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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5629 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 5629

  To support marine carbon dioxide removal activities, and for other 
                               purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            December 19 (legislative day, December 16), 2024

  Mr. Schatz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To support marine carbon dioxide removal activities, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Removing and 
Sequestering Carbon Unleashed in the Environment and Oceans Act'' or 
the ``ReSCUE Oceans Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Rule of construction.
Sec. 5. Research security.
   TITLE I--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
                             ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 101. Establishment of program for advancing marine carbon dioxide 
                            removal.
Sec. 102. Monitoring of marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 103. Research areas for marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 104. Interagency working group for marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 105. Biennial report on marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations.
     TITLE II--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 201. Researching marine carbon dioxide removal.
   TITLE III--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
                             ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 301. Measuring marine carbon dioxide removal from space.
Sec. 302. Authorization of appropriations.
 TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
                               TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 401. Validating marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 402. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Carbon removal credit.--The term ``carbon removal 
        credit'' means 1 metric tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent 
        (tCOe) that--
                    (A) is removed through marine carbon dioxide 
                removal and durably stored;
                    (B) is unique, registered, and validated; and
                    (C) may be traded on a voluntary carbon market and 
                retired after purchase.
            (2) Coastal waters.--The term ``coastal waters'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 304 of the Coastal Zone 
        Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453).
            (3) Contiguous zone.--The term ``contiguous zone'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 502 of the Federal Water 
        Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
            (4) Exclusive economic zone.--The term ``exclusive economic 
        zone'' has the meaning given that term in section 3532 of the 
        Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 
        8001).
            (5) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 6151 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7491).
            (6) Indian tribal government.--The term ``Indian tribal 
        government'' means the recognized governing body of any Indian 
        or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, 
        community, component band, or component reservation, 
        individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list 
        published most recently as of the date of the enactment of this 
        Act pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian 
        Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).
            (7) Interagency working group.--The term ``interagency 
        working group'' means the interagency working group established 
        under section 104.
            (8) Internal waters.--The term ``internal waters'' means 
        the waters shoreward of the baseline of the territorial seas, 
        which is normally the mean low water line along the coast of 
        the United States.
            (9) Marine carbon dioxide removal.--The term ``marine 
        carbon dioxide removal'' means an intentional intervention in 
        the marine environment that results in the net removal of 
        carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as measured on a life-cycle 
        basis, taking into account all greenhouse gasses measured in 
        carbon dioxide equivalents.
            (10) National sea grant college program.--The term 
        ``national sea grant college program'' means the program 
        maintained under section 204(a) of the National Sea Grant 
        College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(a)).
            (11) Native american individual or entity.--The term 
        ``Native American individual or entity'' means--
                    (A) an Indian;
                    (B) a Native Hawaiian;
                    (C) a Tribal organization;
                    (D) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; or
                    (E) a Native Hawaiian organization.
            (12) Native hawaiian.--The term ``Native Hawaiian'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 6207 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
            (13) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
        Hawaiian organization'' means a private nonprofit organization 
        that--
                    (A) serves and represents the interests of Native 
                Hawaiians;
                    (B) has as its primary and stated purpose the 
                provision of services to Native Hawaiians;
                    (C) has Native Hawaiians serving in substantive 
                policymaking positions; and
                    (D) is recognized for having expertise in Native 
                Hawaiian affairs.
            (14) Office of hawaiian affairs.--The term ``Office of 
        Hawaiian Affairs'' has the meaning given that term in section 
        6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 7517).
            (15) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program 
        established and maintained under section 101.
            (16) Protocol.--The term ``protocol'' means a systematic 
        approach for generating a carbon removal credit that follows a 
        transparent and thorough science-based methodology--
                    (A) for the development of projects to remove 
                greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon; and
                    (B) for demonstrating how to measure, monitor, 
                report, and verify the removal of greenhouse gas 
                emissions or carbon sequestration by projects described 
                in subparagraph (A).
            (17) Relevant congressional committees.--The term 
        ``relevant congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
                of Representatives; and
                    (C) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
                of the House of Representatives.
            (18) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
            (19) Standard.--The term ``standard'' means a broad 
        principle or set of criteria established to ensure the 
        credibility and integrity of a carbon removal credit or marine 
        carbon dioxide removal by providing guidance on measurement, 
        monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas 
        removals.
            (20) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several 
        States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, 
        American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands.
            (21) Territorial seas.--The term ``territorial seas'' has 
        the meaning given that term in section 502 of the Federal Water 
        Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
            (22) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization'' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        5304).
            (23) Voluntary carbon market .--The term ``voluntary carbon 
        market'' means a voluntary market through which carbon removal 
        credits may be bought or sold.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to support research, development, and field trials of 
        safe and responsible marine carbon dioxide removal;
            (2) to ensure robust monitoring and protection of coastal 
        and marine ecosystems; and
            (3) to coordinate Federal actions on marine carbon dioxide 
        removal.

SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed in derogation of applicable 
law regulating or restricting the use of the contiguous zone, the 
territorial seas, the exclusive economic zone of the United States, or 
coastal waters other than internal waters.

SEC. 5. RESEARCH SECURITY.

    The activities authorized under this Act shall be carried out in a 
manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and 
Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).

   TITLE I--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
                             ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM FOR ADVANCING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE 
              REMOVAL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, through the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and in consultation with the interagency 
working group, shall establish, not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and maintain a program to support and 
conduct activities to advance the science and understanding of marine 
carbon dioxide removal consistent with the objectives and focal areas 
described in subsection (b).
    (b) Objectives and Focal Areas.--
            (1) Objectives.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
        shall seek to--
                    (A) generate, through research, development, and 
                field trials, the necessary knowledge, theoretical 
                basis, and empirical evidence to evaluate--
                            (i) the efficacy of marine carbon dioxide 
                        removal, including measurability, durability, 
                        magnitude, and additionality;
                            (ii) environmental and ecosystem responses 
                        to marine carbon dioxide removal; and
                            (iii) the social and economic impacts, 
                        including on public health and safety, of 
                        marine carbon dioxide removal to adjacent and 
                        associated coastal communities; and
                    (B) apply the knowledge described in subparagraph 
                (A) to--
                            (i) develop best practices for how marine 
                        carbon dioxide removal efficacy is measured, 
                        monitored, reported, and verified;
                            (ii) establish a methodology for defining 
                        actionable thresholds of environmental and 
                        ecosystem impacts for the deployment of marine 
                        carbon dioxide removal;
                            (iii) evaluate and recommend marine carbon 
                        dioxide removal approaches that could be safe 
                        and effective for larger-scale deployment for 
                        climate mitigation, considering potential 
                        positive and negative climate, environmental, 
                        and social outcomes;
                            (iv) evaluate the sustainability of marine 
                        carbon dioxide removal approaches, including 
                        resource requirements, life-cycle efficiency of 
                        net carbon removal on a carbon dioxide 
                        equivalent basis, scalability, and potential 
                        for cost reductions;
                            (v) analyze viable commercialization 
                        pathways and requisite enabling conditions for 
                        safe and effective marine carbon dioxide 
                        removal; and
                            (vi) as necessary or appropriate, support 
                        the implementation of this Act.
            (2) Focal areas.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary shall support and conduct activities to advance the 
        science and understanding of--
                    (A) ocean alkalinity enhancement;
                    (B) electrochemical engineering approaches;
                    (C) macroalgae cultivation;
                    (D) nutrient fertilization;
                    (E) artificial upwelling and downwelling;
                    (F) coastal marine ecosystems as a natural climate 
                solution; and
                    (G) other marine carbon dioxide removal approaches 
                as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
        shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to fund research in 
        accordance with the objectives described in subsection (b)(1) 
        and the Federal research plan described in section 104.
            (2) Code of conduct.--The Secretary shall require grantees 
        under this subsection conducting activities in the field to 
        abide by the code of conduct established under section 104.
            (3) Funding for engagement and consultation.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), not more than 15 percent of the value of any grant 
                awarded under this subsection may be expended in 
                support of engagement and consultation activities.
                    (B) Exception.--The limitation described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any grant awarded 
                for a proposal the primary focus of which is the study 
                of outreach, engagement, or social science.
    (d) Additional Authority.--The Secretary may enter into contracts, 
public-private partnerships, cooperative agreements, or other financial 
agreements in furtherance of this Act.
    (e) Data Management.--
            (1) Strategies.--The Secretary, in cooperation with such 
        partners as the Secretary considers relevant, shall develop and 
        implement data management strategies to ensure all non-
        proprietary data collected pursuant to this Act are--
                    (A) properly stewarded for the long-term; and
                    (B) findable, accessible, interoperable, and 
                reusable.
            (2) Implementation; preservation and curation.--The 
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) ensure management of data collected under this 
                Act is implemented in accordance with--
                            (i) chapter 35 of title 44, United States 
                        Code; and
                            (ii) the Foundations for Evidence-Based 
                        Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435; 
                        132 Stat. 5529) and the amendments made by that 
                        Act; and
                    (B) preserve and curate such data in accordance 
                with chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code 
                (commonly known as the ``Federal Records Act of 
                1950''), in order to maximize use of such data.
    (f) International Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of State and appropriate 
international entities.

SEC. 102. MONITORING OF MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

    (a) In General.--For field activities conducted as part of the 
Program, the Secretary shall, as practicable, provide or otherwise 
develop the instrumentation, infrastructure, and personnel for 
efficient and rigorous monitoring to--
            (1) understand and minimize negative ecosystem, community, 
        and economic impacts related to marine carbon dioxide removal; 
        and
            (2) maximize co-benefits of marine carbon dioxide removal 
        for communities and ecosystems.
    (b) Monitoring Goals.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) use monitoring assets to achieve the objectives 
        described in section 101(b)(1);
            (2) support compliance with applicable environmental law;
            (3) support rigorous, science-based approaches for the 
        research, development, and trialing of technologies for marine 
        carbon dioxide removal;
            (4) develop and improve technologies for monitoring, 
        modeling, analyzing, remediating, or mitigating impacts from 
        marine carbon dioxide removal;
            (5) study ecosystem responses to marine carbon dioxide 
        removal technology; and
            (6) collect data to inform the development of uniform 
        standards and protocols for marine carbon dioxide removal, 
        including--
                    (A) the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the 
                ocean and the atmosphere attributable to marine carbon 
                dioxide removal;
                    (B) the duration of carbon sequestration and risk 
                of reversal of sequestration, as applicable;
                    (C) for marine carbon dioxide removal technologies 
                that rely on an energy source, the amount of energy 
                consumed by the technology; and
                    (D) other metrics the Secretary considers necessary 
                or advisable.
    (c) Technical Assistance.--To support the development of reliable, 
fair, and efficient voluntary carbon markets and best practices, the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the 
Secretary of Energy, may provide technical assistance to promote 
consistency, reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency, 
including through protocol documents and details relating to--
            (1) calculations;
            (2) sampling methodologies;
            (3) accounting principles;
            (4) systems for measurement, monitoring, reporting, and 
        verification; and
            (5) methods to account for additionality, durability and 
        duration of carbon storage, leakage, and, as appropriate, 
        avoidance of double counting.
    (d) Public-Private-Academic Partnerships.--The Secretary may 
examine and develop models for public-private-academic partnerships to 
efficiently monitor marine carbon dioxide removal, including with 
respect to--
            (1) data sharing and standardization;
            (2) cost sharing;
            (3) in-kind contributions; and
            (4) contracts and grants for third-party monitoring 
        activities.
    (e) Contracts.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary may 
enter into contracts the Secretary considers necessary or advisable.
    (f) Unlimited Right Data.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to contracts protecting 
        confidential proprietary data, the Secretary shall make 
        monitoring data collected, and protocols created, under this 
        section available to the public at no cost and with no 
        restrictions on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, 
        adapting, or otherwise using such data or protocols.
            (2) Limitation.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative 
        research and development agreements that restrict data sharing 
        and ensure protection of intellectual property for such users 
        of research areas designated or established under section 103 
        as the Secretary considers appropriate.

SEC. 103. RESEARCH AREAS FOR MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

    (a) In General.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may--
            (1) designate federally administered oceanic, coastal, 
        estuarine, riverine, or terrestrial areas for research related 
        to one or more marine carbon dioxide removal approaches; or
            (2) award grants to eligible entities to establish such 
        areas for such research.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the research areas designated or 
established under this section shall be to enable--
            (1) the basic and applied science needed to achieve the 
        objectives described in section 101(b)(1), including through--
                    (A) bench-scale, mesocosm, and wet lab experiments; 
                and
                    (B) field trials, other field research, and 
                demonstration projects;
            (2) coordinated permitting and compliance with applicable 
        environmental law, engagement and consultation with relevant 
        stakeholders, and risk mitigation;
            (3) sensing networks that can reliably return accurate 
        observations across a wide field of variables in support of the 
        monitoring goals set forth in section 102(b);
            (4) a community of practice among Federal and non-Federal 
        researchers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders;
            (5) the incubation or acceleration of businesses that can 
        safely deploy--
                    (A) marine carbon dioxide removal; or
                    (B) technologies to measure, monitor, report, or 
                verify approaches; and
            (6) long-term community engagement and participation in 
        marine carbon dioxide removal activities.
    (c) Inventory.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
            (1) conduct an inventory of existing Federal facilities and 
        oceanic, coastal, estuarine, riverine, or terrestrial areas 
        that may be suitable for designation as federally administered 
        research areas under this section;
            (2) submit the inventory to the interagency working group 
        for review;
            (3) following submittal of the inventory under paragraph 
        (2), publish the inventory to the Federal Register for public 
        comment; and
            (4) use such public comments to inform the selection of 
        research areas.
    (d) Grants.--
            (1) Eligible entities.--For purposes of grants under this 
        section, an eligible entity is any of the following:
                    (A) A National Laboratory (as defined in section 2 
                of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)).
                    (B) An institution of higher education (as defined 
                in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1001)).
                    (C) A State, local, or Indian tribal government.
                    (D) Any other private or public entity.
                    (E) A consortium of entities described in any of 
                subparagraphs (A) through (D).
            (2) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
        this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
        the Secretary may require.
            (3) Private sector investment.--In awarding grants under 
        this section, the Secretary shall seek to leverage private 
        sector investment, to the extent possible.
    (e) Suitability Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall assess the suitability 
        of each research area under consideration for designation or 
        establishment under this section.
            (2) Data; tools; considerations.--In carrying out paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary--
                    (A) shall use relevant scientific, social, and 
                economic data, including baseline environmental data 
                and any assessments of baseline environmental data; and
                    (B) may--
                            (i) develop and employ marine spatial 
                        planning tools; and
                            (ii) consider non-contiguous areas that are 
                        proximate to one another and connected by 
                        ecological or oceanographic factors.
            (3) Factors.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        may assess the following:
                    (A) Matters relating to oceanographic and 
                ecological characteristics, including--
                            (i) proximity and access to geologic 
                        storage formations;
                            (ii) impacts to coastal and marine 
                        ecosystems, biodiversity, protected species, 
                        and the habitat of such species;
                            (iii) proximity and impacts to existing 
                        protected areas, such as marine monuments and 
                        sanctuaries; and
                            (iv) bathymetry, ocean circulation, and 
                        carbon chemistry baselines.
                    (B) Matters relating to human uses and communities, 
                including--
                            (i) current and possible future human uses 
                        of the research area and the areas in 
                        reasonable proximity to the research area;
                            (ii) availability of existing sensor 
                        networks, technology, infrastructure, and land-
                        based facilities;
                            (iii) where appropriate, potential 
                        colocation with existing infrastructure such as 
                        desalination plants, ships, moorings, and 
                        renewable energy; and
                            (iv) potential socioeconomic or 
                        sociocultural impacts on adjacent coastal 
                        communities, including Native American 
                        individuals or entities.
                    (C) Potential downstream impacts beyond the 
                research area.
                    (D) Such other factors as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate, in consultation with--
                            (i) States or Indian tribal governments 
                        that are in reasonable proximity to the 
                        research area; or
                            (ii) the interagency working group.
    (f) Terms and Conditions.--
            (1) In general.--For each research area designated or 
        established under this section, and subject to subsection (i), 
        the Secretary shall develop terms and conditions by which all 
        users of the research area shall abide.
            (2) Elements.--At a minimum, the terms and conditions 
        developed under this subsection shall include--
                    (A) a requirement for any user of the research area 
                to abide by the code of conduct established under 
                section 104;
                    (B) stewardship, management, and conservation 
                measures that incorporate local and traditional 
                knowledge, to the greatest extent practicable;
                    (C) a requirement for the user to develop and 
                follow a plan to--
                            (i) mitigate risks and conflicts regarding 
                        local ecological conditions, biological 
                        sensitivities, protected resources, and 
                        commercial and human uses;
                            (ii) monitor ecosystem responses within, 
                        and in reasonable proximity to, the research 
                        area;
                            (iii) address potential environmental 
                        degradation resulting from activities at the 
                        research area; and
                            (iv) following the expiration of a research 
                        area, remove--
                                    (I) the user's fixtures, 
                                furnishings, equipment; and
                                    (II) any improvements made to the 
                                research area;
                    (D) clear, objective thresholds of environmental 
                harm that require the immediate cessation of a user's 
                activities at the research area;
                    (E) the user's consent for--
                            (i) remote monitoring of the user's 
                        activities and the impacts of those activities 
                        on the environment; and
                            (ii) regular and unannounced inspections of 
                        the user's activities by the advisory board for 
                        the research area appointed under subsection 
                        (j);
                    (F) a requirement that the user will comply with 
                all applicable law and policies; and
                    (G) additional terms and conditions as the 
                Secretary considers necessary or appropriate in 
                furtherance of this Act.
    (g) Duration.--
            (1) In general.--The duration of research areas designated 
        or established under this section shall be determined as 
        provided in this subsection.
            (2) Research areas administered by a federal agency.--
                    (A) Reassessment.--Not less frequently than once 
                every 5 years, the Secretary shall reassess each 
                research area administered by a Federal agency to 
                ensure that the research area advances the purpose set 
                forth in subsection (b), the research area is suitable 
                under subsection (e), and users of the research area 
                are in compliance with applicable terms and conditions 
                developed under subsection (f).
                    (B) Termination of activities.--If, pursuant to a 
                reassessment carried out with respect to a research 
                area under subparagraph (A), the Secretary finds that 
                the research area does not advance the purpose set 
                forth in subsection (b), the research area is not 
                suitable under subsection (e), or users of the research 
                area are noncompliant with applicable terms and 
                conditions developed under subsection (f), the Federal 
                agency administering the research area shall--
                            (i) terminate activities at the research 
                        area; and
                            (ii)(I) close down operations at the 
                        research area pursuant to applicable terms and 
                        conditions; or
                            (II) remediate the research area to comport 
                        with subsections (b), (e), and (f).
            (3) Research areas administered by an eligible entity.--
                    (A) Initial period.--An eligible entity 
                administering a research area under this Act may carry 
                out activities at the research area for an initial 
                period of 5 years.
                    (B) Reassessment.--Before the conclusion of an 
                initial period for a research area described in 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reassess the 
                research area to ensure that the research area advances 
                the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research 
                area is suitable under subsection (e), and users of the 
                research are in compliance with applicable terms and 
                conditions developed under subsection (f).
                    (C) Additional period.--If, pursuant to a 
                reassessment carried out with respect to a research 
                area under subparagraph (B), the Secretary finds that 
                the research area advances the purpose set forth in 
                subsection (b), the research area is suitable under 
                subsection (e), and users of the research area are in 
                compliance with applicable terms and conditions 
                developed under subsection (f), the Secretary may 
                authorize the eligible entity administering the 
                research area to carry out activities at the research 
                area for a single, additional period of 5 years.
                    (D) Termination of activities.--If, pursuant to a 
                reassessment carried out with respect to a research 
                area under subparagraph (B), the Secretary finds that 
                the research area does not advance the purpose set 
                forth in subsection (b), the research area is not 
                suitable under subsection (e), or users of the research 
                area are noncompliant with applicable terms and 
                conditions developed under subsection (f), the eligible 
                entity administering the research area shall--
                            (i) terminate activities at the research 
                        area; and
                            (ii)(I) close down operations at the 
                        research area pursuant to applicable terms and 
                        conditions; or
                            (II) remediate the research area to comport 
                        with subsections (b), (e), and (f).
                    (E) Reestablishment.--In order to allow for 
                continuity of operations, not later than 1 year prior 
                to the conclusion of an additional 5-year period for a 
                research area authorized under subparagraph (C), the 
                eligible entity administering the research area may 
                reapply for the establishment of the research area 
                under this section.
    (h) Community Benefits.--For each research area designated or 
established under this section, and subject to subsection (i), the 
Secretary shall develop, to the extent possible, opportunities to 
deliver benefits to communities with interest in the research area, 
such as--
            (1) community benefit agreements;
            (2) workforce development opportunities;
            (3) mitigation measures;
            (4) public education efforts; and
            (5) other socioeconomic or educational benefit schemes.
    (i) Engagement or Consultation; Partnerships.--In carrying out 
subsections (f) and (h), the Secretary--
            (1) shall engage or consult, as appropriate, regarding the 
        terms and conditions and community benefits described in such 
        subsections with--
                    (A) State, local, and Indian tribal governments 
                with jurisdiction over any part of the research area;
                    (B) members of communities proximate to the 
                research area, including relevant recreational and 
                commercial users, academic institutions, Native 
                American individuals or entities, and nongovernmental 
                organizations; and
                    (C) other stakeholders as the Secretary considers 
                necessary to ensure full and fair engagement with 
                potentially impacted community members; and
            (2) may leverage existing partnerships and assets to 
        support meaningful public participation, including--
                    (A) the national sea grant college program;
                    (B) Regional Ocean Partnerships; and
                    (C) the Regional Collaboration Network.
    (j) Advisory Boards.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
        Secretary shall appoint an advisory board to support oversight 
        of each research area designated or established under this 
        section, consisting of--
                    (A) one or more representatives of each Federal 
                agency participating in activities at the research 
                area;
                    (B) one or more representatives of each State, 
                county, or Indian tribal government adjacent to the 
                research area;
                    (C) one or more members from each community 
                adjacent to the research area;
                    (D) one or more representatives of the users of the 
                research area; and
                    (E) additional members as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate.
            (2) Duties.--
                    (A) In general.--A board appointed under this 
                subsection shall--
                            (i) monitor the delivery of community 
                        benefits, compliance with the applicable terms 
                        and conditions, and, as necessary or advisable, 
                        inspections of activities at the research area;
                            (ii) meet regularly with the Secretary to 
                        provide advice and guidance for the management, 
                        conservation, and stewardship of the research 
                        area;
                            (iii) provide advice and recommendations to 
                        the Secretary on whether a proposed use or user 
                        of the research area should be allowed; and
                            (iv) take other actions to support the 
                        safe, effective, orderly, and lawful operation 
                        of the research area at the discretion of the 
                        Secretary.
                    (B) Additional duties.--Upon the request of a board 
                appointed under this subsection, the Secretary may 
                assign additional duties to the board as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
            (3) Special rule for regional ocean partnerships.--At the 
        discretion of the Secretary or upon the request of a State, 
        local, or Indian tribal government, the Secretary may request 
        that the Regional Ocean Partnership in which the research area 
        is located carry out the duties described in paragraph (2) 
        instead of appointing a board as provided in paragraph (1).

SEC. 104. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP FOR MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

    (a) In General.--There is established an interagency working group 
for marine carbon dioxide removal under the Subcommittee on Ocean 
Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council.
    (b) Membership.--The interagency working group shall be composed of 
one or more representatives from each of the following:
            (1) The Army Corps of Engineers.
            (2) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (3) The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
            (4) The Department of Energy.
            (5) The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
            (6) The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
            (7) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
            (8) The United States Geological Survey.
            (9) The Department of State.
            (10) The Environmental Protection Agency.
            (11) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
            (12) The National Science Foundation.
            (13) The Smithsonian Institution.
            (14) The Office of Naval Research.
            (15) The Department of the Navy.
            (16) The Coast Guard.
            (17) The Department of Agriculture.
            (18) The Council on Environmental Quality.
            (19) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
    (c) Co-Chairs.--One or more representatives from the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and one or more representatives 
from the Department of Energy shall serve as co-chairs of the 
interagency working group.
    (d) Meetings.--The interagency working group shall meet not less 
frequently than once each year, at the call of the co-chairs.
    (e) Duties.--The interagency working group shall--
            (1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, establish a plan to coordinate Federal research on 
        marine carbon dioxide removal in accordance with subsection 
        (f);
            (2) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act--
                    (A) establish a code of conduct in accordance with 
                subsection (g); and
                    (B) standardize the implementation of that code of 
                conduct;
            (3) coordinate efforts among Federal agencies to support 
        compliance with existing law;
            (4) support research and development of safe and effective 
        marine carbon dioxide removal;
            (5) coordinate Federal funding opportunities in a manner 
        that avoids duplication of funding and research efforts and 
        maximizes funding for marine carbon dioxide removal;
            (6) as appropriate, provide recommendations to--
                    (A) support the transition from research to 
                operations of safe and effective marine carbon dioxide 
                removal; and
                    (B) integrate marine carbon dioxide removal into 
                voluntary carbon markets;
            (7) publish and submit the biennial report required by 
        section 105;
            (8) not later than 90 days after the date on which the 
        interagency working group receives the inventory submitted 
        under section 103(c), review the inventory and provide 
        recommendations to the Secretary for the selection of research 
        areas;
            (9) ensure the public availability of and public access to 
        the results of marine carbon dioxide removal research in 
        accordance with subsection (h); and
            (10) take other actions, as the interagency working group 
        considers necessary, to coordinate Federal support for safe and 
        effective marine carbon dioxide removal.
    (f) Federal Research Plan.--
            (1) Adoption of existing plans.--In carrying out subsection 
        (e)(1), the interagency working group may adopt one or more 
        research plans prepared by agencies represented on the 
        interagency working group or through other interagency efforts.
            (2) Updates.--Not later than 5 years after the date on 
        which the plan described in subsection (e)(1) is established, 
        and every 5 years thereafter, the interagency working group 
        shall update the plan.
            (3) Requirements.--The plan described in subsection (e)(1) 
        shall--
                    (A) prioritize public engagement and ecosystem 
                impacts; and
                    (B) further the objectives and focal areas 
                described in section 101(b).
    (g) Code of Conduct.--
            (1) In general.--The interagency working group shall, after 
        publication and an opportunity for public comment in the 
        Federal Register, establish a code of conduct for research 
        relating to marine carbon dioxide removal (in this subsection 
        referred to as the ``code of conduct'').
            (2) Adoption by agencies.--The agencies represented on the 
        interagency working group shall adopt the code of conduct.
            (3) Applicability.--Each grantee under this Act conducting 
        activities in the field and each user of a research area 
        designated or established under section 103 shall abide by the 
        code of conduct.
            (4) Minimum substantive requirements.--The code of conduct 
        shall, at minimum, require--
                    (A) open access to research data, findings, codes 
                of conduct, mitigation plans, and scientific 
                publications arising from the research;
                    (B) that open-water testing is preceded and 
                informed by laboratory, mesocosm, and modeling 
                research;
                    (C) public disclosure of funding sources;
                    (D) educational materials and community learning 
                opportunities to increase awareness and literacy of 
                proposed research activities, findings, risks, 
                uncertainties, potential benefits, and the distribution 
                of anticipated benefits and harms;
                    (E) opportunities for interested stakeholders to 
                provide input on research design;
                    (F) where applicable, solicitation and 
                incorporation of local and traditional knowledge into 
                research design and decisions;
                    (G) reasonable efforts to deconflict research with 
                existing commercial and human uses;
                    (H) for each experiment, a mitigation plan that 
                describes--
                            (i) potential ecosystem responses;
                            (ii) potential social outcomes, including 
                        to health and safety;
                            (iii) any measures taken to minimize harm; 
                        and
                            (iv) liability and guidelines for 
                        remediation of adverse impacts, including 
                        environmental degradation, resulting from 
                        research;
                    (I) compliance with all applicable domestic and 
                international laws and policies; and
                    (J) other requirements or best practices, as the 
                interagency working group determines necessary, to 
                assess and communicate positive and negative social and 
                environmental impacts and uncertainties.
            (5) Minimum engagement requirements.--In fulfilling the 
        requirements described in paragraph (4), grantees and users 
        described in paragraph (3) shall maximize participation of and 
        consultation with, at minimum--
                    (A) State, local, and Indian tribal governments 
                with jurisdiction over any part of the area in which 
                field research relating to marine carbon dioxide 
                removal is conducted;
                    (B) members of communities proximate to the area, 
                including relevant recreational and commercial users, 
                academic institutions, Native American individuals or 
                entities, and nongovernmental organizations; and
                    (C) other stakeholders as the head of the Federal 
                agency providing resources for the grantee or user 
                considers necessary to ensure full and fair engagement 
                with potentially impacted community members.
            (6) Updates.--Not less frequently than once each year for 
        the first 5 years following the date of the enactment of this 
        Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the interagency working 
        group shall review, and, as appropriate update, the code of 
        conduct to ensure that it remains timely and relevant.
    (h) Public Availability and Access.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to contracts protecting 
        confidential proprietary data, the interagency working group 
        may make research papers and other results generated under this 
        Act available to the public at no cost and with no restrictions 
        on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, adapting, or 
        otherwise using such papers or results.
            (2) Portal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall 
        establish a new portal or designate an existing information 
        portal to ensure, while protecting sensitive proprietary 
        information, that data and information on marine carbon dioxide 
        removal generated under this Act, or by other Federal programs 
        and relevant stakeholders, is easily, digitally accessible, 
        including information that would be useful to policymakers, 
        researchers, and other stakeholders for advancing research or 
        evaluating the deployment of marine carbon dioxide removal.
    (i) Memorandum of Agreement.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the members of the interagency working 
group shall enter into a memorandum of agreement to implement this Act.

SEC. 105. BIENNIAL REPORT ON MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years 
thereafter, the interagency working group shall--
            (1) publish a report on marine carbon dioxide removal 
        carried out pursuant to this Act, in accordance with subsection 
        (c); and
            (2) submit the report to the relevant congressional 
        committees.
    (b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
            (1) A description of progress made toward the objectives 
        described in section 101(b)(1), including--
                    (A) findings generated under subparagraph (A) of 
                such section and the information on which those 
                findings are based; and
                    (B) efforts and outcomes related to subparagraph 
                (B) of such section.
            (2) A summary of the activities conducted at all research 
        areas designated or established under section 103, including--
                    (A) the number of entities and personnel using each 
                research area for marine carbon dioxide removal; and
                    (B) the specific marine carbon dioxide removal 
                approaches studied or deployed.
            (3) A summary of key findings from data collection and 
        monitoring, including--
                    (A) the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the 
                ocean and the atmosphere, as measured on a life-cycle 
                basis, by each removal technology;
                    (B) whether a particular removal technology results 
                in net removals of greenhouse gasses from the 
                atmosphere over its life cycle, and the duration of 
                sequestration, as applicable;
                    (C) for removal technologies that rely on an energy 
                source, the amount of energy consumed by the 
                technology; and
                    (D) any other metrics the interagency working group 
                considers necessary or advisable.
            (4) A summary of research findings, knowledge gaps, and 
        future research priorities.
            (5) An assessment of the permitting regime regulating 
        marine carbon dioxide removal that includes recommendations for 
        improved efficiency or coordination, as applicable.
            (6) An identification of barriers in resources, capacity, 
        technology, infrastructure, or expertise to advancing the 
        science and application of marine carbon dioxide removal.
            (7) Strategic updates to the objectives described in 
        section 101(b)(1).
            (8) Any additional matters the interagency working group 
        considers relevant.
    (c) Public Availability.--The interagency working group shall--
            (1) publish each report required by subsection (a) on a 
        publicly accessible website; and
            (2) make each such report available to the public at no 
        cost and with no restrictions on copying, publishing, 
        distributing, citing, adapting, or otherwise using the report.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary of 
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out this title--
            (1) $264,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            (2) $263,200,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            (3) $256,400,000 for fiscal year 2027;
            (4) $256,200,000 for fiscal year 2028;
            (5) $244,400,000 for fiscal year 2029;
            (6) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2030;
            (7) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2031;
            (8) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2032;
            (9) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2033; and
            (10) $149,200,000 for fiscal year 2034.

     TITLE II--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SEC. 201. RESEARCHING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

    (a) Research.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall award grants to support the Federal research plan described in 
section 104, including research related to--
            (1) the efficacy of marine carbon dioxide removal, 
        including measurability, magnitude of greenhouse gas removal, 
        durability, and additionality;
            (2) ecosystem responses to and social dimensions of marine 
        carbon dioxide removal;
            (3) tools and technologies to support understanding and 
        measurement of the efficacy and environmental impacts of marine 
        carbon dioxide removal; and
            (4) other relevant research areas, as determined by the 
        Director of the National Science Foundation.
    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of 
the National Science Foundation shall coordinate with the heads of 
appropriate Federal agencies, including the Secretary.
    (c) Science Workforce Development.--The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall leverage, as appropriate, the existing 
scientific training, workforce development programs, and networks of 
the National Science Foundation to build and expand scientific capacity 
and expertise related to marine carbon dioxide removal.

   TITLE III--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
                             ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 301. MEASURING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL FROM SPACE.

    (a) Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Activities.--To the extent 
practicable, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (referred to in this title as the ``Administrator'') 
shall ensure that the capabilities and assets of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration are used to advance understanding 
of the efficacy and impacts of marine carbon dioxide removal and to 
support the Federal research plan described in section 104, including 
by--
            (1) leveraging the research portfolio of the National 
        Aeronautics and Space Administration;
            (2) enhancing the monitoring and modeling programs of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration to incorporate 
        relevant data for marine carbon dioxide removal;
            (3) leveraging and aligning the Mission Directorates of the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
            (4) carrying out any other relevant activity, as determined 
        by the Administrator.
    (b) Coordination and Program Consistency.--In carrying out the 
activities described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
coordinate with the head of any appropriate Federal agency, including 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to ensure 
that the research activities of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration are carried out in cooperation with the efforts of such 
agency.

SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to Administrator to carry 
out this title--
            (1) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            (2) $4,900,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            (3) $4,800,000 for fiscal year 2027;
            (4) $4,800,000 for fiscal year 2028;
            (5) $4,600,000 for fiscal year 2029;
            (6) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2030;
            (7) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2031;
            (8) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2032;
            (9) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2033; and
            (10) $2,800,000 for fiscal year 2034.

 TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
                               TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 401. VALIDATING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

    (a) Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Initiative.--The Under Secretary 
of Commerce for Standards and Technology shall carry out an initiative 
to develop and standardize benchmark materials, measurements, data, and 
models to accelerate innovation in and validate performance of 
materials and technologies for marine carbon dioxide removal.
    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out the activities described in 
subsection (a), the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and 
Technology shall coordinate with the heads of such Federal agencies as 
the Under Secretary considers appropriate, including the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
    (c) International Engagement.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Standards and Technology, in coordination with the Secretary of State, 
shall engage international bodies to promote global adoption of the 
standards referred to in subsection (a).

SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary of 
Commerce for Standards and Technology to carry out this title--
            (1) $11,500,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            (2) $11,500,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            (3) $11,200,000 for fiscal year 2027;
            (4) $11,200,000 for fiscal year 2028;
            (5) $10,700,000 for fiscal year 2029;
            (6) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2030;
            (7) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2031;
            (8) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2032;
            (9) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2033; and
            (10) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2034.
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