[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2144-H2147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COASTAL COMMUNITIES OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACT OF 2023

  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 676) to amend the Federal Ocean Acidification 
Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 to require the Secretary of 
Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, to collaborate with State and local 
governments and Indian Tribes on vulnerability assessments related to 
ocean acidification, research planning, and similar activities, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 676

       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 ``Coastal Communities Ocean 
     Acidification Act of 2023''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       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) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively;
       (3) by inserting before paragraph (3), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4

[[Page H2145]]

     of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 5304).'';
       (4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
     inserting ``an increase of'' before ``carbon dioxide''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Subcommittee.--The term `Subcommittee' means the 
     National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Ocean 
     Science and Technology.
       ``(7) United states.--The term `United States' means the 
     States, collectively.''.

     SEC. 3. 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) maintain or 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, indigenous knowledge 
     groups, 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, Tribal 
     organizations, and 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 striking ``State and local'' and inserting 
     ``State, local, and Tribal''.
       (d) Engagement and Coordination With Indian Tribes.--
     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.--
       ``(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 affected by 
     ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
       ``(B) Consultation.--In developing the policy under 
     subparagraph (A), the Advisory Board shall consult with 
     Indian Tribes 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 and Indian 
     Tribes 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, indigenous knowledge groups, 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 (C), by striking ``maximize'' and 
     inserting ``take into consideration'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (D), by adding a semicolon at the end; 
     and
       (iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``Tribal 
     governments'' and inserting ``Indian Tribes''; 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, 
     indigenous knowledge groups, 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,''; 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, 
     indigenous knowledge groups, 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'';
       (3) in subsection (d)(1)(C), by striking ``Tribes or Tribal 
     governments'' and inserting ``Indian Tribes, 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) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall prioritize underserved populations and 
     entities in the use of resources of the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration.''.

     SEC. 4. 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(1) (33 U.S.C. 3701(1)), by striking 
     ``development coordination and implementation'' and inserting 
     ``development, coordination, and implementation'';
       (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''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 676, the bill now 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page H2146]]

  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 676, the Coastal Communities 
Ocean Acidification Act. This bill contains simple and straightforward 
tweaks to an important program and existing working group. It ensures 
the participation of Indian Tribes and affected communities in ocean 
and coastal acidification activities.
  Over a decade ago, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and 
Monitoring Act of 2009 directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, or NOAA, to increase their focus on ocean and coastal 
acidification--the process in which the chemistry of oceans is altered 
and made more acidic after absorbing carbon dioxide.
  To do this, NOAA established an interagency working group with State 
and local governments, industry, academia, and other representatives. 
They also stood up a research program and published a strategic plan 
for coordinated Federal activities on acidification. Yet, while not 
excluded from these activities, there was no direct mention of the 
inclusion of Indian Tribes and communities affected by ocean and 
coastal acidification. This bill remedies that oversight by including 
specific language to coordinate vulnerability assessments and research 
planning with State, local, and Tribal Governments.
  This bill also ensures that two representatives from Indian Tribes, 
Tribal organizations, or Tribal consortia affected by ocean 
acidification are on the Ocean Acidification Advisory Board with the 
other members of industry, academia, and subject matter experts.
  When it comes to acidification, it is a common misconception that 
only communities touching the ocean see the effects. In fact, the most 
recent ocean acidification research plan found that the Great Lakes are 
projected to become more acidic at a rate similar to that of the 
oceans.
  This finding raises concerns for me because part of my district in 
Ohio sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie and benefits from the $7 
billion annual economic value that the Great Lakes provide.
  Luckily, NOAA recognizes the tremendous asset that the region offers 
and has a dedicated laboratory, the Great Lakes Environmental Research 
Laboratory, to conduct scientific research on the Great Lakes and their 
coastal ecosystems.
  Madam Speaker, that is why I support the all-hands-on-deck approach 
this bill ensures. Smaller or overlooked communities like Indian Tribes 
have direct knowledge of the effects of acidification, both on the 
coast and inland, and can be an important resource. It only makes sense 
that they have a seat at the table to provide input on research, 
assessments, and mitigation that will benefit all of us.
  I thank the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree) and the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Waltz) for introducing this bill, and their many 
cosponsors for supporting it.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 676, the Coastal 
Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2023, alongside my colleague 
from the State of Ohio.
  In bipartisan fashion, we gather here today in Congress encouraging 
our colleagues to support this incredibly important piece of 
legislation introduced by my colleague from Maine (Ms. Pingree) and my 
colleague from Florida (Mr. Waltz), two Members who certainly 
understand the importance of ocean acidification and my colleague from 
Ohio (Mr. Miller) is spot on.
  As Members from the Great Lakes region, we do applaud NOAA's efforts 
to understand the Great Lakes and to observe their inner workings. At 
long last, we are finally now requiring the collaboration of our Tribal 
communities into the Ocean Acidification Board of NOAA. Tribes with 
their incredible expertise and their knowledge of the inner workings of 
our oceans will be important contributors to this board, the history of 
this board, and the way in which we move forward to advance the science 
of ocean acidification and mitigating the negative impacts of 
acidification on the livelihoods, traditions, and well-being of coastal 
communities.
  Acidification has resulted from the oceans absorbing about 30 percent 
of the world's atmospheric carbon emissions. This change in water 
chemistry has certainly had detrimental impacts on the health of 
aquatic organisms by inhibiting their ability to grow and develop. The 
impacts can be felt across all levels of the ocean ecosystem, and it 
seriously impacts coastal economic activities, such as fisheries, 
aquaculture, and ecotourism.
  Indeed, ocean acidification--and we know this most prominently 
through discussion about our reefs--has already had considerable impact 
on the socioeconomic parts of our oceans. It is also true that the 
impacts are felt well beyond coastal communities and supporting their 
fight against ocean and coastal acidification should be a national 
endeavor, which is, again, why we are bringing today's legislation 
before you.
  H.R. 676 would improve the ability of coastal communities to respond 
to the challenges of acidification by including two representatives 
from Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia from 
affected communities, thereby integrating traditional 
ecological knowledge into science and addressing societal inequities--
inclusion at its best.

  Additionally, the bill supports the continued dissemination of 
research, data, and modern efforts among Federal agencies, non-Federal 
resource managers, and affected stakeholders by maintaining the Ocean 
Acidification Information Exchange--knowledge.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
important bipartisan legislation that rises to the challenge of ocean 
and coastal acidification, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers at this 
time, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Maine (Ms. Pingree).
  Ms. PINGREE. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan for 
both being a strong supporter of this bill and yielding me the time.
  I thank the gentleman from Ohio for understanding the role of the 
Great Lakes and how the role of ocean acidification impacts all of us. 
I truly appreciate his support of this bipartisan bill.
  I thank Chair Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren for their work to 
address the impacts that climate change has had on our oceans
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 676, the 
Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, a bipartisan bill that 
would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
support the current efforts of coastal communities already facing the 
impacts of ocean acidification, particularly underserved and rural 
coastal communities, and better equip them with the resources to 
respond.
  According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 
atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are now higher than at any 
time in the last 2 million years, and about 30 percent of the carbon 
dioxide we release into the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean.
  More carbon dioxide in our waters creates challenging growing 
conditions for marine organisms, especially those with calcium 
carbonate shells, such as clams, lobsters, and oysters.
  Ocean acidification threatens not only our fisheries but the entire 
blue economy, our marine resources, industries, and jobs, as well as 
coastal communities like mine that depend on them. A 2020 report found 
that in the United States, particularly in the waters off Maine and 
Massachusetts, ocean acidification hot spots could lead to economic 
losses of $400 million a year by 2100.
  In a State renowned for its lobster and shellfish--which as you know, 
Madam Speaker, is Maine--you can imagine we take this threat very 
seriously. I am proud of the efforts in Maine to tackle this challenge, 
such as through implementing ocean monitoring and data collection and 
exploring the ability of seaweed and kelp to lower acidity.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from Maine an 
additional 30 seconds.

[[Page H2147]]

  

  Ms. PINGREE. Madam Speaker, my bill would support these efforts and 
more by improving NOAA's collaboration with State, local, and Tribal 
Governments on community vulnerability assessments, research planning, 
and similar activities related to ocean and coastal acidification. In 
addition, ensuring the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange will 
bolster data sharing on ocean acidification research, data, and 
monitoring efforts between Federal experts, community acidification 
networks, and other affected stakeholders.
  This legislation will address the growing and far-reaching threat of 
ocean acidification to help ensure our ocean industries, including 
fisheries, and the communities that depend on them are more resilient 
to our changing oceans.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 676 
today.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time. I am prepared to close once the gentlewoman from Michigan does, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, in closing, we are also delighted to have 
new members of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee join us in 
passing bipartisan legislation. We are so grateful for the expertise 
from our colleague from Maine and the phenomenal leadership of our 
ranking member, Ms. Lofgren, and certainly our chair, Mr. Lucas.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I want to reiterate my support for this bill, H.R. 
676. Despite the title, the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act 
has the potential to benefit more than just coastal communities and 
oceans.
  The Great Lakes basin is home to approximately 43 million people, 8 
percent of the United States population, and supports $62 billion in 
wages. This region and my constituents in Ohio are a small piece of the 
$1 billion United States shellfish industry and the hundreds of 
thousands of jobs that are affected by ocean and coastal acidification.
  Increasing the involvement of Indian Tribes with ongoing NOAA ocean 
acidification work will protect this critical economic pillar and lead 
to solutions that the entire country can benefit from.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 676.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________