Title: Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms Act
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

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
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.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7450 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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.

    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 ``Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms Act''.

SEC. 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)); a State, territorial, or tribal research 
        agency; a nonprofit laboratory or other research entity; or a 
        consortium of such eligible institutions;
            (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.
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