Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.8977 | Sponsor: Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira (R-FL)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2022
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program to award grants and provide technical assistance to certain entities for youth fishing projects.
In awarding grants, NOAA must prioritize applicants with proposals for youth fishing projects that focus on an underserved community.

To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a 
 grant program to fund youth fishing projects, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 
2022''.

SEC. 2. YOUTH COASTAL FISHING GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), shall establish a 
program to award grants and provide technical assistance to eligible 
entities for the purpose of establishing youth fishing projects.
    (b) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Eligible Entities.--The Secretary shall, for purposes of 
determining whether an entity is eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, develop criteria to make that determination in consultation 
with relevant offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, such as the Office of Coastal Management, the National 
Sea Grant Office, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Office 
of National Marine Sanctuaries.
    (d) Use of Funds.--Eligible entities receiving grants under this 
section shall use grant funds for purposes related to conducting a 
youth fishing project, including the--
            (1) purchase or rental of fishing equipment;
            (2) cost of transporting participants to and from a youth 
        fishing project;
            (3) fees associated with boat rental, pier access, or other 
        facilities;
            (4) fishing license purchases;
            (5) fishing guide costs; or
            (6) other expenses related to conducting a youth fishing 
        project as determined by the Secretary.
    (e) Priority.--In making grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority to applications containing proposals for youth 
fishing projects focused on an underserved community.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on--
            (1) which eligible entities received grants;
            (2) the amount each eligible entity received;
            (3) how eligible entities used funds as described in 
        subsection (d); and
            (4) the number of participants in youth fishing projects 
        funded by grants under this section.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a nonprofit organization;
                    (B) an educational institution;
                    (C) a State, local, Tribal, or Territorial 
                government; or
                    (D) a Native Hawaiian organization.
            (2) Underserved community.--The term ``underserved 
        community'' means populations sharing a particular 
        characteristic, and geographic communities, that have been 
        systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in 
        aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as--
                    (A) racial and ethnic minorities;
                    (B) persons with access and functional needs; or
                    (C) persons otherwise adversely affected by 
                persistent poverty or inequality.
            (3) Youth fishing project.--The term ``youth fishing 
        project'' means a project that provides youth with--
                    (A) a recreational fishing experience conducted 
                from a shore, pier, or boat located in the Great Lakes, 
                coastal waters, ocean waters, or a tidal river;
                    (B) education about marine science, conservation, 
                and fishing regulations; and
                    (C) information on where and how to continue 
                fishing.
    (h) Funding.--
            (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2023.
            (2) Availability.--Funds made available to carry out this 
        section shall be available until expended.
            (3) Administrative costs.--Not more than 3 percent of the 
        amount made available for a fiscal year under paragraph (1) may 
        be used by the Secretary for the administrative costs of 
        carrying out this section.
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