Bill · S. 1968· Senate(119-S-1968)
Working Waterfronts Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 6/5/2025
- Last activity
- 6/5/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Lisa Murkowski
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 aims to support rural coastal and maritime economic development. It provides tax credits for maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric facilities and establishes a pilot program to help commercial fishing vessels transition to alternative fuels. The bill expands access to loans and grants for fishing, mariculture, and fish processing businesses. It also funds shoreside infrastructure, working waterfront preservation, and maritime workforce development. Additionally, the act promotes ocean innovation clusters and provides for the mapping of coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically targets rural coastal communities for economic and infrastructure support.
Does this invest in rural communities?+8
The bill targets rural coastal communities with specific grants for seafood processing and infrastructure.
Would business owners be better off under this?+7
The bill provides loans, grants, and tax credits specifically benefiting maritime and seafood businesses.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Tax Credits for Hydropower: Provides a credit equal to 30 percent of the basis for improving hydropower property, such as improving fish passage or water quality (Sec. 101).
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Fishing Vessel Fuel Transition: Establishes a pilot program to provide loans for building or retrofitting commercial fishing vessels to run on alternative fuels (Sec. 102).
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Expanded Business Loans: Allows individuals and entities engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing to access direct or guaranteed loans for acquiring vessels, permits, and facilities (Sec. 201).
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Support for Shellfish Mariculture: Enhances grant programs to support shellfish mariculture and increases access to testing for harmful algal bloom toxins in rural and remote areas (Sec. 203).
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Increased Funding for Fishermen: Allocates more money to the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act, including specific funds for the Young Fishermen's Development Act (Sec. 204).
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Seafood Processing Grants: Provides competitive grants and cooperative agreements to support new or rehabilitated seafood and mariculture processing and cold storage infrastructure in rural coastal communities (Sec. 303).
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Waterfront Preservation: Offers grants to protect or improve working waterfront areas used by the commercial fishing, mariculture, and boatbuilding industries (Sec. 311).
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Workforce Training: Establizes a maritime workforce grant program to support training, scholarships, and apprenticeships for those seeking employment in the maritime sector (Sec. 401).
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Ocean Innovation Clusters: Creates clusters to promote innovation, economic growth, and job creation within the Blue Economy (Sec. 502).
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Ecosystem Mapping and Research: Funds a national-level map and inventory of vegetated coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems to assist in management and restoration (Sec. 513).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Eminent Domain Prohibition: While the bill prohibits the use of eminent domain to secure property for projects, it does so as a restriction on government agencies (Sec. 311).
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 Rural Residents+8Good For Business Owners+7Good For Farmers+6Good For Native Americans+5Good For Students+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+8Increases Renewable Energy Investment+7Improves Environmental Protections+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Improves Economic Growth+6Increases Job Creation+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- 6/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Angus KingIndependent · Maine