To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes.

January 29, 2003

Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. BREAUX) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. RETENTION OF TASK FORCE.

Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 nt) is amended by striking subsection (e).

SEC. 3. PREDICTION AND RESPONSE PLAN.

Section 603 of such Act, as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(e) Prediction and Response Plan-

`(1) DEVELOPMENT OF PLAN- Not later then 12 months after the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2003, the President, in conjunction with the chief executive officers of the States, shall develop and submit to the Congress a plan to protect environmental and public health from impacts of harmful algal blooms. In developing the plan, the President shall consult with the Task Force, the coastal States, Indian tribes, local governments, industry, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations with expertise in coastal zone management.

`(2) PLAN REQUIREMENTS- The plan shall--

`(A) review techniques for prediction of the onset, course, and impacts of harmful algal blooms including evaluation of their accuracy and utility in protecting environmental and public health and provisions for implementation;

`(B) identify innovative response measures for the prevention, control, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms and provisions for their development and implementation; and

`(C) include incentive-based partnership approaches where practicable.

`(3) PUBLICATION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT- At least 90 days before submitting the plan to the Congress, the President shall cause a summary of the proposed plan to be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days.

`(4) FEDERAL ASSISTANCE- The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Task Force and to the extent of funds available, shall provide for Federal cooperation with and assistance to the coastal States, Indian tribes, and local governments in implementing measures in paragraph (2), as requested.'.

SEC. 4. LOCAL AND REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS.

Section 603 of such Act, as amended by section 3, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(f) Local and Regional Assessments-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Task Force and to the extent of funds available, shall provide for local and regional assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, as requested by coastal States, Indian tribes, and local governments.

`(2) PURPOSE- Local and regional assessments may examine--

`(A) the causes of hypoxia or harmful algal blooms in that area;

`(B) the ecological and economic impacts of hypoxia or harmful algal blooms;

`(C) alternatives to reduce, mitigate, and control hypoxia and harmful algal blooms; and

`(D) the social and economic benefits of such alternatives.'.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 605 of such Act is amended--

(1) by striking `and' after `2000,' in the first sentence and in the paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5);

(2) by inserting `$26,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $26,500,000 for fiscal year 2005, and $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2007' after `2001,' in the first sentence;

(3) by inserting `and $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006' after `2001' in paragraph (1);

(4) by inserting `and $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006' after `2001' in paragraph (2);

(5) by striking `2001' in paragraph (3) and inserting `2001, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2006';

(6) by striking `blooms;' in paragraph (3) and inserting `blooms and to implement section 603(e);';

(7) by striking `2001' in paragraph (4) and inserting `2001, and $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006,';

(8) by striking `and' after the semicolon in paragraph (4);

(9) by striking `2001' in paragraph (5) and inserting `2001, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2005, and $6,600,000 for fiscal year 2006';

(10) by striking `Administration.' in paragraph (5) and inserting `Administration; and'; and

(11) by adding at the end the following:

`(6) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006 to carry out section 603(f).'.

END