S 93 — Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2004

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 [33 U.S.C. 4001a]

SEC. 102. RETENTION OF TASK FORCE.

 Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research 
and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 nt) is amended by 
striking subsection (e). [In developing the assessments, 
reports, and plans under the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Act of 1998, the Task Force shall consult 
with the coastal States, Indian tribes, local governments, 
appropriate industries (including fisheries, agriculture, and 
fertilizer), academic institutions, and nongovernmental 
organizations with expertise in coastal zone science and 
management.]

 * * * * * * *

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998

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 [33 U.S.C. 4001]

SEC. 603. [ASSESSMENTS] TASK FORCE, ASSESSMENTS, AND ACTION STRATEGY.

 (a) Establishment of Inter-Agency Task Force.--The President, 
through the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of 
the National Science and Technology Council, shall establish an 
Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. 
The Task Force shall consist of a representative from--
 (1) the Department of Commerce (who shall serve as 
 Chairman of the Task Force);
 (2) the Environmental Protection Agency;
 (3) the Department of Agriculture;
 (4) the Department of the Interior;
 (5) the Department of the Navy;
 (6) the Department of Health and Human Services;
 (7) the National Science Foundation;
 (8) the National Aeronautics and Space 
 Administration;
 (9) the Food and Drug Administration;
 (10) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
 (11) the Council on Environmental Quality;
 (12) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
 (13) the Department of Energy;
 [(13)](14) the Army Corps of Engineers; and
 [(14)](15) other Federal agencies as the President 
 considers appropriate.
 [(b) Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms.--
 [(1) Not later than 12 months after the date of the 
 enactment of this title, the Task Force, in cooperation 
 with the coastal States, Indian tribes, and local 
 governments, industry (including agricultural 
 organizations), academic institutions, and non-
 governmental organizations with expertise in coastal 
 zone management, shall complete and submit to the 
 Congress an assessment which examines the ecological 
 and economic consequences of harmful algal blooms, 
 alternatives for reducing, mitigating, and controlling 
 harmful algal blooms, and the social and economic costs 
 and benefits of such alternatives.
 [(2) The assessment shall--
 [(A) identify alternatives for preventing 
 unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal 
 agencies and departments with respect to 
 harmful algal blooms; and
 [(B) provide for Federal cooperation and 
 coordination with and assistance to the coastal 
 States, Indian tribes, and local governments in 
 the prevention, reduction, management, 
 mitigation, and control of harmful algal blooms 
 and their environmental and public health 
 impacts.
 [(c) Assessment of Hypoxia.--
 [(1) Not later than 12 months after the date of the 
 enactment of this title, the Task Force, in cooperation 
 with the States, Indian tribes, local governments, 
 industry, agricultural, academic institutions, and non-
 governmental organizations with expertise in watershed 
 and coastal zone management, shall complete and submit 
 to the Congress an assessment which examines the 
 ecological and economic consequences of hypoxia in 
 United States coastal waters, alternatives for 
 reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia, and the 
 social and economic costs and benefits of such 
 alternatives.
 [(2) The assessment shall--
 [(A) establish needs, priorities, and 
 guidelines for a peer-reviewed, inter-agency 
 research program on the causes, 
 characteristics, and impacts of hypoxia;
 [(B) identify alternatives for preventing 
 unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal 
 agencies and departments with respect to 
 hypoxia; and
 [(C) provide for Federal cooperation and 
 coordination with and assistance to the States, 
 Indian tribes, and local governments in the 
 prevention, reduction, management, mitigation, 
 and control of hypoxia and its environmental 
 impacts.
 [(d) Report to Congress on Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts.--
 [(1) Development.--Not later than 12 months after the 
 date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and 
 Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004, the President, in 
 consultation with the chief executive officers of the 
 States, shall develop and submit to the Congress a 
 report that describes and evaluates the effectiveness 
 of measures described in paragraph (2) that may be 
 utilized to protect environmental and public health 
 from impacts of harmful algal blooms. In developing the 
 report, the President shall consult with the Task 
 Force, the coastal States, Indian tribes, local 
 governments, appropriate industries (including 
 fisheries, agriculture, and fertilizer), academic 
 institutions, and nongovernmental organizations with 
 expertise in coastal zone science and management, and 
 also consider the scientific assessments developed 
 under this Act.
 [(2) Requirements.--The report shall--
 [(A) review techniques for prediction of the 
 onset, course, and impacts of harmful algal 
 blooms including evaluation of their accuracy 
 and utility in protecting environmental and 
 public health and provisions for their 
 development;
 [(B) identify innovative research and 
 development methods for the prevention, 
 control, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms 
 and provisions for their development; and
 [(C) include incentive-based partnership 
 approaches regarding subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
 where practicable.
 [(3) Publication and opportunity for comment.--At 
 least 90 days before submitting the report to the 
 Congress, the President shall cause a summary of the 
 proposed plan to be published in the Federal Register 
 for a public comment period of not less than 60 days.
 [(4) Federal assistance.--The Secretary of Commerce, 
 in coordination with the Task Force and to the extent 
 of funds available, shall provide for Federal 
 cooperation with and assistance to the coastal States, 
 Indian tribes, and local governments regarding the 
 measures described in paragraph (2), as requested.
 [(e) Local and Regional Scientific Assessments.--
 [(1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce, in 
 coordination with the Task Force and appropriate State, 
 Indian tribe, and local governments, to the extent of 
 funds available, shall provide for local and regional 
 scientific assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal 
 blooms, as requested by States, Indian tribes, and 
 local governments, or for affected areas as identified 
 by the Secretary. If the Secretary receives multiple 
 requests, the Secretary shall ensure, to the extent 
 practicable, that assessments under this subsection 
 cover geographically and ecologically diverse locations 
 with significant ecological and economic impacts from 
 hypoxia or harmful algal blooms. The Secretary shall 
 establish a procedure for reviewing requests for local 
 and regional assessments. The Secretary shall ensure, 
 through consultation with Sea Grant Programs, that the 
 findings of the assessments are communicated to the 
 appropriate State, Indian tribe, and local governments, 
 and to the general public.
 [(2) Purpose.--Local and regional assessments shall 
 examine--
 [(A) the causes and ecological consequences, 
 and the economic cost, of hypoxia or harmful 
 algal blooms in that area;
 [(B) potential methods to prevent, control, 
 and mitigate hypoxia or harmful algal blooms in 
 that area and the potential ecological and 
 economic costs and benefits of such methods; 
 and
 [(C) other topics the Task Force considers 
 appropriate.]
 [(f)](b) Scientific Assessments of Hypoxia.--(1) Not less 
than once every 5 years the Task Force shall complete and 
submit to the Congress a scientific assessment of hypoxia in 
United States [coastal waters including the Great Lakes] 
marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. The first such 
assessment shall be completed not less than 24 months after the 
date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Amendments Act of 2004.
 (2) The assessments under this subsection shall--
 [(A) examine the causes and ecological 
 consequences, and the economic costs, of 
 hypoxia;]
 (A) examine--
 (i) the causes and ecological 
 consequences of hypoxia on marine and 
 aquatic species in their environments; 
 and
 (ii) the costs of hypoxia, including 
 impacts on food safety and security;
 (B) examine the effect of other environmental 
 stressors on hypoxia;
 (C) evaluate alternatives for reducing, 
 mitigating, and controlling hypoxia and its 
 environmental impacts;
 [(B)](D) describe the potential ecological 
 and economic costs and benefits of possible 
 policy and management actions for preventing, 
 controlling, and mitigating hypoxia;
 [(C)](E) evaluate progress made by, and the 
 needs of, Federal research programs on the 
 causes, characteristics, and impacts of 
 hypoxia, including recommendations of how to 
 eliminate significant gaps in [hypoxia modeling 
 and monitoring data] hypoxia modeling, 
 forecasting, and monitoring and observation 
 data; and
 [(D)](F) identify ways to improve 
 coordination and to prevent unnecessary 
 duplication of effort among Federal agencies 
 and departments with respect to research on 
 hypoxia.
 [(g) Scientific Assessments of Marine and Freshwater Harmful 
Algal Blooms.--Not less than once every 5 years the Task Force 
shall complete and submit to Congress a scientific assessment 
of harmful algal blooms in United States coastal waters and 
freshwater systems. Each assessment shall examine both marine 
and freshwater harmful algal blooms, including those in the 
Great Lakes and upper reaches of estuaries, those in freshwater 
lakes and rivers, and those that originate in freshwater lakes 
or rivers and migrate to coastal waters.
 [(h) National Scientific Research, Development, 
Demonstration, and Technology Transfer Plan on Reducing Impacts 
From Harmful Algal Blooms.--(1) Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Amendments Act of 2004, the Task Force shall develop and submit 
to Congress a plan providing for a comprehensive and 
coordinated national research program to develop and 
demonstrate prevention, control, and mitigation methods to 
reduce the impacts of harmful algal blooms on coastal 
ecosystems (including the Great Lakes), public health, and the 
economy.
 [(2) The plan shall--
 [(A) establish priorities and guidelines for 
 a competitive, peer reviewed, merit based 
 interagency research, development, 
 demonstration, and technology transfer program 
 on methods for the prevention, control, and 
 mitigation of harmful algal blooms;
 [(B) identify ways to improve coordination 
 and to prevent unnecessary duplication of 
 effort among Federal agencies and departments 
 with respect to the actions described in 
 paragraph (1); and
 [(C) include to the maximum extent 
 practicable diverse institutions, including 
 Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
 and those serving large proportions of 
 Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Pacific 
 Americans, and other underrepresented 
 populations.
 [(3) The Secretary of Commerce, in conjunction with 
 other appropriate Federal agencies, shall establish a 
 research, development, demonstration, and technology 
 transfer program that meets the priorities and 
 guidelines established under paragraph (2)(A). The 
 Secretary shall ensure, through consultation with Sea 
 Grant Programs, that the results and findings of the 
 program are communicated to State, Indian tribe, and 
 local governments, and to the general public.
 [(i) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date the 
Action Strategy is submitted under section 603B, the Under 
Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that describes--
 [(1) the proceedings of the annual Task Force 
 meetings;
 [(2) the activities carried out under the Program, 
 including the regional and subregional parts of the 
 Action Strategy;
 [(3) the budget related to the activities under 
 paragraph (2);
 [(4) the progress made on implementing the Action 
 Strategy; and
 [(5) any need to revise or terminate research and 
 activities under the Program.]
 (c) Action Strategy and Scientific Assessment for Marine and 
Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms.--
 (1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every 
 5 years, the Task Force shall complete and submit to 
 Congress an action strategy for harmful algal blooms in 
 the United States.
 (2) Elements.--Each Action Strategy shall--
 (A) examine, and include a scientific 
 assessment of, marine and freshwater harmful 
 algal blooms, including such blooms--
 (i) in the Great Lakes;
 (ii) in the upper reaches of 
 estuaries;
 (iii) in freshwater lakes and rivers;
 (iv) in coastal and marine waters; 
 and
 (v) that originate in freshwater 
 lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal 
 waters;
 (B) examine the causes, ecological 
 consequences or physiological consequences on 
 wildlife function, and economic or cultural 
 impacts, including food safety and security and 
 subsistence use, of harmful algal blooms;
 (C) examine the effect of other environmental 
 stressors on harmful algal blooms;
 (D) examine potential methods to prevent, 
 control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and 
 the potential ecological, subsistence use, and 
 economic costs and benefits of such methods;
 (E) identify priorities for research needed 
 to advance techniques and technologies to 
 detect, predict, monitor, respond to, and 
 minimize the occurrence, duration, and severity 
 of harmful algal blooms, including 
 recommendations to eliminate significant gaps 
 in harmful algal bloom forecasting, monitoring, 
 and observation data;
 (F) evaluate progress made by, and the needs 
 of, activities and actions of the Task Force to 
 prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal 
 blooms;
 (G) identify ways to improve coordination and 
 prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among 
 Federal agencies with respect to research on 
 harmful algal blooms; and
 (H) include regional chapters relating to the 
 requirements described in this paragraph in 
 order to highlight geographically and 
 ecologically diverse locations with significant 
 ecological, subsistence use, cultural, and 
 economic impacts from harmful algal blooms.
 (d) Consultation.--In carrying out subsections (b) and (c), 
the Task Force shall consult with--
 (1) States, Indian tribes, and local governments; and
 (2) appropriate industries (including fisheries, 
 agriculture, and fertilizer), academic institutions, 
 and nongovernmental organizations with relevant 
 expertise.

 [33 U.S.C. 4002]

SEC. 603A. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA PROGRAM.

 (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 
Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Under Secretary, acting 
through the Task Force, shall maintain and enhance a national 
harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program, including--
 (1) a statement of objectives, including 
 understanding, detecting, [predicting,] monitoring, 
 observing, forecasting, controlling, mitigating, and 
 responding to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom 
 and hypoxia events; [and]
 [(2) the comprehensive research plan and action 
 strategy under section 603B.]
 (2) the scientific assessment submitted under section 
 603(b); and
 (3) the Action Strategy.
 (b) Periodic Revision.--The Task Force shall periodically 
review and revise the Program, as necessary.
 (c) Task Force Functions.--The Task Force shall--
 (1) coordinate interagency review of the objectives 
 and activities of the Program;
 (2) expedite the interagency review process by 
 ensuring timely review and dispersal of required 
 reports and assessments under this title;
 (3) support the implementation of the Action 
 Strategy, including the coordination and integration of 
 the research of all Federal programs, including [ocean 
 and Great Lakes science and management programs and 
 centers] programs and centers relating to the science 
 and management of marine, estuarine, and freshwater 
 systems, that address the chemical, biological, and 
 physical components of marine and freshwater harmful 
 algal blooms and hypoxia;
 (4) support the development of institutional 
 mechanisms and financial instruments to further the 
 objectives and activities of the Program;
 (5) review the Program's distribution of Federal 
 funding to address the objectives and activities of the 
 Program while recognizing each agency is acting under 
 its own independent mission and authority;
 (6) promote the development of new technologies for 
 predicting, monitoring, and mitigating harmful algal 
 bloom and hypoxia conditions; and
 (7) establish such interagency working groups as it 
 considers necessary.
 (d) Lead Federal Agency.--[Except as provided in subsection 
(h), the] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
shall have primary responsibility for administering the 
Program.
 (e) Program Duties.--In administering the Program, the Under 
Secretary shall--
 (1) promote the Program, including to local and 
 regional stakeholders through the establishment and 
 maintenance of a publicly accessible Internet website 
 that provides information as to Program activities 
 completed under this section;
 [(2) prepare work and spending plans for implementing 
 the research and activities identified under the Action 
 Strategy;]
 (2) examine the causes, ecological consequences, and 
 costs of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 (3) consult with entities that are most dependent on 
 coastal and water resources that may be impacted by 
 marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, 
 including--
 (A) State and local entities;
 (B) Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and 
 Native Hawaiians organizations;
 (C) island communities;
 (D) low-population rural communities;
 (E) subsistence communities; and
 (F) fisheries and recreation industries;
 [(3)](4) administer peer-reviewed, merit-based, 
 competitive grant funding--
 (A) to maintain and enhance baseline 
 monitoring programs established by the Program;
 (B) to support the projects maintained and 
 established by the Program, including the 
 annual Gulf of Mexico hypoxia zone mapping 
 cruise;
 (C) to address the research and management 
 needs and priorities identified in the Action 
 Strategy; [and]
 (D) to accelerate the utilization of 
 effective methods of intervention and 
 mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, 
 and impacts of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia 
 events;
 (E) to identify opportunities to improve 
 monitoring of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, 
 with a particular focus on waters that may 
 affect fisheries, public health, or subsistence 
 harvest;
 (F) to evaluate adaptation and mitigation 
 strategies to address the impacts of harmful 
 algal blooms and hypoxia;
 (G) to support the resilience of the seafood 
 industry to harmful algal blooms and to expand 
 access to testing for harmful algal bloom 
 toxins, including for subsistence and 
 recreational harvesters, through innovative 
 methods that increase the efficiency and 
 effectiveness of such testing in rural and 
 remote areas;
 (H) to support sustained observations to 
 provide State and local entities, Indian 
 tribes, and other entities access to real-time 
 or near real-time observations data for 
 decision making to protect human and ecological 
 health and local economies; and
 (I) to assess the combined effects of harmful 
 algal blooms, hypoxia, and stressors such as 
 runoff and infrastructure changes on marine, 
 freshwater, or estuarine ecosystems and living 
 resources;
 [(4)](5) coordinate with, and work cooperatively to 
 provide technical assistance to, regional, State, 
 tribal, and local government [agencies] entities, 
 regional coastal observing systems (as defined in 
 section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
 Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602)), and 
 programs that address marine and freshwater harmful 
 algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(5)](6) coordinate with the Secretary of State to 
 support international efforts on marine and freshwater 
 harmful algal bloom and hypoxia information sharing, 
 research, prediction, mitigation, control, and response 
 activities;
 [(6)](7) identify additional research, development, 
 and demonstration needs and priorities relating to 
 monitoring, prevention, control, mitigation, and 
 response to marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms 
 and hypoxia, including methods and technologies to 
 protect the ecosystems and communities affected by 
 marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(7)](8) integrate, coordinate, and augment existing 
 education and extension programs to improve public 
 understanding and awareness of the causes, impacts, 
 intervention, and mitigation efforts for marine and 
 freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(8)](9) facilitate and provide resources to train 
 State and local coastal and water resource managers and 
 Indian tribes in the methods and technologies for 
 monitoring, preventing, controlling, and mitigating 
 marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(9)](10) support regional efforts to control and 
 mitigate outbreaks through--
 (A) communication of the contents of the 
 Action Strategy and maintenance of online data 
 portals for other information about harmful 
 algal blooms and hypoxia to State[, tribal, and 
 local stakeholders] and local stakeholders and 
 Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native 
 Hawaiian organizations; and
 (B) overseeing the development, review, and 
 periodic updating of the Action Strategy;
 (11) expand access to testing for harmful algal bloom 
 toxins, including for subsistence and recreational 
 harvesters, through innovative methods that increase 
 the efficiency and effectiveness of such testing in 
 rural and remote areas;
 [(10)](12) convene at least 1 meeting of the Task 
 Force each year; and
 [(11)](13) perform such other tasks as may be 
 delegated by the Task Force.
 [(f) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Activities.--The Under Secretary shall--
 [(1) maintain and enhance the existing competitive 
 programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration relating to harmful algal blooms and 
 hypoxia;
 [(2) carry out marine and Great Lakes harmful algal 
 bloom and hypoxia events response activities;
 [(3) develop and enhance, including with respect to 
 infrastructure, which shall include unmanned systems, 
 as necessary, critical observations, monitoring, 
 modeling, data management, information dissemination, 
 and operational forecasts relevant to harmful algal 
 blooms and hypoxia events;
 [(4) enhance communication and coordination among 
 Federal agencies carrying out marine and freshwater 
 harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and 
 research;
 [(5) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage 
 existing resources and expertise available from local 
 research universities and institutions;
 [(6) increase the availability to appropriate public 
 and private entities of--
 [(A) analytical facilities and technologies;
 [(B) operational forecasts; and
 [(C) reference and research materials;
 [(7) use cost effective methods in carrying out this 
 Act; and
 [(8) develop contingency plans for the long-term 
 monitoring of hypoxia.]
 (f) Cooperation; Duplication of Effort.--The Under Secretary 
shall work cooperatively with and avoid duplication of effort 
of other agencies on the Task Force and States, Indian tribes, 
Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and 
nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine and 
freshwater issues.
 [(g) Cooperative Efforts.--The Under Secretary shall work 
cooperatively and avoid duplication of effort with other 
offices, centers, and programs within the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, other agencies on the Task Force, 
and States, tribes, and nongovernmental organizations concerned 
with marine and freshwater issues to coordinate harmful algal 
bloom and hypoxia (and related) activities and research.
 [(h) Freshwater.--With respect to the freshwater aspects of 
the Program, the Administrator, through the Task Force, shall 
carry out the duties otherwise assigned to the Under Secretary 
under this section, except the activities described in 
subsection (f).
 [(1) Participation.--The Administrator's 
 participation under this section shall include--
 [(A) research on the ecology and impacts of 
 freshwater harmful algal blooms; and
 [(B) forecasting and monitoring of and event 
 response to freshwater harmful algal blooms in 
 lakes, rivers, estuaries (including their 
 tributaries), and reservoirs.
 [(2) Nonduplication.--The Administrator shall ensure 
 that activities carried out under this title focus on 
 new approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal 
 blooms and are not duplicative of existing research and 
 development programs authorized by this title or any 
 other law.
 [(i) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--The 
collection of monitoring and observation data under this title 
shall comply with all data standards and protocols developed 
pursuant to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System 
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made 
available through the system established under that Act.]

 [33 U.S.C. 4003]

[SEC. 603B. COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH PLAN AND ACTION STRATEGY

 [(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 
Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Under Secretary, through 
the Task Force, shall develop and submit to Congress a 
comprehensive research plan and action strategy to address 
marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. The 
Action Strategy shall identify--
 [(1) the specific activities to be carried out by the 
 Program and the timeline for carrying out those 
 activities;
 [(2) the roles and responsibilities of each Federal 
 agency in the Task Force in carrying out the activities 
 under paragraph (1); and
 [(3) the appropriate regions and subregions requiring 
 specific research and activities to address harmful 
 algal blooms and hypoxia.
 [(b) Regional Focus.--The regional and subregional parts of 
the Action Strategy shall identify--
 [(1) regional priorities for ecological, economic, 
 and social research on issues related to the impacts of 
 harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(2) research, development, and demonstration 
 activities needed to develop and advance technologies 
 and techniques for minimizing the occurrence of harmful 
 algal blooms and hypoxia and improving capabilities to 
 detect, predict, monitor, control, mitigate, respond 
 to, and remediate harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(3) ways to reduce the duration and intensity of 
 harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including deployment 
 of response technologies in a timely manner;
 [(4) research and methods to address human health 
 dimensions of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
 [(5) mechanisms, including the potential costs and 
 benefits of those mechanisms, to protect ecosystems 
 that may be or have been affected by harmful algal 
 bloom and hypoxia events;
 [(6) mechanisms by which data, information, and 
 products may be transferred between the Program and the 
 State, tribal, and local governments and research 
 entities;
 [(7) communication and information dissemination 
 methods that State, tribal, and local governments may 
 undertake to educate and inform the public concerning 
 harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; and
 [(8) roles that Federal agencies may have to assist 
 in the implementation of the Action Strategy, including 
 efforts to support local and regional scientific 
 assessments under section 603(e).
 [(c) Utilizing Available Studies and Information.--In 
developing the Action Strategy, the Under Secretary shall 
utilize existing research, assessments, reports, and program 
activities, including--
 [(1) those carried out under existing law; and
 [(2) other relevant peer-reviewed and published 
 sources.
 [(d) Development of the Action Strategy.--In developing the 
Action Strategy, the Under Secretary shall, as appropriate--
 [(1) coordinate with--
 [(A) State coastal management and planning 
 officials;
 [(B) tribal resource management officials; 
 and
 [(C) water management and watershed officials 
 from both coastal States and noncoastal States 
 with water sources that drain into water bodies 
 affected by harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; 
 and
 [(2) consult with--
 [(A) public health officials;
 [(B) emergency management officials;
 [(C) science and technology development 
 institutions;
 [(D) economists;
 [(E) industries and businesses affected by 
 marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and 
 hypoxia;
 [(F) scientists with expertise concerning 
 harmful algal blooms or hypoxia from academic 
 or research institutions; and
 [(G) other stakeholders.
 [(e) Federal Register.--The Under Secretary shall publish the 
Action Strategy in the Federal Register.
 [(f) Periodic Revision.--The Under Secretary, in coordination 
and consultation with the individuals and entities under 
subsection (d), shall periodically review and revise the Action 
Strategy prepared under this section, as necessary.]

SEC. 603B. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ACTIVITIES.

 (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall--
 (1) carry out response activities for marine, 
 coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and 
 hypoxia events;
 (2) develop and enhance operational harmful algal 
 bloom observing and forecasting programs, including 
 operational observations and forecasting, monitoring, 
 modeling, data management, and information 
 dissemination;
 (3) develop forecast modeling that includes the 
 effect of hurricanes and other weather events on the 
 resuspension of bioavailable nutrients in sediments and 
 related interactions with harmful algal blooms;
 (4) enhance communication and coordination among 
 Federal agencies carrying out activities and research 
 relating to marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms 
 and hypoxia;
 (5) leverage existing resources and expertise 
 available from local research universities and 
 institutions; and
 (6) use cost effective methods in carrying out this 
 section.
 (b) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--The 
collection of monitoring and observing data under this section 
shall comply with all data standards and protocols developed 
pursuant to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System 
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made 
available through the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
Observation System established under section 12304 of that Act 
(33 U.S.C. 3603).

SEC. 603C. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES.

 (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
 (1) carry out research on the ecology and human 
 health impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms and 
 hypoxia events;
 (2) develop and enhance operational freshwater 
 harmful algal bloom monitoring, observing, and 
 forecasting programs in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, 
 and coordinate with the National Oceanic and 
 Atmospheric Administration on such programs in the 
 Great Lakes and estuaries (including tributaries 
 thereof), including operational observations and 
 forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data management, and 
 information dissemination, to support event response, 
 prioritization, prevention, adaptation, and mitigation 
 activities;
 (3) enhance communication and coordination among 
 Federal agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal 
 bloom and hypoxia activities and research;
 (4) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage 
 existing resources and expertise available from Federal 
 and State partners and local research universities and 
 institutions; and
 (5) use cost-effective methods in carrying out this 
 section.
 (b) Nonduplication.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
activities carried out under subsection (a) focus on new 
approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and 
are not duplicative of existing research and development 
programs authorized by this title or any other law.

 * * * * * * *

 [33 U.S.C. 4005]

[SEC. 606. GREAT LAKES HYPOXIA AND HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

 [(a) Integrated Assessment.--Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Task Force, in 
accordance with the authority under section 603, shall complete 
and submit to the Congress and the President an integrated 
assessment that examines the causes, consequences, and 
approaches to reduce hypoxia and harmful algal blooms in the 
Great Lakes, including the status of and gaps within current 
research, monitoring, management, prevention, response, and 
control activities by--
 [(1) Federal agencies;
 [(2) State agencies;
 [(3) regional research consortia;
 [(4) academia;
 [(5) private industry; and
 [(6) nongovernmental organizations.
 [(b) Plan.--
 [(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
 date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and 
 Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, 
 the Task Force shall develop and submit to the Congress 
 a plan, based on the integrated assessment under 
 subsection (a), for reducing, mitigating, and 
 controlling hypoxia and harmful algal blooms in the 
 Great Lakes.
 [(2) Contents.--The plan shall--
 [(A) address the monitoring needs identified 
 in the integrated assessment under subsection 
 (a);
 [(B) develop a timeline and budgetary 
 requirements for deployment of future assets;
 [(C) identify requirements for the 
 development and verification of Great Lakes 
 hypoxia and harmful algal bloom models, 
 including--
 [(i) all assumptions built into the 
 models; and
 [(ii) data quality methods used to 
 ensure the best available data are 
 utilized; and
 [(D) describe efforts to improve the 
 assessment of the impacts of hypoxia and 
 harmful algal blooms by--
 [(i) characterizing current and past 
 biological conditions in ecosystems 
 affected by hypoxia and harmful algal 
 blooms; and
 [(ii) quantifying effects, including 
 economic effects, at the population and 
 community levels.
 [(3) Requirements.--In developing the plan, the Task 
 Force shall--
 [(A) coordinate with State and local 
 governments;
 [(B) consult with representatives from 
 academic, agricultural, industry, and other 
 stakeholder groups, including relevant Canadian 
 agencies;
 [(C) ensure that the plan complements and 
 does not duplicate activities conducted by 
 other Federal or State agencies;
 [(D) identify critical research for reducing, 
 mitigating, and controlling hypoxia events and 
 their effects;
 [(E) evaluate cost-effective, incentive-based 
 partnership approaches;
 [(F) ensure that the plan is technically 
 sound and cost effective;
 [(G) utilize existing research, assessments, 
 reports, and program activities;
 [(H) publish a summary of the proposed plan 
 in the Federal Register at least 180 days prior 
 to submitting the completed plan to Congress; 
 and
 [(I) after submitting the completed plan to 
 Congress, provide biennial progress reports on 
 the activities toward achieving the objectives 
 of the plan.]

SEC. 606. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM OBSERVING NETWORK.

 (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, acting through the 
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Integrated 
Ocean Observing System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, shall integrate Federal, State, regional, and 
local observing capabilities to establish a national network of 
observing systems for the monitoring, detection, and 
forecasting of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the capacity 
of regional associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing 
System, including through the incorporation of emerging 
technologies and new data integration methods.
 (b) Coordination and Data Assembly.--In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Program Office of the Integrated Ocean 
Observing System shall--
 (1) coordinate with the National Centers for Coastal 
 Ocean Science regarding observations, data integration, 
 and information dissemination;
 (2) organize, integrate, disseminate, and provide a 
 central architecture to support ecological forecasting 
 of harmful algal blooms; and
 (3) coordinate with the Water Quality Portal to store 
 and serve discrete data related to the monitoring of 
 freshwater, estuarine, and coastal harmful algal 
 blooms.

SEC. 606A. NATIONAL-LEVEL INCUBATOR PROGRAM.

 (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
the Administrator and research universities and institutions, 
shall establish a national-level incubator program (in this 
section referred to as the ``program'') to increase the number 
of strategies, technologies, and measures available to prevent, 
mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms.
 (b) Framework.--The program shall establish a framework for 
preliminary assessments of novel strategies, technologies, and 
measures to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms 
in order to determine the potential effectiveness and 
scalability of such technologies.
 (c) Funding.--The program shall provide merit-based funding, 
using amounts otherwise available to the Under Secretary for 
the award of grants, for strategies, technologies, and measures 
that eliminate or reduce, through biological, chemical, or 
physical means, the levels of harmful algae and associated 
toxins resulting from harmful algal blooms.
 (d) Database.--The program shall include a database for 
cataloging the licensing and permitting requirements, economic 
costs, feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability of novel and 
established strategies, technologies, and measures to prevent, 
mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms.
 (e) Prioritization.--In carrying out the program, the Under 
Secretary shall prioritize proposed strategies, technologies, 
and measures that would, to the maximum extent practicable--
 (1) protect key habitats for fish and wildlife;
 (2) maintain biodiversity;
 (3) protect public health;
 (4) protect coastal resources of national, 
 historical, and cultural significance; or
 (5) benefit low-income communities, Indian tribes, 
 and rural communities.

 * * * * * * *

 [33 U.S.C. 4008]

SEC. 609. DEFINITIONS.

 In this title:
 (1) Action strategy.--The term ``Action Strategy'' 
 [means the comprehensive research plan and action 
 strategy established under section 603B] means the 
 action strategy for harmful algal blooms in the United 
 States most recently submitted under section 603(c).
 (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means 
 the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
 Agency.
 [(3) Harmful algal bloom.--The term ``harmful algal 
 bloom'' means marine and freshwater phytoplankton that 
 proliferate to high concentrations, resulting in 
 nuisance conditions or harmful impacts on marine and 
 aquatic ecosystems, coastal communities, and human 
 health through the production of toxic compounds or 
 other biological, chemical, and physical impacts of the 
 algae outbreak.]
 (3) Harmful algal bloom.--The term ``harmful algal 
 bloom'' means a high concentration of marine or 
 freshwater algae (including diatoms), macroalgae 
 (including Sargassum), or cyanobacteria resulting in 
 nuisance conditions or harmful impacts on marine and 
 freshwater ecosystems, subsistence resources, 
 communities, or human health through the production of 
 toxic compounds or other biological, chemical, or 
 physical impacts of the bloom.
 (4) Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event.--The term 
 ``harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event'' means the 
 occurrence of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia as a 
 result of a natural, anthropogenic, or undetermined 
 cause.
 [(4)](5) Hypoxia.--The term ``hypoxia'' means a 
 condition where low dissolved oxygen in [aquatic] 
 marine or freshwater systems causes stress or death to 
 [resident] marine or freshwater organisms.
 (6) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
 meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
 Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
 U.S.C. 5304).
 (7) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
 Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given that term 
 in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary 
 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) and includes the 
 Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of 
 Hawaiian Affairs.
 [(5)](8) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the 
 national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program 
 established under section 603A.
 [(6)](9) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 
 several States of the United States, the District of 
 Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
 Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
 Northern Mariana Islands, any other territory or 
 possession of the United States, and any Indian tribe.
 (10) Subsistence use.--The term ``subsistence use'' 
 means the customary and traditional use of fish, 
 wildlife, or other freshwater, coastal, or marine 
 resources by any individual or community to meet 
 personal or family needs, including essential economic, 
 nutritional, or cultural applications.
 [(7)](11) Task force.--The term ``Task Force'' means 
 the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and 
 Hypoxia under section 603(a).
 (12) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal 
 organization'' has the meaning given that term in 
 section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
 Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
 [(8)](13) Under secretary.--The term ``Under 
 Secretary'' means the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
 Oceans and Atmosphere.
 [(9) United states coastal waters.--The term ``United 
 States coastal waters'' includes the Great Lakes.]

 [33 U.S.C. 4009]

SEC. 610. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 [(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Under Secretary to carry out sections 603A and 603B 
$20,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, and 
$20,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.]
 (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out this title, for each of fiscal years 2026 through 
2030--
 (1) $19,500,000 to the Under Secretary; and
 (2) $8,000,000 to the Administrator.
 (b) Extramural Research Activities.--The Under Secretary 
shall ensure that a substantial portion of funds appropriated 
pursuant to subsection (a) that are used for research purposes 
are allocated to extramural research activities. For each 
fiscal year, the Under Secretary shall publish a list of all 
grant recipients and the amounts for all of the funds allocated 
for research purposes, specifying those allocated for 
extramural research activities.
 (c) Transfer Authority.--As specifically provided in advance 
in appropriations Acts, the Under Secretary or the 
Administrator may transfer funds made available to carry out 
this title to the head of any Federal department or agency, 
with the concurrence of such head, to carry out, as 
appropriate, relevant provisions of this title and section 9(g) 
of the National Integrated Drought Information System 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010).

 * * * * * * *

 NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
2018

 * * * * * * *

 [33 U.S.C. 4001 note]

SEC. 9. HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL.

 (a) * * *
 (b) * * *
 (c) * * *
 (d) * * *
 (e) * * *
 (f) * * *

 [33 U.S.C. 4010]

 (g) Hypoxia or Harmful Algal Bloom of National 
Significance.--
 (1) Relief.--
 (A) In general.--Upon a determination under 
 paragraph (2) that there is an event of 
 national significance, the appropriate Federal 
 official is authorized to make sums available 
 to the affected State or local government for 
 the purposes of assessing and mitigating the 
 detrimental environmental, economic, 
 subsistence use, and public health effects of 
 the event of national significance.
 (B) Federal share.--The Federal share of the 
 cost of any activity carried out under this 
 paragraph for the purposes described in 
 subparagraph (A) may not exceed 50 percent of 
 the cost of that activity. The appropriate 
 Federal official may waive the non-Federal 
 share requirements of the preceding sentence if 
 such official determines no reasonable means 
 are available through which the recipient of 
 the Federal share can meet the non-Federal 
 share requirement.
 (C) Donations.--Notwithstanding any other 
 provision of law, an appropriate Federal 
 official may accept donations of funds, 
 services, facilities, materials, or equipment 
 that the appropriate Federal official considers 
 necessary for the purposes described in 
 subparagraph (A). Any funds donated to an 
 appropriate Federal official under this 
 paragraph may be expended without further 
 appropriation and without fiscal year 
 limitation.
 (D) Contract, cooperative agreement, and 
 grant authority.--The appropriate Federal 
 official may enter into contracts, cooperative 
 agreements, and grants with States, Indian 
 Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian 
 organizations, local governments, or other 
 entities to pay for or reimburse costs incurred 
 by such entities for the purposes of supporting 
 the determination of, and assessing the 
 environmental, economic, subsistence use, and 
 public health effects of, an event of national 
 significance.
 (2) Determinations.--
 (A) In general.--At the discretion of an 
 appropriate Federal official, or at the request 
 of the Governor of an affected State, a 
 leadership official of an affected Indian 
 Tribe, the executive official of the District 
 of Columbia, or the executive official of an 
 affected territory or possession of the United 
 States, an appropriate Federal official shall 
 determine whether a hypoxia or harmful algal 
 bloom event is an event of national 
 significance.
 (B) Considerations.--In making a 
 determination under subparagraph (A), the 
 appropriate Federal official shall [consider 
 the toxicity of the harmful algal bloom, the 
 severity of the hypoxia, its potential to 
 spread, the economic impact, the relative size 
 in relation to the past 5 occurrences of 
 harmful algal blooms or hypoxia events that 
 occur on a recurrent or annual basis, and the 
 geographic scope, including the potential to 
 affect several municipalities, to affect more 
 than 1 State, or to cross an international 
 boundary.] consider factors such as--
 (i) the risk to public health and the 
 potential severity of the detrimental 
 environmental effects of the hypoxia or 
 harmful algal bloom event, as indicated 
 by--
 (I) data on shellfish or 
 water quality obtained through 
 sampling programs, including 
 baseline data, and regulatory 
 or advisory thresholds 
 established to explain 
 management actions related to 
 the event;
 (II) toxin levels in fish, 
 marine mammals, seabirds, 
 shellfish, or water during the 
 event;
 (III) toxic aerosols produced 
 during the event, including 
 potential human exposures to 
 toxic aerosols;
 (IV) reports of human or 
 animal illnesses or mortalities 
 during the event;
 (V) any closures of fishing 
 or shellfish harvesting 
 locations or recreational 
 public waters, including 
 beaches, during the event;
 (VI) the duration and spatial 
 extent of the event; or
 (VII) impacts to habitats or 
 ecosystems associated with the 
 event;
 (ii) the potential economic, food 
 safety and security, and subsistence 
 impacts associated with the hypoxia or 
 harmful algal bloom event, including to 
 fisheries and aquaculture, recreation 
 and tourism, monitoring and management, 
 resource use, and event response 
 activities, assessed in comparison with 
 historical data from when a State or 
 region did not experience such an 
 event, as possible, as indicated by--
 (I) increases in public 
 health expenditures;
 (II) losses to commercial 
 fisheries and aquaculture 
 industries, recreation and 
 tourism, real estate, and other 
 impacted industries or 
 businesses;
 (III) increases in monitoring 
 and management expenditures, 
 including costs incurred for 
 event response and clean-up 
 (such as for beach clean-up 
 following an influx of biomass 
 or a fish-kill) by public or 
 private sectors; or
 (IV) impacts to subsistence 
 resources, including 
 nutritional, resource use, and 
 economic effects on subsistence 
 communities;
 (iii) the relative magnitude of those 
 impacts in relation to past occurrences 
 of hypoxia or harmful algal bloom 
 events that occur on a recurrent or 
 annual basis; and
 (iv) the geographic scope of the 
 hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, 
 including the potential of the event to 
 affect several municipalities, to 
 affect more than 1 State, or to cross 
 an international boundary.
 (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
 (A) Appropriate federal official.--The term 
 ``appropriate Federal official'' means--
 (i) in the case of a marine or 
 coastal hypoxia or harmful algal bloom 
 event, the Under Secretary of Commerce 
 for Oceans and Atmosphere; and
 (ii) in the case of a freshwater 
 hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, 
 the Administrator of the Environmental 
 Protection Agency.
 (B) Event of national significance.--The term 
 ``event of national significance'' means a 
 hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event that has 
 had or will likely have a significant 
 detrimental environmental, economic, 
 subsistence use, or public health impact on an 
 affected State.
 (C) Hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event.--
 The term ``hypoxia or harmful algal bloom 
 event'' means the occurrence of hypoxia or a 
 harmful algal bloom as a result of a natural, 
 anthropogenic, or undetermined cause.
 (D) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' 
 has the meaning given that term in section 4 of 
 the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
 Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
 (E) Native hawaiian organization.--The term 
 `Native Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning 
 given that term in section 6207 of the 
 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
 (20 U.S.C. 7517) and includes the Department of 
 Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian 
 Affairs.
 (F) Subsistence use.--The term ``subsistence 
 use'' means the customary and traditional use 
 of fish, wildlife, or other freshwater, 
 coastal, or marine resources by any individual 
 or community to meet personal or family needs, 
 including essential economic, nutritional, or 
 cultural applications.
 (G) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal 
 organization'' has the meaning given that term 
 in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
 and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
 (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
 subsection $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
 through 2030, to remain available until expended.
 (h) * * *