S. 190 · On the floor · Science, Technology, Communications

North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-AK)

What it does

• Adds a board member representing Alaska Natives, with personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses of resources, to the North Pacific Research Board.
• Imposes a three-year term limit on members representing fishing interests and Alaska Natives, with one additional term allowed on reappointment.
• Lets NOAA raise the 15% cap on administrative expenses in a fiscal year when total program funding falls below the prior year's.
• Requires any increase to prioritize the board's continued operation, maximizing research funds, and high-quality grant administration.
• Covers a board that sets research priorities and administers grants on fisheries and marine ecosystems in waters around Alaska.

Official summary

North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act This bill makes certain changes to the North Pacific Research Board, including changes to the board’s composition and allocations for funding for administrative expenses. The board sets research priorities and administers grants to support research on fisheries and marine ecosystems in the waters surrounding Alaska. Specifically, this bill adds to the board one additional member to represent Alaska Natives. This board member must have personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses of resources (the practice of relying on the surrounding environment as a source of food and material). The bill also imposes a three-year term limit on those board members representing fishing interests and Alaska Natives, and permits such members to serve one additional term upon reappointment. With respect to funding, under current law the board may use up to 15% of grant program funding for administrative expenses (e.g., support for the board and grant administration). Under the bill, if the program's total funding in a given fiscal year is less than its total funding in the prior fiscal year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric…

Latest action

Oct 14, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation