119 HR 9590 IH: Study and Assessment of Future Ecosystems for Manatees Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-07-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9590IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 2, 2026Mr. Webster of Florida (for himself and Ms. Wasserman Schultz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on alternative habitat for certain manatees, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Study and Assessment of Future Ecosystems for Manatees Act or the SAFE for Manatees Act.

2.

Study on alternative habitat for certain manatees

(a)

Study

The Secretary shall conduct a study on locations that could function as habitat for manatees that are currently utilizing areas in Florida around coastal industrial sites subject to decommissioning actions that will affect water temperatures in such areas. (b)

Requirements

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1)identify and assess locations that could function as habitat for manatees described in subsection (a), including— (A)locations of natural warm water not currently used by manatees; and (B)locations where artificial warm water refugia for manatees could be constructed; and (2)develop, in consultation with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, potential methods to create artificial warm water refugia for manatees described in subsection (a) and plans for the construction of such refugia. (c)

Coordination

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (d)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make publicly available a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a). (e)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Manatee

The term manatee means a member of the species trichechus manatus. (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.