North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

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Latest Action

Oct 14, 2025

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.

Summaries (1)

Introduced in Senate - Jan 22, 2025 00

North Pacific Research Board Enhancement ActThis bill makes certain changes to the North Pacific Research Board, including changes to the board’s composition and allocations for funding for administrative expenses. The board sets research priorities and administers grants to support research on fisheries and marine ecosystems in the waters surrounding Alaska.Specifically, this bill adds to the board one additional member to represent Alaska Natives. This board member must have personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses of resources (the practice of relying on the surrounding environment as a source of food and material). The bill also imposes a three-year term limit on those board members representing fishing interests and Alaska Natives, and permits such members to serve one additional term upon reappointment.With respect to funding, under current law the board may use up to 15% of grant program funding for administrative expenses (e.g., support for the board and grant administration). Under the bill, if the program's total funding in a given fiscal year is less than its total funding in the prior fiscal year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15% cap on administrative expenses for that fiscal year. Any such increase must prioritize supporting the board’s continued operation, maximizing funds directed to research, and maintaining high-quality grant administration. Further, the bill waives the 15% cap altogether for five years following the bill’s enactment.

Actions (6)

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.

Type: Calendars | Source: Senate

Oct 14, 2025

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-80.

Type: Committee | Source: Senate

Oct 14, 2025

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-80.

Type: Committee | Source: Library of Congress | Code: 14000

Oct 14, 2025

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Type: Committee | Source: Senate

May 21, 2025

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Type: IntroReferral | Source: Senate

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Type: IntroReferral | Source: Library of Congress | Code: 10000

Jan 22, 2025

Subjects (6)

Advisory bodies Alaska Alaska Natives and Hawaiians Marine and coastal resources, fisheries Research administration and funding Science, Technology, Communications (Policy Area)

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

(R-AK)
Jan 22, 2025

Text Versions (2)

Reported to Senate

Oct 14, 2025

PDF ↗ XML ↗

Introduced in Senate

Jan 22, 2025

PDF ↗ XML ↗

Full Bill Text

Length: 7,079 characters Version: Reported to Senate Version Date: Oct 14, 2025 Last Updated: Nov 12, 2025 6:12 AM

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 190 Reported in Senate

(RS) ]

<DOC>

Calendar No. 189
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 190

[Report No. 119-80]

To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 22, 2025

Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation

October 14, 2025

Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>

SECTION 1.

<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``North Pacific Research
Board Enhancement Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>

SEC. 2.

<DELETED>

(a) Amendments.--

Section 401 (e) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.

(e) of the Department of the
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C.
1474d

(e) ) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED>

(1) in paragraph

(3) --</DELETED>
<DELETED>
(A) in subparagraph
(L) , by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED>
(B) in subparagraph
(M) , by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED>
(C) in subparagraph
(N) , by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and'';</DELETED>
<DELETED>
(D) by inserting after subparagraph
(N) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``
(O) one member who shall represent
Alaska Natives and possesses personal knowledge of, and
direct experience with, subsistence uses and shall be
nominated by the Board and appointed by the
Secretary.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED>
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``Board members appointed under subparagraphs
(N) and
(O) shall serve for 3-year terms, and may be
reappointed once.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED>

(2) in paragraph

(4)
(B) , by striking ``Not more
than 15 percent'' and inserting ``Except as provided in
paragraph

(5) , not more than 15 percent'';</DELETED>
<DELETED>

(3) by redesignating paragraph

(5) as paragraph

(6) ; and</DELETED>
<DELETED>

(4) by inserting after paragraph

(4) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``

(5) If the amount made available for a fiscal
year under subsection
(c) (2) is less than the amount made
available for the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may
increase the 15 percent cap on administrative expenses provided
under paragraph

(4)
(B) for that fiscal year to prioritize--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``
(A) continuing operation of the
Board;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``
(B) maximizing the percentage of funds
directed to research; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``
(C) maintaining the highest quality
standards in administering grants under this
subsection.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>

(b) Waiver.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act and ending on the date that is 5 years after such date of
enactment, the 15 percent cap on funds to provide support for the North
Pacific Research Board and administer grants under

section 401 (e) (4) (B) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.

(e)

(4)
(B) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C. 1474d

(e)

(4)
(B) ) shall be waived.</DELETED>

SECTION 1.

This Act may be cited as the ``North Pacific Research Board
Enhancement Act''.

SEC. 2.

(a) Amendments.--

Section 401 (e) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.

(e) of the Department of the Interior
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C. 1474d

(e) ) is
amended--

(1) in paragraph

(1) , by striking ``Funds available under
subsection
(c) (2) shall be used'' and inserting ``Not later
than 14 days after the start of each fiscal year, funds shall
be made available under subsection
(c) (2) '';

(2) in paragraph

(3) --
(A) in subparagraph
(L) , by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph
(M) , by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon;
(C) in subparagraph
(N) , by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and'';
(D) by inserting after subparagraph
(N) the
following:
``
(O) one member who shall represent Alaska Natives
and possesses personal knowledge of, and direct
experience with, subsistence uses and shall be
nominated by the Board and appointed by the
Secretary.''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following: ``Board
members appointed under subparagraphs
(N) and
(O) shall
serve for 3-year terms, and may be reappointed once.'';

(3) in paragraph

(4)
(B) , by striking ``Not more than 15
percent'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph

(5) ,
not more than 15 percent'';

(4) by redesignating paragraph

(5) as paragraph

(6) ; and

(5) by inserting after paragraph

(4) the following:
``

(5) If the amount made available for a fiscal year under
subsection
(c) (2) is less than the amount made available for
the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15
percent cap on administrative expenses provided under paragraph

(4)
(B) for that fiscal year to prioritize--
``
(A) continuing operation of the Board;
``
(B) maximizing the percentage of funds directed
to research; and
``
(C) maintaining the highest quality standards in
administering grants under this subsection.''.

(b) Waiver.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and
ending on the date that is 4 years after such date of enactment, the 15
percent cap on funds to provide support for the North Pacific Research
Board and administer grants under

section 401 (e) (4) (B) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.

(e)

(4)
(B) of the
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
1998 (43 U.S.C. 1474d

(e)

(4)
(B) ) shall be waived.
Calendar No. 189

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 190

[Report No. 119-80]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

_______________________________________________________________________

October 14, 2025

Reported with an amendment

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 190 Reported in Senate

    (RS) ]

<DOC>

 Calendar No. 189
119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 190

 [Report No. 119-80]

 To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 January 22, 2025

 Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following 
 bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
 Science, and Transportation

 October 14, 2025

 Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
 in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``North Pacific Research 
Board Enhancement Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>

SEC. 2. NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD ENHANCEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>

    (a) Amendments.--

Section 401

    (e) of the Department of the 
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C. 
1474d

    (e) ) is amended--</DELETED>
 <DELETED>

    (1) in paragraph

    (3) --</DELETED>
 <DELETED>
        (A) in subparagraph
            (L) , by striking 
 ``and'' after the semicolon;</DELETED>
 <DELETED>
        (B) in subparagraph
            (M) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
 <DELETED>
            (C) in subparagraph
        (N) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``; and'';</DELETED>
 <DELETED>
            (D) by inserting after subparagraph
        (N) the following:</DELETED>
 <DELETED> ``
        (O) one member who shall represent 
 Alaska Natives and possesses personal knowledge of, and 
 direct experience with, subsistence uses and shall be 
 nominated by the Board and appointed by the 
 Secretary.''; and</DELETED>
 <DELETED>
        (E) by adding at the end the following: 
 ``Board members appointed under subparagraphs
        (N) and
        (O) shall serve for 3-year terms, and may be 
 reappointed once.'';</DELETED>
 <DELETED>

    (2) in paragraph

    (4)
        (B) , by striking ``Not more 
 than 15 percent'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
 paragraph

    (5) , not more than 15 percent'';</DELETED>
 <DELETED>

    (3) by redesignating paragraph

    (5) as paragraph

    (6) ; and</DELETED>
 <DELETED>

    (4) by inserting after paragraph

    (4) the 
 following:</DELETED>
 <DELETED> ``

    (5) If the amount made available for a fiscal 
 year under subsection
            (c) (2) is less than the amount made 
 available for the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of 
 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may 
 increase the 15 percent cap on administrative expenses provided 
 under paragraph

    (4)
        (B) for that fiscal year to prioritize--
 </DELETED>
 <DELETED> ``
        (A) continuing operation of the 
 Board;</DELETED>
 <DELETED> ``
        (B) maximizing the percentage of funds 
 directed to research; and</DELETED>
 <DELETED> ``
            (C) maintaining the highest quality 
 standards in administering grants under this 
 subsection.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>

    (b) Waiver.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this 
Act and ending on the date that is 5 years after such date of 
enactment, the 15 percent cap on funds to provide support for the North 
Pacific Research Board and administer grants under 

section 401

    (e)

    (4)
        (B) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C. 1474d

    (e)

    (4)
        (B) ) shall be waived.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``North Pacific Research Board 
Enhancement Act''.

SEC. 2. NORTH PACIFIC RESEARCH BOARD ENHANCEMENT.

    (a) Amendments.--

Section 401

    (e) of the Department of the Interior 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (43 U.S.C. 1474d

    (e) ) is 
amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (1) , by striking ``Funds available under 
 subsection
            (c) (2) shall be used'' and inserting ``Not later 
 than 14 days after the start of each fiscal year, funds shall 
 be made available under subsection
            (c) (2) '';

    (2) in paragraph

    (3) --
        (A) in subparagraph
            (L) , by striking ``and'' after 
 the semicolon;
        (B) in subparagraph
            (M) , by striking the period at 
 the end and inserting a semicolon;
            (C) in subparagraph
        (N) , by striking the period at 
 the end and inserting ``; and'';
            (D) by inserting after subparagraph
        (N) the 
 following:
 ``
        (O) one member who shall represent Alaska Natives 
 and possesses personal knowledge of, and direct 
 experience with, subsistence uses and shall be 
 nominated by the Board and appointed by the 
 Secretary.''; and
        (E) by adding at the end the following: ``Board 
 members appointed under subparagraphs
        (N) and
        (O) shall 
 serve for 3-year terms, and may be reappointed once.'';

    (3) in paragraph

    (4)
        (B) , by striking ``Not more than 15 
 percent'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph

    (5) , 
 not more than 15 percent'';

    (4) by redesignating paragraph

    (5) as paragraph

    (6) ; and

    (5) by inserting after paragraph

    (4) the following:
 ``

    (5) If the amount made available for a fiscal year under 
 subsection
            (c) (2) is less than the amount made available for 
 the previous fiscal year, the Administrator of the National 
 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15 
 percent cap on administrative expenses provided under paragraph

    (4)
        (B) for that fiscal year to prioritize--
 ``
        (A) continuing operation of the Board;
 ``
        (B) maximizing the percentage of funds directed 
 to research; and
 ``
            (C) maintaining the highest quality standards in 
 administering grants under this subsection.''.

    (b) Waiver.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and 
ending on the date that is 4 years after such date of enactment, the 15 
percent cap on funds to provide support for the North Pacific Research 
Board and administer grants under 

section 401

    (e)

    (4)
        (B) of the 
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
1998 (43 U.S.C. 1474d

    (e)

    (4)
        (B) ) shall be waived.
 Calendar No. 189

119th CONGRESS

 1st Session

 S. 190

 [Report No. 119-80]

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board.

_______________________________________________________________________

 October 14, 2025

 Reported with an amendment

View original source ↗

119-s190