Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act

Full Title:
Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009. It directs the Secretary of Commerce, through NOAA, to work more closely with State and local governments, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other coastal stakeholders on ocean acidification and coastal acidification. The bill adds or clarifies definitions; requires an ongoing input mechanism for non-Federal experts and affected communities; expands advisory board membership to include tribal representatives; requires the advisory board to develop a policy for engagement and coordination with Indian Tribes; and directs NOAA to collaborate on community vulnerability assessments, research planning, and similar activities. The bill also tells NOAA to prioritize underserved populations and makes several technical corrections to existing law.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a State or local government, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization that has done or is doing vulnerability assessments, research planning, or climate action work related to ocean acidification, the bill directs NOAA to build on that work and to collaborate with you.
  • If you are a coastal stakeholder, fishery manager, industry member, community acidification network, Indigenous knowledge group, or a scientific expert not employed by the federal government, the bill requires mechanisms for ongoing input to NOAA about research, data, and monitoring needed for local decision making.
  • The advisory board that guides the program will include tribal representatives and must create a policy for tribal engagement.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or appropriations is included in the bill text provided.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s text shows supporters want stronger collaboration between NOAA and State, local, Tribal, Native Hawaiian, and coastal community groups on ocean and coastal acidification. The bill adds formal roles for tribal representatives, establishes ongoing input mechanisms for affected communities and non-Federal experts, and directs NOAA to prioritize underserved populations when using NOAA resources.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information about opposition or opponents' views is included in the bill text provided.