[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6235 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6235
To amend the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act
of 1998 to address harmful algal blooms, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 6, 2023
Ms. Bonamici (for herself and Mr. Joyce of Ohio) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources,
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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act
of 1998 to address harmful algal blooms, 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
Research and Control Amendments Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND
CONTROL ACT OF 1998.
(a) Assessments.--Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Blooms and
Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Inter-
Agency Task Force'' and inserting ``Interagency Working
Group''; and
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``an Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal
Blooms and Hypoxia.'' and inserting ``an Interagency
Working Group on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
(hereafter referred to as the `Task Force').'';
(2) by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), and
(i) and redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections
(b) and (c), respectively;
(3) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``coastal waters
including the Great Lakes'' and inserting ``marine and
freshwater systems''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) examine the causes and ecological
consequences of low oxygen on marine and aquatic
species in their natural environments, the social and
economic costs of hypoxia, and the cultural impacts of
hypoxia;'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B)
through (D) as subparagraphs (C) through (E),
respectively;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A)
the following new subparagraph:
``(B) examine the effect of other environmental
stressors on hypoxia;'';
(iv) in subparagraph (C), as so
redesignated, by inserting ``, social,'' after
``ecological''; and
(v) in subparagraph (D), as so
redesignated, by striking ``hypoxia modeling
and monitoring data'' and inserting ``hypoxia
modeling, forecasting, and monitoring and
observation data''; and
(4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by mending such
subsection to read as follows:
``(c) Action Strategy and Scientific Assessment for Marine and
Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms.--
``(1) Not less often than once every five years, the Task
Force shall complete and submit to Congress an action strategy,
including a scientific assessment, for harmful algal blooms in
the United States (in this Act referred to as the `Action
Strategy'). Each such Action Strategy, including scientific
assessment, shall examine both marine and freshwater harmful
algal blooms, including those in the Great Lakes and upper
reaches of estuaries, those in freshwater lakes and rivers, and
those that originate in freshwater lakes or rivers and migrate
to coastal waters.
``(2) Each Action Strategy under this subsection shall--
``(A) examine the causes and ecological
consequences, and the economic, social, and cultural
impacts of harmful algal blooms;
``(B) examine the effect of other environmental
stressors on harmful algal blooms;
``(C) examine potential methods to prevent,
control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and the
potential ecological, social, cultural, and economic
costs and benefits of such methods;
``(D) identify priorities for research needed to
advance techniques and technologies to detect, predict,
monitor, respond to, and minimize the occurrence,
duration, and severity of harmful algal blooms,
including recommendations to eliminate significant gaps
in harmful algal bloom forecasting, monitoring, and
observation data;
``(E) evaluate progress made by, and the needs of,
Task Force activities and actions to prevent, control,
and mitigate harmful algal blooms;
``(F) identify ways to improve coordination and
prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal
departments and agencies with respect to research on
harmful algal blooms; and
``(G) include regional chapters relating to the
requirements described in this paragraph in order to
highlight geographically and ecologically diverse
locations with significant ecological, social,
cultural, and economic impacts from harmful algal
blooms.''.
(b) Consultations.--Section 102 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and
Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 (33 U.S.C. 4001a) is amended--
(1) by striking ``the coastal'';
(2) by inserting ``and'' after ``Indian tribes,'';
(3) by inserting ``and'' after ``local governments,''; and
(4) by striking ``with expertise in coastal zone science
and management''.
(c) National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program.--Section 603A
of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of
1998 (33 U.S.C. 4002) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``predicting,''
and inserting ``monitoring, observing, forecasting,'';
and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``comprehensive
research plan and action strategy under section 603B''
and inserting ``the Action Strategy, including
scientific assessment, under section 603(c)'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``ocean and Great
Lakes'' and inserting ``marine, estuarian, and
freshwater systems''; and
(B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``while
recognizing each agency is acting under its own
independent mission and authority'' before the
semicolon;
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``Except as provided in
subsection (h), the'' and inserting ``The'';
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) examine, in collaboration with State, local, and
Tribal entities, including island communities, low-population
rural communities, Indigenous communities, subsistence
communities, fisheries, and recreation industries that are most
dependent on coastal and water resources that may be impacted
by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, the
causes, ecological consequences, cultural impacts, and social
and economic costs of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;'';
(B) by striking paragraph (3);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)
as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively;
(D) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``to, regional'' and
inserting ``to regional''; and
(ii) by striking ``agencies'' and inserting
``entities, and regional coastal observing
systems (as such term is defined in section
12330(6) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C.
3602(6)))'';
(E) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by
inserting ``and communities'' after ``ecosystems'';
(F) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following
new paragraph:
``(6) support sustained observations to provide State,
local, and Tribal entities and others access to real-time or
near real-time observation data for decision-making to protect
human and ecological health and local economies;'';
(G) in paragraph (8), by striking ``State and
local'' and inserting ``State, local, and Tribal''; and
(H) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking ``tribal'' and
inserting ``Tribal'';
(5) by amending subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
``(f) Cooperative Efforts.--The Under Secretary shall work
cooperatively with and avoid duplication of effort of other agencies on
the Task Force, and with and of States, Indian tribes, and
nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine and freshwater
issues, and shall coordinate harmful algal bloom and hypoxia and
related activities and research.
``(g) Freshwater Program Duties.--The Administrator, in
coordination with the Task Force, shall carry out the duties under
subsection (e) for freshwater aspects of the Program.'';
(6) by striking subsection (h); and
(7) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (h).
(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by amending section
603B (33 U.S.C. 4003) to read as follows:
``SEC. 603B. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
ACTIVITIES.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall--
``(1) carry out marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful
algal bloom and hypoxia events response activities;
``(2) develop and enhance operational harmful algal bloom
observing and forecasting programs, including operational
observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data
management, and information dissemination;
``(3) maintain and enhance the existing peer-reviewed,
merit-based, competitive grant funding relating to harmful
algal blooms and hypoxia to--
``(A) maintain and enhance baseline monitoring
programs established by the Program;
``(B) support the projects maintained and
established by the Program;
``(C) address the research and management needs and
priorities identified in the Action Strategy under
section 603(c);
``(D) accelerate the utilization of effective
methods of intervention and mitigation to reduce the
frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal bloom
and hypoxia events;
``(E) identify opportunities to improve monitoring
of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia, with a particular
focus on coastal waters that may affect fisheries,
public health, or subsistence harvest;
``(F) examine the effects of other environmental
stressors on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
``(G) assess the effects of multiple environmental
stressors on living marine resources and coastal
ecosystems; and
``(H) evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies
to address the impacts of harmful algal blooms and
hypoxia;
``(4) enhance communication and coordination among Federal
agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom
and hypoxia activities and research;
``(5) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing
resources and expertise available from local research
universities and institutions; and
``(6) use cost effective methods in carrying out this
section.
``(b) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--The
collection of monitoring and observing data under this section shall
comply with all data standards and protocols developed pursuant to the
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C.
3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made available through the system
established under that Act.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is amended by
amending the item relating to section 603B to read as follows:
``Sec. 603B. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
activities.''.
(e) Environmental Protection Agency Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by inserting after
section 603B, as amended by subsection (d), the following new
section:
``SEC. 603C. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES.
``The Administrator shall--
``(1) carry out research on the ecology and human health
impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms;
``(2) develop and maintain forecasting and monitoring of,
and event response to, freshwater harmful algal blooms in
lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and estuaries (including tributaries
thereof);
``(3) enhance communication and coordination among Federal
agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal bloom and
hypoxia activities and research;
``(4) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing
resources and expertise available from local research
universities and institutions; and
``(5) use cost effective methods in carrying out this
section.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is amended by
inserting after the time relating to section 603B, as amended
by subsection (e), the following new item:
``Sec. 603C. Environmental Protection Agency activities.''.
(f) National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Observing Network.--
(1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by amending section
606 (33 U.S.C. 4005) to read as follows:
``SEC. 606. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM OBSERVING NETWORK.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, acting through the National
Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and the Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, shall establish a national network of harmful algal
bloom observing systems for the monitoring, detection, and forecasting
of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the capacity of IOOS regional
associations, including through the incorporation of emerging
technologies and new data integration methods, such as artificial
intelligence.
``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the IOOS
Program Office shall--
``(1) coordinate with NCCOS regarding observations, data
integration, and information dissemination; and
``(2) establish a Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly Center
to integrate, disseminate, and provide a central architecture
to support ecological forecasting.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is amended by
amending the item relating to section 606 to read as follows:
``Sec. 606. National harmful algal bloom observing network.''.
(g) Definitions.--Section 609 of the Harmful Algal Blooms and
Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4008) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``means the comprehensive
research plan and action strategy established under section
603B'' and inserting ``means the action strategy, including
scientific assessment, for marine and freshwater harmful algal
blooms established under section 603(c)'';
(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Appropriate federal official.--The term `appropriate
Federal official' means--
``(A) in the case of coastal hypoxia or harmful
algal bloom event, including those in estuarine areas,
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere; and
``(B) in the case of a freshwater hypoxia or
harmful algal bloom event, the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere.''.
(3) by striking paragraph (9);
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8)
as paragraphs (6), (7), (9), (10), and (11);
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraphs:
``(4) Harmful algal bloom; harmful algal bloom and hypoxia
event.--
``(A) Harmful algal bloom.--The term `harmful algal
bloom' means marine or freshwater algae or macroalgae,
including Sargassum, that proliferate to high
concentrations, resulting in nuisance conditions or
harmful impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems,
communities, or human health through the production of
toxic compounds or other biological, chemical, or
physical impacts of the algae outbreak.
``(B) Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event.--The
term `harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event' means the
occurrence of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia as a
result of a natural, anthropogenic, or undetermined
cause.
``(5) Harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance.--The term `event of significance' means a harmful
algal bloom or hypoxia event that has had or will likely have
significant detrimental environmental, economic, social,
subsistence use, or public health impacts.'';
(6) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated--
(A) by striking ``aquatic'' and inserting ``marine
or freshwater''; and
(B) by striking ``resident'' and inserting ``marine
or freshwater'';
(7) by inserting after paragraph (7), as so redesignated,
the following new paragraph:
``(9 - 8) Subsistence use.--The term `subsistence use'
means the customary and traditional use of fish, wildlife, or
other freshwater, coastal, or marine resources by any
individual or community to meet personal or family needs,
including essential economic, nutritional, or cultural
applications.''; and
(8) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated, by striking
``Inter-Agency Task Force'' and inserting ``Interagency Working
Group''.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 610 of the Harmful
Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C.
4009) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Under Secretary to carry out this title $34,600,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Transfer Authority.--The Under Secretary is authorized to
make a direct non-expenditure transfer of funds authorized to be
appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) to the head of any Federal
department or agency, with the concurrence of such head, to carry out,
as appropriate, relevant provisions of this title.''.
(i) National Level Incubator Program; Harmful Algal Bloom or
Hypoxia Event of Significance.--
(1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia
Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by adding at the
end the following new sections:
``SEC. 611. NATIONAL LEVEL INCUBATOR PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with
research universities and institutions, shall establish a national
level incubator program to increase the number of available control
strategies and technologies relating to harmful algal blooms. Such
incubator shall establish a framework for preliminary assessments of
novel harmful algal bloom prevention, mitigation, and control
technologies in order to determine the potential for effectiveness and
scalability.
``(b) Operation.--The incubator under subsection (a) shall provide
merit-based funding for harmful algal bloom control strategies and
technologies that eliminate or reduce through biological, chemical, or
physical means the levels of harmful algae and associated toxins.
``(c) Database.--The incubator under subsection (a) shall establish
a database to--
``(1) catalog the economic costs, feasibility,
effectiveness, and scalability of both novel and established
prevention, control, and mitigation measures; and
``(2) clarify the licensing and permitting requirements
regulating the application of such measures.
``(d) Prioritization.--In carrying out the incubator under
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall prioritize proposed
activities that would--
``(1) protect key habitats for fish and wildlife;
``(2) maintain biodiversity;
``(3) protect public health;
``(4) protect coastal resources of national, historical,
and cultural significance; and
``(5) benefit communities of color, low-income communities,
Tribal or Indigenous communities, and rural communities.
``SEC. 612. HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM OR HYPOXIA EVENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.
``(a) Event of Significance Fund.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a fund to be known as the `Harmful Algal
Bloom and Hypoxia Event of Significance Fund' (in this section
referred to as the `Fund').
``(2) Deposits into fund.--
``(A) In general.--There shall be deposited into
the Fund the following:
``(i) Amounts appropriated to the Fund.
``(ii) Amounts transferred to the Fund
under paragraph (3).
``(iii) Amounts received by the United
States in the form of gifts, devises, and
bequests under paragraph (4).
``(B) Availability.--Amounts deposited into the
Fund shall be available without fiscal year limitation.
``(3) Transfer authority.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, from amounts appropriated to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Under Secretary may
transfer up to $2,000,000 to the Fund each fiscal year.
``(4) Acceptance of donations.--For purposes of carrying
out this section, the Under Secretary may accept, solicit,
receive, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests
without any further approval or administrative action.
``(5) Contract, grant, and cooperative agreement
authority.--The Under Secretary may enter into agreements and
grants with States, Indian tribes, or local governments, or
other entities to pay for or reimburse costs incurred for the
purposes of supporting the determination of and assessing the
environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, and public
health effects of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance.
``(6) Steering committee.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 12 months after
the date of the enactment of this section, the
President, acting through the Under Secretary, shall
establish a steering committee to assist in evaluating
information and data submitted by eligible requesters
under subsection (b)(1) in the event of a harmful algal
bloom or hypoxia event of significance, in accordance
with the considerations described in subsection (c)(3)
and the Event of Significance Policy under subsection
(c).
``(B) Membership.--The steering committee
established under this paragraph shall consist of
individuals with knowledge and experience in aquatic or
marine science, harmful algal bloom or hypoxia science,
harmful algal bloom or hypoxia monitoring and
forecasting, or harmful algal bloom or hypoxia
prevention, mitigation, and control.
``(C) Charter.--The Under Secretary shall develop
and prescribe a charter for the steering committee
established under this paragraph. Such charter shall
reflect the full scope of the duties and activities of
the steering committee.
``(D) Exemption.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United
States Code, shall not apply to the steering committee
established under this paragraph.
``(7) Availability of funds.--Upon the submission of a
request for a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance determination under subsection (b), the
appropriate Federal official is authorized to make sums, from
funds appropriated to the Fund, available to the affected
State, local, or Tribal government for the purposes of
supporting the determination of and assessing the
environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, and public
health effects of such event.
``(b) Requests and Determinations.--
``(1) Eligible requesters.--Not later than two years after
the beginning date of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance, a request for a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia
event of significance determination may be submitted to the
appropriate Federal official, if the appropriate Federal
official has not independently determined that such an event of
significance has occurred, by any of the following:
``(A) The Governor of an affected State.
``(B) A leadership official of an affected Indian
Tribe.
``(C) The executive official of the District of
Columbia or a territory or possession of the United
States, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and
American Samoa, if affected.
``(D) Any other comparable elected or politically
appointed representative as determined by the
Secretary, if affected.
``(2) Harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance
determination.--At the discretion of an appropriate Federal
official, or at the request of an eligible requester under
subsection(b)(1), an appropriate Federal official, in
consultation with the Steering Committee and NOAA, shall
determine whether a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event is an
event of significance.
``(3) Considerations.--In making a determination under
paragraph (2), the appropriate Federal official shall consider
such factors as the following:
``(A) The risk to public health and the potential
severity of the detrimental environmental effects of
the harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event at issue.
``(B) The potential to spread, the potential
economic, social, and subsistence use impacts of such
event.
``(C) The relative magnitude of impacts in relation
to past occurrences of harmful algal blooms or hypoxia
events that occur on a recurrent or annual basis.
``(D) The geographic scope, including the potential
to affect several municipalities, to affect more than
one State, or to cross an international boundary.
``(4) Mitigation relief.--Upon determination that a harmful
algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance has occurred under
paragraph (2), the appropriate Federal official is authorized
to make sums available, from funds appropriated for such
purposes, to be used by the affected State, Tribal, or local
government, or by the Under Secretary in cooperation with the
affected State, local, or Tribal government, for the purposes
of mitigating the environmental, economic, social, subsistence,
and public health effects of such event.
``(c) Event of Significance Policy.--
``(1) Publication.--Not later than six months after the
date of the enactment of this section, the appropriate Federal
officials shall publish Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Event
of Significance policies for marine and coastal harmful algal
bloom or hypoxia events, and for freshwater harmful algal bloom
or hypoxia events, respectively. Each such policy shall include
the following:
``(A) Evaluation criteria and considerations to
inform the determination of a harmful algal bloom or
hypoxia event of significance under subsection (b)(3).
``(B) The type of supplementary information that an
affected State or other eligible requester described in
subsection (b)(1) may provide to accompany a harmful
algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance request.
``(C) Process and criteria for prioritizing and
evaluating multiple requests for a harmful algal bloom
or hypoxia event of significance determination.
``(2) Opportunity for comment.--Not later than 120 days
before publishing each final policy under paragraph (1), the
appropriate Federal officials shall publish a draft of each
such proposed policy in the Federal Register for a public
comment period of not less than 60 days.
``(d) Limitations.--
``(1) Federal share.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
the Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out under
this subsection may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of
such activity.
``(2) Waiver.--The appropriate Federal official may waive
the non-Federal share requirements of this subsection, if the
appropriate Federal official determines that--
``(A) no reasonable means are available through
which the recipient of the Federal share can meet the
non-Federal share requirement;
``(B) the probable benefit of 100 percent Federal
financing outweighs the public interest in imposition
of the non-Federal share; and
``(C) assistance is directed to support the
assessment or mitigation of a harmful algal bloom or
hypoxia event of significance affecting an Indian Tribe
or subsistence use.
``(3) Fishery failures.--
``(A) In general.--Any analysis of a commercial
fishery failure due to a fishery resource disaster
caused by a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance shall be conducted pursuant to an
appropriate request in accordance with the Magnusons-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
``(B) Fishery resource disaster relief.--No funds
available under this section may be used as part of
response relief for a declared fishery resource
disaster caused by a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia
event, pursuant to the Magnusons-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et
seq.).''.
(2) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents in section
2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 610 the following
new item:
``Sec. 611. National level incubator program.
``Sec. 612. Harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance.''.
<all>