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119-s-513119th Congress

Help Our Kelp Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a NOAA grant program to conserve and restore kelp forest ecosystems. This bill would fund restoration, monitoring, and management projects focused on ecological and socioeconomic resilience and authorize funding for FY2026–2030.

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  • Fishing communities: Grants can support actions like targeted urchin removal and sunflower sea star recovery, plus monitoring and seeding to help kelp-dependent fisheries recover.
  • Indian Tribes: At least $750,000 per year is reserved for Tribal awards and Tribal projects on trust lands can get matching waivers to reduce local costs.
  • Researchers, nonprofits, and state or local agencies: Eligible to apply for projects that use best available science and community engagement. Federal funding may cover up to 85 percent of project costs with noncash matches allowed.

*Would authorize $5.0 million per year for FY2026–2030, totaling $25.0 million, increasing federal spending over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New grants to restore kelp forests

If enacted, this bill would require NOAA to create a grant program for kelp forest conservation and restoration. NOAA would must start the program within 180 days. The bill would authorize $5,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. At least $750,000 each year would be available for Indian Tribes, but that money could be used by other eligible groups if no Tribe gets a grant in a year and NOAA must do outreach to Tribes. Grants would go to fishery businesses, colleges, nonprofits, Tribes, state agencies, and local governments for projects like seeding, urchin removal, monitoring, and integrating Indigenous knowledge. Federal funding would usually cover up to 85% of project costs, with in-kind matches allowed and limited waiver authority for tribal projects. NOAA would issue rules and ranking criteria based on best practices and science.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/25/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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