H.R.9673

H. R. 9673

July 14, 2026

Mr. Ezell (for himself, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Tokuda, and Ms. Pingree) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, 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 require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish an assessment program for commercial-scale offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects, to establish Aquaculture Centers of Excellence, to support aquaculture workforce development and working waterfronts, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents; 2. Purposes; 3. Definitions; TITLE I—OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE; 101. Office of Aquaculture; TITLE II—COMMERCIAL-SCALE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS; 201. Assessment program for offshore aquaculture; 202. Permits for demonstration projects for offshore aquaculture facilities; 203. Coordination of permit reviews for demonstration projects; 204. Reporting by assessment program participants; 205. Rule of construction; savings provisions; TITLE III—WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCING, AND OTHER SUPPORT; 301. General support for industry; 302. Aquaculture Centers of Excellence; TITLE IV—STUDIES AND REPORTS; 401. Study on offshore aquaculture by Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; 402. Report on offshore aquaculture by Government Accountability Office