United States 118th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 2086 — Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

285 added · 162 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments made to S 2086 remove the short title section and restructure the bill to incorporate a reported version from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This change specifically eliminates the title "Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2023" and updates the legislative text while maintaining the focus on establishing a Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program. The practical effect of these changes is that the specific title is no longer referenced, which may affect how the bill is discussed or identified in future legislative contexts.

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2086 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
2086 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
476 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
Wicker, and Mr.
Wicker, Mr.
Carper) introduced the following bill;
Carper, and Mr.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.
Tillis) introduced the following bill;
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation August 1, 2024 Reported by Ms.
Cantwell, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <DELETED>SECTION 1.
SHORT TITLE.</DELETED> <DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2023''.</DELETED> <DELETED>SEC.
2.
SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.</DELETED> <DELETED> (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to be known as the ``Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program'', to encourage and facilitate coordinated rapid response and rescue by awarding grants for the purposes described in subsection (c).</DELETED> <DELETED> (b) Designation of Stranding Regions.--The Secretary shall designate geographic regions of the United States as stranding regions for the purposes of carrying out this section.</DELETED> <DELETED> (c) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are to provide for--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) the recovery, short- or long-term care, transportation, and treatment of stranded marine turtles;</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) the release of rescued and recovered marine turtles;</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) the collection of data and samples, including tagging information, from stranded marine turtles for scientific research or assessments, or both, that inform the understanding of causes of mortality;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (4) facility operation costs that are directly related to activities described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).</DELETED> <DELETED> (d) Equitable Distribution of Funds.--The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that funds awarded under this section are distributed equitably among stranding regions, taking into account--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) the number of strandings that occurred in each stranding region in the preceding 5 years;</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) region-specific factors that increase risks of strandings;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) the conservation priorities and recovery needs of species of marine turtles that are threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.).</DELETED> <DELETED> (e) Applications.--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) In general.--An applicant for a grant under this section that is an eligible applicant described in paragraph (2) shall submit an application in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Eligible applicants.--An entity is an eligible applicant if the entity is--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) a nonprofit member of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network;</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) an Indian Tribe;</DELETED> <DELETED> (C) an institution of higher education;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (D) another public or private organization with an established record in the rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, transportation, or release of stranded marine turtles.</DELETED> <DELETED> (f) Grant Criteria.--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) Development of criteria.--The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, develop criteria for awarding grants under this section and provide such criteria for formal public notice and comment.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Stakeholder engagement.--As part of the process for developing and finalizing criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, provide opportunities for engagement with representatives from-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (A) stranding regions;</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) Indian Tribes;</DELETED> <DELETED> (C) institutions of higher education;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (D) public or private organizations with an established record in--</DELETED> <DELETED> (i) the rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, transportation, or release of stranded marine turtles;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (ii) scientific research, marine conservation, or forensic science, with respect to stranded marine turtles.</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) Required criteria.--In developing criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to applicants with an established record of rescuing, recovering, rehabilitating, transporting, or releasing stranded marine turtles or conducting scientific research pertinent to the causes of strandings.</DELETED> <DELETED> (g) Acceptance of Donations.--For the purposes of carrying out this section, the Secretary may solicit, accept, receive, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests without any further approval or administrative action.</DELETED> <DELETED> (h) Liability Waiver.--</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) In general.--A person who is acting under the authority of an entity awarded a grant under this section is deemed to be an employee of the government for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, with respect to actions of the person that--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) are in support of rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, transportation, or release efforts;</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) are in accordance with the purposes of subsection (c);
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (C) reflect sound professional judgment and are consistent with the directions of any on-site coordinator or incident commander.</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) does not apply to actions of a person described in that paragraph that are grossly negligent or that constitute willful misconduct.</DELETED> <DELETED> (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to remain available until expended.</DELETED> <DELETED> (j) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED> <DELETED> (1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).</DELETED> <DELETED> (2) Institution of higher education.--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) In general.--The term ``institution of higher education'' means an educational institution in any State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, which--</DELETED> <DELETED> (i) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;</DELETED> <DELETED> (ii) is legally authorized within such State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;</DELETED> <DELETED> (iii) provides an educational program for which a bachelor's degree or any other higher degree is awarded;</DELETED> <DELETED> (iv) is a public or other nonprofit institution;
and</DELETED> <DELETED> (v) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) Inclusions.--The term ``institution of higher education'' includes a research foundation maintained by an institution of higher education described in subparagraph (A).</DELETED> <DELETED> (3) Marine turtle.--The term ``marine turtle'' means any member of the family Cheloniidae or Dermochelyidae.</DELETED> <DELETED> (4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program established under subsection (a).</DELETED> <DELETED> (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce.</DELETED> <DELETED> (6) Stranding.--The term ``stranding'' means an event in which--</DELETED> <DELETED> (A) a marine turtle is dead and is-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (i) on a beach or shore of the United States;</DELETED> <DELETED> (ii) in State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession, or Federal, waters of the United States;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (iii) outside of its natural habitat and is in the United States;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (B) a marine turtle is alive and is-- </DELETED> <DELETED> (i) on a beach or shore of the United States and in need of medical attention or other necessary intervention to aid its likelihood of survival;</DELETED> <DELETED> (ii) in State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession, or Federal, waters of the United States and in need of medical attention or other necessary intervention to aid its likelihood of survival;
or</DELETED> <DELETED> (iii) outside of its natural habitat, is unable to return unassisted, and is in the United States.</DELETED> <DELETED> (7) Stranding region.--The term ``stranding region'' means a geographic region designated by the Secretary under subsection (b).</DELETED> <DELETED> (8) United states.--The term ``United States'' means any land or water of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction, including internal waters, State waters, the territorial sea, and the exclusive economic zone of the United States.</DELETED> SECTION 1.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Act of 2023''.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023''.
SEA TURTLE RESCUE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.
SEA TURTLE RESCUE, REHABILITATION, AND RESPONSE.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to be known as the ``Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program'', to encourage and facilitate coordinated rapid response and rescue by awarding grants for the purposes described in subsection (c).
Section 408 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C.
(b) Designation of Stranding Regions.--The Secretary shall designate geographic regions of the United States as stranding regions for the purposes of carrying out this section.
1421f-1) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are to provide for-- (1) the recovery, short- or long-term care, transportation, and treatment of stranded marine turtles;
``(10) Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response.-- ``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of appropriations specific to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall include separate eligibility for grants under this subsection to address the purposes described in paragraph (2) with respect to sea turtles.
(2) the release of rescued and recovered marine turtles;
``(B) Conditions of grant.--A grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response shall include the equivalent grant criteria and administration authorities and requirements described under paragraphs (3) through (9), developed, as appropriate, and awarded separately for sea turtles and in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in lieu of the Marine Mammal Commission.
(3) the collection of data and samples, including tagging information, from stranded marine turtles for scientific research or assessments, or both, that inform the understanding of causes of mortality;
``(C) Eligibility criteria.--In order to apply for a grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, an entity shall-- ``(i) submit an application described in paragraph (5) to the Secretary of Commerce with respect to sea turtles;
and (4) facility operation costs that are directly related to activities described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
``(ii) be authorized by and in compliance with-- ``(I) an authorization issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
(d) Equitable Distribution of Funds.--The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that funds awarded under this section are distributed equitably among stranding regions, taking into account-- (1) the number of strandings that occurred in each stranding region in the preceding 5 years;
1539(a)(1)(A)) with respect to sea turtles;
(2) region-specific factors that increase risks of strandings;
or ``(II) a cooperative agreement entered into under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
and (3) the conservation priorities and recovery needs of species of marine turtles that are threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1535) with respect to sea turtles;
1531 et seq.).
``(iii) comply with the standard conditions for care and maintenance of captive sea turtles prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior when relevant facilities will be utilized for such purposes;
(e) Applications.-- (1) In general.--An applicant for a grant under this section that is an eligible applicant described in paragraph (2) shall submit an application in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe.
and ``(iv) comply with all relevant data reporting, requirements, such as the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network data collection requirements.'';
(2) Eligible applicants.--An entity is an eligible applicant if the entity is-- (A) a nonprofit member of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network;
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
(B) an Indian Tribe;
``(c) Rescue and Rapid Response Funds.-- ``(1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States-- ``(A) an interest-bearing fund to be known as the `Joseph R.
(C) an institution of higher education;
Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund';
or (D) another public or private organization with an established record in the rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, transportation, or release of stranded marine turtles.
and ``(B) an interest-bearing fund to be known as the `Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund'.
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(f) Grant Criteria.-- (1) Development of criteria.--The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, develop criteria for awarding grants under this section and provide such criteria for formal public notice and comment.
``(2) Use of funds.--Amounts in the funds established under paragraph (1) shall be available only for use by the Secretary to provide emergency assistance.'';
(2) Stakeholder engagement.--As part of the process for developing and finalizing criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, provide opportunities for engagement with representatives from-- (A) stranding regions;
and (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``marine mammal rescue and response'' after ``to carry out the'';
(B) Indian Tribes;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
(C) institutions of higher education;
(iii) by inserting after clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) the following:
and (D) public or private organizations with an established record in-- (i) the rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, transportation, or release of stranded marine turtles;
``(B) Authorization of appropriations with respect to sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response.-- There is authorized to be appropriated for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program under subsection (b)(10), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, to remain available until expended.'';
or (ii) scientific research, marine conservation, or forensic science, with respect to stranded marine turtles.
and (iv) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by clause (ii), by inserting ``or (B)'' after ``subparagraph (A)'';
(3) Required criteria.--In developing criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants to applicants with an established record of rescuing, recovering, rehabilitating, transporting, or releasing stranded marine turtles or conducting scientific research pertinent to the causes of strandings.
and (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(g) Acceptance of Donations.--For the purposes of carrying out this section, the Secretary may solicit, accept, receive, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests without any further approval or administrative action.
``(2) Rescue and rapid response funds.--There is authorized to be appropriated-- ``(A) to the Joseph R.
(h) Liability Waiver.-- (1) In general.--A person who is acting under the authority of an entity awarded a grant under this section is deemed to be an employee of the government for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, with respect to actions of the person that-- (A) are in support of rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, transportation, or release efforts;
Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030;
(B) are in accordance with the purposes of subsection (c);
and ``(B) to the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years through 2030.''.
and (C) reflect sound professional judgment and are consistent with the directions of any on-site coordinator or incident commander.
Calendar No.
(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) does not apply to actions of a person described in that paragraph that are grossly negligent or that constitute willful misconduct.
476 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 to remain available until expended.
2086 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.
(j) Definitions.--In this section:
_______________________________________________________________________ August 1, 2024 Reported with an amendment
(1) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).
(2) Institution of higher education.-- (A) In general.--The term ``institution of higher education'' means an educational institution in any State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, which-- (i) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;
(ii) is legally authorized within such State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;
(iii) provides an educational program for which a bachelor's degree or any other higher degree is awarded;
(iv) is a public or other nonprofit institution;
and (v) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``institution of higher education'' includes a research foundation maintained by an institution of higher education described in subparagraph (A).
(3) Marine turtle.--The term ``marine turtle'' means any member of the family Cheloniidae or Dermochelyidae.
(4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program established under subsection (a).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce.
(6) Stranding.--The term ``stranding'' means an event in which-- (A) a marine turtle is dead and is-- (i) on a beach or shore of the United States;
(ii) in State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession, or Federal, waters of the United States;
or (iii) outside of its natural habitat and is in the United States;
or (B) a marine turtle is alive and is-- (i) on a beach or shore of the United States and in need of medical attention or other necessary intervention to aid its likelihood of survival;
(ii) in State, district, commonwealth, territory, or possession, or Federal, waters of the United States and in need of medical attention or other necessary intervention to aid its likelihood of survival;
or (iii) outside of its natural habitat, is unable to return unassisted, and is in the United States.
(7) Stranding region.--The term ``stranding region'' means a geographic region designated by the Secretary under subsection (b).
(8) United states.--The term ``United States'' means any land or water of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession over which the United States has jurisdiction, including internal waters, State waters, the territorial sea, and the exclusive economic zone of the United States.
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Action History

  1. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  2. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  3. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.

  4. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  5. Introduced in Senate

  6. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors S 2086?
S 2086 is sponsored by Markey, Edward J. (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 2086?
This bill died with 118th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
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