To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to support the restoration of coral reefs in South Florida.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

house

senate

president

Introduced on April 12, 2024 by Carlos A. Gimenez

Legislation Details

Establishes a grant program under the Secretary of Commerce to support coral reef restoration in South Florida.
Grants are for carrying out coral reef restoration activities or reimbursing entities for past restoration activities within the last 5 years.
Eligible entities for the grant include states, local municipalities, nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and specifically includes the Mote Marine Laboratory.
A single eligible entity cannot receive more than $1,000,000 in a single fiscal year.
Authorizes $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to fund the grant program.
Defines coral reef restoration activities to include the sexual propagation of coral for genetic diversity and the evacuation, rehabilitation, and redeployment of coral fragments.
Specifies that a nonprofit organization eligible for the grant must be described in section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1968 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the same code.
The term “South Florida” encompasses land and water within the South Florida Water Management District, regional coastal waters (including Biscayne Bay, the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida Bay, Indian River Lagoon, and St. Lucie River Estuary), and the Florida Reef Tract.

Last updated 8/8/2024