Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms Act

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. Short title This Act may be cited as the Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms Act 2. Centers of Excellence in Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, Response, and Mitigation (a) Establishment Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall designate organizations as National Centers of Excellence in Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, Response, and Mitigation. (b) Purpose The purpose of the Centers is— (1) to further understanding of harmful algal blooms; (2) to further understanding of the impacts of harmful algal blooms on public health, including the health of at-risk populations; (3) to further the ability to research, forecast, and monitor harmful algal blooms; (4) to formalize and enhance existing partnerships and collaborations among institutions of higher education, research entities, local, State, territorial, and tribal agencies, and the Federal Government; (5) to further the prevention, control, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms; (6) to transition harmful algal bloom research and forecasting from observational to operational use; and (7) to address existing and emerging harmful algal bloom issues as the Administrator considers appropriate. (c) Eligibility for designations To be eligible for designation under this section, an organization must— (1) be an institution of higher education, as that term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) (2) have demonstrated expertise and success in harmful algal bloom research, monitoring, forecasting, prevention, or response efforts; (3) have demonstrated ability to collaborate with local, State, territorial, and tribal governments and Federal agencies on harmful algal blooms; and (4) be located in an area that is economically and environmentally impacted by harmful algal blooms. (d) Requirements for designations In designating National Centers of Excellence under this section the Administrator shall— (1) consult with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia; (2) ensure regional balance by designating National Centers in a variety of locations throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and other territories and possessions of the United States; and (3) avoid duplication of other harmful algal bloom research. (e) Effective period, review, and renewal Each designation of an organization as a National Center of Excellence under this section— (1) shall be effective for 5 years; (2) shall be reviewed by the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in the fourth year of such effective period; (3) following such review, may be renewed for an additional 5-year period. (f) Annual reports The Secretary shall require and publish an annual activity report from each National Center of Excellence. (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, including for providing funding to National Centers of Excellence designated under this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, of which not more than 5 percent may be available each fiscal year for administrative expenses.

Summary: Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to designate organizations as National Centers of Excellence in Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, Response, and Mitigation. An algal bloom is a rapid growth of algae that may create toxic or hypoxic (severely low-oxygen) conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. To be eligible for designation, an organization must be an institution of higher education, a government research agency, a nonprofit laboratory or other research entity, or a consortium of such institutions; have demonstrated expertise and success in harmful algal bloom research, monitoring, forecasting, prevention, or response efforts; have demonstrated ability to collaborate with local, state, territorial, and tribal governments and federal agencies on harmful algal blooms; and be located in an area that is economically and environmentally impacted by harmful algal blooms. In designating National Centers of Excellence, NOAA must (1) consult with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia; (2) ensure regional balance by designating centers in a variety of locations throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and other territories and possessions of the United States; and (3) avoid duplication of other harmful algal bloom research. Each designation shall be effective for five years and reviewed by NOAA in the fourth year of such effective period. The designation may be renewed for an additional five-year period.