S 93119th CongressIntroduced

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 14, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (R-Alaska)

Environment & ClimateTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025 would overhaul and expand the federal approach to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia. It creates a broader, multi-agency framework led by a Task Force (including the Department of Energy) to produce a rolling Action Strategy every five years. The bill expands the focus from coastal and Great Lakes waters to marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems, and strengthens monitoring, forecasting, and data-sharing capabilities. It also establishes new programs—such as a national observing network and a national-level incubator program—to advance technologies and strategies for prevention, mitigation, and response. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would gain enhanced authority to address freshwater HABs, and funding would be authorized for several years (2026–2030) with some transfer-flexibility between agencies. The legislation also broadens definitions and includes more emphasis on subsistence, tribal, and Native Hawaiian communities, as well as a mechanism to consider events of national significance under drought programs.

Key Points

1Task Force, Assessments, and Action Strategy: Establishes a Task Force to oversee a five-year Action Strategy for HABs and hypoxia, expanding the scope to marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems and including the Department of Energy. The Strategy must address causes, consequences, prevention/mitigation options, research priorities, coordination, and regional considerations.
2NOAA/IOOS Integral Observing Network: Reworks the National Harmful Algal Bloom Observing Network to integrate federal, state, regional, and local observing capabilities, enhance forecasting, and ensure data standards and accessibility through the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (IOOS) and related data portals.
3EPA Activities for Freshwater HABs: Creates explicit EPA duties to study freshwater HABs and hypoxia, develop and coordinate monitoring and forecasting in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, and collaborate with NOAA on related programs, with a focus on avoiding duplication of efforts.
4National-Level Incubator Program: Establishes a program to test and scale novel HAB prevention/mitigation technologies and strategies, including a framework for preliminary assessments, merit-based funding, and a database cataloging licensing, costs, feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability; prioritizes impacts on habitats, biodiversity, public health, coastal resources, and underserved communities.
5Funding and Authority: Sets new authorization levels for 2026–2030 (roughly $19.5 million to the Under Secretary and $8 million to the Administrator annually) and adds transfer authority between agencies to carry out title provisions, with a limited ability to transfer funds to other federal departments to support relevant activities.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Federal agencies (NOAA, EPA, DOE, and related units within other departments) and regional/coastal observing systems.- States, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and local governments engaged in HAB/hypoxia monitoring, management, and response.- Industries and communities reliant on fisheries, aquaculture, subsistence harvests, coastal tourism, and recreation; including low-income, rural, and subsistence communities that may be affected by HABs or hypoxia.- Public health and environmental management sectors responsible for advisories, water quality, shellfish safety, and ecosystem management.Secondary group/area affected- Research universities and non-governmental organizations that participate in monitoring, modeling, and technology development.- Coastal economies and infrastructure impacted by HAB events and hypoxia (e.g., shellfish beds, fishing access, beaches).Additional impacts- Expanded data standards, interoperability, and real-time decision-support tools for managing HABs and hypoxia.- Potential costs and budgetary shifts due to new program elements (task force operations, observing networks, incubator funding, and interagency coordination).- Greater attention to subsistence and culturally significant resources, including tribal and Native Hawaiian communities, and regional variability through regional chapters.- Policy mechanisms to address “events of national significance” related to drought and drought-related water management, via amended authority in drought-related statute.The bill does not specify a sponsor or current enactment status beyond introduction, so these provisions would be subject to legislative debate, appropriations, and potential refinements during the normal bill process.The act emphasizes coordination, avoiding duplication, and leveraging existing university and regional observing capabilities, while expanding the federal toolkit with new programs and funding authorities.

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