Help Our Kelp Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1124
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T08:05:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" (H.R. 1124) aims to protect and revive native wild kelp forest ecosystems—underwater areas dominated by large kelp plants that support marine life—by creating a federal grant program. The focus is on long-term recovery of these natural systems without allowing commercial or machine-based harvesting, emphasizing ecological and community benefits.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator, must create and run a grant program within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Grants fund projects for conserving, restoring, or managing kelp forests.
- Eligible Recipients: Grants go to entities such as:
- Members of the fishing industry (e.g., commercial or recreational fishermen, seafood processors).
- Universities or colleges.
- Nonprofit organizations (tax-exempt under U.S. tax law).
- Indian Tribes (as defined by federal law for self-governance).
- State or local government agencies.
Recipients must collaborate with other eligible groups and submit detailed applications, including project monitoring plans and their qualifications.
- Eligible Projects: Funding prioritizes:
- Areas with the biggest kelp losses.
- Efforts to build long-term resilience in ecosystems and local economies tied to kelp forests.
- Activities like planting kelp seeds, improving connections between kelp areas, controlling predators (e.g., removing excess sea urchins or aiding sea star recovery), monitoring health, incorporating Indigenous knowledge through Tribal consultations, or following Tribal/Federal/State recovery plans.
- Funding Rules:
- Federal grants cover up to 85% of project costs; recipients must contribute the rest, which can include non-cash support like volunteer time.
- Waivers for the matching requirement are allowed if no other funding is feasible, the project's benefits are high, or it's on Tribal lands.
- Guidelines and Oversight: NOAA must issue implementation guidelines and ranking criteria based on best science, proven methods, and community input.
- Funding Authorization: $5 million per year from fiscal years 2026 to 2030. At least $750,000 annually must go to Indian Tribes; unused amounts shift to other recipients, with required outreach to Tribes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal grant program specifically for kelp forests, which does not currently exist in U.S. law. It builds on broader environmental and fisheries statutes (e.g., those under NOAA) but adds targeted funding and priorities for kelp, including mandatory Tribal allocations and integration of Indigenous practices—elements not previously emphasized in kelp-related policies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NOAA gains responsibility for administering the program, including application reviews and monitoring, potentially increasing workload and requiring new guidelines. This could enhance federal coordination with states, Tribes, and locals on marine conservation.
- Citizens and Communities: Coastal residents, especially in fishing-dependent areas, may benefit from restored ecosystems that support fish stocks, tourism, and economic stability. Projects could improve biodiversity, reducing risks from kelp declines (e.g., due to warming oceans or overgrazing).
- International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned, though healthier U.S. kelp forests could indirectly support global marine conservation efforts, as kelp ecosystems span international waters in some regions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Environmental and Scientific Groups: Nonprofits, universities, and researchers who can apply for grants to monitor and restore kelp.
- Fishing Industry: Commercial and recreational fishers who rely on healthy marine habitats and may lead or partner in projects.
- Indian Tribes: Prioritized with dedicated funding and involvement in co-management, incorporating their traditional knowledge.
- Government Entities: State/local agencies and NOAA, which handle project implementation and oversight.
- Coastal Communities: Benefit from resilient ecosystems that protect against erosion, support wildlife, and sustain local jobs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal support for environmental restoration under existing frameworks like the Magnuson-Stevens Act (for fisheries) but adds enforceable requirements for Tribal consultation, aligning with laws promoting Indigenous self-determination (e.g., Indian Self-Determination Act). The matching funds and waivers ensure accessibility without overly burdening smaller entities.
- Constitutional: Supports the federal government's role in managing public natural resources (under the Property Clause) and honoring Tribal treaty rights through dedicated funding and co-management opportunities.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan environmental goals by focusing on science-driven, community-engaged conservation. It highlights climate resilience (kelp forests absorb carbon) and equity for underserved groups like Tribes, potentially influencing future marine policy debates without mandating controversial changes like harvest bans.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Help Our Kelp Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-07 — PDF (8 pages)