I 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 7450 

To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, to designate organizations as National 

Centers of Excellence in Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, 

Response, and Mitigation, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 1, 2020 

Mr. CRIST (for himself and Mr. POSEY) introduced the following bill; which 

was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and 

in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be 

subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 

of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to 

designate organizations as National Centers of Excellence 

in Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, Response, 

and Mitigation, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Prevent Harmful Algal 

5 Blooms Act’’. 


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1 SEC. 2. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN HARMFUL ALGAL 

2 BLOOM RESEARCH, PREVENTION, RESPONSE, 

3 AND MITIGATION. 

4 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year after 

5 the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 

6 Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the Na7 tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall des8 ignate organizations as National Centers of Excellence in 

9 Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, Response, 

10 and Mitigation. 

11 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Centers is— 

12 (1) to further understanding of harmful algal 

13 blooms; 

14 (2) to further understanding of the impacts of 

15 harmful algal blooms on public health, including the 

16 health of at-risk populations; 

17 (3) to further the ability to research, forecast, 

18 and monitor harmful algal blooms; 

19 (4) to formalize and enhance existing partner20 ships and collaborations among institutions of higher 

21 education, research entities, local, State, territorial, 

22 and tribal agencies, and the Federal Government; 

23 (5) to further the prevention, control, and miti24 gation of harmful algal blooms; 


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•HR 7450 IH

1 (6) to transition harmful algal bloom research 

2 and forecasting from observational to operational 

3 use; and 

4 (7) to address existing and emerging harmful 

5 algal bloom issues as the Administrator considers 

6 appropriate. 

7 (c) ELIGIBILITY FOR DESIGNATIONS.—To be eligible 

8 for designation under this section, an organization must— 

9 (1) be an institution of higher education, as 

10 that term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher 

11 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)); a 

12 State, territorial, or tribal research agency; a non13 profit laboratory or other research entity; or a con14 sortium of such eligible institutions; 

15 (2) have demonstrated expertise and success in 

16 harmful algal bloom research, monitoring, fore17 casting, prevention, or response efforts; 

18 (3) have demonstrated ability to collaborate 

19 with local, State, territorial, and tribal governments 

20 and Federal agencies on harmful algal blooms; and 

21 (4) be located in an area that is economically 

22 and environmentally impacted by harmful algal 

23 blooms. 


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1 (d) REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGNATIONS.—In desig2 nating National Centers of Excellence under this section 

3 the Administrator shall— 

4 (1) consult with the Inter-Agency Task Force 

5 on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia; 

6 (2) ensure regional balance by designating Na7 tional Centers in a variety of locations throughout 

8 the United States, including the District of Colum9 bia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American 

10 Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 

11 Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, 

12 and other territories and possessions of the United 

13 States; and 

14 (3) avoid duplication of other harmful algal 

15 bloom research. 

16 (e) EFFECTIVE PERIOD, REVIEW, AND RENEWAL.— 

17 Each designation of an organization as a National Center 

18 of Excellence under this section— 

19 (1) shall be effective for 5 years; 

20 (2) shall be reviewed by the Secretary, acting 

21 through the Administrator of the National Oceanic 

22 and Atmospheric Administration, in the fourth year 

23 of such effective period; 

24 (3) following such review, may be renewed for 

25 an additional 5-year period. 


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1 (f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Secretary shall require 

2 and publish an annual activity report from each National 

3 Center of Excellence. 

4 (g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry 

5 out this section, including for providing funding to Na6 tional Centers of Excellence designated under this section, 

7 there is authorized to be appropriated to the National Oce8 anic and Atmospheric Administration $12,500,000 for 

9 each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, of which not more 

10 than 5 percent may be available each fiscal year for ad11 ministrative expenses. 

Æ 


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