Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2484
Sponsor: Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1]
Introduced: 2011-07-11 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Chesapeake Bay
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Great Lakes
Gulf of Mexico
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Lakes and rivers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Research administration and funding
Technology assessment
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: 
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2011 - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to require the President, through the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology Council, to establish an Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia (Task Force). 
 
 Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, through the Task Force, 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 review of regional research and action plans for addressing marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (4) maintain a focus on technology research and development for each of the categories of marine harmful algal blooms, freshwater harmful algal blooms, and hypoxia in monitoring, predicting, preventing, controling, mitigating, and responding to events; (5) expand the existing electronic clearinghouse to provide information about such harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; and (6) develop a mechanism to provide a reliable and cost-effective supply of toxin standards for comparative research. Establishes the duties of the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under such Program.
 
Directs the Administrator, through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to submit an updated assessment and a revised action plan prior to the implementation of any plan developed under such Act.
 
Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress and the President a plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 271.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
action_date: 2011-12-16
text: House Committee on Natural Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Feb. 9, 2012.
action_date: 2011-12-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 112-333, Part I.
action_date: 2011-12-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 112-333, Part I.
action_date: 2011-07-28
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 15.
action_date: 2011-07-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-07-14
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2011-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-14
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: 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.
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: 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.
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: Introduced in House