[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1091 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1091

To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control 
                  Act of 1998, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2007

  Mr. Mack (for himself, Mr. Buchanan, and Ms. Castor) introduced the 
  following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control 
                  Act of 1998, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Save Our Shores Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) A harmful algal bloom is a condition that occurs in 
        ocean waters when a significantly large and highly concentrated 
        growth of phytoplankton or algae produces biotoxins or 
        otherwise causes negative effects.
            (2) A common harmful algal bloom event known as Red Tide 
        occurs when appropriate conditions allow for massive overgrowth 
        of micro algae, causing phytoplankton blooms that discolor the 
        water.
            (3) Harmful algal blooms commonly occur in waters off the 
        East and West coasts of the United States, as well as in the 
        Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, and the waters surrounding the 
        offshore territories of the United States.
            (4) Harmful algal blooms cause dangerous respiratory 
        distress, burning eyes, and other ailments to individuals in 
        affected areas, as well as the nationwide potential of severe 
        food poisoning from the consumption of contaminated shellfish.
            (5) Harmful algal blooms cause severe impacts to natural 
        resources by way of illness and death to marine mammals, fish, 
        sea turtles, and sea birds as well as coral reef and sea grass 
        communities. As massive algal blooms die, their decomposition 
        depletes oxygen from the water resulting in hypoxic and anoxic 
        conditions leaving vast dead zones in our coastal oceans and 
        lakes.
            (6) Harmful algal blooms cause significant economic harm to 
        businesses and individuals engaged in fishing and shellfishing, 
        as well as to communities and businesses that depend on their 
        coastal location for tourism.
            (7) Because harmful algal blooms are affected by many 
        variables, including weather and currents, it is impossible to 
        predict the location, timing, or duration of harmful algal 
        blooms, and further study is needed to understand how these 
        variables, as well as other environmental factors, may cause or 
        contribute to the formation or maintenance of harmful algal 
        blooms.
            (8) The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 
        2004 provided a research framework for addressing harmful algal 
        blooms and for consolidating research efforts.

SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND 
              CONTROL ACT OF 1998.

    (a) Reauthorization.--Section 605 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note) is 
amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
        ``$25,500,000 for fiscal year 2008'' and inserting 
        ``$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010'';
            (2) in each of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) by 
        striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2010''; and
            (3) in paragraph (5) by striking ``fiscal year 2008'' and 
        inserting ``each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010''.
    (b) Annual Report Requirement.--Section 603 of the Harmful Algal 
Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 
note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Annual Report.--At the time the President submits the 
President's annual budget request to the Congress each year, the Task 
Force shall submit to the Congress a report on the status and 
accomplishments of activities under this Act during the preceding 
year.''.
    (c) Award of Federal Financial Assistance for Harmful Algal Bloom 
Research.--All Federal financial assistance for harmful algal bloom 
research shall be awarded on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis.
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