[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3785 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3785

  To support rural coastal and maritime economic development, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             February 8 (legislative day, February 7), 2024

 Ms. Murkowski introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
                  referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To support rural coastal and maritime economic development, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Working 
Waterfronts Act of 2024''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                        TITLE I--COASTAL ENERGY

Sec. 101. Credit for maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric 
                            facilities.
Sec. 102. Transition to alternative fuel commercial fishing vessels.
                    TITLE II--FISHERIES AND SEAFOOD

Sec. 201. Department of Agriculture loans and grants for fishing and 
                            mariculture businesses.
Sec. 202. Extension of credit to businesses providing services to 
                            producers or harvesters of aquatic 
                            products.
Sec. 203. Shellfish mariculture under the national harmful algal bloom 
                            and hypoxia program.
Sec. 204. Allocation of funds under Saltonstall-Kennedy Act.
Sec. 205. Electronic Monitoring Innovation Prize.
                  TITLE III--SHORESIDE INFRASTRUCTURE

         Subtitle A--Rural Coastal Community Processing Grants

Sec. 301. Definitions.
Sec. 302. Action plan and identification of coastal communities.
Sec. 303. Grants and cooperative agreements to support rural seafood 
                            processing and cold storage.
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.
              Subtitle B--Working Waterfronts Preservation

Sec. 311. Working waterfront access protection grant program.
                    TITLE IV--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 401. Maritime workforce grant program.
Sec. 402. Safety standards for certain fishing vessels.
                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

                      Subtitle A--Ocean Innovation

Sec. 501. Definitions.
Sec. 502. Ocean Innovation Clusters.
Sec. 503. Grants for Ocean Innovation Clusters.
  Subtitle B--Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems and Great Lakes Ecosystems

Sec. 511. Definitions.
Sec. 512. Interagency Working Group on Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems and 
                            Great Lakes ecosystems.
Sec. 513. National-level map and inventory of vegetated coastal 
                            ecosystems and Great Lakes ecosystems.
Sec. 514. Grants for pilot projects and research on coastal natural 
                            infrastructure in cold climates.
                    Subtitle C--Ocean Acidification

Sec. 521. Definitions in Federal Ocean Acidification Research And 
                            Monitoring Act of 2009.
Sec. 522. Improvement of collaboration on ocean acidification.
Sec. 523. Technical corrections.
                       Subtitle D--Other Matters

Sec. 531. Transfer of, and amendments to, the Coastal Aquatic Invasive 
                            Species Mitigation Grant Program and 
                            mitigation fund.

                        TITLE I--COASTAL ENERGY

SEC. 101. CREDIT FOR MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING HYDROELECTRIC 
              FACILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Subpart E of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after 
section 48E the following new section:

``SEC. 48F. CREDIT FOR MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING HYDROELECTRIC 
              FACILITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 46, the credit for 
maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric facilities for any taxable year 
is an amount equal to 30 percent of the basis of any hydropower 
improvement property placed in service during such taxable year.
    ``(b) Certain Progress Expenditure Rules Made Applicable.--Rules 
similar to the rules of subsections (c)(4) and (d) of section 46 (as in 
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Revenue 
Reconciliation Act of 1990) shall apply for purposes of subsection (a).
    ``(c) Hydropower Improvement Property.--In this section, the term 
`hydropower improvement property' means property which--
            ``(1) adds or improves fish passage at a qualified dam,
            ``(2) maintains or improves the quality of the water 
        retained or released by a qualified dam,
            ``(3) promotes downstream sediment transport processes and 
        habitat maintenance with respect to a qualified dam,
            ``(4) is part of a marine energy technology project or a 
        marine energy project, or
            ``(5) places into service an approved remote dam.
    ``(d) Other Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) Approved remote dam.--The term `approved remote dam' 
        means--
                    ``(A) a hydroelectric dam which--
                            ``(i) exclusively services communities not 
                        interconnected to the Electric Reliability 
                        Council of Texas, the Eastern Interconnection, 
                        or the Western Interconnection,
                            ``(ii) does not contribute to atmosphere 
                        pollution, and
                            ``(iii) has a maximum net output of not 
                        greater than 40 megawatts, and
                    ``(B) any interconnection property associated with 
                a dam described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Federal 
        Energy Regulatory Commission.
            ``(3) Fish passage.--The term `fish passage' means, with 
        respect to any qualified dam, any new or upgraded turbine, 
        fishway, or other fish passage technology which improves fish 
        migration and survival rates.
            ``(4) Interconnection property.--The term `interconnection 
        property' means any tangible property--
                    ``(A)(i) with respect to any dam described in 
                paragraph (1)(A), to enable the delivery of electricity 
                from such dam to any customer, or
                    ``(ii) with respect to any project described 
                paragraph (5)(A) or (6)(A), to enable the delivery of 
                electricity from such project to any customer, and
                    ``(B) which satisfies the requirements under 
                clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 48(a)(8)(B).
            ``(5) Marine energy project.--The term `marine energy 
        project' means--
                    ``(A) a project which produces electricity from--
                            ``(i) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, 
                        estuaries, and tidal areas,
                            ``(ii) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, 
                        streams, and man-made channels,
                            ``(iii) differentials in salinity and 
                        pressure gradients, or
                            ``(iv) differentials in water temperature, 
                        including ocean thermal energy conversion, and
                    ``(B) any interconnection property associated with 
                a project described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(6) Marine energy technology project.--The term `marine 
        energy technology project' means--
                    ``(A) a project which the Commission determines--
                            ``(i) will produce electricity from a 
                        generator that converts the potential energy of 
                        flowing water,
                            ``(ii) will utilize a generating technology 
                        that is not in widespread, utility scale use in 
                        the United States as of the date of enactment 
                        of this section,
                            ``(iii) will not be, based on information 
                        available to the Commission, likely to 
                        jeopardize the continued existence of any 
                        species listed as a threatened species or an 
                        endangered species under the Endangered Species 
                        Act of 1973, and
                            ``(iv) will not be, based on information 
                        available to the Commission, likely to result 
                        in the destruction or adverse modification of 
                        an area designated as critical habitat for any 
                        species listed as a threatened species or an 
                        endangered species under such Act, and
                    ``(B) any interconnection property associated with 
                a project described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(7) Qualified dam.--The term `qualified dam' means a 
        hydroelectric dam that is licensed by the Commission or legally 
        operating without such a license before the date of enactment 
        of this section.''.
    (b) Elective Payment and Transfer of Credit.--
            (1) Elective payment.--Section 6417 of the Internal Revenue 
        Code of 1986 is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
                following:
            ``(13) The credit for maintaining and enhancing 
        hydroelectric facilities under section 48F.'', and
                    (B) in subsection (d)(1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``(C), 
                        or (D)'' each place it appears and inserting 
                        ``(C), (D), or (E)'',
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) (as 
                        amended by clause (i)) as subparagraph (F), and
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (D) 
                        the following:
                    ``(E) Election with respect to credit for 
                maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric facilities.--If 
                a taxpayer other than an entity described in 
                subparagraph (A) makes an election under this 
                subparagraph with respect to any taxable year in which 
                such taxpayer has, after December 31, 2022, placed in 
                service hydropower improvement property (as defined in 
                section 48F(c)), such taxpayer shall be treated as an 
                applicable entity for purposes of this section for such 
                taxable year, but only with respect to the credit 
                described in subsection (b)(13).''.
            (2) Transfer.--Section 6418(f)(1)(A) of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
                            ``(xii) The credit for maintaining and 
                        enhancing hydroelectric facilities under 
                        section 48F.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 46 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end,
                    (B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``, and'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) the credit for maintaining and enhancing 
        hydroelectric facilities.''.
            (2) Section 49(a)(1)(C) of such Code is amended--
                    (A) in clause (vii), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end,
                    (B) in clause (viii), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``, and'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ix) the basis of any hydropower 
                        improvement property under section 48F.''.
            (3) Section 50 of such Code is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2)(E), as amended by section 
                13702(b) of Public Law 117-169, by striking ``or 
                48E(e)'' and inserting ``48E(e), or 48F(b)'', and
                    (B) in subsection (d)(2)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``or any hydropower 
                        improvement property (as defined in section 
                        48F(c))'' after ``any energy storage technology 
                        (as defined in section 48(c)(6))'', and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``energy storage technology'' each place it 
                        appears and inserting ``energy storage 
                        technology or hydropower improvement 
                        property''.
            (4) The table of sections for subpart E of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 48E the following new item:

``Sec. 48F. Credit for maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric 
                            facilities.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2022.

SEC. 102. TRANSITION TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
            (2) Alternative fuel commercial fishing vessel.--The term 
        ``alternative fuel commercial fishing vessel'' means a 
        commercial fishing vessel that runs on an energy source other 
        than an energy source that is exclusively derived from 
        petroleum, which may include a hybrid energy source.
            (3) Commercial fishing vessel.--The term ``commercial 
        fishing vessel'' has the meaning given that term in section 
        2101 of title 46, United States Code.
            (4) Necessary shoreside infrastructure.--The term 
        ``necessary shoreside infrastructure'' means shoreside 
        infrastructure necessary to facilitate the transition of 
        commercial fishing vessels to alternative fuel commercial 
        fishing vessels, which may include charging stations for 
        electric alternative fuel commercial fishing vessels and 
        refueling stations for alternative fuel commercial fishing 
        vessels.
            (5) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the 
        pilot program established under subsection (b)(1).
    (b) Pilot Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
        with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, shall establish a pilot 
        program to facilitate the transition of United States-flagged 
        commercial fishing vessels to alternative fuel commercial 
        fishing vessels.
            (2) Use of funds.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
        Administrator may make loans--
                    (A) to facilitate the transition from commercial 
                fishing vessels using energy sources exclusively 
                derived from petroleum to alternative fuel commercial 
                fishing vessels, which may include loans for the 
                building of new alternative fuel commercial fishing 
                vessels or retrofitting existing commercial fishing 
                vessels into alternative fuel commercial fishing 
                vessels; and
                    (B) for research and development of alternative 
                fuel technologies for commercial fishing vessels and 
                necessary shoreside infrastructure.
            (3) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Commandant 
        of the Coast Guard shall each promulgate regulations necessary 
        for the implementation of the pilot program.
    (c) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator, jointly with the Commandant of the 
Coast Guard, shall carry out, and submit to Congress a report 
describing the results of, a study on--
            (1) methods to further develop alternative fuels for use 
        with commercial fishing vessels;
            (2) how to improve existing alternative fuel technologies 
        in commercial fishing vessels;
            (3) the fuel sources available for commercial fishing 
        vessels, and the limitations of those fuel sources; and
            (4) opportunities for the use of hybrid technologies in 
        commercial fishing vessels.
    (d) Authorizations of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Administrator $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 
        through 2029 to carry out subsection (b).
            (2) Allocation of funding.--Of the amounts made available 
        under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year--
                    (A) not less than $10,000,000 shall be used to make 
                loans described in subsection (b)(2)(A); and
                    (B) not less than $10,000,000 shall be used to make 
                loans described in subsection (b)(2)(B).

                    TITLE II--FISHERIES AND SEAFOOD

SEC. 201. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS AND GRANTS FOR FISHING AND 
              MARICULTURE BUSINESSES.

    (a) Definitions of Farmer and Farming.--Section 343(a) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``farming.'' and 
        inserting ``farming, commercial fishing, or fish processing.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``farming.'' and 
        inserting ``farming, commercial fishing, and fish 
        processing.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(14) Commercial fishing.--The term `commercial fishing' 
        means fishing (as defined in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
        Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802)) in 
        which the fish harvested, either in whole or in part, are 
        intended to enter commerce or enter commerce through sale, 
        barter, or trade.
            ``(15) Commercial fishing vessel.--The term `commercial 
        fishing vessel' means a fishing vessel and a fish processing 
        vessel (as those terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46, 
        United States Code).
            ``(16) Fish.--The term `fish' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code.
            ``(17) Fish processing.--The term `fish processing' means 
        the processing of fish for commercial use or consumption.
            ``(18) Fish processing facility.--The term `fish processing 
        facility' means a facility or vessel, boat, ship, or other 
        craft used or equipped for fish processing.''.
    (b) Farm Ownership Loans.--
            (1) Eligibility.--Section 302(a) of the Consolidated Farm 
        and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(a)) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish.--For 
        purposes of direct and guaranteed farm loans under this 
        subtitle--
                    ``(A) the terms `farmer' and `rancher' shall 
                include an individual or entity engaged in commercial 
                fishing or fish processing; and
                    ``(B) the terms `farm' and `ranch' shall include--
                            ``(i) a commercial fishing vessel; and
                            ``(ii) a fish processing facility.''.
            (2) Purposes.--Section 303(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1923(a)) is amended by adding 
        at the end the following:
            ``(3) Commercial fishery participants; fish processors.--
                    ``(A) Commercial fishery participants.--An 
                individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing may 
                use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle 
                for--
                            ``(i) acquiring a commercial fishing 
                        permit; and
                            ``(ii) acquiring, operating, and 
                        maintaining a commercial fishing vessel.
                    ``(B) Fish processors.--An individual or entity 
                engaged in fish processing may use a direct or 
                guaranteed loan under this subtitle for acquiring, 
                operating, and maintaining a fish processing 
                facility.''.
    (c) Farm Operating Loans.--
            (1) Eligibility.--Section 311(a) of the Consolidated Farm 
        and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(a)) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish.--For 
        purposes of direct and guaranteed farm loans under this 
        subtitle--
                    ``(A) the terms `farmer' and `rancher' shall 
                include an individual or entity engaged in commercial 
                fishing or fish processing; and
                    ``(B) the terms `farm' and `ranch' shall include--
                            ``(i) a commercial fishing vessel; and
                            ``(ii) a fish processing facility.''.
            (2) Purposes.--Section 312 of the Consolidated Farm and 
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1942) is amended by adding at 
        the end the following:
    ``(f) Commercial Fishery Participants; Fish Processors.--
            ``(1) Commercial fishery participants.--An individual or 
        entity engaged in commercial fishing may use a direct or 
        guaranteed loan under this subtitle for acquiring, operating, 
        and maintaining a commercial fishing vessel.
            ``(2) Fish processors.--An individual or entity engaged in 
        fish processing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this 
        subtitle for acquiring, operating, and maintaining a fish 
        processing facility.''.
    (d) Farmers' Markets and Local Food Promotion Program.--Section 
210A(d)(6) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 
1627c(d)(6)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and 
                shellfish.--For purposes of this paragraph--
                            ``(i) an agricultural commodity or product 
                        described in subsection (a)(12) shall include 
                        fish (as defined in section 2101 of title 46, 
                        United States Code) that is caught, taken, or 
                        harvested from the wild; and
                            ``(ii) the eligible activities described in 
                        paragraph (2) shall include domestic seafood 
                        marketing.''.

SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF CREDIT TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING SERVICES TO 
              PRODUCERS OR HARVESTERS OF AQUATIC PRODUCTS.

    (a) Farm Credit Banks.--
            (1) Eligibility for credit and financial services.--Section 
        1.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2017) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) persons furnishing to producers or harvesters of 
        aquatic products services directly related to their operating 
        needs; or''.
            (2) Purposes for extensions of credit.--Section 1.11(c)(1) 
        of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2019(c)(1)) is 
        amended by inserting ``and to persons furnishing services 
        directly related to the operating needs of producers or 
        harvesters of aquatic products'' after ``needs''.
    (b) Production Credit Associations.--Section 2.4(a) of the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2075(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) persons furnishing to producers or harvesters of 
        aquatic products services directly related to their operating 
        needs.''.

SEC. 203. SHELLFISH MARICULTURE UNDER THE NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM 
              AND HYPOXIA PROGRAM.

    Section 603A of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 
Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4002) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as 
                paragraphs (11) and (12), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
            ``(10) enhance competitive grant programs to support 
        shellfish mariculture and expand access to testing for harmful 
        algal bloom toxins for subsistence and recreational shellfish 
        harvesters through innovative methods that increase the 
        efficiency and effectiveness of such testing in rural and 
        remote areas;''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Definition of Shellfish Mariculture.--In this section, the 
term `shellfish mariculture' means the cultivation of shellfish in 
their natural habitat for human consumption.''.

SEC. 204. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS UNDER SALTONSTALL-KENNEDY ACT.

    Section 2(f) of the Act of August 11, 1939 (commonly known as the 
``Saltonstall-Kennedy Act'') (15 U.S.C. 713c-3(f)), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in the first sentence, by striking 
                        ``all moneys in the fund shall'' and inserting 
                        ``25 percent of all moneys transferred to the 
                        Secretary under subsection (b)(1) shall''; and
                            (ii) in the second sentence, by striking 
                        ``all moneys in the fund,'' and all that 
                        follows through ``with respect to that fiscal 
                        year,'' and inserting ``such moneys'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``use no less than 60 per 
                        centum of such moneys'' and inserting ``make 
                        available not less than 75 percent of such 
                        moneys, equal to 18.75 percent of all moneys 
                        transferred to the Secretary under subsection 
                        (b)(1),'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``under the Saltonstall-
                        Kennedy competitive grant program of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration'' after ``grants''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
                        semicolon;
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) the Secretary shall make available not less 
                than 20 percent of such moneys, equal to 5 percent of 
                all moneys transferred to the Secretary under 
                subsection (b)(1), to carry out the Young Fishermen's 
                Development Act (33 U.S.C. 1141 et seq.); and''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$3,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$10,000,000''.

SEC. 205. ELECTRONIC MONITORING INNOVATION PRIZE.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
and under the authority provided by section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler 
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719), the Administrator 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in consultation 
with the heads of relevant Federal agencies and nongovernmental 
partners, as appropriate, shall establish an Electronic Monitoring 
Innovation Prize, which may be awarded for the development of advanced 
electronic fisheries monitoring equipment and data analysis tools, 
including improved fish species recognition software.

                  TITLE III--SHORESIDE INFRASTRUCTURE

         Subtitle A--Rural Coastal Community Processing Grants

SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Mariculture.--The term ``mariculture'' means shellfish 
        and aquatic plants grown under controlled conditions.
            (2) Rural coastal community.--The term ``rural coastal 
        community'' means a coastal community in a rural area (as 
        defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
        Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a))).
            (3) Rural processing facility.--The term ``rural processing 
        facility'' means a seafood or mariculture processing facility 
        that is located in a rural coastal community.
            (4) Seafood.--The term ``seafood'' means wild caught 
        finfish and shellfish.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.

SEC. 302. ACTION PLAN AND IDENTIFICATION OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Commerce, shall develop an action plan to facilitate more 
domestic processing of United States-caught seafood and mariculture by 
rural processing facilities, including rural processing facilities that 
have less than 50 employees.
    (b) Inclusions.--The action plan developed under subsection (a) 
shall include--
            (1) an identification of rural coastal communities where 
        commercial fishing is a significant economic driver and there 
        exists a need and voiced community desire for the creation of 
        new (or rehabilitation of existing) seafood processing 
        infrastructure for rural processing facilities to allow those 
        communities--
                    (A) to effectively process their own catch locally; 
                and
                    (B) to provide for the local and domestic market;
            (2) an identification of rural coastal communities with 
        existing or developing mariculture operations where processing 
        infrastructure for rural processing facilities is not 
        sufficient to meet the needs of the mariculture operations; and
            (3) a consideration of the diversity of rural coastal 
        communities, including geographic diversity.
    (c) Identification of Eligible Communities.--The action plan 
developed under subsection (a) shall identify rural coastal communities 
across the United States that would be eligible for the grants and 
cooperative agreements under section 303.
    (d) Stakeholder Engagement.--In developing the action plan under 
subsection (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Commerce, shall provide a meaningful stakeholder engagement process 
that prioritizes outreach and engagement through methods that 
effectively reach out to residents of rural coastal communities 
described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b).

SEC. 303. GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO SUPPORT RURAL SEAFOOD 
              PROCESSING AND COLD STORAGE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall, for the period of fiscal 
years 2025 through 2029, make competitive grants or enter into 
cooperative agreements--
            (1) to support pilot projects for new seafood or 
        mariculture processing infrastructure for rural processing 
        facilities in rural coastal communities identified under 
        section 302(c);
            (2) to support pilot projects for the rehabilitation, 
        repair, or retrofitting of existing seafood or mariculture 
        processing infrastructure for rural processing facilities in 
        rural coastal communities identified under section 302(c);
            (3) to support pilot projects for new cold storage 
        infrastructure for rural processing facilities in rural coastal 
        communities identified under section 302(c); and
            (4) to support pilot projects for the rehabilitation, 
        repair, or retrofitting of existing cold storage infrastructure 
        for rural processing facilities in rural coastal communities 
        identified under section 302(c).
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a 
cooperative agreement under subsection (a), the recipient of the grant 
or participant in the cooperative agreement shall be--
            (1) a collaborative State, Tribal, local, or regionally 
        based network or partnership of public or private entities; or
            (2) an individual company that owns or operates one or more 
        rural processing facilities.
    (c) Allocation for Small-Scale Rural Processing Facilities.--Of the 
amount made available to make competitive grants and enter into 
cooperative agreements under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall use 50 percent to support pilot projects described in 
that subsection for rural processing facilities that have less than 50 
employees.
    (d) Evaluation Criteria.--In making grants or entering into 
cooperative agreements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
evaluate, with respect to applications for the grants or cooperative 
agreements--
            (1) relevancy;
            (2) technical merit;
            (3) achievability, expertise, and track record; and
            (4) equity and community impacts.
    (e) Requirements.--A grant or cooperative agreement under 
subsection (a) shall be for an amount and term determined appropriate 
by the Secretary.

SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

              Subtitle B--Working Waterfronts Preservation

SEC. 311. WORKING WATERFRONT ACCESS PROTECTION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Boat.--The term ``boat'' means a watercraft that is not 
        built in a shipyard, and is typically of the type suitable or 
        intended for personal use or for use in a fishery.
            (2) Boatbuilding industry.--The term ``boatbuilding 
        industry'' means an industry primarily engaged in building 
        boats.
            (3) Coastal waters.--The term ``coastal waters'' means--
                    (A) in the Great Lakes area, the waters within the 
                territorial jurisdiction of the United States 
                consisting of the Great Lakes, their connecting waters, 
                harbors, roadsteads, and estuary-type areas such as 
                bays, shallows, and marshes; and
                    (B) in other areas, those waters, adjacent to the 
                shorelines, which contain a measurable quantity or 
                percentage of sea water, including sounds, bays, 
                lagoons, bayous, ponds, and estuaries.
            (4) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) the government of a coastal State;
                    (B) a unit of local government within a coastal 
                State;
                    (C) a nonprofit organization that the Secretary 
                determines is appropriate to receive a grant under 
                subsection (b); or
                    (D) a participant in the commercial fishing 
                industry, the mariculture industry, or the for-hire 
                recreational fishing industry.
            (5) Eligible project.--The term ``eligible project'' means 
        a project--
                    (A) to--
                            (i) make improvements to real property that 
                        is a working waterfront area located in a 
                        coastal State and owned by an eligible entity, 
                        including--
                                    (I) the construction or repair of 
                                wharfs or related facilities;
                                    (II) the provision of access to 
                                coastal waters in working waterfront 
                                areas to persons engaged in the 
                                commercial fishing industry, the 
                                mariculture industry, the for-hire 
                                recreational fishing industry, or the 
                                boatbuilding industry; and
                                    (III) improvements made to such 
                                property in order to be resilient to 
                                climate change; or
                            (ii) permanently designate or otherwise 
                        protect real property owned or operated by an 
                        eligible entity as a working waterfront area;
                    (B) that has been approved or endorsed by the State 
                government entity responsible for fishery management or 
                the State's coastal zone management agency; and
                    (C) that is consistent with State coastal shoreline 
                access laws (including regulations).
            (6) Mariculture.--The term ``mariculture'' means shellfish 
        and aquatic plants grown under controlled conditions.
            (7) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' means an organization that is--
                    (A) described in section 501(c) of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986; and
                    (B) exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of 
                the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
            (9) Working waterfront area.--The term ``working waterfront 
        area'' means land that is used for, or that supports, the 
        commercial fishing industry, the mariculture industry, the for-
        hire recreational fishing industry, or the boatbuilding 
        industry.
    (b) Grant Program Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Economic 
        Development Administration of the Department of Commerce, shall 
        award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to 
        carry out eligible projects that support the commercial fishing 
        industry, the mariculture industry, the for-hire recreational 
        fishing industry, or the boatbuilding industry in coastal 
        States.
            (2) Application.--An eligible entity desiring a grant under 
        this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
        the Secretary may reasonably require.
            (3) Grant selection considerations.--In selecting eligible 
        entities to receive grants under this section, the Secretary 
        shall give substantial weight to--
                    (A) the economic significance of the eligible 
                project to the commercial fishing industry, the 
                mariculture industry, the for-hire recreational fishing 
                industry, or the boatbuilding industry in the immediate 
                vicinity and in the coastal State in which the eligible 
                project is located;
                    (B) whether other adequate waterfront access 
                alternatives exist for the commercial fishing industry 
                within the community in which the eligible entity seeks 
                to use grant funding;
                    (C) the utility of the eligible project for use in 
                the commercial fishing industry, the mariculture 
                industry, the for-hire recreational fishing industry, 
                or the boatbuilding industry, with respect to the 
                natural characteristics and developed infrastructure of 
                the relevant property;
                    (D) whether the applicant has a business plan for 
                the area in which the project will be located;
                    (E) the likelihood that the working waterfront area 
                will remain compatible with commercial fishing, 
                mariculture, for-hire recreational fishing, or 
                boatbuilding, and the applicant's ability to 
                demonstrate a need for, or support for, the project 
                within the community; and
                    (F) whether the applicant intends to permanently 
                protect the relevant property.
    (c) Cost Sharing.--The amount of a grant awarded under this section 
to carry out an eligible project may not exceed 50 percent of the total 
cost of the eligible project.
    (d) Use of Grant Funds for Eligible Projects.--
            (1) Improved or protected property.--
                    (A) In general.--Grants awarded under this section 
                may be used to improve or protect privately owned real 
                property or interests in privately owned real property, 
                including easements, only from willing owners.
                    (B) No exercise of eminent domain.--No Federal, 
                State, or local agency may exercise the power of 
                eminent domain to secure title to any real property or 
                facilities in connection with a project carried out 
                under this Act.
    (e) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress an 
annual report that describes the eligible projects funded with grants 
awarded under this section.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this Act $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 2025 through 2029.

                    TITLE IV--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 401. MARITIME WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 517 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 51708. Maritime workforce grant program
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible applicant.--The term `eligible applicant' 
        means an entity that--
                    ``(A) operates a program or performs activities 
                leading to the recruitment, education, or training of 
                future or current members of the maritime workforce; 
                and
                    ``(B) submits an application in such form as the 
                Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Maritime workforce.--The term `maritime workforce' 
        includes positions of employment requiring a license, 
        certificate of registry, or merchant mariner's document issued 
        under part E of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code.
            ``(3) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)), without regard to 
        subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) through (I) of paragraph (13) 
        of that section.
            ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--The Secretary, acting through the 
Maritime Administrator, shall establish a program to provide grants, on 
a competitive basis, to eligible applicants for eligible activities 
described in subsection (c) that support maritime workforce 
development.
    ``(c) Eligible Activities.--An eligible activity is an activity 
carried out by an eligible applicant--
            ``(1) to establish a new, or improve an existing, training 
        program that teaches technical skills used in general seagoing 
        operations and specific areas, such as deck or engineering, 
        including the purchase of equipment for such programs;
            ``(2) to provide technical training or certification 
        courses leading to maritime workforce credentialing, including 
        any of the endorsements listed in section 10.109 of title 46, 
        Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;
            ``(3) to create and deliver a program designed to provide 
        high school students with meaningful maritime education in 
        order to teach the future maritime workforce;
            ``(4) to support the professional development of teachers 
        using a curriculum of a program described in paragraph (1), 
        (2), or (3);
            ``(5) to establish, or support existing, scholarships or 
        apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment in the 
        maritime workforce;
            ``(6) to support outreach about careers in the maritime 
        workforce to--
                    ``(A) secondary and postsecondary school students; 
                or
                    ``(B) underrepresented communities, as defined by 
                the Secretary, in the maritime workforce; or
            ``(7) to otherwise enhance the maritime workforce.
    ``(d) Grant Application Review.--In reviewing and selecting 
eligible applicants to receive grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall--
            ``(1) prior to selecting among competing applications, 
        consult, as appropriate, with representatives of the maritime 
        workforce;
            ``(2) ensure that the grants awarded under subsection (b) 
        will allow participation from eligible applicants in rural, 
        suburban, and urban areas; and
            ``(3) award not less than 25 percent of the grant funds 
        available for each fiscal year to eligible applicants located 
        in rural areas.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out section 51708 of title 46, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a), $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2029.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 517 of title 46, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``51708. Maritime workforce grant program.''.

SEC. 402. SAFETY STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN FISHING VESSELS.

    Section 4502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                        subparagraph (C); and
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
                        the following:
            ``(B) to conduct safety and prevention training that 
        addresses behavioral and physical health risks, to include 
        substance use disorder and worker fatigue, facing fishing 
        vessel operators and crewmembers; and'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph 
                (3); and
                    (D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C), by striking ``$3,000,000 for fiscal 
                year 2023'' and inserting ``$6,000,000 for each of 
                fiscal years 2025 and 2026'';
            (2) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and severe 
                weather detection'' and inserting ``severe weather 
                detection, and understanding and mitigating behavioral 
                and physical health risks, to include substance use 
                disorder and worker fatigue, facing members of the 
                commercial fishing industry'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph 
                (3); and
                    (D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C), by striking ``$3,000,000 for fiscal 
                year 2023'' and inserting ``$6,000,000 for each of 
                fiscal years 2025 and 2026'';
            (3) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (j) the following:
    ``(k) From amounts appropriated under subsections (i)(3) and (j)(3) 
for a fiscal year, the Secretary may transfer to the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services funds to pay for the Secretary's 
administration of the grant programs under subsections (i) and (j) for 
such fiscal year.''.

                         TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

                      Subtitle A--Ocean Innovation

SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Blue economy.--The term ``Blue Economy'' means the 
        value and impact of sustainable industries related to the Great 
        Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts on the economy of 
        the United States, including living resources, marine 
        construction, marine transportation, offshore energy 
        development and siting including for renewable energy, offshore 
        mineral production, ship and boat building, tourism, 
        recreation, subsistence, commercial, recreational, and charter 
        fishing, seafood processing, and other fishery-related 
        businesses, kelp and shellfish aquaculture, coastal resilience, 
        and other industries the Secretary of Commerce considers 
        appropriate.
            (2) Director of sea grant.--The term ``Director of Sea 
        Grant'' means the Director of the National Sea Grant College 
        Program appointed under section 204(d)(1) of the National Sea 
        Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)(1)).
            (3) 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).
            (4) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
        Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
        7517).
            (5) Ocean innovation center for cross-sector 
        collaboration.--The term ``Ocean Innovation Center for Cross-
        Sector Collaboration'' means a physical space for collaboration 
        developed and managed in accordance with section 502(i).
            (6) Ocean innovation cluster.--The term ``Ocean Innovation 
        Cluster'' means an eligible entity designated by the Secretary 
        of Commerce under section 502.

SEC. 502. OCEAN INNOVATION CLUSTERS.

    (a) Designation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with 
the Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Economic Development, shall designate not fewer than 7 eligible 
entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters.
    (b) Eligible Entities.--For purposes of this section, an eligible 
entity is an entity--
            (1) that is composed, in a concentrated geographic region, 
        of 1 or more--
                    (A) business organizations;
                    (B) academic institutions, including minority- and 
                Tribal-serving institutions;
                    (C) not-for-profit organizations;
                    (D) Federal, State, or local governmental entities, 
                agencies, or instrumentalities;
                    (E) Indian Tribes; or
                    (F) Native Hawaiian organizations;
            (2) that is led by a not-for-profit organization; and
            (3) that works to deliver services in the concentrated 
        geographic region where the entity is located, enhance 
        collaboration, promote innovation, and contribute to the 
        equitable and sustainable growth of the Blue Economy across all 
        sectors.
    (c) Priority.--In designating entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters 
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Commerce shall prioritize 
entities with a history of supporting cross-sector growth and 
development of the Blue Economy.
    (d) Geographic Diversity.--The Secretary of Commerce shall 
designate not fewer than 1 Ocean Innovation Cluster under subsection 
(a) in--
            (1) each of the regions covered by the 5 regional offices 
        of the National Marine Fisheries Service;
            (2) the Great Lakes region; and
            (3) the Gulf of Mexico region.
    (e) Considerations.--In designating an eligible entity as an Ocean 
Innovation Cluster under subsection (a), the Secretary of Commerce 
shall consider the following:
            (1) The economic development potential of the coastal 
        community or region in which the entity is located.
            (2) The ability of the entity to incorporate and bring 
        growth and opportunity to broad geographic areas, including 
        urban, rural, and underserved areas.
            (3) Whether the entity serves a diverse, multigenerational, 
        ocean-dependent population consisting of groups with different 
        socioeconomic and educational attainment levels, industries, 
        and Indian Tribes.
            (4) The ability of the entity to cultivate and leverage 
        partnerships with private industry, academia, nongovernmental 
        organizations, Federal, State, and local governments, and 
        Indian Tribes to collaborate on shared outcomes.
            (5) The relative potential for the designation of the 
        entity as an Ocean Innovation Cluster to reverse a decline, or 
        accelerate growth, in ocean sector jobs.
            (6) The ability of the entity to carry out projects that 
        support economic and climate resilience through economic 
        diversification and long-term recovery from natural disasters.
            (7) The extent, rural and underserved nature, and economic 
        underutilization of the coastline and ocean area that projects 
        carried out by the entity could affect.
    (f) Partnership Management.--
            (1) Partnership liaisons.--
                    (A) Designation.--The Director of Sea Grant, the 
                Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
                Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
                Economic Development shall each designate 1 partnership 
                manager from within their respective agencies to serve 
                as a partnership liaison between each Ocean Innovation 
                Cluster and Sea Grant, the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, and the Economic 
                Development Administration, respectively.
                    (B) Function.--Each partnership liaison designated 
                under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that Ocean 
                Innovation Clusters--
                            (i) have direct communication with the 
                        agency of the liaison; and
                            (ii) allow for collaboration and alignment 
                        with Federal objectives in each region 
                        regarding the Blue Economy.
            (2) Interagency coordination.--
                    (A) Secretary of commerce and partnership 
                liaisons.--The Secretary of Commerce shall coordinate 
                with the Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary 
                of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, the Assistant 
                Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, the 
                Department of Energy, the Maritime Administration of 
                the Department of Transportation, the Environmental 
                Protection Agency, the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
                Management of the Department of the Interior, the 
                Department of Agriculture, the Coast Guard, and such 
                other Federal agencies, including bureaus of the 
                Department of Commerce, as the Secretary of Commerce 
                considers appropriate to increase technical knowledge 
                exchange and opportunities for cross-sector 
                collaboration with those agencies.
                    (B) Secretary of energy.--With respect to matters 
                relating to the nexus of the Blue Economy and the 
                responsibilities and expertise of the Department of 
                Energy, the Secretary of Energy--
                            (i) shall provide advice and 
                        recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce in 
                        order to increase technical knowledge exchange 
                        and opportunities for cross-sector 
                        collaboration; and
                            (ii) may provide such advice and 
                        recommendations without any formal request from 
                        the Department of Commerce.
    (g) Development of Economic Impact Metrics of Ocean Innovation 
Clusters.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the 
Department of Commerce, and the heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies shall use and refine the Marine Economy Satellite Account to 
measure the value to and impact of Ocean Innovation Clusters on the 
Blue Economy.
    (h) Areas of Focus.--The Director of Sea Grant, the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development shall coordinate with 
each Ocean Innovation Cluster in the following areas of focus:
            (1) Increasing pathways for new entrants into the Blue 
        Economy for individuals and entities.
            (2) Intellectual property management.
            (3) Enhancing the sustainability of seafood supply chains, 
        including with respect to food, transportation, processing, 
        health and beauty products, animal feed, medical biotechnology, 
        bioplastics, biofuels, and other value-added products, to 
        strive for full use of harvested natural resources.
            (4) Providing significant and sustainable economic 
        opportunity through advanced research, cross-sector science, 
        and technology development.
            (5) Contributing new knowledge, processes, technology, and 
        support for stakeholders in the Blue Economy, especially to 
        advance sustainability in specific sectors.
            (6) Working with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies 
        to clearly communicate laws, regulations, and agency practices 
        affecting industry needs, planning, or growth opportunities.
            (7) Creating investable opportunities through the 
        development of economies of scale to enhance growth 
        opportunities, job creation, sustainability, and expansion for 
        small businesses within the Blue Economy.
            (8) Workforce development and training, business planning, 
        identifying existing and needed technology and economic 
        infrastructure, and coordinated research and development among 
        small businesses, government, and industry.
            (9) Research, development, and implementation of ocean 
        energy, bioprospecting, and other innovative and sustainable 
        ocean resource development endeavors.
    (i) Ocean Innovation Centers for Cross-Sector Collaboration.--
            (1) In general.--In order to foster collaboration and 
        innovation and strengthen regional ocean sector economies while 
        creating employment opportunities, the Director of Sea Grant, 
        the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, 
        and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic 
        Development shall collaborate with cross-sector partners to 
        jointly develop or designate at least 1 physical space for 
        collaboration as an Ocean Innovation Center for Cross-Sector 
        Collaboration within each of the 7 regions with an Ocean 
        Innovation Cluster.
            (2) Management.--An Ocean Innovation Cluster or a group of 
        Ocean Innovation Clusters shall manage the Ocean Innovation 
        Center for Cross-Sector Collaboration of the region in which 
        the Cluster or Clusters is located.
            (3) Functions.--Each Ocean Innovation Center for Cross-
        Sector Collaboration shall--
                    (A) serve as a hub for partners within Ocean 
                Innovation Clusters to work toward the areas of focus 
                in described in subsection (h);
                    (B) support a community of entrepreneurs focused on 
                strengthening vibrant marine-dependent communities and 
                the Blue Economy;
                    (C) create workspaces and laboratories designed to 
                promote collaboration, including through shared meeting 
                rooms, access to technology, common spaces, and 
                offices;
                    (D) strengthen relationships among industry sectors 
                through shared scientific, staffing, and business 
                resources;
                    (E) develop the critical networks with cross-sector 
                partners that entrepreneurs need to grow effectively; 
                and
                    (F) develop the next generation of Blue Economy 
                workers by providing internships, apprenticeships, or 
                training, as appropriate, including for 
                underrepresented and Tribal communities and local trade 
                schools.

SEC. 503. GRANTS FOR OCEAN INNOVATION CLUSTERS.

    The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 31. GRANTS FOR OCEAN INNOVATION CLUSTERS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Director 
of Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic 
Development, may award grants, on a competitive basis, to Ocean 
Innovation Clusters for the purposes described in subsection (b).
    ``(b) Purposes.--The Secretary may award grants under subsection 
(a) for the operation and administration of one or more Ocean 
Innovation Clusters under section 502 of the Working Waterfronts Act of 
2024, with the goal that Ocean Innovation Clusters will become 
membership-based, self-sustaining entities.
    ``(c) Input.--In awarding a grant under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall provide an opportunity for input from the Director of 
Sea Grant, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
Atmosphere, and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic 
Development.
    ``(d) Term of Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The term of a grant awarded under 
        subsection (a) shall be 2 years.
            ``(2) Renewal.--The Secretary may renew a grant awarded 
        under subsection (a) for additional periods of such duration as 
        the Secretary determines to be appropriate and necessary for 
        the Ocean Innovation Cluster that received the grant to provide 
        regional economic benefits.
    ``(e) Limitations on Grant Amounts.--A grant awarded under 
subsection (a) may not exceed $10,000,000.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to award grants under subsection (a) 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Director of sea grant.--The term `Director of Sea 
        Grant' means the Director of the National Sea Grant College 
        Program appointed under section 204(d)(1) of the National Sea 
        Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)(1)).
            ``(2) Ocean innovation cluster.--The term `Ocean Innovation 
        Cluster' has the meaning given that term in section 501 of the 
        Working Waterfronts Act of 2024.''.

  Subtitle B--Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems and Great Lakes Ecosystems

SEC. 511. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the 
        Under Secretary's capacity as the Administrator of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) 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).
            (3) Interagency working group.--The term ``Interagency 
        Working Group'' means the Interagency Working Group on 
        Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems and Great Lakes Ecosystems 
        established under section 512(a).
            (4) Natural infrastructure.--The term ``natural 
        infrastructure'' has the meaning given that term in section 
        101(a) of title 23, United States Code.
            (5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' means an organization described in section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
        taxation under 501(a) of that Code.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the 
        United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
        Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the 
        Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United 
        States, and any other territory or possession of the United 
        States.
            (7) Vegetated coastal ecosystems.--The term ``vegetated 
        coastal ecosystems'' includes mangroves, tidal marshes, 
        seagrasses, kelp forests, and other tidal, freshwater, or salt-
        water wetlands.

SEC. 512. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON VEGETATED COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND 
              GREAT LAKES ECOSYSTEMS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Subcommittee on Ocean Science and 
Technology of the National Science and Technology Council shall 
establish an interagency working group to be known as the ``Interagency 
Working Group on Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems and Great Lakes 
Ecosystems''.
    (b) Membership.--The Interagency Working Group shall be comprised 
of the Ocean Policy Committee established by section 8932 of title 10, 
United States Code.
    (c) Chairperson.--The Interagency Working Group shall be chaired by 
the Administrator.
    (d) Responsibilities.--The Administrator, in consultation with the 
Interagency Working Group, shall produce, update, maintain, and use a 
map and inventory of vegetated coastal ecosystems and Great Lakes 
ecosystems as described in section 513.

SEC. 513. NATIONAL-LEVEL MAP AND INVENTORY OF VEGETATED COASTAL 
              ECOSYSTEMS AND GREAT LAKES ECOSYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--The Interagency Working Group shall produce, 
update, and maintain a national-level map and inventory of vegetated 
coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems that includes--
            (1) the types of habitats and the species in such 
        ecosystems;
            (2) the condition of such ecosystems, including whether an 
        ecosystem is degraded, drained, eutrophic, or tidally 
        restricted;
            (3) the type of public or private ownership and any 
        protected status of such ecosystems;
            (4) the size of such ecosystems;
            (5) the salinity boundaries of such ecosystems;
            (6) the tidal boundaries of such ecosystems;
            (7) an assessment of carbon sequestration potential, 
        methane production, and net greenhouse gas reductions with 
        respect to such ecosystems, including consideration of--
                    (A) quantification;
                    (B) verifiability;
                    (C) comparison to a historical baseline as 
                available; and
                    (D) permanence of those benefits;
            (8) the potential for landward migration within such 
        ecosystems as a result of sea level rise;
            (9) any upstream restrictions of such ecosystems that are 
        detrimental to the watershed process and conditions, such as 
        dams, dikes, levees, and other water management practices;
            (10) the conversion of such ecosystems to other land uses 
        and the cause of such conversion; and
            (11) a depiction of the effects of climate change, 
        including sea level rise, environmental stressors, and other 
        stressors on the sequestration rate, carbon storage, and 
        potential of such ecosystems.
    (b) Data Incorporation; Engagement.--In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Interagency Working Group shall--
            (1) incorporate, to the extent practicable, data 
        collected--
                    (A) by Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian 
                Tribes, or local agencies through research that is 
                funded, in whole or in part, by the Federal Government; 
                and
                    (B) through peer-reviewed published works;
            (2) engage regional experts, State agencies, Indian Tribes, 
        and additional data and information resources in order to 
        accurately account for regional differences in vegetated 
        coastal ecosystems and Great Lakes ecosystems.
    (c) Use of Map and Inventory.--The Interagency Working Group shall 
use the national-level map and inventory produced under subsection 
(a)--
            (1) to assess the carbon sequestration potential of 
        different vegetated coastal ecosystems and Great Lakes 
        ecosystems and account for any regional differences;
            (2) to assess and quantify emissions from degraded and 
        destroyed vegetated coastal ecosystems and Great Lakes 
        ecosystems;
            (3) to develop regional assessments in partnership with, or 
        to provide technical assistance to--
                    (A) regional, State, and local government agencies;
                    (B) Indian Tribes; and
                    (C) regional coastal observing systems (as defined 
                in section 12303(6) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
                Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602(6)));
            (4) to assess degraded vegetated coastal ecosystems and 
        Great Lakes ecosystems and the potential for restoration of 
        such ecosystems, including developing scenario modeling to 
        identify vulnerable land areas and living shorelines where 
        management, conservation, and restoration efforts should be 
        focused;
            (5) to produce predictions relating to carbon sequestration 
        rates in the context of climate change, environmental 
        stressors, and other stressors;
            (6) to inform how and where coastal vegetation can serve as 
        natural infrastructure to most effectively protect coastlines 
        from storm surges and climate hazards; and
            (7) to further understand which types of coastal and Great 
        Lakes vegetation can be used as natural infrastructure to 
        protect coastlines in different climates, especially cold 
        climates, including the Arctic region.

SEC. 514. GRANTS FOR PILOT PROJECTS AND RESEARCH ON COASTAL NATURAL 
              INFRASTRUCTURE IN COLD CLIMATES.

    (a) In General.--During fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the 
Administrator shall award grants through the national sea grant college 
program, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to support--
            (1) the implementation of coastal natural infrastructure 
        pilot projects in cold climates, including the Arctic region of 
        the United States, that will protect the coastline from storm 
        surges, hazards caused by climate change, erosion, and 
        permafrost melt; and
            (2) research on how effective coastal natural 
        infrastructure projects can be in protecting coastlines in cold 
        climates, including the Arctic region.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
subsection (a), an entity shall be--
            (1) a State or local government;
            (2) an Indian Tribe;
            (3) an academic institution;
            (4) a nonprofit organization; or
            (5) a combination of entities described in paragraphs (1) 
        through (4).
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2025 and 2026.
    (d) National Sea Grant College Program Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``national sea grant college program'' means the national sea 
grant college program maintained under section 204 of the National Sea 
Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123).

                    Subtitle C--Ocean Acidification

SEC. 521. DEFINITIONS IN FEDERAL OCEAN ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH AND 
              MONITORING ACT OF 2009.

    Section 12403 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And 
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3702) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (4);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (5) as 
        paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) 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).
            ``(3) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native 
        Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given that term in 
        section 3 of the NATIVE Act (25 U.S.C. 4352).'';
            (4) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        inserting ``an increase of'' before ``carbon dioxide''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Subcommittee.--The term `Subcommittee' means the 
        National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Ocean 
        Science and Technology.
            ``(8) United states.--The term `United States' means the 
        States, collectively.''.

SEC. 522. IMPROVEMENT OF COLLABORATION ON OCEAN ACIDIFICATION.

    (a) Ongoing Input Mechanism.--Section 12404(c)(2) of the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
3703(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) establish an ongoing mechanism (such as a 
                liaison or other contact of the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, standing meetings, or an 
                online platform) to engage affected industry members, 
                coastal stakeholders, community acidification networks, 
                fishery management councils and commissions, Indian 
                Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal 
                organizations, Tribal consortia, non-Federal resource 
                managers, and scientific experts not employed by the 
                Federal Government to provide input on research, data, 
                and monitoring that is necessary to support on-the-
                ground management, decision making, and adaptation 
                related to ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification and the impacts of ocean acidification 
                and coastal acidification.''.
    (b) Advisory Board Membership.--Section 12404(c)(3) of the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
3703(c)(3)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) through (Q) as 
        subparagraphs (H) through (R), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
                    ``(G) Two representatives from Indian Tribes, 
                Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, or 
                Tribal consortia affected by ocean acidification and 
                coastal acidification.''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (H), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
        by striking ``Six'' and inserting ``Four''.
    (c) Appointment of Advisory Board Members.--Section 12404(c)(4)(C) 
of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 
(33 U.S.C. 3703(c)(4)(C)) is amended by inserting ``Indian Tribes and 
Native Hawaiian organizations,'' after ``managers,''.
    (d) Engagement and Coordination With Indian Tribes and Native 
Hawaiian Organizations.--Paragraph (9) of section 12404(c) of the 
Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 
U.S.C. 3703(c)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(9) Engagement and coordination with indian tribes and 
        native hawaiian organizations.--
                    ``(A) Policy required.--Not later than one year 
                after the date on which the Advisory Board is 
                established, the Advisory Board shall develop and 
                commence maintaining a policy for engagement and 
                coordination with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian 
                organizations affected by ocean acidification and 
                coastal acidification.
                    ``(B) Consultation.--In developing the policy under 
                subparagraph (A), the Advisory Board shall consult with 
                Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations 
                affected by ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification.''.
    (e) Collaboration on Vulnerability Assessments, Research Planning, 
and Similar Activities.--Section 12404(e)(4)(A) of the Federal Ocean 
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
3703(e)(4)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (ix) and (x) as clauses (x) 
        and (xi), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after clause (viii) the following:
                            ``(ix) identifies the efforts of the 
                        Secretary to collaborate with State and local 
                        governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian 
                        organizations on community vulnerability 
                        assessments, research planning, and similar 
                        activities, pursuant to section 12406(e);''.
    (f) Contents of Strategic Research Plan.--Section 12405(b) of the 
Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 
U.S.C. 3704(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 12404(c)(4)'' 
        and inserting ``section 12404(e)(4)''; and
            (2) in paragraph (11), by striking ``potentially affected 
        industry members, coastal stakeholders, fishery management 
        councils and commissions, Tribal governments, non-Federal 
        resource managers, and scientific experts'' and inserting 
        ``affected industry members, coastal stakeholders, community 
        acidification networks, fishery management councils and 
        commissions, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, non-
        Federal resource managers, and scientific experts not employed 
        by the Federal Government''.
    (g) Improving Collaboration on NOAA Ocean Acidification 
Activities.--Section 12406 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research 
And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (D), by adding a 
                        semicolon at the end; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking 
                        ``Tribal governments'' and inserting ``Indian 
                        Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``industry 
                members, coastal stakeholders, fishery management 
                councils and commissions, non-Federal resource 
                managers, community acidification networks, indigenous 
                knowledge groups, and scientific experts'' and 
                inserting ``affected industry members, coastal 
                stakeholders, community acidification networks, fishery 
                management councils and commissions, Indian Tribes, 
                Native Hawaiian organizations, non-Federal resource 
                managers, and scientific experts not employed by the 
                Federal Government'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``State, local, 
                and Tribal governments'' and inserting ``State and 
                local governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian 
                organizations,''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; 
                        or'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                        subparagraph (C);
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
                        the following:
                    ``(B) on ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification research, data, and monitoring from 
                affected industry members, coastal stakeholders, 
                community acidification networks, fishery management 
                councils and commissions, Indian Tribes, Native 
                Hawaiian organizations, non-Federal resource managers, 
                and scientific experts not employed by the Federal 
                Government; or''; and
                            (iv) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated 
                        by clause (ii), by striking ``State 
                        governments, local governments, Tribal 
                        governments'' and inserting ``State and local 
                        governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian 
                        organizations'';
            (3) in subsection (d)(1)(C), by striking ``Tribes or Tribal 
        governments'' and inserting ``Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian 
        organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia''; 
        and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Better Collaboration on Vulnerability Assessments, Research 
Planning, and Similar Activities.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under 
        subsection (a), and in support of vulnerability assessments 
        transmitted under section 12404(e)(4) and recommendations 
        included in the strategic research plan described in section 
        12405(b)(10), the Secretary shall build upon existing 
        activities and collaborate with State and local governments and 
        Indian Tribes that are conducting or have completed 
        vulnerability assessments, research planning, climate action 
        plans, or other similar activities related to ocean 
        acidification and coastal acidification and the impacts of 
        ocean acidification and coastal acidification on coastal 
        communities, for the purpose of--
                    ``(A) supporting collaborative interagency 
                relationships and information sharing at the State, 
                local, and Tribal levels; and
                    ``(B) assisting State and local governments and 
                Indian Tribes in--
                            ``(i) improving existing systems and 
                        programs to better address ocean acidification 
                        and coastal acidification; and
                            ``(ii) identifying whether such activities 
                        can be used as a model for other communities.
            ``(2) Indian tribes, native hawaiian organizations, tribal 
        organizations, and tribal consortia.--In carrying out the 
        program under subsection (a), and in support of vulnerability 
        assessments transmitted under section 12404(e)(4) and 
        recommendations included in the strategic research plan 
        described in section 12405(b)(10), the Secretary may build upon 
        existing activities and collaborate with Indian Tribes, Native 
        Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal 
        consortia that are conducting or have completed vulnerability 
        assessments, research planning, climate action plans, or other 
        similar activities related to ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification and the impacts of ocean acidification and 
        coastal acidification on coastal communities.''.

SEC. 523. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    The Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 
(33 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 12402 (33 U.S.C. 3701)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``development 
                coordination and implementation'' and inserting 
                ``development, coordination, and implementation''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``research 
                adaptation strategies and mitigating the impacts'' and 
                inserting ``research on adaptation strategies and 
                mitigation of the impacts'';
            (2) in section 12404 (33 U.S.C. 3703)--
                    (A) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a period;
                    (B) in subsection (c)(2)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``subsection 
                        (d)(2)'' and inserting ``subsection (e)(2)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        ``subsection (d)(3)'' and inserting 
                        ``subsection (e)(3)'';
                    (C) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``this 
                section'' and inserting ``this subsection''; and
                    (D) in subsection (e)--
                            (i) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking 
                        ``interagency'' and inserting ``the''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ``years 
                        until 2031 thereafter'' and inserting ``years 
                        thereafter until 2031''; and
            (3) in section 12406(d)(2) (33 U.S.C. 3705(d)(2)), by 
        striking ``The Secretary to,'' and inserting ``The Secretary, 
        to''.

                       Subtitle D--Other Matters

SEC. 531. TRANSFER OF, AND AMENDMENTS TO, THE COASTAL AQUATIC INVASIVE 
              SPECIES MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM AND MITIGATION FUND.

    (a) Transfer.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (f) of section 903 of the 
        Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 (16 U.S.C. 4729) is--
                    (A) transferred to section 1202 of the 
                Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control 
                Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4722);
                    (B) redesignated as subsection (l) of that section 
                1202; and
                    (C) added at the end of that section 1202.
            (2) Availability of appropriations.--Paragraph (1) shall 
        not affect the availability of amounts made available in 
        appropriation Acts for the purpose of carrying out the program 
        transferred by paragraph (1) to the Nonindigenous Aquatic 
        Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et 
        seq.).
    (b) Amendments.--Subsection (l) of section 1202 of the 
Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 
U.S.C. 4722), as transferred and redesignated under subsection (a), is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (D); and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), and 
                (G), as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively;
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the 
                Foundation'' both places the term appears;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
                            (i) in subclause (I), by striking 
                        ``programs, including permissible State ballast 
                        water'' and inserting ``programs for Federal 
                        and State agencies, territories of the United 
                        States, Tribal governments or organizations, 
                        and interstate organizations, including 
                        permissible ballast water'';
                            (ii) by striking subclause (III);
                            (iii) by redesignating subclauses (IV) and 
                        (V) as subclauses (III) and (IV), respectively; 
                        and
                            (iv) in subclause (IV), as redesignated by 
                        clause (iii), by striking ``infrastructure, 
                        such as hydroelectric infrastructure, from 
                        aquatic invasive species'' and inserting 
                        ``aquaculture and associated infrastructure 
                        from aquatic invasive species with particular 
                        emphasis on underserved communities'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``Not later 
                than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
                the Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary'' 
                and inserting ``Not later than 90 days after the date 
                of enactment of the Working Waterfronts Act of 2024, 
                the Secretary''; and
                    (D) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and the 
                Foundation are'' and inserting ``is''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $5,000,000 
                for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and the 
                Foundation''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 903 of the Vessel Incidental 
Discharge Act of 2018 (16 U.S.C. 4729), as amended by subsection (a), 
is further amended by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as 
subsections (f) and (g), respectively.
                                 <all>