Bill · S. 843· Senate(119-S-843)
Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/4/2025
- Last activity
- 3/24/2026 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 4
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025," directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program. It amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to include specific grant eligibility for sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response. The bill establishes the "Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund" within the U.S. Treasury. This fund is intended for emergency assistance related to sea turtles. Additionally, the bill authorizes specific appropriations for both the sea turtle program and the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill establishes dedicated funding and a grant program specifically for the rescue, rehabilitation, and rapid response of sea turtles and marine mammals.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill increases government spending by authorizing new appropriations for sea turtle and marine mammal rescue funds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Establishment of Dedicated Funding: The bill creates the "Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund" to provide emergency assistance (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)).
-
Increased Financial Support for Sea Turtle Care: The Act authorizes $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030 to carry out the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)(A)(iii)(ii)).
-
Specialized Focus on Sea Turtle Rehabilitation: Grant considerations will specifically include the rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii)).
-
Support for Marine Mammal Rescue: The bill authorizes $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Funding Limitations: The sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program is subject to the availability of specific appropriations (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(A)).
-
Strict Eligibility Requirements for Entities: To receive a grant, an entity must be authorized by and in compliance with specific sections of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, comply with standard conditions for care and maintenance of captive sea turtles, and comply with all relevant data reporting requirements (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(C)).
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+8
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 3/24/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 3/22/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1503-1504; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1504)
- 11/20/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/16/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment. With written report No. 119-41.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 118.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 3/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 5 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.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland