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Modifies subparagraphs of 33 U.S.C. 3703(c)(2): adjusts punctuation in existing subparagraphs and adds a new subparagraph (D) requiring an ongoing mechanism to engage industry, stakeholders, community acidification networks, fishery management entities, Indigenous knowledge groups, non-Federal resource managers, and non-Federal scientific experts to provide input on research, data, and monitoring for on-the-ground management and adaptation related to ocean and coastal acidification.
Alters Advisory Board membership provisions by inserting two representatives from Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia; redesignates subsequent subparagraphs; and reduces a specified membership numeric count from Six to Four in a redesignated subparagraph.
Expands a phrase in the appointment provision to include 'Indigenous' alongside 'State' and 'local' designations.
Revises paragraph (9) to require the Advisory Board to develop and maintain a policy for engagement and coordination with Indian Tribes and to consult with Indian Tribes in developing that policy, with a one-year development deadline after establishment of the Advisory Board.
Inserts a new clause identifying the Secretary's efforts to collaborate with State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations on community vulnerability assessments, research planning, and similar activities, and shifts numbering of following clauses.
Updates cross-references and stakeholder language in the strategic research plan contents: changes a citation from section 12404(c)(4) to 12404(e)(4) and expands the list of stakeholders to include community acidification networks and Indigenous knowledge groups and clarifies 'scientific experts' as those not employed by the Federal Government.
Multiple targeted amendments throughout 33 U.S.C. 3705 (NOAA ocean acidification activities): modifies wording to 'take into consideration' in a prioritization clause; expands references to include 'Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations' where previously 'Tribal governments' or similar wording appeared; revises various stakeholder lists to include 'affected industry members, community acidification networks, Indigenous knowledge groups, and scientific experts not employed by the Federal Government'; adjusts phrasing in subsection (c) to separate and add a new information source subparagraph; amends terminology in subsection (d)(1)(C); and adds a new subsection (e) that requires NOAA to build upon existing activities and collaborate with State and local governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia on vulnerability assessments, research planning, and similar activities, and to prioritize underserved populations and entities in use of NOAA resources.
Amends two paragraphs in 33 U.S.C. 3701: (1) inserts a comma to change 'development coordination and implementation' to 'development, coordination, and implementation'; (4) changes 'research adaptation strategies and mitigating the impacts' to 'research on adaptation strategies and mitigation of the impacts'.
Multiple textual edits to 33 U.S.C. 3703: (b)(5) is struck and replaced with a period (removing the existing text of that paragraph); in (c)(2)(A)(i) and (ii) cross-references are updated from 'subsection (d)(2)' and 'subsection (d)(3)' to 'subsection (e)(2)' and 'subsection (e)(3)'; in (d)(3) 'this section' is changed to 'this subsection'; in (e)(2)(B) 'interagency' is replaced with 'the'; and in (e)(3) the phrase 'years until 2031 thereafter' is replaced with 'years thereafter until 2031'.
In 33 U.S.C. 3705(d)(2), changes the punctuation/phrase from 'The Secretary to,' to 'The Secretary, to'.
And 1 more affected section...
Amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act to update definitions, improve stakeholder engagement, and increase Tribal and Native Hawaiian representation and consultation. It requires NOAA’s advisory processes to include ongoing input from state, local, Tribal, Native Hawaiian, industry, and coastal stakeholders, adds Tribal representation on the Advisory Board, and directs the Board to adopt a Tribal engagement policy within one year. Also makes a series of technical fixes to statutory language and internal cross-references. The changes are procedural and collaborative — they do not create new large spending programs but change how NOAA and the Advisory Board work with outside partners and prioritize underserved and Tribal communities in planning and vulnerability work.
Amend Section 12403 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3702).
Strike paragraph (4) of Section 12403 (the text does not state the content being removed, only that paragraph (4) is struck).
Redesignate existing paragraphs (2), (3), and (5) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively.
Insert after paragraph (1) a new paragraph (2) defining “Indian Tribe” to have the meaning given in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
Insert after paragraph (1) a new paragraph (3) defining “Native Hawaiian organization” to have the meaning given in section 3 of the NATIVE Act (25 U.S.C. 4352).
Federal agencies (especially NOAA) will need to allocate staff time and effort to implement new consultation and stakeholder‑input processes, update governance documents, and ensure the Advisory Board includes Tribal representation. Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations gain clearer statutory recognition and guaranteed roles in advisory and engagement processes; they may see more direct involvement in vulnerability assessments and planning for ocean and coastal acidification. State and local coastal governments, industry stakeholders, and scientific researchers will have a formalized, ongoing avenue to provide input, which can influence research priorities and adaptation planning. Underserved coastal communities are expressly prioritized for collaboration, which may increase inclusion in vulnerability assessments and resilience planning. Costs are primarily administrative (coordination, outreach, and integration of local/Tribal assessments) rather than new program authorizations; any resource needs beyond existing NOAA budgets would depend on future appropriations and agency implementation choices.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Lisa Murkowski · Last progress April 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate