I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1008 
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act to include algal blooms in the definition of a major disaster, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 14, 2023 
Mr. DONALDS (for himself, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. DIAZ-BALART, 
Mr. FROST, Mr. POSEY, Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida, Mr. BILIRAKIS, 
Mr. MOSKOWITZ, Mrs. LUNA, Mrs. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Mr. MAST, 
Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Ms. SALAZAR, Mr. WALTZ, and Mr. C. SCOTT 
FRANKLIN of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition 
to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the defi-
nition of a major disaster, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Combat Harmful Algal 
Blooms Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:00 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1008.IH
H1008
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The presence of harmful algal blooms 
threaten public health, interrupt economic activity, 
and contribute to the ongoing degradation of ecologi-
cal communities. 
(2) Algal blooms are part of healthy and pro-
ductive freshwater and saltwater systems, but harm-
ful algal blooms may become intense, long-lasting, 
expansive, and may contain enough poisonous 
neurotoxins to harm marine life and humans alike. 
(3) Water conditions and ecological balance in 
marine environments depend on nutrient and salinity 
conditions, which are often influenced by— 
(A) tidal flow and circulation; 
(B) freshwater input from the land; 
(C) coastal nutrient recycling; and 
(D) urban development. 
(4) Harmful algal blooms, depending on the se-
verity, may result in the widespread mortality of ma-
rine life and aquatic specimens, which may result in 
unpleasant sights and smells around the impacted 
body of water. 
(5) Harmful algal blooms can force the closure 
of beaches, impose fishing and shellfish harvesting 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:00 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1008.IH
H1008
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
restrictions, and could even result in banning the 
sale of seafood at restaurants. 
(6) Tourism numbers can drop dramatically 
during harmful algal blooms, which may result in a 
significant economic impact to certain economies 
that heavily depend on bringing in visitors. 
(7) Property values near water sources that ex-
perience harmful algal blooms may decrease substan-
tially. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that Congress should focus on decreasing the over-
arching impact of harmful algal blooms on public health, 
the economy, and the degradation of ecological commu-
nities. 
SEC. 3. ALGAL BLOOMS. 
Section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘or drought’’ and inserting 
‘‘drought, or algal blooms’’. 
SEC. 4. IMPACTS OF ALGAL BLOOMS ON AIR QUALITY. 
Not later than 365 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention shall submit to the Committee on Environ-
ment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee of 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:00 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1008.IH
H1008
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives a detailed study relating to the 
health effects of exposure to cyanotoxins in the air that 
result from algal blooms. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
06:00 Mar 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1008.IH
H1008
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS