Amendments to the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998

(a)

Assessments

(1)

In general

Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001) is amended—(A)in the section heading, by striking

Assessments

and inserting

Task Force, assessments, and Action Strategy

;(B)in subsection (a)—(i)by redesignating paragraphs (13) and (14) as paragraphs (14) and (15), respectively; and(ii)by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:

(13)the Department of Energy;

;

(C)by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), (h), and (i) and redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (b); (D)in subsection (b), as so redesignated—(i)in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by striking coastal waters including the Great Lakes and inserting marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems; and(ii)in paragraph (2)—(I)by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:

(A)examine—(i)the causes and ecological consequences of hypoxia on marine and aquatic species in their environments; and(ii)the costs of hypoxia, including impacts on food safety and security;

;

(II)by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively;(III)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

(B)examine the effect of other environmental stressors on hypoxia;(C)evaluate alternatives for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia and its environmental impacts;

; and

(IV)in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by subclause (II), by striking hypoxia modeling and monitoring data and inserting hypoxia modeling, forecasting, and monitoring and observation data; and(E)by adding at the end the following:

(c)

Action Strategy and scientific assessment for marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms

(1)

In general

Not less frequently than once every 5 years, the Task Force shall complete and submit to Congress an action strategy for harmful algal blooms in the United States. (2)

Elements

Each Action Strategy shall—(A)examine, and include a scientific assessment of, marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms, including such blooms—(i)in the Great Lakes; (ii)in the upper reaches of estuaries; (iii)in freshwater lakes and rivers;(iv)in coastal and marine waters; and(v)that originate in freshwater lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal waters;(B)examine the causes, ecological consequences or physiological consequences on wildlife function, and economic or cultural impacts, including food safety and security and subsistence use, of harmful algal blooms; (C)examine the effect of other environmental stressors on harmful algal blooms;(D)examine potential methods to prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and the potential ecological, subsistence use, and economic costs and benefits of such methods; (E)identify priorities for research needed to advance techniques and technologies to detect, predict, monitor, respond to, and minimize the occurrence, duration, and severity of harmful algal blooms, including recommendations to eliminate significant gaps in harmful algal bloom forecasting, monitoring, and observation data;(F)evaluate progress made by, and the needs of, activities and actions of the Task Force to prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms;(G)identify ways to improve coordination and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal agencies with respect to research on harmful algal blooms; and(H)include regional chapters relating to the requirements described in this paragraph in order to highlight geographically and ecologically diverse locations with significant ecological, subsistence use, cultural, and economic impacts from harmful algal blooms.(d)

Consultation

In carrying out subsections (b) and (c), the Task Force shall consult with—(1)States, Indian tribes, and local governments; and(2)appropriate industries (including fisheries, agriculture, and fertilizer), academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations with relevant expertise.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by striking the item relating to section 603 and inserting the following:

Sec. 603. Task Force, assessments, and Action Strategy.

(3)

Conforming amendment

Section 102 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 (33 U.S.C. 4001a) is amended by striking In developing and all that follows through management..(b)

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 (a)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)by striking predicting, and inserting monitoring, observing, forecasting,; and(ii)by striking and after the semicolon; and(B)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2)the scientific assessment submitted under section 603(b); and (3)the Action Strategy.

;

(2)in subsection (c)—(A)in paragraph (3), by striking ocean and Great Lakes science and management programs and centers and inserting programs and centers relating to the science and management of marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems; and(B)in paragraph (5), by inserting while recognizing each agency is acting under its own independent mission and authority before the semicolon;(3)in subsection (d), by striking Except as provided in subsection (h), the and inserting The;(4)in subsection (e)—(A)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2)examine the causes, ecological consequences, and costs of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;

;

(B)in paragraph (3)—(i)in subparagraph (B), by inserting , including the annual Gulf of Mexico hypoxia zone mapping cruise after Program; (ii)in subparagraph (C), by striking and after the semicolon; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:

(E)to identify opportunities to improve monitoring of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, with a particular focus on waters that may affect fisheries, public health, or subsistence harvest;(F)to evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the impacts of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (G)to support the resilience of the seafood industry to harmful algal blooms and to expand access to testing for harmful algal bloom toxins, including for subsistence and recreational harvesters, through innovative methods that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of such testing in rural and remote areas; (H)to support sustained observations to provide State and local entities, Indian tribes, and other entities access to real-time or near real-time observations data for decision making to protect human and ecological health and local economies; and (I)to assess the combined effects of harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and stressors such as runoff and infrastructure changes on marine, freshwater, or estuarine ecosystems and living resources;

;

(C)in paragraph (4), by striking agencies and inserting entities, regional coastal observing systems (as defined in section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602)),;(D)in paragraph (6), by inserting and communities after ecosystems;(E)in paragraph (8), by inserting and Indian tribes after managers;(F)in paragraph (9)(A), by striking , tribal, and local stakeholders and inserting and local stakeholders and Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations; (G)by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11) as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (12), and (13), respectively;(H)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:

(3)consult with entities that are most dependent on coastal and water resources that may be impacted by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including—(A)State and local entities;(B)Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiians organizations;(C)island communities;(D)low-population rural communities;(E)subsistence communities; and(F)fisheries and recreation industries;

; and

(I)by inserting after paragraph (10), as redesignated by subparagraph (G), the following:

(11)expand access to testing for harmful algal bloom toxins, including for subsistence and recreational harvesters, through innovative methods that increase the efficiency and effectiveness of such testing in rural and remote areas;

;

(5)by amending subsections (f) to read as follows:

(f)

Cooperation; duplication of effort

The Under Secretary shall work cooperatively with and avoid duplication of effort of other agencies on the Task Force and States, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine and freshwater issues.

; and

(6)by striking subsection (g), (h), and (i). (c)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities

(1)

In general

Section 603B of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4003) is amended to read as follows:

603B.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities

(a)

In general

The Under Secretary shall—(1)carry out response activities for marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events;(2)develop and enhance operational harmful algal bloom observing and forecasting programs, including operational observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data management, and information dissemination;(3)develop forecast modeling that includes the effect of hurricanes and other weather events on the resuspension of bioavailable nutrients in sediments and related interactions with harmful algal blooms;(4)enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out activities and research relating to marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;(5)leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions; and(6)use cost effective methods in carrying out this section.(b)

Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System

The collection of monitoring and observing data under this section shall comply with all data standards and protocols developed pursuant to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made available through the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established under section 12304 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 3603).

(2)

Clerical amendment

Sec. 603B. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities.

(d)

Environmental Protection Agency activities

(1)

In general

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by inserting after section 603B (33 U.S.C. 4003) the following:

603C.

Environmental Protection Agency activities

(a)

In general

The Administrator shall—(1)carry out research on the ecology and human health impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events;(2)develop and enhance operational freshwater harmful algal bloom monitoring, observing, and forecasting programs in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, and coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on such programs in the Great Lakes and estuaries (including tributaries thereof), including operational observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data management, and information dissemination, to support event response, prioritization, prevention, adaptation, and mitigation activities;(3)enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research;(4)to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from Federal and State partners and local research universities and institutions; and(5)use cost-effective methods in carrying out this section.(b)

Nonduplication

The Administrator shall ensure that activities carried out under subsection (a) focus on new approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative of existing research and development programs authorized by this title or any other law.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 603B the following:

Sec. 603C. Environmental Protection Agency activities.

(e)

National harmful algal bloom observing network

(1)

In general

Section 606 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4005) is amended to read as follows:

606.

National harmful algal bloom observing network

(a)

In general

The Under Secretary, acting through the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Integrated Ocean Observing System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall integrate Federal, State, regional, and local observing capabilities to establish a national network of observing systems for the monitoring, detection, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the capacity of regional associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, including through the incorporation of emerging technologies and new data integration methods.(b)

Coordination and data assembly

In carrying out subsection (a), the Program Office of the Integrated Ocean Observing System shall—(1)coordinate with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science regarding observations, data integration, and information dissemination;(2)organize, integrate, disseminate, and provide a central architecture to support ecological forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and(3)coordinate with the Water Quality Portal to store and serve discrete data related to the monitoring of freshwater, estuarine, and coastal harmful algal blooms.

(2)

Clerical amendment

Sec. 606. National harmful algal bloom observing network.

(f)

National-Level incubator program

(1)

In general

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by inserting after section 606 (33 U.S.C. 4005) the following:

606A.

National-level incubator program

(a)

In general

The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the Administrator and research universities and institutions, shall establish a national-level incubator program (in this section referred to as the program) to increase the number of strategies, technologies, and measures available to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms.(b)

Framework

The program shall establish a framework for preliminary assessments of novel strategies, technologies, and measures to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms in order to determine the potential effectiveness and scalability of such technologies.(c)

Funding

The program shall provide merit-based funding, using amounts otherwise available to the Under Secretary for the award of grants, for strategies, technologies, and measures that eliminate or reduce, through biological, chemical, or physical means, the levels of harmful algae and associated toxins resulting from harmful algal blooms. (d)

Database

The program shall include a database for cataloging the licensing and permitting requirements, economic costs, feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability of novel and established strategies, technologies, and measures to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms.(e)

Prioritization

In carrying out the program, the Under Secretary shall prioritize proposed strategies, technologies, and measures that would, to the maximum extent practicable—(1)protect key habitats for fish and wildlife;(2)maintain biodiversity;(3)protect public health;(4)protect coastal resources of national, historical, and cultural significance; or(5)benefit low-income communities, Indian tribes, and rural communities.

(2)

Clerical amendment

Sec. 606A. National-level incubator program.

(g)

Definitions

Section 609 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4008) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by striking means the comprehensive research plan and action strategy established under section 603B and inserting means the action strategy for harmful algal blooms in the United States most recently submitted under section 603(c);(2)by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:

(3)

Harmful algal bloom

The term harmful algal bloom means a high concentration of marine or freshwater algae (including diatoms), macroalgae (including Sargassum), or cyanobacteria resulting in nuisance conditions or harmful impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems, subsistence resources, communities, or human health through the production of toxic compounds or other biological, chemical, or physical impacts of the bloom.

;

(3)by striking paragraph (9);(4)by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (5), (8), (9), (11), and (13), respectively; (5)by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

(4)

Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event

The term harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event means the occurrence of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia as a result of a natural, anthropogenic, or undetermined cause.

;

(6)in paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph (4)—(A)by striking aquatic and inserting marine or freshwater; and(B)by striking resident and inserting marine or freshwater; (7)by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph (4), the following:

(6)

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).(7)

Native Hawaiian organization

The term Native Hawaiian organization has the meaning given that term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) and includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

;

(8)by inserting after paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (4), the following:

(10)

Subsistence use

The term subsistence use means the customary and traditional use of fish, wildlife, or other freshwater, coastal, or marine resources by any individual or community to meet personal or family needs, including essential economic, nutritional, or cultural applications.

; and

(9)by inserting after paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4), the following:

(12)

Tribal organization

The term Tribal organization has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(h)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 610 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4009) is amended—(1)by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

(a)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030—(1)$19,500,000 to the Under Secretary; and (2)$8,000,000 to the Administrator.

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(c)

Transfer authority

As specifically provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Under Secretary or the Administrator may transfer funds made available to carry out this title to the head of any Federal department or agency, with the concurrence of such head, to carry out, as appropriate, relevant provisions of this title and section 9(g) of the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010).

Other harmful algal bloom and hypoxia matters

Section 9(g) of the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1)—(A)in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The appropriate Federal official may waive the non-Federal share requirements of the preceding sentence if such official determines no reasonable means are available through which the recipient of the Federal share can meet the non-Federal share requirement.; and(B)by adding at the end the following:

(D)

Contract, cooperative agreement, and grant authority

The appropriate Federal official may enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with States, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, local governments, or other entities to pay for or reimburse costs incurred by such entities for the purposes of supporting the determination of, and assessing the environmental, economic, subsistence use, and public health effects of, an event of national significance.

;

(2)in paragraph (2)—(A)in subparagraph (A), by inserting a leadership official of an affected Indian Tribe, the executive official of the District of Columbia, or the executive official of an affected territory or possession of the United States, after State,; and (B)in subparagraph (B), by striking consider and all that follows through boundary. and inserting “consider factors such as—

(i)the risk to public health and the potential severity of the detrimental environmental effects of the hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, as indicated by— (I)data on shellfish or water quality obtained through sampling programs, including baseline data, and regulatory or advisory thresholds established to explain management actions related to the event;(II)toxin levels in fish, marine mammals, seabirds, shellfish, or water during the event;(III)toxic aerosols produced during the event, including potential human exposures to toxic aerosols;(IV)reports of human or animal illnesses or mortalities during the event;(V)any closures of fishing or shellfish harvesting locations or recreational public waters, including beaches, during the event;(VI)the duration and spatial extent of the event; or(VII)impacts to habitats or ecosystems associated with the event;(ii)the potential economic, food safety and security, and subsistence impacts associated with the hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, including to fisheries and aquaculture, recreation and tourism, monitoring and management, resource use, and event response activities, assessed in comparison with historical data from when a State or region did not experience such an event, as possible, as indicated by— (I)increases in public health expenditures;(II)losses to commercial fisheries and aquaculture industries, recreation and tourism, real estate, and other impacted industries or businesses; (III)increases in monitoring and management expenditures, including costs incurred for event response and clean-up (such as for beach clean-up following an influx of biomass or a fish-kill) by public or private sectors; or(IV)impacts to subsistence resources, including nutritional, resource use, and economic effects on subsistence communities;(iii)the relative magnitude of those impacts in relation to past occurrences of hypoxia or harmful algal bloom events that occur on a recurrent or annual basis; and (iv)the geographic scope of the hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, including the potential of the event to affect several municipalities, to affect more than 1 State, or to cross an international boundary.

;

(3)in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:

(D)

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).(E)

Native Hawaiian organization

Subsistence use

Tribal organization

The term Tribal organization has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

; and

(4)by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended.