WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 93

Relates to excise taxes on cigars and premium cigars

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Gallivan

Reauthorizes HABHRCA through 2030 to improve federal coordination, forecasting, monitoring, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia across marine, estuarine, and freshwa

REFERRED TO BUDGET AND REVENUE
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 93

Summary — S. 93 (119th Congress): Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025

Note: This summary is based on Senate Report 119–34 and the S. 93 bill text as reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The packet also contained unrelated state- and docket-level items (e.g., a Massachusetts Senate docket and other headings); this summary addresses the federal S. 93 described in the report.

Purpose

S. 93 reauthorizes and modernizes the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (HABHRCA). Its intent is to improve Federal coordination, science, monitoring, forecasting, and response to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia in marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems, and to strengthen planning and mitigation efforts through 2030.

Key provisions

  • Reauthorizes HABHRCA through 2030.
  • Expands scope to explicitly cover marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems (including Great Lakes, rivers, and inland lakes) and broadens the statutory definition of “harmful algal bloom.”
  • Renames and revises section 603 to emphasize a Task Force, scientific assessments, and an Action Strategy:
    • Adds the Department of Energy to Task Force membership.
    • Requires the Task Force to produce an Action Strategy and scientific assessment for marine and freshwater HABs at least once every 5 years.
    • Action Strategy must examine causes, ecological/physiological/economic/cultural impacts (including food safety and subsistence use), interactions with other stressors, prevention/control/mitigation methods, research priorities, and regional chapters highlighting geographically diverse impacts.
    • Requires consultation with states, Indian tribes, local governments, relevant industries (fisheries, agriculture, fertilizer), academia, and NGOs.
  • Codifies the National Harmful Algal Bloom Observing Network and strengthens the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program’s emphasis on forecasting, observing, monitoring, and scientific assessment integration.
  • Increases authorized appropriations from $20.5 million to $27.5 million annually: $19.5 million for NOAA and $8.0 million for EPA.

Who is affected

  • Federal agencies: NOAA (primary), EPA, DOE, and other Task Force agencies.
  • State, tribal, and local governments involved in water quality and public health response.
  • Coastal and inland communities that rely on fisheries, shellfish, recreation, and subsistence resources.
  • Industries including fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, and fertilizer producers; public health and seafood safety stakeholders.
  • Academic institutions, research centers, and NGOs engaged in HAB science, monitoring, and mitigation.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 14, 2025 (Sen. Sullivan et al.).
  • Ordered reported favorably by the Senate Commerce Committee (Feb 5, 2025); Committee report filed July 1, 2025 (S. Rept. 119–34).
  • Passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent with a title amendment (Sep 10, 2025); transmitted to the House (received Sep 11, 2025).
  • Requires recurring (every 5 years) Action Strategy reports to Congress; reauthorized funding through 2030.

Potential impacts

  • Strengthens Federal coordination and science to improve prediction, monitoring, and response to HABs and hypoxia across freshwater and marine environments.
  • Aims to reduce ecological damage, protect public health and seafood safety, and limit economic losses from HAB events by targeting research gaps, forecasting improvements, and regional mitigation strategies.
  • Provides modest increases in authorized funding targeted to NOAA and EPA activities supporting these objectives.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.