Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Dan Sullivan
Passed Senate
Summary
Creates a unified national framework to prevent, monitor, and respond to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. It centers a federal Task Force, regular scientific assessments, and a required Action Strategy that covers both marine and freshwater systems.
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- Families, fishers, and subsistence communities gain expanded monitoring and toxin testing for recreational and subsistence harvesters, with specific attention to rural and remote areas. The Action Strategy must examine food safety, cultural uses, and economic harms.
- Indian Tribes, States, and local governments must be consulted by the Task Force and can receive contracts, grants, or reimbursements for assessing and responding to events. The law lets federal officials waive non‑Federal cost shares when recipients cannot meet them.
- NOAA and EPA get clear operational roles to build observing, forecasting, and data systems tied into the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Water Quality Portal. The bill creates a national incubator for scalable HAB solutions and requires improved monitoring such as an annual Gulf of Mexico hypoxia mapping cruise.
*Authorizes about $27.5 million per year to NOAA and EPA plus $2.0 million per year for the NIDIS subsection for fiscal years 2026–2030, increasing federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Five-year national plan for blooms
A federal Task Force would deliver a public Action Strategy at least every five years. Each strategy would include scientific assessments for marine and freshwater blooms and regional chapters. It would set research needs and ways to reduce duplication across agencies. The Department of Energy would join the Task Force. The bill would also update key definitions, including harmful algal bloom and subsistence use.
More federal help for major blooms
Federal officials would be able to pay or reimburse states, tribes, local governments, and others to assess major bloom or hypoxia events. Tribal leaders, the District of Columbia, and territorial executives could request help. If a recipient cannot meet the local match, the official could waive the non‑federal cost share.
Stronger algae bloom tracking and forecasts
NOAA would build a national network to track harmful algal blooms. It would link federal, state, and local systems and share data through national ocean observing tools and the Water Quality Portal. Data would follow NOAA standards and use near real‑time observations where possible, including models of storm impacts. EPA would run similar programs for lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Better forecasts would support public warnings and seafood and subsistence safety.
Grants to test new bloom fixes
A national incubator would fund and test new ways to prevent or control harmful algal blooms. It would offer merit‑based grants and early reviews of new ideas. The program would keep a database on permits, costs, and how well methods work. It would favor projects that help low‑income, tribal, and rural communities and protect habitats.
Multi-year funding and flexible transfers
For 2026–2030, the bill would authorize $19.5 million each year for NOAA and $8 million each year for EPA to carry out this title. It would also authorize $2 million each year for major‑event support that stays available until used. Agencies could transfer funds to other federal departments if an appropriations law allows it and the other agency agrees. These are authorizations only and would still need annual appropriations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Cosponsors
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Sheldon Whitehouse
RI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Lisa Murkowski
AK • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Christopher Coons
DE • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Bill Cassidy
LA • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Roger Wicker
MS • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Bernie Moreno
OH • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Adam Schiff
CA • D
Sponsored 5/12/2025
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 5/12/2025
John Kennedy
LA • R
Sponsored 7/8/2025
Tammy Baldwin
WI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Susan Collins
ME • R
Sponsored 1/14/2025
John Cornyn
TX • R
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Jeff Merkley
OR • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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