Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-3873
Sponsor: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Introduced: 2023-06-06 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Community life and organization
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Product development and innovation
Public-private cooperation
Research and development
Seashores and lakeshores
Small business
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-06-06
text: 

Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2023

This bill directs the Department of Commerce to designate at least seven entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters. 
Ocean Innovation Clusters
 are hubs for private, public, and academic stakeholders to collaborate on opportunities to promote and enhance the maritime industry and the Blue Economy.

In designating entities, Commerce shall prioritize entities with a history of supporting cross-sector growth and development of the Blue Economy. (Under the bill, the term 
Blue Economy
 generally refers to the value and impact of sustainable industries related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts on the economy of the United States.)

Additionally, Commerce must designate at least one Ocean Innovation Cluster in (1) each of the regions covered by the five regional offices of the National Marine Fisheries Service, (2) the Great Lakes region, and (3) the Gulf of Mexico region.

Commerce may award competitive grants for the establishment, operation, and administration of Ocean Innovation Clusters. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-06-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2023-06-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, 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: 2023-06-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, 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: 2023-06-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, 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: 2023-06-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, 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: 2023-06-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-06-06
text: Introduced in House