Saving the OOI Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4822
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-18: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-29T13:14:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to prevent the National Science Foundation from immediately decommissioning or reducing the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments using federal funds. It requires a full review of the initiative before any such actions can occur.
Key Provisions
- Prohibits the National Science Foundation from using any federal funds to descope or decommission Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments located off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and North Carolina, as well as in the Irminger Sea.
- The prohibition remains in effect until the National Science Foundation completes a thorough review of the initiative, including input from scientific and coastal communities.
- Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to maintain full operations and consistent monitoring in all affected states until the review is finished.
- The bill is titled the "Saving the OOI Act of 2026."
Significant Changes to Existing Law The act introduces a temporary restriction on the National Science Foundation's authority to alter or end the Ocean Observatories Initiative, overriding other laws through the "notwithstanding any other provision of law" clause. It mandates continued operations pending stakeholder-engaged review, rather than allowing standard agency decision-making processes to proceed.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The National Science Foundation must sustain current operations and conduct a specified review, potentially delaying any planned changes.
- On citizens: Continued ocean monitoring in coastal states could support ongoing data collection relevant to marine environments.
- On international relations: Operations in the Irminger Sea would remain active during the review period.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The National Science Foundation and its leadership.
- Scientific communities involved in ocean research.
- Coastal communities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and North Carolina.
- Broader stakeholders with interests in the Irminger Sea monitoring site.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The legislation limits agency discretion in funding and operational decisions for a specific scientific program. It emphasizes stakeholder engagement in the review process and establishes a statutory hold on decommissioning actions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-18: Held at the desk.
- 2026-06-18: Received in the House.
- 2026-06-18: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2026-06-17: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2885-2886; text: CR S2885-2886)
- 2026-06-17: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.
- 2026-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Saving the OOI Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (2 pages)
- Saving the OOI Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (4 pages)