HR 644 — Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

Summary

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025This bill extends through FY2030 and modifies the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act to address algal blooms and hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen) in U.S. marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. Harmful algal blooms are high concentrations of algae that may create nuisance or toxic conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy.The bill directs the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to submit to Congress an action strategy for harmful algal blooms at least once every five years. The bill also expands the task force's membership to include the Department of Energy.The bill also expands the duties of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia program. NOAA must also carry out a variety of activities related to monitoring, predicting, preventing, mitigating, and responding to marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events. For example, NOAA must establish (1) a national network of observing systems for monitoring, detecting, and forecasting harmful algal blooms; and (2) a national-level incubator program to increase the number of strategies, technologies, and measures available to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms.Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency must develop and enhance operational freshwater harmful algal bloom monitoring, observing, and forecasting programs in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs and carry out other activities related to researching freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html January 23, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to enhance assessments, management strategies, and coordination among federal agencies regarding harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.

• 33 U.S.C. 4001

  assessments → task force, assessments, and action strategy

  The section heading is updated to reflect broader focuses beyond assessments.

• 33 U.S.C. 4001

  coastal waters including the Great Lakes → marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems

  Expands the scope of the assessments to include more water bodies.

• 33 U.S.C. 4001

  the ecological and economic consequences of hypoxia in United States coastal waters → the causes and ecological consequences of hypoxia on marine and aquatic species in their environments; and the costs of hypoxia, including impacts on food safety and security

  Clarifies the focus of the assessments to include specific species impacts and economic considerations.

• 33 U.S.C. 4001

  hypoxia modeling and monitoring data → hypoxia modeling, forecasting, and monitoring and observation data

  Updates terminology to include forecasting in addition to modeling and monitoring.

• 33 U.S.C. 4001

  In developing

  Removes the specific requirement for developing plans, streamlining the process.

• 33 U.S.C. 4002

  and → monitoring, observing, forecasting,

  Broadens the objectives of the harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program to include monitoring and forecasting.

• 33 U.S.C. 4002

  the comprehensive research plan and action strategy under section 4003 of this title → the scientific assessment submitted under section 603(b); and the Action Strategy.

  Aligns the program duties with updated assessment and action strategy requirements.

• 33 U.S.C. 4002

  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

  Broadens the coordination scope of the Task Force’s functions.

• 33 U.S.C. 4002

  to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions

  Removes flexibility language, potentially imposing stricter resource leveraging.

• 33 U.S.C. 4002

  and that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall have primary responsibility for administering the Program. → The

  Removes language specifying the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's primary responsibility.

Action History

1. January 23, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. January 23, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. January 23, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

4. January 23, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsors

• Suzanne Bonamici · Primary
• David P. Joyce · Cosponsor
• Josh Harder · Cosponsor
• Sarah McBride · Cosponsor
• Haley M. Stevens · Cosponsor
• Mike Levin · Cosponsor

Subjects