Bill · H.R. 360· House(119-HR-360)
Oyster Reef Recovery Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/13/2025
- Last activity
- 1/13/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Oyster Reef Recovery Act of 2025'', directs the Secretary of Commerce to create the Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program. The Administrator is tasked with providing technical and financial assistance to various entities for the conservation and restoration of oyster reefs. This includes activities like mapping, water quality monitoring, and construction projects. The bill also establishes a competitive grant program to fund research, management, and workforce training. Additionally, the Act authorizes $15,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to carry out these duties.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill provides funding and technical assistance for the restoration and conservation of oyster reefs.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+5
The bill establishes a competitive grant program specifically to fund research related to oyster reefs.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill funds workforce training and conservation projects which supports job development in coastal resilience.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes $15,000,000 in new annual appropriations for the program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Workforce Training: The program supports training focused on coastal resilience and restoration, which is intended to especially benefit underserved communities (Section 2(a)(2)(H)).
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Financial and Technical Assistance: The Administrator will provide aid to covered entities to help identify priorities, evaluate reef health, and conduct restoration or enhancement projects (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Competitive Grant Opportunities: A competitive grant program will be established to award funds to persons for research, planning, construction, and other management purposes related to oyster reefs (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).
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Protection of Existing Rights: The bill ensures that the program does not preempt or limit the authority of a State or an Indian Tribe to manage oyster reefs or oyster species (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Interference with Water Uses: Applicants for grants must demonstrate that their projects will not reasonably interfere with commercial or recreational fishing or other water-related uses of the area (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Rural Development+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Union Workers+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Government Spending-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 3/18/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/13/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia