Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act

Bill: 116-hr-3596
Sponsor: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Introduced: 2019-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aquaculture
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Hunting and fishing
Intergovernmental relations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Outdoor recreation
Performance measurement
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-28
text: 

Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act

 
This bill addresses the preservation and accessibility of waterfronts in coastal states.
 
The bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a Working Waterfront Task Force that will be designed to identify and address critical working waterfront needs with respect to cultural and economic importance, environmental threats, and market conditions for water-dependent businesses.
 
NOAA must also establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program. Under the program, NOAA may award grants to coastal states with approved working waterfront plans in place to preserve and expand access to coastal waters for people engaged in fishing, aquaculture, boat building, and other water-dependent businesses.
 
In addition, NOAA is authorized to award grants to coastal states for the purpose of developing or revising working waterfront plans.
 
States are allowed to allocate any grant money received to eligible local governments and other entities. Each state that is awarded a grant must contribute at least 25% of matching funds towards the total cost of the project carried out with the grant, subject to certain exceptions.
 
The bill establishes the Working Waterfronts Preservation Loan Fund to provide loans to coastal states for the purpose of implementing working waterfront plans.

action_date: 2019-11-15
text: 

Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act

 
This bill addresses the preservation and accessibility of waterfronts in coastal states.
 
The bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a Working Waterfront Task Force that will be designed to identify and address critical working waterfront needs with respect to cultural and economic importance, environmental threats, and market conditions for water-dependent businesses.
 
NOAA must also establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program. Under the program, NOAA may award grants to coastal states with approved working waterfront plans in place to preserve and expand access to coastal waters for people engaged in fishing, aquaculture, boat building, and other water-dependent businesses.
 
In addition, NOAA is authorized to award grants to coastal states for the purpose of developing or revising working waterfront plans.
 
States are allowed to allocate any grant money received to eligible local governments and other entities. Each state that is awarded a grant must contribute at least 25% of matching funds towards the total cost of the project carried out with the grant, subject to certain exceptions.
 
The bill establishes the Working Waterfronts Preservation Loan Fund to provide loans to coastal states for the purpose of implementing working waterfront plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-15
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 238.
action_date: 2019-11-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-295.
action_date: 2019-11-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-295.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 13.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2019-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-06-28
text: Introduced in House