Bill · S. 1392· Senate(119-S-1392)
Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 4/9/2025
- Last activity
- 4/9/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Lisa Murkowski
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 5
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to create Ocean Innovation Clusters to strengthen the United States' ocean economy and coastal communities. These clusters will focus on technological research, job training, and cross-sector partnerships. The Secretary of Commerce will designate at least seven of these clusters across diverse geographic regions, including the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. To support these clusters, the bill authorizes competitive grants of up to $10,000,000 for their operation and administration. Additionally, the act establishes Ocean Innovation Centers for Cross-Sector Collaboration to serve as physical hubs for innovation and employment opportunities.
Yes· 3 of 15
Is this likely to create jobs?+6
The bill specifically aims to accelerate growth in ocean sector jobs through innovation clusters.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+6
The bill emphasizes creating investable opportunities and growth for small businesses within the Blue Economy.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill supports entrepreneurs and small businesses through innovation centers and clusters.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic Growth and Job Creation: The clusters are intended to enhance the "Blue Economy" through sectors like marine construction, offshore energy, and seafood processing (Section 2). They aim to accelerate growth or reverse declines in ocean sector jobs (Section 3(e)(5)).
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Workforce Development: The bill focuses on creating new pathways for individuals to enter the Blue Economy (Section 3(h)(1)) and provides for training, apprenticeships, and internships (Section 3(i)(3)(F)).
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Support for Underserved Communities: The Secretary is directed to consider the ability of clusters to bring opportunity to rural and underserved areas (Section 3(e)(2)) and to serve diverse, ocean-dependent populations (Section 3(e)(3)).
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Community Resilience: Clusters are encouraged to carry out projects that support economic and climate resilience through diversification and recovery from natural disasters (Section 3(e)(6)).
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Entrepreneurial Support: The creation of Ocean Innovation Centers will support communities of entrepreneurs and provide workspaces and laboratories to help them grow (Section 3(i)(3)(B-C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Grant Limitations: While the bill provides funding, the grants are limited to a term of 2 years, though they may be renewed (Section 4(d)).
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Requirement for Self-Sustainability: The stated goal for the clusters is to eventually become membership-based, self-sustaining entities (Section 4(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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Students+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For Urban Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+6Increases Job Creation+6Improves Economic Growth+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4Increases Renewable Energy Investment+4Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island