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119-hr-347119th Congress

Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a dedicated sea turtle rescue grant program and a separate emergency rescue fund.

Show full summary

The bill would model grant rules on the marine mammal framework but award funding specifically for sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and rapid response. It requires consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and sea turtle-specific permits and reporting.

  • Rescue organizations and rehabilitation centers could apply for grants to support strandings and rehab, but they must hold Endangered Species Act permits or a cooperative section 6 agreement and meet captive care and reporting requirements.
  • The Secretary of Commerce would administer sea turtle awards in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Two Treasury funds are created, including a named sea turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund for emergency assistance.
  • The sea turtle grant authority is temporary and ends seven years after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Emergency funds for turtle and marine rescues

If enacted, the bill would set up two Treasury funds that earn interest. They would be named the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund and the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund. The Secretary could use money from these funds only for emergency assistance. These funds would begin upon enactment.

Grants for sea turtle rescue groups

If enacted, this would create a grant program just for sea turtle rescue and rehab. The Commerce Department, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would set separate grant rules for turtles. Awards would have to consider care for stranded sea turtles. Applicants would need an ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) permit or a section 6 cooperative agreement. They would need to meet captive-care standards and report data to the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. Grants would depend on future, turtle-specific appropriations. The authority would end seven years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 2/27/2025

  • Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 2/27/2025

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 3/5/2025

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2025

  • Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2025

  • Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 5/8/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2025

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

  • Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 1/21/2026

  • Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/21/2026

  • Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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