Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025
This bill, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025, overhauls and broadens the 1998 framework for studying, forecasting, and responding to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia (low oxygen in water). It creates a strengthened, cross‑agency approach led by a Task Force and a five‑year Action Strategy, expands the scope from coastal/ocean waters to marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems (including the Great Lakes), and adds new agencies (notably the Department of Energy) to the effort. The bill also creates a National HAB Observing Network, a National-level Incubator Program to accelerate new solutions, and expands NOAA, EPA, and related activities to monitor, forecast, and mitigate HABs and hypoxia. It includes stronger data integration requirements, regional focus tools, and a greater emphasis on public health, subsistence users, and economically vulnerable communities. The bill also updates related authorities (e.g., NIDIS provisions) to streamline funding, collaboration, and contracting for events of national significance. Key financing provisions authorize specific funding levels for NOAA and EPA activities (with transfer options across agencies) for 2026–2030, and adds new appropriations authority for a National-level incubator program and related efforts. Overall, the bill aims to improve detection, prediction, and response to HABs/hypoxia, expand research and technology development, and strengthen coordination among federal, state, tribal, local, and industry partners.
Key Points
- 1Expanded governance and scope: Replaces the old “assessments” framework with a Task Force, formal Assessments, and an Action Strategy for HABs and hypoxia. Requires not less than a five‑year Action Strategy, with regional chapters and a focus on marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems (including the Great Lakes). Adds the Department of Energy to the Task Force and broadens consultation with States, tribes, local governments, and relevant industries and groups.
- 2NOAA activities and data integration: Elevates NOAA’s role to include robust monitoring, observing, and forecasting programs for HABs and hypoxia across marine and freshwater systems; requires integration with hurricane-related effects on nutrients and HAB dynamics; emphasizes coordination among federal agencies and leveraging university resources; ensures data are collected and shared under established data standards and through the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.
- 3National HAB Observing Network: Establishes a national network that integrates federal, state, regional, and local observing capabilities to monitor, detect, and forecast HABs; coordinates data collection and dissemination through a central architecture and ties into the Water Quality Portal for freshwater, estuarine, and coastal HAB data.
- 4EPA freshwater HABs and coordination: Creates EPA activities focused on freshwater HABs and hypoxia (monitoring, forecasting, and coordination with NOAA on Great Lakes and estuaries). Emphasizes nonduplication of effort and alignment with broader title objectives, while leveraging partners and cost-effective methods.
- 5Innovation and funding (National-level incubator program) and related provisions: Establishes a national incubator program to test novel HAB/hypoxia prevention and mitigation strategies, with merit-based funding, a framework for preliminary assessments, and a database of licensing, costs, feasibility, and scalability. Prioritizes projects that protect habitats, biodiversity, public health, culturally important resources, and vulnerable communities. Also broadens definitions and authorizes dedicated funding (606A) and associated program administration.
- 6Definitions and inclusivity: Updates key definitions (including subsistence use, Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations) to reflect broader concepts of who is affected and who participates in decision-making and benefit-sharing.
- 7Funding, transfer authority, and related authorities: Sets out appropriations for 2026–2030 (approximately $19.5 million to the Under Secretary and $8 million to the Administrator), allows transfers between federal agencies to carry out title provisions, and clarifies contracting and grant authority to work with states, tribes, local governments, and other partners on events of national significance.
- 8Public health, economic, and community focus: Explicitly addresses public health protection, subsistence concerns, and economic impacts (e.g., fisheries, tourism, coastal resources) and requires consideration of impacts on low‑income communities and rural areas.