Grant, Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, Ocean Innovation Centers, and Ocean Innovation Clusters. These definitions would guide who can join clusters and get program support if the bill is enacted.
New Ocean Innovation Cluster Designations
This bill would require the Commerce Secretary to pick at least seven Ocean Innovation Clusters within one year. Each cluster would be led by a nonprofit and serve a specific coastal or Great Lakes region. Clusters must include businesses, colleges, nonprofits, government partners, Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations. The Secretary would prioritize equity, partnership capacity, and job and resilience potential. At least one cluster must be in every NOAA Fisheries region, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Competitive Grants for Ocean Clusters
If enacted, the Commerce Secretary could award competitive grants to Ocean Innovation Clusters for operations and administration. Grants would run two years and may be renewed. Each grant could not exceed $10,000,000. The bill would authorize $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Sea Grant, NOAA, and the Economic Development Administration would have input on awards.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lisa Murkowski
AK • R
Cosponsors
Maria Cantwell
WA • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Patty Murray
WA • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sheldon Whitehouse
RI • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Jeff Merkley
OR • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 5/1/2025
Susan Collins
ME • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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