Sponsors (26)
The bill provides predictable, targeted federal funding and stronger regional data-sharing and governance for ocean observations—improving science and coastal coordination—while adding modest federal spending and imposing additional administrative and transitional burdens on agencies and projects.
Scientists, regional observing systems, and coastal communities receive predictable funding: $47.5M authorized per year for FY2026–FY2030 to support integrated ocean observations.
Regional offices, state governments, and federally funded projects gain improved data sharing and collaboration because an Interagency Ocean Observation Committee process is required to coordinate with regional coastal observing systems.
Federal agencies and scientists benefit from clarified governance because renaming and standardizing the Council to a Committee aims to streamline interagency coordination for ocean observation programs.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending: authorizing $47.5M per year adds to the federal budget and could require offsets or increase budget pressures.
State and local governments and federally funded projects may face added administrative burden to comply with new collaboration and data‑sharing processes.
Federal and state agencies could encounter short-term confusion and implementation issues because renaming the Council to Committee changes statutory references and roles until guidance is issued.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Renames a statutory council to an Ocean Policy Committee, requires federal development of regional data‑sharing processes with regional observing systems, and authorizes $47.5M annually for FY2026–2030.
Amends the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 to rename the National Ocean Research Leadership Council as the Ocean Policy Committee, require the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to set up regional collaboration and data‑sharing requirements with regional coastal observing systems, and authorize $47.5 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 to support the System. The changes are mostly organizational and operational, adding a new requirement for regional-level coordination and extending an explicit annual funding authorization for five years. The rename is a definitional change; the new collaboration requirement directs federal coordination with regionally funded observing systems; and the added authorization provides congressional permission for annual funding (actual appropriations will determine final funding).
Introduced March 24, 2025 by Mike Ezell · Last progress March 17, 2026