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S. 190Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

Sponsored by Dan SullivanSen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Introduced January 22, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM UTC

The North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act updates how the Board is funded and governed. It speeds up fund availability, adds a seat for an Alaska Native representative, sets three‑year terms with one possible reappointment, and gives NOAA flexibility to exceed the usual 15% administrative‑expense limit when budgets shrink. The bill also temporarily suspends the 15% cap for four years to help the Board operate more effectively.

Key Provisions

  • Funds for the Board must be made available within 14 days after the start of each fiscal year.
  • Adds a new board member who must represent Alaska Natives and have direct experience with subsistence uses; this member is nominated by the Board and appointed by the Secretary.
  • Board members appointed under the new subparagraphs (including the Alaska Native member) serve three‑year terms and can be reappointed once.
  • Changes the rule that administrative expenses can’t exceed 15% of the Board’s budget: if the budget drops from the previous year, the NOAA Administrator may raise the cap above 15% to keep the Board operating, direct more money to research, and maintain high grant‑administration standards.
  • Waives the 15% administrative‑expense cap for four years from the law’s enactment date.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

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

October 14, 2025

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 22, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

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

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

January 22, 2025

SenateCommittee

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

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

May 21, 2025

SenateCommittee

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.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

October 14, 2025

SenateCalendars

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

October 14, 2025

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued October 14, 2025

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