# 119-s-190: North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

119-s-190, North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK); status in_committee (as of 2026-09-24).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-190
- As of: 2026-09-24
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-190
- Congress: 119
- Title: North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-01-22
- Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-AK)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-24

## Summary

**Would strengthen governance and funding flexibility for the North Pacific Research Board (NPRB).** It would speed funding, add Alaska Native representation, and create an adjustable cap on administrative expenses. - Adds a new Board seat for an Alaska Native with personal knowledge of subsistence uses, to be nominated by the NPRB and appointed by the Secretary. Members appointed under the specified seats would serve 3-year terms and may be reappointed once. - Requires funds under subsection (c)(2) to be made available not later than 14 days after the start of each fiscal year to anchor timely support for NPRB operations and research. - Sets administrative expenses at "not more than 15 percent" but authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase that cap in years when funding is lower than the previous fiscal year, with priority to continue NPRB operations, maximize funds for research, and maintain grant quality. It would also create a five-year waiver that suspends the 15 percent cap beginning at enactment to allow short-term flexibility.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (R-AK), 2025-01-22T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Faster release of North Pacific funds: benefit, low. If enacted, funds made available under subsection (c)(2) for the North Pacific Research Board would have to be available no later than 14 days after each fiscal year starts. This would aim to reduce delays in Board operations and grant decisions.
- New Alaska Native board seat: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would add one North Pacific Research Board member who must be an Alaska Native with personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses. That member would be nominated by the Board and appointed by the Secretary. The named seats covered by the change would have th…
- Temporary lift of North Pacific admin cap: benefit, low. If enacted, NOAA could suspend or raise the 15% limit on administrative spending that supports the North Pacific Research Board and its grants. The suspension would start on the date of enactment and last five years. For any year when subsection (c)(2) funding falls from the prior year, NOAA could…

## Related bills

- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025
- 119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act

## Sources
- [119-s-190 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/190)

## Related
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-306)
- [119-s-688: Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-688)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-190 (as of 2026-09-24).