Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
This bill creates a new federal program to designate at least seven regional "Ocean Innovation Clusters" led by nonprofit-led consortia of businesses, academia, governments, tribes, and nonprofits.
Each cluster will have at least one physical "Ocean Innovation Center for Cross-Sector Collaboration," focus on workforce development, sustainable Blue Economy growth, technology and R&D, and cross-sector partnerships.
The Commerce Secretary (with Sea Grant and other Commerce officials) must designate clusters across specified regions, coordinate interagency support, and use the Marine Economy Satellite Account to measure impacts.
Content is administratively focused and low-cost, favoring enactment, but success depends on appropriations and competing legislative priorities.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill creates a substantive new federal program to designate and fund Ocean Innovation Clusters and Centers, with clear statutory definitions, geographic distribution requirements, interagency coordination roles, and a defined funding authorization.
Scale of federal spending versus sufficiency for regional goals
Scale of federal spending versus sufficiency for regional goals
Generally supportive.
The bill advances equitable Blue Economy development, workforce training, Tribal and underserved community inclusion, and sustainability-focused R&D.
Advocates may seek larger funding, stronger climate and conservation safeguards, and explicit labor standards.
Cautiously supportive.
The bill uses targeted, competitive grants and regional hubs to stimulate economic development and coordinate federal resources, but requires clear metrics and cost-effectiveness.
Would press for outcome measurement and limited, efficient federal spending.
Skeptical.
While the bill supports local job creation, it expands federal programing, creates new liaisons and centers, and authorizes ongoing appropriations.
Concerns include federal overreach, regulatory signaling, and potential burdens on private industry.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Content is administratively focused and low-cost, favoring enactment, but success depends on appropriations and competing legislative priorities.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Scale of federal spending versus sufficiency for regional goals
Content is administratively focused and low-cost, favoring enactment, but success depends on appropriations and competing legislative prior…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill creates a substantive new federal program to designate and fund Ocean Innovation Clusters and Centers, with clear statutory definitions, geographic distribution requi…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.