Bill text replaced
This bill's text was replaced via an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Some metadata (subjects, policy area, committees) may reflect the original bill and not the current text.
Summary
The North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act would make changes to how the North Pacific Research Board operates. The board currently sets research priorities and distributes grants to support fisheries and marine ecosystem research in Alaska's waters. If enacted, this bill would add one new board member specifically representing Alaska Natives who has direct experience with subsistence practices—relying on the surrounding environment for food and materials. The bill would also limit board members representing fishing interests and Alaska Natives to three-year terms, with the possibility of serving one additional term if reappointed.
The bill would also modify how the board uses its funding. Currently, the board can spend up to 15 percent of grant program money on administrative expenses like staff and grant management. Under this bill, if the board's total funding decreases from one year to the next, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could increase that 15 percent cap for that fiscal year, while prioritizing the board's operations and research funding. Additionally, the bill would waive the 15 percent cap entirely for five years after the bill becomes law. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 21, 2025
HearingSenateMeeting
May 21, 2025 · 14:00
Business meeting to consider S.190, to enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board, S.318, to require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, S.337, to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration relating to the shipping of household goods, S.503, to direct the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate and consider the impact of the telecommunications network equipment supply chain on the deployment of universal service, S.1092, to require certain products to be labeled with 'Do Not Flush' labeling, S.1442, to amend title 49, United States Code, to allow for eligibility for projects for the installation of human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops, S.1523, to modify operations of the National Water Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, S.1626, to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, and the nominations of David Fink, of New Hampshire, to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, David Fogel, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, Robert Gleason, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years, and Pierre Gentin, of New York, to be General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, and promotions in the Coast Guard.
Summary
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a business meeting on May 21, 2025, to consider multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. The bills under consideration addressed diverse topics including cybersecurity improvements for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, household goods shipping regulations, labeling requirements for non-flushable products, human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops, landslide preparedness, telecommunications supply chain impacts on universal service deployment, and operations of the National Water Center. Additionally, the committee considered nominations for key positions including the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, the Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, and the General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, as well as Coast Guard promotions. As a business meeting rather than a hearing with witness testimony, this session focused on committee consideration and discussion of the proposed legislation and nominees. No witnesses were listed as providing testimony at this meeting. The consideration of these bills and nominations represents the committee's initial review process, but passage of any legislation or confirmation of nominees would require additional steps in the legislative process.
Video
Watch videoCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-80.
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.
Oct 14, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 21, 2025
HearingSenateMeeting
May 21, 2025 · 14:00
Business meeting to consider S.190, to enhance the operations of the North Pacific Research Board, S.318, to require a plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, S.337, to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration relating to the shipping of household goods, S.503, to direct the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate and consider the impact of the telecommunications network equipment supply chain on the deployment of universal service, S.1092, to require certain products to be labeled with 'Do Not Flush' labeling, S.1442, to amend title 49, United States Code, to allow for eligibility for projects for the installation of human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops, S.1523, to modify operations of the National Water Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, S.1626, to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, and the nominations of David Fink, of New Hampshire, to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, David Fogel, of Connecticut, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, Robert Gleason, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years, and Pierre Gentin, of New York, to be General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, and promotions in the Coast Guard.
Summary
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a business meeting on May 21, 2025, to consider multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. The bills under consideration addressed diverse topics including cybersecurity improvements for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, household goods shipping regulations, labeling requirements for non-flushable products, human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops, landslide preparedness, telecommunications supply chain impacts on universal service deployment, and operations of the National Water Center. Additionally, the committee considered nominations for key positions including the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, the Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, and the General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, as well as Coast Guard promotions. As a business meeting rather than a hearing with witness testimony, this session focused on committee consideration and discussion of the proposed legislation and nominees. No witnesses were listed as providing testimony at this meeting. The consideration of these bills and nominations represents the committee's initial review process, but passage of any legislation or confirmation of nominees would require additional steps in the legislative process.
Video
Watch videoCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-80.
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.
Oct 14, 2025
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jan 22, 2025
