[Senate Report 119-80]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 189
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-80
_______________________________________________________________________
NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD ENHANCEMENT ACT
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
on
S. 190
October 14, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
69-010 WASHINGTON : 2025
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred nineteenth congress
first session
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska GARY C. PETERS, Michigan
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
TED BUDD, North Carolina JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
JOHN CURTIS, Utah JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
TIM SHEEHY, Montana ANDY KIM, New Jersey
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
CYNTHIA M. LUMMIS, Wyoming
Brad Grantz, Majority Staff Director
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Staff Director
Calendar No. 189
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-80
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NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD ENHANCEMENT ACT
_______
October 14, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Cruz, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 190]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 190) to enhance the operations
of the North Pacific Research Board, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment in the nature
of a substitute and recommends that the bill, as amended, do
pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 190 is to enhance the operations of the
North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) and provide a temporary fix
to a financing issue related to its operations.
Background and Needs
The NPRB is a science board that supports marine research
in the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean.\1\
Established by Congress in 1997 under the Department of the
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,\2\ the NPRB
is primarily funded through the Environmental Improvement and
Restoration Fund (EIRF), which receives revenue from interest
earned on a portion of the settlement funds from the Dinkum
Sands dispute over oil and gas leasing off the Arctic coast of
Alaska.\3\
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\1\``Who We Are,'' North Pacific Research Board, https://nprb.org/
about-nprb/.
\2\Public Law 105-83.
\3\``Who We Are,'' North Pacific Research Board, https://nprb.org/
about-nprb/.
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The NPRB's mission is to improve understanding of marine
ecosystems and to inform sustainable management of natural
resources in the North Pacific.\4\ The NPRB funds research on
various topics, including fisheries, marine mammal populations,
and ecosystem dynamics.\5\ This research has led to large-scale
collaborative efforts to study environmental variability and
its effects on fish stocks and marine communities.\6\ The NPRB
supports core research projects, large-scale ecosystem studies
like the Gulf of Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Research Program,
and graduate student research awards.\7\ The NPRB also
emphasizes collaboration with partners, including NOAA,
academic institutions, the fishing industry, and Alaska Native
communities and Indian Tribes.\8\ It is governed by a multi-
sector board that includes representatives from Federal and
State agencies, tribal organizations, environmental groups, and
industry.\9\
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\4\Ibid.
\5\Ibid.
\6\``Ecosystem Research In Alaska,'' NOAA Fisheries, https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/ecosystems/ecosystem-research-alaska.
\7\North Pacific Research Board, 2024 Annual Report, 2024, https://
online.flippingbook.com/view/277695255/10/.
\8\``Who We Are,'' North Pacific Research Board, https://nprb.org/
about-nprb/.
\9\``Our Marine Research Leadership,'' North Pacific Research
Board, https://nprb.org/nprb-leadership/.
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In recent years, the NPRB has faced budget challenges due
to fluctuations in the income generated by EIRF, its primary
funding source.\10\ The EIRF earns interest on 10-year U.S.
Treasury notes, and the NPRB receives 20 percent of that
interest, which is split between research and administration of
the NPRB (capped at 15 percent of the NPRB funds).\11\ Because
of this funding structure, NPRB experienced a steady decline in
revenue when interest rates were low, reaching its lowest award
value in 2020 when interest rates had an average yield of 0.89
percent.\12\ These fluctuations impact the NPRB on a 2-year
delay, lasting beyond the end of the interest rate lows.
Fluctuations are also influenced by broader economic trends,
such as changes in Federal interest rates and market
performance. Volatility in the administrative funds, which
cover items such as the staff, can be particularly problematic
for the continued operation of the Board.
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\10\``North Pacific Research Board,'' North Pacific Research Board,
https://nprb.org/.
\11\Public Law 105-83.
\12\``Monthly Federal Funds from 1954 to 2025,'' Statista, https://
www.statista.com/statistics/187616/effective-rate-of-us-federal-funds-
monthly/.
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Summary of Provisions
S. 190, as reported, would do the following:
Revise the existing North Pacific Research Board by
adding a nominated seat to represent Alaska Natives
with personal knowledge of, and direct experience with,
subsistence uses.
Require the Secretary of Commerce to make funds
available within 14 days after the start of each fiscal
year.
Allow flexibility for the Administrator of NOAA to
increase the 15 percent cap on administrative expenses
to allow for the continued operation of the NPRB if
funding drops below that of the previous fiscal year
(for example, if the interest rate falls too low on the
EIRF).
Temporarily waive the 15 percent administrative
costs cap for 4 years after the date of enactment,
which, over time, would bring the funds available for
administration of NPRB up to the level available before
the low interest rate caused Board funding to decline.
Legislative History
S. 190 was introduced on January 22, 2025, by Senator
Sullivan (for himself and Senator Murkowski) and was referred
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate. On May 21, 2025, the Committee met in open
Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 190 reported
favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute).
S. 190 was included as section 741 of S. 524, the Coast
Guard Authorization Act of 2025. S. 524 was introduced on
February 11, 2025, by Senator Cruz (for himself and Senators
Cantwell, Sullivan, and Baldwin) and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. On March 5, 2025, S. 524 passed the Senate without
amendment by unanimous consent.
118th Congress
S. 3996, the North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act,
was introduced on March 20, 2024, by Senator Sullivan (for
himself and Senator Murkowski) and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. S. 3996 was included as an amendment to S. 4579, the
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative
Reauthorization Act of 2024.
S. 4579, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation
Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024, was introduced on June
18, 2024, by Senator Murray (for herself and Senator Cantwell)
and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate. On July 31, 2024, the Committee
met in an open Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S.
4579 reported favorably with amendments.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
S. 190 would authorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to increase the portion of funding the North
Pacific Research Board (NPRB) can use for administrative costs,
under certain conditions. The NPRB awards grants on a
competitive basis to federal, state, and private entities to
research the health and sustainability of fisheries and marine
ecosystems in the Bering Sea and the North Pacific and Arctic
Oceans.
Each year, the NPRB receives a transfer of 20 percent of
the interest credited to the Environmental Improvement and
Restoration Fund, an account established from a court
settlement involving Arctic lands. In 2024, the amount
transferred to the NPRB totaled about $7 million.
Under current law, the NPRB is authorized to use 15 percent
of the transferred amount for administrative costs. S. 190
would temporarily authorize the NPRB, for the next four years,
to exceed the 15 percent limit if its funding declines from the
previous year.
CBO expects that enacting the bill could accelerate
spending of amounts transferred to the NPRB because money for
administrative expenses typically outlays more quickly than
money for grants. CBO estimates that any increase in outlays
during that four-year period would be insignificant and would
be offset in later years by less spending for grants. Thus,
enacting the bill would have no net budgetary effect over the
2025-2035 period.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aurora Swanson.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Regulatory Impact Statement
Because S. 190 does not create any new programs, the
legislation will have no additional regulatory impact, and will
result in no additional reporting requirements. The legislation
will have no further effect on the number or types of
individuals and businesses regulated, the economic impact of
such regulation, the personal privacy of affected individuals,
or the paperwork required from such individuals and businesses.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title.
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act''.
Section 2. North Pacific Research Board enhancement.
This section would add a deadline for funds to be made
available to the NPRB not later than 14 days after the start of
each fiscal year. It would add a member to the NPRB
representing Alaska Natives with personal knowledge of, and
direct experience with, subsistence uses. This member would be
nominated by NPRB and appointed by the Secretary.
This section would specify a 3-year term length for board
members representing Alaska Natives and fishing interests,
allowing one reappointment for these members. If administrative
funding drops below that of the previous fiscal year, this
section would allow flexibility for the Administrator of NOAA
to increase the 15 percent cap on administrative expenses to
allow for the continued operation of NPRB.
Lastly, this section would temporarily waive the 15 percent
administrative costs cap for 4 years after the date of
enactment.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT,
1998
* * * * * * *
[43 U.S.C. 1474d(e)]
TITLE IV--ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND RESTORATION FUND
Sec. 401. (a) * * *
(b) * * *
(c) * * *
(d) * * *
(e) Marine Research Activities.--(1) [Funds available under
subsection (c)(2) shall be used] Not later than 14 days after
the start of each fiscal year, funds shall be made available
under subsection (c)(2) by the Secretary of Commerce according
to this subsection to provide grants to Federal, State, private
or foreign organizations or individuals to conduct research
activities on or relating to the fisheries or marine ecosystems
in the north Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean
(including any lesser related bodies of water).
(2) * * *
(3) The Board shall be comprised of the following
representatives or their designees--
(A) the Secretary of Commerce;
(B) the Secretary of State;
(C) the Secretary of the Interior;
(D) the Commandant of the Coast Guard;
(E) the Director of the Office of Naval Research;
(F) the Alaska Commissioner of Fish and Game, who
shall also be a co-chair of the Board;
(G) the Chairman of the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council;
(H) the Chairman of the Arctic Research Commission;
(I) the Director of the Oil Spill Recovery Institute;
(J) the Director of the Alaska SeaLife Center;
(K) five members nominated by the Governor of Alaska
and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, one of whom
shall represent fishing interests, one of whom shall
represent Alaska Natives, one of whom shall represent
environmental interests, one of whom shall represent
academia, and one of whom shall represent oil and gas
interests;
(L) three members nominated by the Governor of
Washington and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce;
[and]
(M) one member nominated by the Governor of Oregon
and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce[.];
(N) one member who shall represent fishing interests
and shall be nominated by the Board and appointed by
the Secretary[.]; and
(O) one member who shall represent Alaska Natives and
possesses personal knowledge of, and direct experience
with, subsistence uses and shall be nominated by the
Board and appointed by the Secretary.
The members of the Board shall be individuals knowledgeable by
education, training, or experience regarding fisheries or
marine ecosystems in the north Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, or
Arctic Ocean. Three nominations shall be submitted for each
member to be appointed under subparagraphs (K), (L), and (M).
Board members appointed under subparagraphs (K), (L), and (M)
shall serve for three-year terms, and may be reappointed. Board
members appointed under subparagraphs (N) and (O) shall serve
for 3-year terms, and may be reappointed once.
(4)(A) * * *
(B) The Board shall establish written criteria for the
submission of grant requests through a competitive process and
for deciding upon the award of grants. Grants shall be
recommended by the Board on the basis of merit in accordance
with the priorities established by the Board. The Secretary
shall provide the Board such administrative and technical
support as is necessary for the effective functioning of the
Board. The Board shall be considered an advisory panel
established under section 302(g) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et
seq.) for the purposes of section 302(i)(1) of such Act, and
the other procedural matters applicable to advisory panels
under section 302(i) of such Act shall apply to the Board to
the extent practicable. Members of the Board may be reimbursed
for actual expenses incurred in performance of their duties for
the Board. [Not more than 15 percent] Except as provided in
paragraph (5), not more than 15 percent of the funds provided
to the Secretary of Commerce under paragraph (1) may be used to
provide support for the Board and administer grants under this
subsection.
(5) If the amount made available for a fiscal year under
subsection (c)(2) is less than the amount made available for
the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15
percent cap on administrative expenses provided under paragraph
(4)(B) for that fiscal year to prioritize--
(A) continuing operation of the Board;
(B) maximizing the percentage of funds directed to
research; and
(C) maintaining the highest quality standards in
administering grants under this subsection.
[(5)](6) All decisions of the Board, including grant
recommendations, shall be by majority vote of the members
listed in paragraphs (3)(A), (3)(F), (3)(G), (3)(J), and
(3)(N), in consultation with the other members. The five voting
members may act on behalf of the Board in all matters of
administration, including the disposition of research funds not
made available by this section, at any time on or after October
1, 2000.
(f) * * *