Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7656

Rep. Bonamici Introduces ReSCUE Oceans Act to Research Removing Carbon From the Sea

ReSCUE Oceans Act

19 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Part of: ReSCUE Oceans Act

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

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Law

Key Points

The bill creates a new NOAA program to research marine carbon dioxide removal, covering methods like ocean alkalinity enhancement, macroalgae cultivation, nutrient fertilization, and electrochemical engineering. The program must be established within 90 days of enactment.
From policy text
“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”
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Tribal nations and Native Hawaiian organizations receive strong protections, including consent requirements before research on Tribal lands, data sovereignty guarantees, and exemption from Freedom of Information Act disclosures without their permission.
From policy text
“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”
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An interagency working group of 20 federal agencies — from the Army Corps of Engineers to NASA — must coordinate research, create a code of conduct for ocean experiments, and publish biennial progress reports to Congress.
From policy text
“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.”
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The bill sets up designated research areas in ocean, coastal, and estuarine zones, with advisory boards that include community members, Tribal representatives, and federal officials to oversee each site. Research areas undergo reassessment every 5 years.
From policy text
“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)”
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Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2027-2031 across NOAA, NASA, and NIST, though the bill uses 'such sums as may be necessary' rather than specifying dollar amounts, meaning actual funding levels will depend on future appropriations.
From policy text
“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.”
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To support transparent carbon markets, NOAA may provide technical assistance on measurement, monitoring, and verification of carbon removal credits, helping ensure companies cannot exaggerate their climate impact claims.
From policy text
“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”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 24, 2026House

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.

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

90 days after enactment

NOAA must establish the marine carbon removal program and the interagency working group must create a coordinated federal research plan

The 90-day startup deadlines mean that if enacted, the organizational framework for ocean carbon research would be in place quickly, though actual research funding wouldn't flow until FY2027 appropriations

Related News

4 articles

SeafoodSource·12 days ago

US lawmakers introduce marine carbon dioxide removal bill

U.S. lawmakers introduced the ReSCUE Oceans Act to advance research into marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR), including seaweed farming. The bill establishes a NOAA program to study efficacy and safety, ensuring projects benefit coastal communities and protect marine ecosystems.

Carbon Herald·17 days ago

U.S. Congress Now Considering First mCDR Research Bill

The ReSCUE Oceans Act, the first dedicated mCDR research bill in Congress, proposes a federal framework at NOAA to coordinate research on ocean-based carbon removal. It emphasizes monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) to ensure environmental safety and responsible scaling.

Energy News Network·12 days ago

U.S. Lawmakers Move to Formalize Marine Carbon Removal Research as Ocean-Based Climate Tools Face Scrutiny

Bipartisan legislation seeks to formalize federal research for ocean-based carbon removal tools under NOAA. The ReSCUE Oceans Act aims to address scientific uncertainties and ecological risks through evidence generation, focusing on techniques like alkalinity enhancement and macroalgae cultivation.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

ReSCUE Oceans Act

Bill NumberHR 7656

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred 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.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)

D: 1R: 1

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.