Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3048
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-27T09:06:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to create Ocean Innovation Clusters across the United States to boost coastal communities and the "Blue Economy." The Blue Economy refers to sustainable industries tied to oceans, Great Lakes, bays, estuaries, and coasts, such as fishing, marine transportation, renewable energy, aquaculture, tourism, and coastal protection. The goal is to foster technological research and development (R&D), job training, and partnerships between sectors to drive equitable economic growth and resilience.
Key Provisions
- Definitions (Section 2): Provides clear terms, including "Blue Economy" (sustainable ocean-related industries), "Ocean Innovation Cluster" (a designated group of partners in a region), and "Ocean Innovation Center for Cross-Sector Collaboration" (a physical hub for teamwork).
- Designation of Clusters (Section 3(a)-(e)): The Secretary of Commerce must designate at least 7 eligible entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters within one year of enactment, in consultation with key officials from the National Sea Grant Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Economic Development Administration (EDA). Eligible entities must be led by nonprofits, include diverse partners (e.g., businesses, universities, governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations), and focus on regional Blue Economy growth. Priority goes to entities with proven cross-sector experience, with required geographic coverage in NOAA's five regional offices, the Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico. Considerations include economic potential, diversity, partnerships, job growth, resilience to disasters, and serving rural/underserved areas.
- Partnership and Coordination (Section 3(f)-(g)): Agencies like Sea Grant, NOAA, and EDA appoint liaisons to connect clusters with federal resources. The Secretary of Commerce coordinates with other agencies (e.g., Energy, Transportation, EPA, Interior) for knowledge sharing. The Department of Energy provides advice on energy-related Blue Economy issues. Federal agencies will refine economic metrics (using tools like the Marine Economy Satellite Account) to track clusters' impact.
- Areas of Focus (Section 3(h)): Clusters work on priorities like entry pathways for new workers/businesses, intellectual property, sustainable seafood supply chains, R&D for innovation, regulatory guidance, small business scaling, workforce training, and ocean energy/bioprospecting (exploring biological resources for products).
- Innovation Centers (Section 3(i)): At least one physical collaboration space per cluster region, managed by clusters, to serve as hubs for entrepreneurs, shared workspaces, networking, and training (including internships for underrepresented groups, Tribes, and trade schools).
- Grants (Section 4): Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to authorize competitive grants from the Secretary of Commerce for cluster operations, aiming for self-sustaining models. Grants last 2 years (renewable), cap at $10 million each, with $10 million authorized annually from fiscal years 2026-2030. Input from Sea Grant, NOAA, and EDA is required.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (a law promoting federal technology transfer and innovation) by adding a new Section 31. This introduces specific grants for ocean-focused clusters, which did not previously exist in that statute. It builds on existing programs like Sea Grant and NOAA without altering their core structures, but mandates new coordination and metrics for Blue Economy measurement.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases interagency collaboration (e.g., Commerce, Energy, Transportation), requiring NOAA and EDA to dedicate staff and resources for liaisons and tracking. This could streamline federal support for coastal innovation but add administrative workload.
- Citizens: Enhances job opportunities, training, and economic diversification in coastal areas, particularly for underserved, rural, Tribal, and multigenerational communities. It promotes resilience against climate disasters and natural resource use, potentially improving livelihoods in fishing, energy, and tourism sectors.
- International Relations: Indirect benefits through a stronger U.S. Blue Economy, which could enhance competitiveness in global marine trade, renewable energy, and sustainable fisheries. No direct international provisions, but improved coastal resilience may support U.S. roles in ocean governance treaties.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Coastal Communities and Workers: Residents in ocean-dependent regions, including fishers, small business owners, and job seekers in Blue Economy sectors.
- Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Marine industries (e.g., shipping, aquaculture, offshore energy) and startups benefiting from R&D, funding, and networks.
- Academic and Nonprofit Institutions: Universities (especially minority- and Tribal-serving), research groups, and nonprofits leading or partnering in clusters.
- Governments and Tribes: Federal agencies (Commerce, NOAA, EDA), state/local entities, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations involved in partnerships and regulatory alignment.
- Underserved Groups: Rural, urban low-income, and diverse populations gaining access to training and opportunities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a framework for federal grants and designations without mandating spending beyond authorizations, respecting congressional appropriations power. Emphasizes equitable growth and Tribal inclusion, aligning with laws like the Indian Self-Determination Act. No new regulatory burdens, but requires clear communication of existing laws to industries.
- Constitutional: Supports the Commerce Clause by promoting interstate economic activity in ocean resources. Includes protections for diverse stakeholders, consistent with equal protection principles, and no apparent First Amendment or federalism conflicts.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for economic development and sustainability. Could influence future Blue Economy policies by creating measurable metrics and self-sustaining models, potentially reducing long-term federal costs while addressing climate and equity priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-28: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-28 — PDF (14 pages)