All Roll Calls
Yes: 412 • No: 7
117-s-66117th Congress
South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2021
Sponsored By: Senator Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Became Law
Summary
Creates a federal framework to assess, monitor, and reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia across South Florida. It mandates a coordinated integrated assessment and a timed action plan that set monitoring, modeling, and early warning priorities.
Show full summary
- Coastal families and communities gain a planned remote monitoring network and an early warning system to alert residents to HAB risks that may affect human health.
- Researchers and federal and state agencies must complete an interim integrated assessment within 540 days and a final assessment within 3 years to map causes, data gaps, and priorities for research, monitoring, and models. The law also reformats federal Title VI to establish a National HAB and Hypoxia Program and a comprehensive research and action strategy.
- State, local, and tribal governments plus regional stakeholders will be consulted as the action plan is built. The plan, due within 3 years and 180 days, must include timelines, budgets for new assets, model verification standards, and recommendations for cost effective partnerships and research priorities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Plan and alerts for South Florida waters
The law targets harmful algal blooms and low-oxygen waters in South Florida. It covers the South Florida Water Management District, Biscayne Bay, the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries, Florida Bay, the Indian River Lagoon, and the Florida Reef Tract. The Task Force must deliver an interim study within 540 days of enactment and a final study within 3 years. The studies examine causes, risks, and fixes, and map gaps in research and monitoring. Based on this, the Task Force must send an action plan within 3 years and 180 days. The plan includes a timeline and budget, stronger monitoring and models, and a remote network with early warnings for communities. The Task Force works with federal, state, local, tribal, academic, and industry partners, publishes a summary in the Federal Register at least 180 days before sending the plan to Congress, and reports progress every two years.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 1/27/2021
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 5/11/2022
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 412 • No: 7