Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-s-93119th CongressWALLET
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Passed Senate
Summary
Creates a coordinated national program to monitor, forecast, and respond to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia across marine, estuarine, freshwater, and subsistence settings. It reorganizes the federal HAB and hypoxia work, sets a standing interagency Task Force, and requires science-based Action Strategies with regional chapters.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New incubator for bloom control tech
If enacted, the bill would set up a national incubator for new ways to prevent and control blooms. NOAA, with EPA and universities, would award merit‑based grants using existing grant funds. The program would keep a public database on permitting, costs, feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability. It would favor strategies that protect habitats and public health and that help low‑income, Tribal, and rural communities.
EPA expands freshwater bloom tracking
If enacted, the bill would require EPA to study freshwater blooms and their health impacts and to run operational tracking in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. EPA would provide observations, models, data management, and forecasts to guide response and prevention. EPA would coordinate with NOAA on the Great Lakes and estuaries, use cost‑effective methods, and work with federal, state, and local research partners. Activities would focus on new approaches and avoid duplicating existing programs.
Five-year funding for algal bloom work
If enacted, the government would fund NOAA $19.5 million and EPA $8 million each year for 2026–2030. It would also add $2 million each year for assessments under NIDIS subsection 9(g), available until spent. NOAA or EPA would be able to transfer funds to other federal agencies only if Congress allows it in advance and the receiving agency agrees. Transfers would only be for work under this title or the amended NIDIS subsection.
National network for better bloom warnings
If enacted, the bill would create a national network to monitor and forecast harmful algal blooms and low‑oxygen waters. NOAA would run real‑time observing, data sharing, and forecasts, and submit an Action Strategy at least every five years. The program would expand toxin testing access, including for subsistence and rural harvesters, and provide near‑real‑time data to States, Tribes, and local partners. Data would follow national standards and be shared through the ocean observing system and the Water Quality Portal. Definitions would be updated to include marine and freshwater blooms, macroalgae like Sargassum, and Tribal, Native Hawaiian, and subsistence terms.
Fairer, faster bloom event assessments
If enacted, the bill would let federal officials reimburse States, Tribes, local governments, and others for the costs of assessing nationally significant bloom or hypoxia events. Officials would be able to waive non‑federal matching requirements when recipients have no reasonable way to meet them. Tribal, District of Columbia, and territorial leaders would be included in decisions. Assessments would have to consider sampling data, toxin levels, aerosol exposure, illness reports, closures, event length and area, and habitat impacts.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
MS • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/12/2025
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 5/12/2025
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 7/8/2025
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 1/14/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov