Proposed Changes to the North Pacific Research Board

Original title: North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

Last action · October 14, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.Sponsors: Dan Sullivan and 1 other

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill updates how the North Pacific Research Board operates by adding a new seat for an Alaska Native representative and creating flexibility for administrative spending. It also sets a new deadline for releasing research funds and provides a temporary waiver for administrative cost caps.

Why it matters

The bill changes the composition of the board that oversees research funding in the North Pacific and allows for higher administrative spending during years when total available funding decreases, which could impact the amount of money available for direct research grants.

Background

The North Pacific Research Board was established to provide scientific information to support sustainable management of marine resources in the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Alaska Natives

A new board seat is created specifically to represent Alaska Native interests and subsistence knowledge.

Directly affected

North Pacific Research Board

The board's membership structure, administrative spending limits, and funding release timelines are modified.

Directly affected

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Administrator is granted new authority to adjust administrative spending caps based on annual funding levels.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will represent Alaska Natives on the board?

The bill creates a new seat for a member who possesses personal knowledge of and direct experience with , nominated by the Board and appointed by the Secretary.

Can the board spend more than 15% on administration?

Yes, under specific conditions where annual funding decreases, the NOAA Administrator may increase the cap, and there is a general 4-year waiver of the cap starting upon enactment.

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Where This Stands

Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.

Procedural history

5 actions

Oct 14, 2025Senate
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.
Oct 14, 2025Senate
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.
May 21, 2025Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jan 22, 2025SenateCommittee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 22, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced in Senate

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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