[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1332 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1332
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and carry out a
program to sequence the genomes of aquatic species.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 13, 2025
Mr. Min (for himself, Ms. Brownley, and Ms. Elfreth) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish and carry out a
program to sequence the genomes of aquatic species.
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 ``Aquatic Biodiversity Preservation
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. AQUATIC SPECIES GENOME SEQUENCING PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and carry out a
program to sequence the genomes of aquatic species, in coordination
with covered entities, to enhance scientific understanding and
conservation, management, and enforcement efforts with respect to such
species.
(b) Program Duties.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary
shall carry out activities that include the following:
(1) Identify and catalogue vouchered specimens, verifiably
identified by a taxonomist, of aquatic species held by covered
entities for the purpose of including such aquatic species in
the Program.
(2) Obtain genetic samples, including through purchase or
field collection, of priority species.
(3) Extract and process DNA from samples of aquatic species
or the environment through laboratory analysis, including
carrying out any labor and acquiring any supplies required for
such analysis.
(4) Sequence the genomes of aquatic species to accepted
completeness and quality standards for reference genomes,
including, as the Secretary determines appropriate, nuclear,
mitochondrial, and chloroplast DNA.
(5) Collect, catalogue, and store the metadata created by
sequencing the genomes of aquatic species under paragraph (4).
(6) Make publicly available the genomes and associated
metadata of aquatic species that have been sequenced but are
not publicly available.
(7) Provide funding and technical assistance to covered
entities that the Secretary determines appropriate to carry out
the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (6).
(8) Establish principles for the management and sharing of
data collected and produced through the Program in accordance
with the document titled ``The FAIR Guiding Principles for
scientific data management and stewardship'' (published March
15, 2016).
(c) Program Participation by Covered Entities.--A covered entity
may carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of
subsection (b) pursuant to the Program.
(d) Data Sharing.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), if
the Secretary or a covered entity sequences the genome of an
aquatic species pursuant to the Program, not later than 360
days after the date on which the sequencing of such genome is
completed, the Secretary or the covered entity that sequenced
such genome, as applicable, shall submit to the National Center
for Biotechnology Information to make publicly available such
sequenced genome and any associated raw sequence data and
metadata, including--
(A) the species of such genome;
(B) the location of where the sample that was used
to sequence such genome was collected;
(C) the time and date of when such sample was
collected;
(D) the process by which such genome was sequenced;
and
(E) any information required pursuant to the
principles for the management and sharing of data
collected and produced through the Program established
under subsection (b)(8).
(2) Exception for tribal governments.--If, pursuant to the
Program, a Tribal Government sequences the genome of an aquatic
species or provides a sample of an aquatic species to the
Secretary that the Secretary uses to sequence the genome of
such species, the Tribal Government shall be the only entity
with the authority to determine whether and when to submit to
the National Center for Biotechnology Information to make
publicly available the data collected and produced through such
sequencing.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $2,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2031.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Aquatic species of greatest conservation need.--The
term ``aquatic species of greatest conservation need'' means an
aquatic species that, unless otherwise specified, the Secretary
determines requires conservation attention because such
species--
(A) has a low or declining population;
(B) is facing threats; or
(C) is considered by a Tribal Government or Native
Hawaiian organization to be biologically or culturally
significant for indigenous purposes.
(2) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means--
(A) a Federal agency;
(B) a State Government;
(C) a Tribal Government;
(D) a Native Hawaiian organization;
(E) a nonprofit organization; and
(F) an institution of higher education.
(3) Harmful algal bloom.--The term ``harmful algal bloom''
has the meaning given the term in section 609 of the Harmful
Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33
U.S.C. 4008).
(4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(6) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native
Hawaiian organization''--
(A) means an organization that--
(i) serves and represents the interests of
Native Hawaiians;
(ii) has as a primary and stated purpose
the provision of services to Native Hawaiians;
and
(iii) has expertise in Native Hawaiian
affairs; and
(B) includes Native Hawaiian organizations
registered with the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations
of the Department of the Interior.
(7) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization--
(A) described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986; and
(B) that is exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of that Code.
(8) Priority species.--The term ``priority species'' means
an aquatic species--
(A) the genome of which has not been fully
sequenced or is not publicly available; and
(B) that is--
(i) listed as a threatened species or as an
endangered species pursuant to section 4 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1533);
(ii) included in the Non-indigenous Aquatic
Species database of the United States
Geological Survey;
(iii) listed in 1 of the Appendices of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;
(iv) a macroinvertebrate that acts as a
biological indicator of aquatic ecosystem
health;
(v) a species that contributes to harmful
algal blooms or a foodborne illness derived
from eating seafood;
(vi) a species of fish that is managed
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801);
(vii) an aquatic species of greatest
conservation need;
(viii) a species protected under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361
et seq.);
(ix) a species monitored under the Seafood
Import Monitoring Program of the National
Marine Fisheries Service; or
(x) a look-alike species or a species that
is morphologically or genetically closely
related to a species described in clauses (i)
through (x).
(9) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program
established under subsection (a).
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(11) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and
any other territory or possession of the United States.
(12) Tribal government.--The term ``Tribal Government''
means the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe.
(g) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date
that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.
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