[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 88 (Monday, June 9, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H5126-H5130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 
                                  2014

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (S. 1254) to amend the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 1254

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ''Harmful Algal Bloom and 
     Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO THE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA 
                   RESEARCH AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
     Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note).

     SEC. 3. INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE ON HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND 
                   HYPOXIA.

       Section 603(a) is amended--
       (1) by striking ''the following representatives from'' and 
     inserting ''a representative from'';
       (2) in paragraph (11), by striking ''and'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph (13);
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
       ''(12) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 
     and''; and
       (5) in paragraph (13), as redesignated, by striking 
     ''such''.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA PROGRAM.

       The Act is amended by inserting after section 603 the 
     following:

     ''SEC. 603A. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA 
                   PROGRAM.

       ''(a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research 
     and Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Under Secretary, 
     acting through the Task Force, shall maintain and enhance a 
     national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program, including--
       ''(1) a statement of objectives, including understanding, 
     detecting, predicting, controlling, mitigating, and 
     responding to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and 
     hypoxia events; and
       ''(2) the comprehensive research plan and action strategy 
     under section 603B.
       ''(b) Periodic Revision.--The Task Force shall periodically 
     review and revise the Program, as necessary.
       ''(c) Task Force Functions.--The Task Force shall--
       ''(1) coordinate interagency review of the objectives and 
     activities of the Program;
       ''(2) expedite the interagency review process by ensuring 
     timely review and dispersal of required reports and 
     assessments under this title;
       ''(3) support the implementation of the Action Strategy, 
     including the coordination and integration of the research of 
     all Federal programs, including ocean and Great Lakes science 
     and management programs and centers, that address the 
     chemical, biological, and physical components of marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(4) support the development of institutional mechanisms 
     and financial instruments to further the objectives and 
     activities of the Program;
       ''(5) review the Program's distribution of Federal funding 
     to address the objectives and activities of the Program;
       ''(6) promote the development of new technologies for 
     predicting, monitoring, and mitigating harmful algal bloom 
     and hypoxia conditions; and
       ''(7) establish such interagency working groups as it 
     considers necessary.
       ''(d) Lead Federal Agency.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (h), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration shall have primary responsibility for 
     administering the Program.
       ''(e) Program Duties.--In administering the Program, the 
     Under Secretary shall--
       ''(1) promote the Program;
       ''(2) prepare work and spending plans for implementing the 
     research and activities identified under the Action Strategy;
       ''(3) administer peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive 
     grant funding--
       ''(A) to maintain and enhance baseline monitoring programs 
     established by the Program;
       ''(B) to support the projects maintained and established by 
     the Program; and
       ''(C) to address the research and management needs and 
     priorities identified in the Action Strategy;
       ''(4) coordinate with and work cooperatively with regional, 
     State, tribal, and local government agencies and programs 
     that address marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and 
     hypoxia;

[[Page H5127]]

       ''(5) coordinate with the Secretary of State to support 
     international efforts on marine and freshwater harmful algal 
     bloom and hypoxia information sharing, research, prediction, 
     mitigation, control, and response activities;
       ''(6) identify additional research, development, and 
     demonstration needs and priorities relating to monitoring, 
     prevention, control, mitigation, and response to marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including 
     methods and technologies to protect the ecosystems affected 
     by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(7) integrate, coordinate, and augment existing education 
     programs to improve public understanding and awareness of the 
     causes, impacts, and mitigation efforts for marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(8) facilitate and provide resources to train State and 
     local coastal and water resource managers in the methods and 
     technologies for monitoring, preventing, controlling, and 
     mitigating marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and 
     hypoxia;
       ''(9) support regional efforts to control and mitigate 
     outbreaks through--
       ''(A) communication of the contents of the Action Strategy 
     and maintenance of online data portals for other information 
     about harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to State, tribal, and 
     local stakeholders; and
       ''(B) overseeing the development, review, and periodic 
     updating of the Action Strategy;
       ''(10) convene at least 1 meeting of the Task Force each 
     year; and
       ''(11) perform such other tasks as may be delegated by the 
     Task Force.
       ''(f) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
     Activities.--The Under Secretary shall--
       ''(1) maintain and enhance the existing competitive 
     programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration relating to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(2) carry out marine and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom 
     and hypoxia events response activities;
       ''(3) develop and enhance, including with respect to 
     infrastructure as necessary, critical observations, 
     monitoring, modeling, data management, information 
     dissemination, and operational forecasts relevant to harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia events;
       ''(4) enhance communication and coordination among Federal 
     agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal 
     bloom and hypoxia activities and research;
       ''(5) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing 
     resources and expertise available from local research 
     universities and institutions; and
       ''(6) increase the availability to appropriate public and 
     private entities of--
       ''(A) analytical facilities and technologies;
       ''(B) operational forecasts; and
       ''(C) reference and research materials.
       ''(g) Cooperative Efforts.--The Under Secretary shall work 
     cooperatively and avoid duplication of effort with other 
     offices, centers, and programs within the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration, other agencies on the Task 
     Force, and States, tribes, and nongovernmental organizations 
     concerned with marine and freshwater issues to coordinate 
     harmful algal bloom and hypoxia (and related) activities and 
     research.
       ''(h) Freshwater.--With respect to the freshwater aspects 
     of the Program, the Administrator, through the Task Force, 
     shall carry out the duties otherwise assigned to the Under 
     Secretary under this section, except the activities described 
     in subsection (f).
       ''(1) Participation.--The Administrator's participation 
     under this section shall include--
       ''(A) research on the ecology and impacts of freshwater 
     harmful algal blooms; and
       ''(B) forecasting and monitoring of and event response to 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes, rivers, estuaries 
     (including their tributaries), and reservoirs.
       ''(2) Nonduplication.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
     activities carried out under this title 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.
       ''(i) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--The 
     collection of monitoring and observation data under this 
     title 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 system established 
     under that Act.''.

     SEC. 5. COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH PLAN AND ACTION STRATEGY.

       The Act, as amended by section 4 of this Act, is further 
     amended by inserting after section 603A the following:

     ''SEC. 603B. COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH PLAN AND ACTION STRATEGY.

       ''(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 
     Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Under Secretary, through 
     the Task Force, shall develop and submit to Congress a 
     comprehensive research plan and action strategy to address 
     marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. The 
     Action Strategy shall identify--
       ''(1) the specific activities to be carried out by the 
     Program and the timeline for carrying out those activities;
       ''(2) the roles and responsibilities of each Federal agency 
     in the Task Force in carrying out the activities under 
     paragraph (1); and
       ''(3) the appropriate regions and subregions requiring 
     specific research and activities to address harmful algal 
     blooms and hypoxia.
       ''(b) Regional Focus.--The regional and subregional parts 
     of the Action Strategy shall identify--
       ''(1) regional priorities for ecological, economic, and 
     social research on issues related to the impacts of harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(2) research, development, and demonstration activities 
     needed to develop and advance technologies and techniques for 
     minimizing the occurrence of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia 
     and improving capabilities to detect, predict, monitor, 
     control, mitigate, respond to, and remediate harmful algal 
     blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(3) ways to reduce the duration and intensity of harmful 
     algal blooms and hypoxia, including deployment of response 
     technologies in a timely manner;
       ''(4) research and methods to address human health 
     dimensions of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(5) mechanisms, including the potential costs and 
     benefits of those mechanisms, to protect ecosystems that may 
     be or have been affected by harmful algal bloom and hypoxia 
     events;
       ''(6) mechanisms by which data, information, and products 
     may be transferred between the Program and the State, tribal, 
     and local governments and research entities;
       ''(7) communication and information dissemination methods 
     that State, tribal, and local governments may undertake to 
     educate and inform the public concerning harmful algal blooms 
     and hypoxia; and
       ''(8) roles that Federal agencies may have to assist in the 
     implementation of the Action Strategy, including efforts to 
     support local and regional scientific assessments under 
     section 603(e).
       ''(c) Utilizing Available Studies and Information.--In 
     developing the Action Strategy, the Under Secretary shall 
     utilize existing research, assessments, reports, and program 
     activities, including--
       ''(1) those carried out under existing law; and
       ''(2) other relevant peer-reviewed and published sources.
       ''(d) Development of the Action Strategy.--In developing 
     the Action Strategy, the Under Secretary shall, as 
     appropriate--
       ''(1) coordinate with--
       ''(A) State coastal management and planning officials;
       ''(B) tribal resource management officials; and
       ''(C) water management and watershed officials from both 
     coastal States and noncoastal States with water sources that 
     drain into water bodies affected by harmful algal blooms and 
     hypoxia; and
       ''(2) consult with--
       ''(A) public health officials;
       ''(B) emergency management officials;
       ''(C) science and technology development institutions;
       ''(D) economists;
       ''(E) industries and businesses affected by marine and 
     freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
       ''(F) scientists with expertise concerning harmful algal 
     blooms or hypoxia from academic or research institutions; and
       ''(G) other stakeholders.
       ''(e) Federal Register.--The Under Secretary shall publish 
     the Action Strategy in the Federal Register.
       ''(f) Periodic Revision.--The Under Secretary, in 
     coordination and consultation with the individuals and 
     entities under subsection (d), shall periodically review and 
     revise the Action Strategy prepared under this section, as 
     necessary.''.

     SEC. 6. REPORTING.

       Section 603 is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ''(j) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date the 
     Action Strategy is submitted under section 603B, the Under 
     Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that describes--
       ''(1) the proceedings of the annual Task Force meetings;
       ''(2) the activities carried out under the Program, 
     including the regional and subregional parts of the Action 
     Strategy;
       ''(3) the budget related to the activities under paragraph 
     (2);
       ''(4) the progress made on implementing the Action 
     Strategy; and
       ''(5) any need to revise or terminate research and 
     activities under the Program.''.

     SEC. 7. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA.

       Section 604 is amended to read as follows:

     ''SEC. 604. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA.

       ''(a) Initial Progress Reports.--Beginning not later than 
     12 months after the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal 
     Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 
     2014, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator, through 
     the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task 
     Force, shall submit a progress report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and the President that describes the 
     progress made by activities directed by the Mississippi 
     River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force and 
     carried out or funded by the Environmental Protection Agency 
     and other State and Federal partners toward attainment of the 
     goals of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.
       ''(b) Contents.--Each report required under this section 
     shall--
       ''(1) assess the progress made toward nutrient load 
     reductions, the response of the hypoxic zone and water 
     quality throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin, 
     and the economic and social effects;
       ''(2) evaluate lessons learned; and
       ''(3) recommend appropriate actions to continue to 
     implement or, if necessary, revise the strategy set forth in 
     the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.''.

     SEC. 8. GREAT LAKES HYPOXIA AND HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

       Section 605 is amended to read as follows:

[[Page H5128]]

     ''SEC. 605. GREAT LAKES HYPOXIA AND HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

       ''(a) Integrated Assessment.--Not later than 18 months 
     after the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and 
     Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Task 
     Force, in accordance with the authority under section 603, 
     shall complete and submit to the Congress and the President 
     an integrated assessment that examines the causes, 
     consequences, and approaches to reduce hypoxia and harmful 
     algal blooms in the Great Lakes, including the status of and 
     gaps within current research, monitoring, management, 
     prevention, response, and control activities by--
       ''(1) Federal agencies;
       ''(2) State agencies;
       ''(3) regional research consortia;
       ''(4) academia;
       ''(5) private industry; and
       ''(6) nongovernmental organizations.
       ''(b) Plan.--
       ''(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 
     Control Amendments Act of 2014, the Task Force shall develop 
     and submit to the Congress a plan, based on the integrated 
     assessment under subsection (a), for reducing, mitigating, 
     and controlling hypoxia and harmful algal blooms in the Great 
     Lakes.
       ''(2) Contents.--The plan shall--
       ''(A) address the monitoring needs identified in the 
     integrated assessment under subsection (a);
       ''(B) develop a timeline and budgetary requirements for 
     deployment of future assets;
       ''(C) identify requirements for the development and 
     verification of Great Lakes hypoxia and harmful algal bloom 
     models, including--
       ''(i) all assumptions built into the models; and
       ''(ii) data quality methods used to ensure the best 
     available data are utilized; and
       ''(D) describe efforts to improve the assessment of the 
     impacts of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms by--
       ''(i) characterizing current and past biological conditions 
     in ecosystems affected by hypoxia and harmful algal blooms; 
     and
       ''(ii) quantifying effects, including economic effects, at 
     the population and community levels.
       ''(3) Requirements.--In developing the plan, the Task Force 
     shall--
       ''(A) coordinate with State and local governments;
       ''(B) consult with representatives from academic, 
     agricultural, industry, and other stakeholder groups, 
     including relevant Canadian agencies;
       ''(C) ensure that the plan complements and does not 
     duplicate activities conducted by other Federal or State 
     agencies;
       ''(D) identify critical research for reducing, mitigating, 
     and controlling hypoxia events and their effects;
       ''(E) evaluate cost-effective, incentive-based partnership 
     approaches;
       ''(F) ensure that the plan is technically sound and cost 
     effective;
       ''(G) utilize existing research, assessments, reports, and 
     program activities;
       ''(H) publish a summary of the proposed plan in the Federal 
     Register at least 180 days prior to submitting the completed 
     plan to Congress; and
       ''(I) after submitting the completed plan to Congress, 
     provide biennial progress reports on the activities toward 
     achieving the objectives of the plan.''.

     SEC. 9. APPLICATION WITH OTHER LAWS.

       The Act is amended by adding after section 606 the 
     following:

     ''SEC. 607. EFFECT ON OTHER FEDERAL AUTHORITY.

       ''(a) Authority Preserved.--Nothing in this title 
     supersedes or limits the authority of any agency to carry out 
     its responsibilities and missions under other laws.
       ''(b) Regulatory Authority.--Nothing in this title may be 
     construed as establishing new regulatory authority for any 
     agency.''.

     SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS; CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Act, as amended by section 9 of this 
     Act, is further amended by adding after section 607 the 
     following:

     ''SEC. 608. DEFINITIONS.

       ''In this title:
       ''(1) Action strategy.--The term `Action Strategy' means 
     the comprehensive research plan and action strategy 
     established under section 603B.
       ''(2) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
       ''(3) Harmful algal bloom.--The term `harmful algal bloom' 
     means marine and freshwater phytoplankton that proliferate to 
     high concentrations, resulting in nuisance conditions or 
     harmful impacts on marine and aquatic ecosystems, coastal 
     communities, and human health through the production of toxic 
     compounds or other biological, chemical, and physical impacts 
     of the algae outbreak.
       ''(4) Hypoxia.--The term `hypoxia' means a condition where 
     low dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems causes stress or 
     death to resident organisms.
       ''(5) Program.--The term `Program' means the national 
     harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program established under 
     section 603A.
       ''(6) State.--The term `State' means each of the several 
     States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, any other territory or possession of the United 
     States, and any Indian tribe.
       ''(7) Task force.--The term `Task Force' means the Inter-
     Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia under 
     section 603(a).
       ''(8) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
     the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
       ''(9) United states coastal waters.--The term `United 
     States coastal waters' includes the Great Lakes.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 603(a) is amended by 
     striking ''(hereinafter referred to as the `Task Force')''.

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       The Act is further amended by adding after section 608 the 
     following:

     ''SEC. 609. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ''(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Under Secretary to carry out sections 603A and 603B 
     $20,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
       ''(b) Extramural Research Activities.--The Under Secretary 
     shall ensure that a substantial portion of funds appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) that are used for research 
     purposes are allocated to extramural research activities. For 
     each fiscal year, the Under Secretary shall publish a list of 
     all grant recipients and the amounts for all of the funds 
     allocated for research purposes, specifying those allocated 
     for extramural research activities.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Smith) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice 
Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous materials on S. 1254, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 1254, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research 
and Control Amendments Act of 2014, reauthorizes oceanic and freshwater 
research activities. It also improves and streamlines existing 
activities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
other Federal agencies.
  I want to thank Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Senator Rob 
Portman of Ohio for their work on this legislation.
  Harmful algal blooms are a significant problem that affects rivers, 
lakes, and tidal areas around the country. Known most often as ``red 
tide,'' harmful algae hurts local economies that are dependent on 
fishing, recreation, and tourism.
  Sometimes referred to as ``dead zones,'' hypoxia harms ecosystems in 
fish populations by decreasing oxygen levels in the water. Our current 
understanding and response to these problems is inadequate.
  In my home State of Texas, red and brown tides often affect our bays 
and coastlines. This damages tourism, harms our fishing industry, and 
impacts public health.
  This bill strengthens scientific research about these phenomena, 
fosters collaboration between Federal agencies, States, and localities, 
and advances technological solutions to better understand and respond 
to outbreaks when they occur.
  This bipartisan legislation passed the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology by a unanimous voice vote last month.
  I would also like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey) and 
our Environmental Subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Bonamici from 
Oregon, for the bipartisan amendment they offered in committee to 
improve this legislation.
  I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Chairman Shuster for working 
with me to bring this legislation to the floor. I will insert our 
letters of exchange in the Congressional Record.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                     Washington, DC, May 22, 2014.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for the opportunity to review 
     the relevant provisions of the text of S. 1254, the Harmful 
     Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act 
     of 2013. As you are aware, the bill was primarily referred to 
     the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, while the 
     Committee on Natural Resources received an additional 
     referral.
       I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this 
     legislation before the House in an expeditious manner, and, 
     accordingly, I agree to discharge S. 1254 from further 
     consideration by the Committee on Natural Resources. I do so 
     with the understanding that

[[Page H5129]]

     by discharging the bill, the Committee on Natural Resources 
     does not waive any future jurisdictional claim on this or 
     similar matters. Further, the Committee on Natural Resources 
     reserves the right to seek the appointment of conferees, if 
     it should become necessary.
       I ask that you insert a copy of our exchange of letters 
     into the bill report filed by the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology, as well as in the Congressional Record 
     during consideration of this measure on the House floor.
       Thank you for your courtesy in this matter and I look 
     forward to continued cooperation between our respective 
     committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Doc Hastings,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space and 
           Technology,
                                     Washington, DC, May 22, 2014.
     Hon. Doc Hastings,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hastings: Thank you for agreeing to be 
     discharged from further consideration of S. 1254, the Harmful 
     Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act 
     of 2013.
       I agree that forgoing further action on this bill does not 
     in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of your 
     Committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would 
     support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate 
     number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving 
     this legislation.
       I will include our letters into the report filed on S. 
     1254. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation and look forward to continuing to work with the 
     Committee on Natural Resources as the bill moves through the 
     legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                     Washington, DC, June 4, 2014.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write concerning S. 1254, Harmful 
     Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act 
     of 2013, as ordered reported by the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology on May 21, 2014. S. 1254 contains 
     provisions that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
       I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring S. 1254 
     before the House in an expeditious manner and, accordingly, I 
     will not seek a sequential referral of the bill. However, 
     this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing 
     consideration of the bill does not prejudice the Committee 
     with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future 
     jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in 
     the bill or similar legislation that fall within the 
     Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I request you urge the 
     Speaker to name members of the Committee to any conference 
     committee named to consider such provisions.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding, and would request that you insert our 
     exchange of letters on this matter into the committee report 
     on S. 1254.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space and 
           Technology,
                                     Washington, DC, June 4, 2014.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster: Thank you for agreeing to be 
     discharged from further consideration of S. 1254, the Harmful 
     Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act 
     of 2013.
       I agree that forgoing further action on this bill does not 
     in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of your 
     Committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives on 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future. I would 
     support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate 
     number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving 
     this legislation.
       I will insert this exchange into the report filed on S. 
     1254. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
                                                         Chairman.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair wishes to clarify that the 
gentleman's motion is for the bill, as amended.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, that is correct.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will re-report the title of the 
bill.
  The Clerk re-reported the title of the bill.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of S. 1254, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014.
  S. 1254 is a bipartisan bill, and I want to thank my colleagues, Ms. 
Bonamici and Mr. Posey, for their hard work to advance this important 
legislation. It authorizes an interagency program led by NOAA to 
improve our understanding and response to harmful algal blooms and 
hypoxia events.
  Unfortunately, over the past decade, the distribution and frequency 
of harmful algal blooms--or HABs--has increased steadily. Today, nearly 
every State is threatened by this toxic algae.
  HABs can have serious economic and public health effects. Shellfish 
beds along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific coasts are often 
closed during a major event to protect the public from significant 
respiratory distress, shellfish poisoning, and other illnesses.
  The economic impact these closures can have on the shellfish industry 
and tourism is quite large. A single event can cost a coastal community 
tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
  While NOAA and the research community have made great strides since 
the establishment of this program, the need for continued research and 
tools to lessen the impact of these events is greater than ever before.
  More accurate and efficient tools for detecting toxins, early warning 
of blooms, better predictions of bloom movement, methods for 
controlling outbreaks, and the development of local and regional 
partnerships will all allow for a more effective response.
  For instance, in 2009, NOAA-funded scientists from Texas A&M 
University developed and deployed a sensor in Galveston Bay that can 
detect algae responsible for shellfish poisoning.
  The sensor now provides an early warning to Texas State health 
officials, allowing them to temporarily close the bay to oyster 
harvesting. This early warning capability is a perfect example of how 
this program can minimize economic impacts and protect human health.
  Addressing the many dimensions of HABs requires a coordinated multi-
agency approach, and passage of S. 1254 and the reauthorization of this 
program will result in practical and innovative approaches to 
addressing hypoxia and HABs events in U.S. waters.
  The health of our coast and waterways is critical to our economy, and 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey), a member of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee.
  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
  Harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events occur throughout the United 
States. They are damaging to water bodies, and are harmful to plant and 
animal life. They also cost local communities millions of dollars and 
many hours of recreational enjoyment. The adverse effects are both 
near-term and long-term.
  The continued need for advancing research on harmful algal blooms and 
hypoxia events is very apparent. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation 
will continue robust funding for this important research, leading us to 
a better understanding of the causes, effects, and steps we can take to 
prevent harmful algae and hypoxia events in the future.
  Reported to the floor with bipartisan support from the Science, 
Space, and Technology Committee, S. 1254, the Harmful Algal Bloom and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, includes 
provisions that Representative Bonamici and I were privileged to 
advance. As amended, this bill will better streamline and coordinate 
existing harmful algae bloom and hypoxia research activities at NOAA 
and other Federal agencies.
  We place a high priority on using research to create implementable 
action plans to minimize the economic, ecologic, and human health 
impacts from harmful algae blooms.
  By incorporating provisions to encourage collaborative research 
between local, State, and Federal agencies, we

[[Page H5130]]

will be able to avoid costly duplicative research, which will stretch 
every dollar further and significantly advance this important research.
  In my congressional district, the Indian River Lagoon has experienced 
algae blooms each year from 2011 to 2013, leading to the loss of nearly 
half of all the sea grass beds--the primary means of measuring health 
in the Indian River Lagoon. Prior to 2011, sea grass beds in the lagoon 
had been on a steady increase for nearly 15 years. The devastating 
economic and ecologic impacts of these blooms over the past 3 years can 
be felt across the entire length of the 156-mile lagoon.
  The economic impact of the Indian River Lagoon is approximately $3.5 
billion. A healthy lagoon is vital to the economic well-being of the 
Treasure Coast and the Space Coast. I raised my family on the lagoon, 
so I can speak from personal experience about the changes we have seen 
and the benefits of our lagoon to our communities.
  Our bill gives researchers another tool to help us better understand, 
anticipate, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms like those we 
have seen in the Indian River Lagoon and in communities across the 
country.
  I would like to thank Chairman Smith and the majority and minority 
staff who worked together to shepherd this bill through committee. I 
would also like to thank the ranking member of the Environmental 
Subcommittee, Ms. Bonamici. It was a pleasure to work with you and your 
staff to make several bipartisan perfecting changes to the Senate bill 
so that this bipartisan measure can make it here to the House floor.
  I would encourage my colleagues to support the bill before us so that 
we can reauthorize this important program and continue to advance this 
research that is so important for communities, like the coastal 
community I am privileged to live in and represent in Congress.

                              {time}  1700

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as 
she may consume to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).
  Ms. BONAMICI. I thank the ranking member of the Science Committee for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation, and I am glad 
the House is considering it today. I would like to begin by thanking 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey), for his willingness to work 
with me on an amendment to S. 1254 that was adopted in committee and 
made some modifications to the legislation we are considering today.
  I would also like to thank the full committee chairman, Mr. Smith, 
and our ranking member, Ms. Johnson, for supporting us as we developed 
the amendment and moved the bill forward. This was truly a team effort, 
and our constituents are well served by this collaboration. I want to 
join Mr. Posey, also, in thanking our staff on both sides of the aisle 
for their hard work on this bill.
  Authorization for the programs under the Harmful Algal Blooms and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Act expired in 2012, so this 
reauthorization is long overdue. The rapid overproduction of algae can 
have devastating effects on aquatic plants and animals, as well as on 
human health.
  For coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems and communities that depend on 
fishing and tourism to sustain their economies, the effect of algae 
blooms is a threat to their livelihood. The cost of these blooms has 
been estimated to be close to $82 million each year, a significant hit 
to the economy in areas that are still struggling to recover.
  This issue was first brought to my attention by Oregon State 
University scientists and the crab industry in Oregon, where business 
was struggling when Dungeness crabs were dying because of low oxygen 
levels in the water, a hypoxic event caused by algal blooms.
  I do want to stress, however, that the effect of these blooms is not 
only felt in coastal communities. Last year, in my home State of 
Oregon, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs experiencing hypoxic events were 
closed to protect public health for a combined total of more than 700 
days.
  Research has helped advance our understanding of and response to 
harmful algal blooms, but we need to continue to invest in this 
research. The frequency and duration of these events and subsequent 
hypoxic conditions are on the rise, and our constituents need us to 
act.
  In order to equip ourselves with the tools we need to manage these 
events and reduce the environmental and economic damage they cause, we 
need to better understand how and why algal blooms occur and how they 
respond to a changing environment.
  The bill before us today directs NOAA, the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, to develop and implement a national 
strategy that takes a regional approach to helping communities 
understand, predict, and mitigate harmful algal bloom and hypoxic 
events.
  It will not only improve coordination, but also assess the program's 
activities to ensure that we are prepared for these events and are able 
to respond in an effective and efficient manner.
  This will become increasingly important as coastal populations 
increase and changes in the environment, such as warmer water 
temperatures, have the potential to alter the growth, toxicity, and 
geographic distribution of algal blooms.
  The stakeholder community has been calling for the reauthorization of 
this critical program, and they are eager to see NOAA continue its work 
on this important issue.
  The amendment that Mr. Posey and I included responds to a number of 
suggestions offered by our colleagues on the Natural Resources 
Committee, which has joint jurisdiction over these programs; and the 
amendment clarifies that the bill does not establish any new programs 
or regulatory authority.
  The amendment also ensures that State and local governments, along 
with other stakeholder groups, are involved in efforts to reduce 
harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.
  Because freshwater ecosystems are also susceptible to HABs, the 
amendment makes certain that the plan also addresses harmful algal 
blooms and hypoxia events in the Great Lakes in a cost-effective and 
technically feasible manner.
  NOAA researchers and the academic community have established a strong 
partnership to lead this effort, and I applaud their work. Now, 
Congress needs to reauthorize these important programs, so that work 
can continue; and this bill accomplishes that goal.
  I urge our colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, S. 1254, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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