Sponsors (10)
The bill channels targeted federal support to grow coastal and Great Lakes ocean-economy clusters and workforce capacity, trading off the potential for concentrated economic gains and faster offshore energy development against risks of uneven geographic benefit, new federal costs, and increased pressure on coastal environments.
Coastal and Great Lakes small businesses, startups, and regional economies gain coordinated hubs, competitive grants, and commercialization support through designated Ocean Innovation Clusters, helping create local jobs and scale Blue Economy ventures.
Students, trainees, researchers, and underrepresented and Tribal communities receive internships, apprenticeships, training, and strengthened tech-transfer pathways that build a Blue Economy workforce.
The bill improves federal coordination, program clarity (roles like Director of Sea Grant and Ocean Innovation Center), and economic measurement (Marine Economy Satellite Account), helping policymakers and regions better plan and track ocean-economy investments.
The broad 'Blue Economy' definition and explicit inclusion of offshore minerals and expanded marine construction could expand Commerce Department authority and accelerate industrial activity, increasing risks to coastal ecosystems and prioritizing development over environmental protections.
Designating and funding selected Ocean Innovation Clusters and using competitive grants risks concentrating federal resources in well‑connected or larger clusters, leaving rural, nascent, or non‑designated regions with fewer supports.
Taxpayers bear new federal costs (including the $10M/year appropriation and coordination expenses) without specified offsets, which could compete with other priorities or increase deficits.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Establishes and funds regional Ocean Innovation Clusters to coordinate and grow local Blue Economy industries, with competitive grants and federal liaisons.
Creates a Department of Commerce program to designate and support regional Ocean Innovation Clusters that spur local Blue Economy growth. It sets definitions for the Blue Economy, requires the Commerce Secretary to name at least seven nonprofit-led clusters with geographic diversity, establishes agency liaisons to support them, and authorizes competitive grants (two-year terms, renewable) to help clusters become self-sustaining, with grants capped at $10 million each and $10 million authorized per year for fiscal years 2026–2030.
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Lisa Murkowski · Last progress April 9, 2025