North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

Bill: 119-s-190
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2025-01-22
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies

Alaska

Alaska Natives and Hawaiians

Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Research administration and funding
Latest action: action_date: 2025-05-21
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-01-22
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act</strong></p><p>This bill makes certain changes to the North Pacific Research Board, including changes to the board’s composition and allocations for funding for administrative expenses. The board sets research priorities and administers grants to support research on fisheries and marine ecosystems in the waters surrounding Alaska.</p><p>Specifically, this bill adds to the board one additional member to represent Alaska Natives. This board member must have personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses of resources (the practice of relying on the surrounding environment as a source of food and material). The bill also imposes a three-year term limit on those board members representing fishing interests and Alaska Natives, and permits such members to serve one additional term upon reappointment.</p><p>With respect to funding, under current law the board may use up to 15% of grant&nbsp;program&nbsp;funding for administrative expenses (e.g., support for the board and grant administration). Under the bill, if the program's  total funding in a given fiscal year is less than its total funding in the prior fiscal year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15% cap on administrative expenses for that fiscal year. Any such increase must prioritize supporting the board’s continued operation, maximizing funds directed to research, and maintaining high-quality grant administration. Further, the bill waives the 15% cap altogether for five years following the bill’s enactment.&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 190 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 22, 2025 Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Murkowski ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act . 2. North pacific research board enhancement (a) Amendments Section 401(e) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 ( 43 U.S.C. 1474d(e) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (L), by striking and after the semicolon; (B) in subparagraph (M), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; (C) in subparagraph (N), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; (D) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the following: (O) one member who shall represent Alaska Natives and possesses personal knowledge of, and direct experience with, subsistence uses and shall be nominated by the Board and appointed by the Secretary. ; and (E) by adding at the end the following: Board members appointed under subparagraphs (N) and (O) shall serve for 3-year terms, and may be reappointed once. ; (2) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking Not more than 15 percent and inserting Except as provided in paragraph (5), not more than 15 percent ; (3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (4) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: (5) If the amount made available for a fiscal year under subsection (c)(2) is less than the amount made available for the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15 percent cap on administrative expenses provided under paragraph (4)(B) for that fiscal year to prioritize— (A) continuing operation of the Board; (B) maximizing the percentage of funds directed to research; and (C) maintaining the highest quality standards in administering grants under this subsection. . (b) Waiver Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment, the 15 percent cap on funds to provide support for the North Pacific Research Board and administer grants under section 401(e)(4)(B) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 ( 43 U.S.C. 1474d(e)(4)(B) ) shall be waived.