Working Waterfronts Act of 2025

Bill Number

S. 1968

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Last Updated

2025-06-12T04:53:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 aims to bolster economic development in rural coastal and maritime communities by supporting sustainable practices in fisheries, seafood processing, energy infrastructure, workforce training, and ocean innovation. It seeks to enhance resilience against climate change, promote alternative energy in fishing, and expand access to federal resources for coastal industries, ultimately fostering job creation and environmental protection in these areas.

Key Provisions

The Act is structured into five titles, each addressing specific aspects of coastal and maritime support:

Title I: Coastal Energy

• Tax Credit for Hydropower Improvements (Sec. 101): Introduces a 30% investment tax credit for "hydropower improvement property," which includes upgrades to dams for better fish passage (e.g., fish ladders or turbines that aid fish migration), water quality enhancement, sediment management, marine energy projects (e.g., wave or tidal power), and remote dams serving isolated communities (up to 40 megawatts, non-polluting). Applies to property placed in service after December 31, 2022. Allows elective payments or transfers of the credit for eligible entities.
• Pilot Program for Alternative Fuel Fishing Vessels (Sec. 102): Establishes a NOAA-led pilot within one year of enactment to provide loans for transitioning commercial fishing vessels to non-petroleum fuels (e.g., electric or hybrid). Includes funding for vessel retrofits, new builds, R&D on fuels and shoreside infrastructure (e.g., charging stations). Authorizes $20 million annually (2026–2030), split evenly between vessel transitions and R&D. Requires a joint NOAA-Coast Guard study on alternative fuels and report to Congress within two years.

Title II: Fisheries and Seafood

• USDA Loans and Grants Expansion (Sec. 201): Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include commercial fishing and fish processing as eligible "farming" activities. Allows farm ownership and operating loans for acquiring/operating fishing vessels, permits, and processing facilities. Extends farmers' markets program to include wild-caught seafood marketing.
• Farm Credit Extension (Sec. 202): Updates the Farm Credit Act to provide loans to businesses serving aquatic product producers/harvesters (e.g., suppliers of services like fuel or repairs).
• Shellfish Mariculture Support (Sec. 203): Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Act to fund grants for shellfish farming (growing shellfish in natural habitats for food) and toxin testing access, especially in rural/remote areas.
• Saltonstall-Kennedy Fund Allocation (Sec. 204): Redirects 25% of fishery import duties to grants: 75% to NOAA's competitive grants (up from 60%), 20% to young fishermen development (new), and increases administrative cap to $10 million.
• Electronic Monitoring Prize (Sec. 205): Directs NOAA to create a prize competition within two years for advanced electronic tools (e.g., cameras, AI for fish identification) to monitor fisheries sustainably.

Title III: Shoreside Infrastructure

Subtitle A: Rural Coastal Community Processing Grants

• Action Plan and Grants (Secs. 301–304): USDA develops a plan within 180 days to identify rural coastal areas needing seafood/mariculture processing and cold storage. Provides competitive grants/cooperative agreements (2026–2030) for new/rehabilitated facilities in communities where fishing drives the economy. Prioritizes small facilities (<50 employees); 50% of funds for them. Authorizes $10 million annually. Evaluates based on relevance, merit, feasibility, and community benefits.

Subtitle B: Working Waterfronts Preservation

• Grant Program (Sec. 311): NOAA's Economic Development Administration awards grants (up to 50% cost share) to protect/improve "working waterfronts" (land for fishing, mariculture, recreational charters, or boatbuilding). Eligible projects include wharf repairs, access enhancements, climate-resilient upgrades, or permanent protections (e.g., easements). Prohibits eminent domain. Authorizes $20 million annually (2026–2030). Prioritizes economic impact and community need.

Title IV: Workforce Development

• Maritime Workforce Grants (Sec. 401): Adds a DOT Maritime Administration program for competitive grants to train/recruit maritime workers (e.g., for licensed seafaring roles). Supports training programs, certifications, high school education, teacher development, scholarships/apprenticeships, outreach to underrepresented/rural groups. At least 25% to rural areas. Authorizes $25 million annually (2026–2030).
• Fishing Vessel Safety Enhancements (Sec. 402): Amends commercial fishing safety laws to include grants for training on health risks (e.g., substance use, fatigue) alongside weather detection. Doubles funding to $6 million annually (2026–2030) and allows transfers to HHS for administration.

Title V: Miscellaneous

Subtitle A: Ocean Innovation

• Ocean Innovation Clusters (Secs. 501–503): Designates at least 7 regional clusters (non-profits leading business/academic/government partnerships) to grow the "Blue Economy" (sustainable ocean-related industries like fishing, energy, tourism). Ensures geographic diversity (e.g., Great Lakes, Gulf). Provides grants up to $10 million (2-year terms, renewable) for operations, aiming for self-sustainability. Focuses on innovation, workforce, supply chains, and resilience. Authorizes $10 million annually (2026–2030). Establishes collaboration centers in each region.

Subtitle B: Vegetated Coastal Ecosystems and Great Lakes Ecosystems

• Interagency Working Group and Mapping (Secs. 511–513): Creates a group under the National Science and Technology Council to map/inventory coastal wetlands (e.g., marshes, mangroves) and Great Lakes ecosystems, assessing condition, carbon storage, climate risks, and restoration potential. Incorporates federal/state/Tribal data for assessments and technical aid.
• Cold Climate Pilot Grants (Sec. 514): NOAA awards grants via Sea Grant for natural infrastructure pilots/research (e.g., vegetation barriers against erosion/storms) in cold areas like the Arctic. Eligible: governments, Tribes, academics, non-profits. Authorizes $3 million annually (2026–2027).

Subtitle C: Ocean Acidification

• Collaboration Improvements (Secs. 521–523): Amends the 2009 Ocean Acidification Act to enhance stakeholder input (e.g., Tribes, Native Hawaiians, industry), add Tribal/Native Hawaiian reps to advisory board, require engagement policies, and promote collaboration on vulnerability assessments/research plans. Includes technical fixes for clarity.

Subtitle D: Other Matters

• Invasive Species Program Transfer (Sec. 531): Moves the Coastal Aquatic Invasive Species Mitigation Grant Program to the 1990 Nonindigenous Act, expands eligibility (e.g., Tribes, aquaculture protection), removes references to a foundation, and authorizes $5 million annually (2026–2030) for grants to prevent invasives in water infrastructure.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Tax Code (Internal Revenue Code): Adds new Section 48F for hydropower credits, integrates with elective payment/transfer rules (Secs. 6417, 6418), and updates recapture provisions—expands clean energy incentives to include environmental dam upgrades and marine tech.
• Farm and Credit Laws: Broadens USDA/Farm Credit Act definitions to treat fishing/processing as agriculture, enabling loans/grants previously unavailable to aquatic sectors.
• Fishery and Environmental Acts: Increases funding allocations (e.g., Saltonstall-Kennedy), adds mariculture to algal bloom programs, transfers invasive species authority, and strengthens ocean acidification collaboration with Tribal inclusion.
• Safety and Workforce Laws: Enhances fishing vessel safety training (46 U.S.C. §4502) to cover health risks; adds maritime training grants (46 U.S.C. Ch. 517).
• Innovation Framework: Creates new cluster designations and amends the Technology Innovation Act for Blue Economy grants.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload/funding for NOAA (e.g., pilots, prizes, mapping), USDA (loans, grants), DOT (workforce), and interagency groups; promotes coordination but may strain budgets without full appropriations.
• Citizens and Communities: Boosts economic opportunities in rural coastal areas through infrastructure/jobs, safer fishing, and sustainable practices; aids small businesses/Tribes in accessing federal aid, potentially reducing poverty and enhancing food security via local processing.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but supports U.S. maritime competitiveness (e.g., alternative fuels, innovation clusters) and environmental goals (e.g., carbon sequestration mapping), aligning with global climate efforts without binding commitments.
• Environment: Encourages eco-friendly upgrades (e.g., fish passage, natural infrastructure, acidification monitoring), potentially improving habitat resilience and reducing emissions, though implementation depends on funding.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Rural Coastal Communities and Fishers: Primary beneficiaries via grants/loans for processing, vessels, and waterfronts; includes small operators (<50 employees) and young/underserved entrants.
• Maritime Industries: Commercial fishing, mariculture, boatbuilding, and recreational sectors gain from infrastructure, training, and innovation support.
• Tribal and Native Hawaiian Groups: Expanded inclusion in grants, consultations, and acidification efforts; protections for underserved areas.
• Businesses and Non-Profits: Eligible for clusters, loans, and prizes; focuses on sustainable supply chains and R&D.
• Federal/State Agencies: NOAA, USDA, DOT, and others implement programs, with new interagency roles.
• Environment and Science Community: Researchers/academics benefit from mapping, pilots, and prizes advancing sustainability.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Emphasizes voluntary participation (e.g., no eminent domain for waterfronts) and cost-sharing (e.g., 50% for grants), reducing litigation risks. Amendments ensure compliance with existing frameworks like Endangered Species Act for energy projects. Tribal consultation aligns with federal trust responsibilities.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; supports Commerce Clause powers over interstate waters/economy and promotes equal protection via outreach to underrepresented groups, without infringing on states' rights (requires state endorsements for some projects).
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., Murkowski, Collins, King) highlights rural/coastal priorities; focuses on economic resilience amid climate challenges, potentially bridging environmental and industry interests. Authorizations (totaling ~$150M+ annually) signal commitment but depend on appropriations, influencing future budgets.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

Cosponsors (2)

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
• 2025-06-05: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (74 pages)