What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act This 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
Action Timeline
2025-10-14
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.
2025-10-14
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.
2025-10-14
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.
2025-05-21
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2025-01-22
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2025-01-22
Introduced in Senate
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.190 pass?
S.190 is still alive. Current stage: REPORTED. Pass likelihood: 38%.
What does S.190 do?
North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act This 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 surro…
Who sponsored S.190?
S.190 was sponsored by Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).
Full Bill Text
119 S190 RS: North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act U.S. Senate 2025-10-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II Calendar No. 189 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 190 [Report No. 119–80] 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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act . 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 (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. ; (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 ; (3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (4) 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 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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act . 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. October 14, 2025 Reported with an amendment
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