Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1057
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Army Corps of Engineers
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government studies and investigations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-04
text: 

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to reauthorize for FY2019-FY2023 the national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program and the action strategy of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia.
 
The task force must include a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 
Each required scientific assessment of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters must examine freshwater harmful algal blooms that originate in freshwater lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal waters. 
 
Federal officials may determine whether a hypoxia (a deficiency of oxygen) or harmful algal bloom event is an event of national significance and give funding to the affected state or local government for assessing and mitigating the event's environmental, economic, social, and public health effects. 

action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to reauthorize for FY2019-FY2023 the national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program and the action strategy of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. (Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen.)
 
(Sec. 3) The task force must include a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 
(Sec. 4) Each required scientific assessment of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters must examine freshwater harmful algal blooms that originate in freshwater lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal waters. 
 
(Sec. 5) In administering the program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must provide: (1) grants for accelerating the utilization of effective methods of intervention and mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (2) technical assistance to regional state, tribal, and local governments with respect to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events.
 
NOAA must use cost effective methods in carrying out the Act and develop contingency plans for the long-term monitoring of hypoxia.
 
(Sec. 7) Federal officials may determine whether a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event is an event of national significance and give funding to the affected state or local government for assessing and mitigating the environmental, economic, social, and public health effects of an event of national significance.

action_date: 2017-09-26
text: 

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to reauthorize for FY2019-FY2023 the national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program and the action strategy of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. (Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen.)
 
(Sec. 3) The task force must include a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 
(Sec. 4) Each required scientific assessment of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters must examine freshwater harmful algal blooms that originate in freshwater lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal waters. 
 
(Sec. 5) In administering the program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must provide: (1) grants for accelerating the utilization of effective methods of intervention and mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and (2) technical assistance to regional state, tribal, and local governments with respect to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events.
 
NOAA must use cost effective methods in carrying out the Act and develop contingency plans for the long-term monitoring of hypoxia.
 
(Sec. 7) Federal officials may determine whether a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event is an event of national significance and give funding to the affected state or local government for assessing and mitigating the detrimental environmental, economic, subsistence use, and public health effects of an event of national significance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-27
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2017-09-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-09-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S6146-6147)
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S6146-6147)
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6146)
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6145-6147; text: CR S6145-6146)
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 205.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-145.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-145.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate