Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010

Bill: 111-hr-3650
Sponsor: Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3]
Introduced: 2009-09-25 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Aquatic ecology
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Great Lakes
Gulf of Mexico
Lakes and rivers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Mississippi River
Oregon
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Washington State
Water quality
Watersheds
Wetlands

Summary:
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: 
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia (Task Force) established by such Act, to: (1) establish and maintain a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program to develop a national strategy to address marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (2) promote activities and an action strategy to implement such Program; (3) oversee the development and implementation of regional research and action plans for addressing marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (4) identify the appropriate regions and subregions to be addressed by such plans.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to report on progress toward the attainment of the coastal goal of the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan released by the EPA on June 16, 2008. 
 
Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress and the President an integrated assessment of hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest.

action_date: 2010-01-13
text: 
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to utilize the resources of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia (Task Force) to establish and maintain a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program (Program) and to: (1) develop and promote a national strategy to address and respond to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (2) coordinate federal and state efforts that address such events; (3) identify additional research, development, and demonstration needs and priorities; (4) coordinate an education program that integrates and augments existing programs; and (5) provide assistance to regional, state, tribal and local efforts to develop strategies for addressing harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. 
 
Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) work cooperatively to avoid duplication of efforts with other agencies; and (2) work jointly with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with respect to the freshwater aspects of the Program.
 
Directs the Under Secretary, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to maintain and enhance: (1) the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms Program; (2) the Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms Program; (3) the Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Hypoxia Assessment Program; (4) the Coastal Hypoxia Research Program; and (5) the Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms Program. Directs the Under Secretary to establish a new event response program and an infrastructure program.
 
Directs the Under Secretary, through the Task Force, to transmit to Congress an action strategy that identifies the specific activities to be carried out by the Program, the timeline for carrying out such activities, and the roles and responsibilities of each federal agency in carrying out Program activities.
 
Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) publish the action strategy in the Federal Register; (2) periodically review and revise such strategy; and (3) prepare and transmit to Congress a report describing the activities carried out under the Program and the budget related to such activities.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Under Secretary, through the Task Force, to: (1) oversee the development and implementation of regional research and action plans for addressing harmful algal bloom and hypoxia and identify the appropriate regions and sub-regions to be addressed by each plan; (2) ensure that such plans are completed not later than 24 months after enactment of this Act and updated every five years thereafter; (3) transmit to Congress a summary of such plans, a description of activities taken to implement the plans, and federal funding provided to implement the plans; and (4) coordinate and consult with specified entities and individuals in developing the plans. 
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator, through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to: (1) complete and transmit to the Congress and the President, within 12 months, a report on progress made toward attaining the coastal goal of the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 16, 2008; and (2) complete and transmit to Congress and the President every two years a progress report on attaining such goal.
 
(Sec. 7) Requires the Task Force to: (1) complete and submit to Congress and the President, within one year, an assessment of hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest; (2) develop and submit to Congress, within two years, a plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest; and (3) publish a summary of the proposed plan in the Federal Register at least 90 days before its final submission to Congress.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014.

action_date: 2010-03-12
text: 
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia, to establish and maintain a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program. Directs the Under Secretary, through the Program, to coordinate the efforts of the Task Force to: (1) develop and promote a national strategy to address and respond to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (2) integrate the research of federal programs that address the chemical, biological, and physical components of such events; (3) coordinate with state, tribal, and local government agencies and programs that address such events; (4) identify additional research, development, and demonstration needs and priorities; (5) integrate, coordinate, and augment existing education programs to improve public understanding and awareness of the causes, impacts, and mitigation efforts for such events; and (6) provide assistance to regional, state, tribal and local efforts to develop strategies for addressing such events. 
 
Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) work cooperatively to avoid duplication of efforts with other agencies; and (2) work, through the Task Force, with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with respect to the freshwater aspects of the Program.
 
Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) maintain and enhance existing competitive grant programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) relating to such events; (2) carry out event response activities; and (3) enhance communication and coordination among federal agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities; and (4) increase the availability of analytical facilities and technologies, operational forecasts, and reference and research materials to appropriate public and private entities.
 
Directs the Under Secretary: (1) through the Task Force, to transmit to Congress and publish an action strategy that identifies Program activities, the timeline, and the roles and responsibilities of each federal agency in the Task Force; (2) to periodically review and revise such strategy; and (3) to report to Congress on the activities carried out, the budget for such activities, progress in implementing the strategy, and the need to revise or terminate Program activities or projects.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Under Secretary, through the Task Force, to: (1) oversee the development and implementation of regional research and action plans for addressing harmful algal bloom and hypoxia and to identify the appropriate regions and sub-regions to be addressed by each plan; (2) ensure that such plans are completed not later than 24 months after enactment of this Act and updated every five years thereafter; and (3) coordinate with state coastal management and planning officials, tribal resource management officials, and state water management and watershed officials, and consult with public health officials, emergency management officials, economists, affected industries and businesses, and scientists, in developing the plans. 
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the Administrator, through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to complete and transmit to the Congress and the President, within 12 months after enactment of this Act and every two years thereafter, a report on progress made toward attaining the goals of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.
 
(Sec. 7) Requires the Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to: (1) complete and submit to Congress and the President, within one year after enactment of this Act, an assessment of hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest; and (2) include in the regionally appropriate regional research and action plan a plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia in the coastal and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for FY2011-FY2015.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-03-15
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 318.
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 251 - 103 (Roll No. 109). (text: CR H1368-1370)
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 251 - 103 (Roll No. 109).(text: CR H1368-1370)
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H1374)
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3650.
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3650 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 111-439 shall be considered as adopted.
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1168. (consideration: CR H1368-1375)
action_date: 2010-03-12
text: Rule H. Res. 1168 passed House.
action_date: 2010-03-11
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1168 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3650 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of House Report 111-439 shall be considered as adopted.
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 263 - 142 (Roll no. 92).
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 263 - 142 (Roll no. 92).
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1208)
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3650.
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1182-1188; text of measure as reported in House: CR H1182-1184)
action_date: 2010-03-09
text: Mr. Baird moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2010-01-13
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 233.
action_date: 2010-01-13
text: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
action_date: 2010-01-13
text: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
action_date: 2010-01-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-396, Part I.
action_date: 2010-01-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-396, Part I.
action_date: 2009-10-07
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-10-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-10-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2009-09-30
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-09-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2009-09-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: Referred to House Natural Resources
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Science 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.
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: Referred to House Science and Technology
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: Introduced in House