H.R. 7656

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7656 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7656

To support marine carbon dioxide removal activities, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 24, 2026

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Carter of Georgia, and Mr. Tonko) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To support marine carbon dioxide removal activities, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Removing and 
Sequestering Carbon Unleashed in the Environment and Oceans Act'' or 
the ``ReSCUE Oceans Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Rule of construction.
Sec. 5. Research security.
TITLE I--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 101. Establishment of program for advancing marine carbon dioxide 
removal.
Sec. 102. Monitoring of marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 103. Research areas for marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 104. Interagency working group for marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 105. Biennial report on marine carbon dioxide removal.
Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Sec. 201. Researching marine carbon dioxide removal.
TITLE III--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 301. Measuring marine carbon dioxide removal from space.
TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 401. Validating marine carbon dioxide removal.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Carbon removal credit.--The term ``carbon removal 
credit'' means 1 metric tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent 
(tCOe) that--
(A) is removed through marine carbon dioxide 
removal and durably stored;
(B) is unique, registered, and validated; and
(C) may be traded on a voluntary carbon market and 
retired after purchase.
(2) Coastal waters.--The term ``coastal waters'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 304 of the Coastal Zone 
Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453).
(3) Contiguous zone.--The term ``contiguous zone'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 502 of the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
(4) Exclusive economic zone.--The term ``exclusive economic 
zone'' has the meaning given the term in section 3532 of the 
Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 
8001).
(5) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning given the 
term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(7) Indian tribal government.--The term ``Indian Tribal 
government'' means the recognized governing body of any Indian 
Tribe or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, 
community, component band, or component reservation, 
individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list 
published most recently as of the date of the enactment of this 
Act pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian 
Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).
(8) Interagency working group.--The term ``interagency 
working group'' means the interagency working group established 
under section 104.
(9) Internal waters.--The term ``internal waters'' means 
the waters shoreward of the baseline of the territorial seas, 
which is normally the mean low water line along the coast of 
the United States.
(10) Marine carbon dioxide removal.--The term ``marine 
carbon dioxide removal'' means an intentional intervention in 
the marine environment that results in the net removal of 
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as measured on a life-cycle 
basis, taking into account all greenhouse gasses measured in 
carbon dioxide equivalents.
(11) National sea grant college program.--The term 
``national sea grant college program'' means the program 
maintained under section 204(a) of the National Sea Grant 
College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(a)).
(12) Native american.--The term ``Native American'' means--
(A) an Indian; or
(B) a Native Hawaiian.
(13) Native hawaiian.--The term ``Native Hawaiian'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).
(14) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
Hawaiian organization''--
(A) has the meaning given the term in section 6207 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7517); and
(B) includes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the 
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
(15) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program 
established and maintained under section 101.
(16) Protocol.--The term ``protocol'' means a systematic 
approach for generating a carbon removal credit that follows a 
transparent and thorough science-based methodology--
(A) for the development of projects to remove 
greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon; and
(B) for demonstrating how to measure, monitor, 
report, and verify the removal of greenhouse gas 
emissions or carbon sequestration by projects described 
in subparagraph (A).
(17) Regional ocean partnership.--The term ``Regional Ocean 
Partnership'' means a Regional Ocean Partnership designated 
under section 10102(b)(3) of the James M. Inhofe National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (16 U.S.C. 
1468(b)(3)).
(18) Relevant congressional committees.--The term 
``relevant congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
of Representatives; and
(E) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives.
(19) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Commerce.
(20) Standard.--The term ``standard'' means a broad 
principle or set of criteria established to ensure the 
credibility and integrity of a carbon removal credit or marine 
carbon dioxide removal by providing guidance on measurement, 
monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas 
removals.
(21) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several 
States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, 
American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands.
(22) Territorial seas.--The term ``territorial seas'' has 
the meaning given the term in section 502 of the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
(23) Tribal lands.--The term ``Tribal lands'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 905(a) of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2021 (47 U.S.C. 1705(a)).
(24) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization'' 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(25) Voluntary carbon market.--The term ``voluntary carbon 
market'' means a voluntary market through which carbon removal 
credits may be bought or sold.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to support research, development, and field trials of 
safe and responsible marine carbon dioxide removal;
(2) to ensure robust monitoring and protection of coastal 
and marine ecosystems;
(3) to coordinate Federal actions on marine carbon dioxide 
removal; and
(4) to support meaningful engagement with affected coastal 
communities and engagement and consultation, as appropriate, 
with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations, regarding marine carbon dioxide removal 
research, monitoring, and demonstration activities.

SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed in derogation of applicable 
law regulating or restricting the use of the contiguous zone, the 
territorial seas, the exclusive economic zone of the United States, or 
coastal waters other than internal waters.

SEC. 5. RESEARCH SECURITY.

The activities authorized under this Act shall be carried out in a 
manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and 
Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).

TITLE I--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM FOR ADVANCING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE 
REMOVAL.

(a) In General.--The Secretary, through the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and in consultation with the interagency 
working group, shall establish, not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and maintain a Program to support and 
conduct activities to advance science and integrate traditional 
ecological knowledge (to the maximum extent practicable), and 
understanding of marine carbon dioxide removal consistent with the 
objectives and focal areas described in subsection (b).
(b) Objectives and Focal Areas.--
(1) Objectives.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall seek to--
(A) generate, through research, development, and 
field trials, the necessary knowledge, theoretical 
basis, and empirical evidence to evaluate--
(i) the efficacy of marine carbon dioxide 
removal, including measurability, durability, 
magnitude, and additionality;
(ii) environmental and ecosystem responses 
to marine carbon dioxide removal; and
(iii) the social, cultural, and economic 
impacts, including on public health and safety, 
of marine carbon dioxide removal to affected 
coastal communities; and
(B) apply the knowledge described in subparagraph 
(A) to--
(i) develop best practices for how marine 
carbon dioxide removal efficacy is measured, 
monitored, reported, and verified;
(ii) establish a methodology for defining 
actionable thresholds of environmental and 
ecosystem impacts for the utilization of marine 
carbon dioxide removal technologies;
(iii) evaluate and recommend marine carbon 
dioxide removal approaches that could be safe 
and effective for larger-scale utilization for 
climate mitigation, considering potential 
positive and negative climate, environmental, 
and social outcomes;
(iv) evaluate the sustainability of marine 
carbon dioxide removal approaches, including 
resource requirements, life-cycle efficiency, 
and carbon storage capability sufficient to 
demonstrate net carbon removal on a carbon 
dioxide equivalent basis, scalability, and 
potential for cost reductions;
(v) analyze viable commercialization 
pathways and requisite enabling conditions for 
safe and effective marine carbon dioxide 
removal; and
(vi) as necessary or appropriate, support 
the implementation of this Act.
(2) Focal areas.--In carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary shall support and conduct activities to advance the 
science and understanding of--
(A) ocean alkalinity enhancement;
(B) electrochemical engineering approaches;
(C) macroalgae cultivation;
(D) nutrient fertilization;
(E) artificial upwelling and downwelling;
(F) carbon storage properties of both natural and 
manipulated coastal and estuarine ecosystems for the 
purposes of ecologically based marine carbon dioxide 
removal; and
(G) other marine carbon dioxide removal approaches 
as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to fund research in 
accordance with the objectives described in subsection (b)(1) 
and the Federal research plan described in section 104.
(2) Code of conduct.--The Secretary shall require grantees 
under this subsection conducting activities in the field to 
abide by the code of conduct established under section 104.
(3) Funding for engagement and consultation.--The Secretary 
shall award not less than $10,000 in grant funding to support 
engagement and consultation activities, including--
(A) consultation or engagement, as appropriate, 
with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations; 
and
(B) engagement with affected coastal communities.
(d) Additional Authority.--The Secretary may enter into contracts, 
public-private partnerships, cooperative agreements, or other financial 
agreements in furtherance of this Act.
(e) Data Management.--
(1) Strategies.--The Secretary, in cooperation with such 
partners as the Secretary considers relevant, including Indian 
Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, shall develop and 
implement data management strategies to ensure all non-
proprietary data collected pursuant to this Act are--
(A) properly stewarded for the long-term; and
(B) findable, accessible, interoperable, and 
reusable.
(2) Implementation; preservation and curation.--The 
Secretary shall--
(A) ensure management of data collected under this 
Act is implemented in accordance with--
(i) chapter 35 of title 44, United States 
Code; and
(ii) the Foundations for Evidence-Based 
Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435; 
132 Stat. 5529) and the amendments made by that 
Act; and
(B) preserve and curate such data in accordance 
with chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code 
(commonly known as the ``Federal Records Act of 
1950''), in order to maximize use of such data.
(3) Tribal control.--
(A) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to--
(i) require any Indian Tribe, Tribal 
organization, or Native Hawaiian organization 
to share or publish data; or
(ii) affect an Indian Tribe's authority to 
determine how its data is collected, used, 
stored, or shared.
(B) Required consent.--Information submitted by, or 
obtained from, an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or 
Native Hawaiian organization pursuant to this section, 
shall not be published without the consent of such 
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
(C) Freedom of information act.--Records, 
methodologies, or other information or data submitted 
by an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native 
Hawaiian organization, shall be exempt from disclosure 
under subsection (b)(3)(B) of section 552 of title 5, 
United States Code, unless otherwise waived or 
consented to by the Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, 
or Native Hawaiian organization.
(f) International Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of State and appropriate 
international entities.

SEC. 102. MONITORING OF MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

(a) In General.--For field activities conducted as part of the 
Program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
provide or otherwise develop the instrumentation, infrastructure, and 
personnel for efficient and rigorous monitoring to--
(1) understand and minimize negative ecosystem, community, 
cultural, and economic impacts related to marine carbon dioxide 
removal, including impacts to Native American communities; and
(2) maximize co-benefits of marine carbon dioxide removal 
for communities and ecosystems.
(b) Monitoring Goals.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall--
(1) use monitoring assets to achieve the objectives 
described in section 101(b)(1);
(2) support compliance with applicable environmental law;
(3) support rigorous, science-based approaches for the 
research, development, and trialing of technologies for marine 
carbon dioxide removal;
(4) incorporate traditional ecological knowledge;
(5) develop and improve technologies for monitoring, 
modeling, analyzing, remediating, or mitigating impacts from 
marine carbon dioxide removal;
(6) study ecosystem responses to marine carbon dioxide 
removal technology; and
(7) collect data to inform the development of uniform 
standards and protocols for marine carbon dioxide removal, 
including--
(A) the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the 
ocean and the atmosphere attributable to marine carbon 
dioxide removal;
(B) the duration of carbon sequestration and risk 
of reversal of sequestration, as applicable;
(C) the total energetic requirements of all 
processes and activities associated with the capture 
and storage of carbon dioxide and associated carbon 
dioxide release; and
(D) other metrics the Secretary considers necessary 
or advisable, including those developed through 
consultation with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian 
organizations.
(c) Technical Assistance.--To support the development of reliable, 
fair, and efficient voluntary carbon markets and best practices, the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the 
Secretary of Energy, may provide technical assistance to promote 
consistency, reliability, effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency, 
including through protocol documents and details relating to--
(1) calculations;
(2) sampling methodologies;
(3) accounting principles;
(4) systems for measurement, monitoring, reporting, and 
verification; and
(5) methods to account for additionality, durability and 
duration of carbon storage, leakage, and, as appropriate, 
avoidance of double counting.
(d) Public-Private-Academic Partnerships.--The Secretary may 
examine and develop models for public-private-academic partnerships to 
efficiently monitor marine carbon dioxide removal, including with 
respect to--
(1) data sharing and standardization;
(2) cost sharing;
(3) in-kind contributions; and
(4) contracts and grants for third-party monitoring 
activities.
(e) Contracts.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary may 
enter into contracts the Secretary considers necessary or advisable.
(f) Unlimited Right Data.--
(1) In general.--Subject to contracts protecting 
confidential proprietary data, the Secretary shall make 
monitoring data collected, and protocols created, under this 
section available to the public at no-cost and with no 
restrictions on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, 
adapting, or otherwise using such data or protocols.
(2) Limitation.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may enter into 
cooperative research and development agreements that 
restrict data sharing and ensure protection of 
intellectual property for such users of research areas 
designated or established under section 103 as the 
Secretary considers appropriate.
(B) Required permission to share.--The Secretary 
may not share or otherwise disclose the monitoring data 
of any Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native 
Hawaiian organization without the express permission of 
the Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native 
Hawaiian organization.

SEC. 103. RESEARCH AREAS FOR MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

(a) In General.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may--
(1) designate Federally administered, funded, or supported 
oceanic, coastal, estuarine, riverine, or terrestrial areas, 
including Tribal lands, with the consent of the Indian Tribe, 
for research related to one or more marine carbon dioxide 
removal approaches; or
(2) award grants to eligible entities to establish such 
areas for such research.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the research areas designated or 
established under this section shall be to enable--
(1) the basic and applied science needed to achieve the 
objectives described in section 101(b)(1), including through--
(A) bench-scale, mesocosm, and wet lab experiments; 
and
(B) field trials, other field research, and 
demonstration projects;
(2) coordinated permitting and compliance with applicable 
environmental law and risk mitigation;
(3) meaningful consultation with Indian Tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations;
(4) sensing networks that can reliably return accurate 
observations across a wide field of variables in support of the 
monitoring goals set forth in section 102(b);
(5) a community of practice among Federal and non-Federal 
researchers, entrepreneurs, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other 
stakeholders;
(6) the incubation or acceleration of businesses that can 
safely utilize--
(A) marine carbon dioxide removal technologies; or
(B) technologies to measure, monitor, report, or 
verify approaches; and
(7) long-term community engagement and participation in 
marine carbon dioxide removal activities.
(c) Inventory.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) conduct an inventory of existing Federal facilities and 
oceanic, coastal, estuarine, riverine, or terrestrial areas 
that may be suitable for designation as Federally administered 
research areas under this section;
(2) submit the inventory to the interagency working group 
for review;
(3) following submittal of the inventory under paragraph 
(2), publish the inventory to the Federal Register for public 
comment; and
(4) use such public comments to inform the selection of 
research areas.
(d) Grants.--
(1) Eligible entities.--For purposes of grants under this 
section, an eligible entity is any of the following:
(A) An institution of higher education (as defined 
in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001)) or a tribally controlled college or 
university (as defined in section 2 of the Tribally 
Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 
1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801)).
(B) A State or local government or an Indian Tribal 
government.
(C) An Indian Tribe.
(D) A Tribal organization or a Native Hawaiian 
organization.
(E) A consortium of entities, including--
(i) a consortium of entities described in 
any of subparagraphs (A) through (D); or
(ii) a consortium of private or public 
entities that have demonstrated the capacity to 
conduct the research described in this section, 
including a National Laboratory (as defined in 
section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 15801)).
(2) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
the Secretary may require.
(3) Private sector investment.--In awarding grants under 
this section, the Secretary shall seek to leverage private 
sector investment, to the extent possible.
(e) Suitability Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall assess the suitability 
of each research area under consideration for designation or 
establishment under this section.
(2) Data; tools; considerations.--In carrying out paragraph 
(1), the Secretary--
(A) shall use relevant scientific, social, 
traditional ecological knowledge, and economic data, 
including baseline environmental data and any 
assessments of baseline environmental data; and
(B) may--
(i) develop and employ marine spatial 
planning tools; and
(ii) consider non-contiguous areas that are 
near or adjacent to one another and connected 
by ecological or oceanographic factors.
(3) Factors.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary 
may assess the following:
(A) Matters relating to oceanographic and 
ecological characteristics, including--
(i) proximity and access to geologic 
storage formations;
(ii) impacts to coastal and marine 
ecosystems, biodiversity, protected species, 
and the habitat of such species;
(iii) proximity and impacts to existing 
protected areas, such as marine monuments and 
sanctuaries, and Tribal and Native Hawaiian 
cultural sites; and
(iv) bathymetry, ocean circulation, and 
carbon chemistry baselines.
(B) Matters relating to human uses and communities, 
including--
(i) current and possible future human uses 
of the research area and the areas in 
reasonable proximity to the research area;
(ii) availability of existing sensor 
networks, technology, infrastructure, and land-
based facilities;
(iii) where appropriate, potential 
colocation with existing infrastructure such as 
desalination plants, ships, moorings, and 
renewable energy; and
(iv) potential socioeconomic, 
sociocultural, and direct and indirect impacts 
(including access to subsistence and 
traditional resources) on affected coastal 
communities, including Indians, Native 
Hawaiians, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations.
(C) Potential downstream impacts beyond the 
research area.
(D) Such other factors as the Secretary considers 
appropriate, in consultation with--
(i) States, Indian Tribes, and Native 
Hawaiian organizations that are in reasonable 
proximity to the research area; or
(ii) the interagency working group.
(f) Terms and Conditions.--
(1) In general.--For each research area designated or 
established under this section, and subject to subsection (i), 
the Secretary shall develop terms and conditions by which all 
users of the research area shall abide.
(2) Elements.--At a minimum, the terms and conditions 
developed under this subsection shall include--
(A) a requirement for any user of the research area 
to abide by the code of conduct established under 
section 104;
(B) stewardship, management, and conservation 
measures that incorporate local knowledge, including 
traditional ecological knowledge, to the greatest 
extent practicable;
(C) a requirement for the user to develop and 
follow a plan to--
(i) mitigate risks and conflicts regarding 
local ecological conditions, biological 
sensitivities, protected resources (including 
cultural resources), and commercial and human 
uses;
(ii) monitor ecosystem responses within, 
and in reasonable proximity to, the research 
area;
(iii) address potential environmental 
degradation resulting from activities at the 
research area; and
(iv) following the expiration of a research 
area, remove--
(I) the user's fixtures, 
furnishings, equipment; and
(II) any improvements made to the 
research area;
(D) clear, objective thresholds of environmental 
harm that require the immediate cessation of a user's 
activities at the research area;
(E) the user's consent for--
(i) remote monitoring of the user's 
activities and the impacts of those activities 
on the environment; and
(ii) regular and unannounced inspections of 
the user's activities by the advisory board for 
the research area appointed under subsection 
(j);
(F) a requirement that the user will comply with 
all applicable law and policies; and
(G) additional terms and conditions as the 
Secretary considers necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of this Act.
(g) Duration.--
(1) In general.--The duration of research areas designated 
or established under this section shall be determined as 
provided in this subsection.
(2) Research areas administered by a federal agency.--
(A) Reassessment.--Not less frequently than once 
every 5 years, the Secretary shall reassess each 
research area administered by a Federal agency to 
ensure that the research area advances the purpose set 
forth in subsection (b), the research area is suitable 
under subsection (e), and users of the research area 
are in compliance with applicable terms and conditions 
developed under subsection (f).
(B) Termination of activities.--If, pursuant to a 
reassessment carried out with respect to a research 
area under subparagraph (A), the Secretary finds that 
the research area does not advance the purpose set 
forth in subsection (b), the research area is not 
suitable under subsection (e), or users of the research 
area are noncompliant with applicable terms and 
conditions developed under subsection (f), the Federal 
agency administering the research area shall--
(i) terminate activities at the research 
area; and
(ii)(I) close down operations at the 
research area pursuant to applicable terms and 
conditions; or
(II) remediate the research area to comport 
with subsections (b), (e), and (f).
(3) Research areas administered by an eligible entity.--
(A) Initial period.--An eligible entity 
administering a research area under this Act may carry 
out activities at the research area for an initial 
period of 5 years.
(B) Reassessment.--Before the conclusion of an 
initial period for a research area described in 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reassess the 
research area to ensure that the research area advances 
the purpose set forth in subsection (b), the research 
area is suitable under subsection (e), and users of the 
research are in compliance with applicable terms and 
conditions developed under subsection (f).
(C) Additional period.--If, pursuant to a 
reassessment carried out with respect to a research 
area under subparagraph (B), the Secretary finds that 
the research area advances the purpose set forth in 
subsection (b), the research area is suitable under 
subsection (e), and users of the research area are in 
compliance with applicable terms and conditions 
developed under subsection (f), the Secretary may 
authorize the eligible entity administering the 
research area to carry out activities at the research 
area for a single, additional period of 5 years.
(D) Termination of activities.--If, pursuant to a 
reassessment carried out with respect to a research 
area under subparagraph (B), the Secretary finds that 
the research area does not advance the purpose set 
forth in subsection (b), the research area is not 
suitable under subsection (e), or users of the research 
area are noncompliant with applicable terms and 
conditions developed under subsection (f), the eligible 
entity administering the research area shall--
(i) terminate activities at the research 
area; and
(ii)(I) close down operations at the 
research area pursuant to applicable terms and 
conditions; or
(II) remediate the research area to comport 
with subsections (b), (e), and (f).
(E) Reestablishment.--In order to allow for 
continuity of operations, not later than 1 year prior 
to the conclusion of an additional 5-year period for a 
research area authorized under subparagraph (C), the 
eligible entity administering the research area may 
reapply for the establishment of the research area 
under this section.
(h) Community Benefits.--For each research area designated or 
established under this section, and subject to subsection (i), the 
Secretary shall develop, to the maximum extent possible, opportunities 
to deliver benefits to communities with interest in the research area, 
such as--
(1) community benefit agreements;
(2) workforce development opportunities;
(3) mitigation measures;
(4) public education or tribally controlled school efforts; 
and
(5) other socioeconomic or educational benefit schemes.
(i) Engagement or Consultation; Partnerships.--In carrying out 
subsections (f) and (h), the Secretary--
(1) shall engage or consult, as appropriate, regarding the 
terms and conditions and community benefits described in such 
subsections with--
(A) State and local governments and Indian Tribes 
near or adjacent to the research area;
(B) members of communities near or adjacent to the 
research area, including relevant recreational and 
commercial users, academic institutions, Native 
American individuals, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and 
nongovernmental organizations; and
(C) other stakeholders as the Secretary considers 
necessary to ensure full and fair engagement with 
potentially impacted community members; and
(2) may leverage existing partnerships and assets to 
support meaningful public participation, including--
(A) the national sea grant college program;
(B) Regional Ocean Partnerships; and
(C) the Regional Collaboration Network.
(j) Advisory Boards.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
Secretary shall appoint an advisory board to support oversight 
of each research area designated or established under this 
section, consisting of--
(A) one or more representatives of each Federal 
agency participating in activities at the research 
area;
(B) one or more representatives of each State, 
county, or Indian Tribe adjacent to the research area;
(C) one or more members from each community 
adjacent to the research area;
(D) one or more representatives of the users of the 
research area; and
(E) additional members as the Secretary considers 
appropriate.
(2) Duties.--
(A) In general.--A board appointed under this 
subsection shall--
(i) monitor the delivery of community 
benefits, compliance with the applicable terms 
and conditions, and, as necessary or advisable, 
inspections of activities at the research area;
(ii) meet regularly with the Secretary to 
provide advice and guidance for the management, 
conservation, and stewardship of the research 
area;
(iii) provide advice and recommendations to 
the Secretary on whether a proposed use or user 
of the research area should be allowed; and
(iv) take other actions to support the 
safe, effective, orderly, and lawful operation 
of the research area at the discretion of the 
Secretary.
(B) Additional duties.--Upon the request of a board 
appointed under this subsection, the Secretary may 
assign additional duties to the board as the Secretary 
considers appropriate.
(3) Special rule for regional ocean partnerships.--At the 
discretion of the Secretary or upon the request of a State or 
local government or Indian Tribal government, the Secretary may 
request that the Regional Ocean Partnership in which the 
research area is located carry out the duties described in 
paragraph (2) instead of appointing a board as provided in 
paragraph (1).

SEC. 104. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP FOR MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

(a) In General.--There is established an interagency working group 
for marine carbon dioxide removal under the subcommittee on Ocean 
Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council.
(b) Membership.--The interagency working group shall be composed of 
one or more representatives from each of the following:
(1) The Army Corps of Engineers.
(2) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3) The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(4) The Department of Energy (including at least one 
representative from the Office of Indian Energy).
(5) The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
(6) The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
(7) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(8) The United States Geological Survey.
(9) The Bureau of Indian Affairs.
(10) The Department of State.
(11) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(12) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(13) The National Science Foundation.
(14) The Smithsonian Institution.
(15) The Office of Naval Research.
(16) The Department of the Navy.
(17) The Coast Guard.
(18) The Department of Agriculture.
(19) The Council on Environmental Quality.
(20) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(c) Co-Chairs.--One or more representatives from the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and one or more representatives 
from the Department of Energy shall serve as co-chairs of the 
interagency working group.
(d) Meetings.--The interagency working group shall meet not less 
frequently than once each year, at the call of the co-chairs.
(e) Duties.--The interagency working group shall--
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, establish a plan to coordinate Federal research on 
marine carbon dioxide removal in accordance with subsection 
(f);
(2) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act--
(A) establish a code of conduct in accordance with 
subsection (g); and
(B) standardize the implementation of that code of 
conduct;
(3) coordinate efforts among Federal agencies to support 
compliance with existing law;
(4) support research and development of safe and effective 
marine carbon dioxide removal;
(5) coordinate Federal funding opportunities in a manner 
that avoids duplication of funding and research efforts and 
maximizes funding for marine carbon dioxide removal;
(6) as appropriate, provide recommendations to--
(A) support the transition from research to 
operations of safe and effective marine carbon dioxide 
removal; and
(B) integrate marine carbon dioxide removal into 
voluntary carbon markets;
(7) publish and submit the biennial report required by 
section 105;
(8) not later than 90 days after the date on which the 
interagency working group receives the inventory submitted 
under section 103(c), review the inventory and provide 
recommendations to the Secretary for the selection of research 
areas;
(9) ensure the public availability of and public access to 
the results of marine carbon dioxide removal research in 
accordance with subsection (h);
(10) take other actions, as the interagency working group 
considers necessary, to coordinate Federal support for safe and 
effective marine carbon dioxide removal; and
(11) consult with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian 
organizations.
(f) Federal Research Plan.--
(1) Adoption of existing plans.--In carrying out subsection 
(e)(1), the interagency working group may adopt one or more 
research plans prepared by agencies represented on the 
interagency working group or through other interagency efforts.
(2) Updates.--Not later than 5 years after the date on 
which the plan described in subsection (e)(1) is established, 
and every 5 years thereafter, the interagency working group 
shall update the plan.
(3) Requirements.--The plan described in subsection (e)(1) 
shall--
(A) prioritize public engagement, consultation with 
Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and 
research on ecosystem impacts; and
(B) further the objectives and focal areas 
described in section 101(b).
(g) Code of Conduct.--
(1) In general.--The interagency working group shall, after 
publication and an opportunity for public comment in the 
Federal Register, establish a code of conduct for research 
relating to marine carbon dioxide removal (in this subsection 
referred to as the ``code of conduct'').
(2) Adoption by agencies.--The agencies represented on the 
interagency working group shall adopt the code of conduct.
(3) Applicability.--Each grantee under this Act conducting 
activities in the field and each user of a research area 
designated or established under section 103 shall abide by the 
code of conduct.
(4) Minimum substantive requirements.--The code of conduct 
shall, at minimum, require--
(A) open access to research data, findings, codes 
of conduct, mitigation plans, and scientific 
publications arising from the research;
(B) that open-water testing is preceded and 
informed by laboratory, mesocosm, and modeling 
research;
(C) public disclosure of funding sources;
(D) educational materials and community learning 
opportunities to increase awareness and literacy of 
proposed research activities, findings, risks, 
uncertainties, potential benefits, and the distribution 
of anticipated benefits and harms;
(E) opportunities for interested stakeholders to 
provide input on research design;
(F) where applicable, solicitation and 
incorporation of local and traditional knowledge, 
including traditional ecological knowledge, into 
research design and decisions;
(G) reasonable efforts to deconflict research with 
existing commercial and human uses;
(H) for each experiment, a mitigation plan that 
describes--
(i) potential ecosystem responses;
(ii) potential social outcomes, including 
to health and safety;
(iii) any measures taken to minimize harm; 
and
(iv) liability and guidelines for 
remediation of adverse impacts, including 
environmental degradation, resulting from 
research;
(I) compliance with all applicable domestic and 
international laws and policies; and
(J) other requirements or best practices, as the 
interagency working group determines necessary, to 
assess and communicate positive and negative social and 
environmental impacts and uncertainties.
(5) Minimum engagement requirements.--In fulfilling the 
requirements described in paragraph (4), grantees and users 
described in paragraph (3) shall maximize participation of and 
consultation with, at minimum--
(A) State and local governments and Indian Tribes 
near or adjacent to any part of the area in which field 
research relating to marine carbon dioxide removal is 
conducted;
(B) members of communities near or adjacent to the 
area, including relevant recreational and commercial 
users, academic institutions, Native American 
individuals, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, 
Native Hawaiian organizations, and nongovernmental 
organizations; and
(C) other stakeholders as the head of the Federal 
agency providing resources for the grantee or user 
considers necessary to ensure full and fair engagement 
with potentially impacted community members.
(6) Updates.--Not less frequently than once each year for 
the first 5 years following the date of the enactment of this 
Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the interagency working 
group shall review, and, as appropriate, update the code of 
conduct to ensure that it remains timely and relevant.
(h) Public Availability and Access.--
(1) In general.--Subject to contracts protecting 
confidential proprietary data, the interagency working group 
may make research papers and other results generated under this 
Act available to the public at no-cost and with no restrictions 
on copying, publishing, distributing, citing, adapting, or 
otherwise using such papers or results.
(2) Portal.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall 
establish a new portal or designate an existing information 
portal to ensure, while protecting sensitive proprietary 
information, that data and information on marine carbon dioxide 
removal generated under this Act, or by other Federal programs 
and relevant stakeholders, is easily, digitally accessible, 
including information that would be useful to policymakers, 
researchers, and other stakeholders for advancing research or 
evaluating the utilization of marine carbon dioxide removal.
(3) Tribal control.--
(A) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to--
(i) require any Indian Tribe, Tribal 
organization, or Native Hawaiian organization 
to share or publish data; or
(ii) affect an Indian Tribe's authority to 
determine how its data is collected, used, 
stored, or shared.
(B) Required consent.--Information submitted by, or 
obtained from, an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or 
Native Hawaiian organization pursuant to this section 
shall not be published without the consent of such 
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
(C) Freedom of information act.--Records, 
methodologies, or other information or data submitted 
by an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Native 
Hawaiian organization, shall be exempt from disclosure 
under subsection (b)(3)(B) of section 552 of title 5, 
United States Code, unless otherwise waived or 
consented to by the Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, 
or Native Hawaiian organization.
(i) Memorandum of Agreement.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the members of the interagency working 
group shall enter into a memorandum of agreement to implement this Act.

SEC. 105. BIENNIAL REPORT ON MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years 
thereafter, the interagency working group shall--
(1) publish a report on marine carbon dioxide removal 
carried out pursuant to this Act, in accordance with subsection 
(c); and
(2) submit the report to the relevant congressional 
committees.
(b) Elements.--Each report required by subsection (a) shall 
include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
(1) A description of progress made toward the objectives 
described in section 101(b)(1), including--
(A) findings generated under subparagraph (A) of 
such section and the information on which those 
findings are based; and
(B) efforts and outcomes related to subparagraph 
(B) of such section.
(2) A summary of the activities conducted at all research 
areas designated or established under section 103, including--
(A) the number of entities and personnel using each 
research area for marine carbon dioxide removal; and
(B) the specific marine carbon dioxide removal 
approaches studied or demonstrated.
(3) A summary of key findings from data collection and 
monitoring, including--
(A) the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the 
ocean and the atmosphere, as measured on a life-cycle 
basis, by each removal technology;
(B) whether a particular removal technology results 
in net removals of greenhouse gasses from the 
atmosphere over its life cycle, and the duration of 
sequestration, as applicable;
(C) for removal technologies that rely on an energy 
source, the amount of energy consumed by the 
technology; and
(D) any other metrics the interagency working group 
considers necessary or advisable.
(4) A summary of research findings, knowledge gaps, and 
future research priorities.
(5) An assessment of the permitting regime regulating 
marine carbon dioxide removal that includes recommendations for 
improved efficiency or coordination, as applicable.
(6) An identification of barriers in resources, capacity, 
technology, infrastructure, or expertise to advancing the 
science and application of marine carbon dioxide removal.
(7) Strategic updates to the objectives described in 
section 101(b)(1).
(8) Any additional matters the interagency working group 
considers relevant.
(c) Public Availability.--The interagency working group shall--
(1) publish each report required by subsection (a) on a 
publicly accessible website; and
(2) make each such report available to the public at no-
cost and with no restrictions on copying, publishing, 
distributing, citing, adapting, or otherwise using the report.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary of 
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to carry out this title such sums as 
may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

TITLE II--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

SEC. 201. RESEARCHING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

(a) Research.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall award grants to support the Federal research plan described in 
section 104, including research related to--
(1) the efficacy of marine carbon dioxide removal, 
including measurability, magnitude of greenhouse gas removal, 
durability, and additionally;
(2) ecosystem responses to and social and cultural 
dimensions of marine carbon dioxide removal;
(3) tools and technologies to support understanding and 
measurement of the efficacy and environmental impacts of marine 
carbon dioxide removal, including traditional ecological 
knowledge; and
(4) other relevant research areas, as determined by the 
Director of the National Science Foundation.
(b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of 
the National Science Foundation shall coordinate with the heads of 
appropriate Federal agencies, including the Secretary.
(c) Science Workforce Development.--The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall leverage, as appropriate, the existing 
scientific training, workforce development programs, and networks of 
the National Science Foundation to build and expand scientific capacity 
and expertise related to marine carbon dioxide removal.

TITLE III--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE 
ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 301. MEASURING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL FROM SPACE.

(a) Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Activities.--To the extent 
practicable, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (referred to in this section as the ``Administrator'') 
shall ensure that the capabilities and assets of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration are used to advance understanding 
of the efficacy and impacts of marine carbon dioxide removal and to 
support the Federal research plan described in section 104, including 
by--
(1) leveraging the research portfolio of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(2) enhancing the monitoring and modeling programs of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to incorporate 
relevant data for marine carbon dioxide removal;
(3) leveraging and aligning the Mission Directorates of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
(4) carrying out any other relevant activity, as determined 
by the Administrator.
(b) Coordination and Program Consistency.--In carrying out the 
activities described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall 
coordinate with the head of any appropriate Federal agency, including 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to ensure 
that the research activities of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration are carried out in cooperation with the efforts of such 
agency.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section such sums 
as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

TITLE IV--MATTERS RELATING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
TECHNOLOGY

SEC. 401. VALIDATING MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL.

(a) Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Initiative.--The Under Secretary 
of Commerce for Standards and Technology shall carry out an initiative 
to develop and standardize benchmark materials, measurements, data, and 
models to accelerate innovation in and validate performance of 
materials and technologies for marine carbon dioxide removal.
(b) Coordination.--In carrying out the activities described in 
subsection (a), the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and 
Technology shall coordinate with the heads of such Federal agencies as 
the Under Secretary considers appropriate, including the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
(c) International Engagement.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Standards and Technology, in coordination with the Secretary of State, 
shall engage international bodies to promote global adoption of the 
standards referred to in subsection (a).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and 
Technology to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for 
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
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