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Coastal Stewardship Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 8, 2000

Coastal Stewardship Act - Title I: Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund - Establishes the Ocean and Coast Conservation Fund (Fund) to carry out this Act.Title II: Cooperative Living Marine Resource Conservation - Subtitle A: Cooperative Fisheries Research and Management - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, if requested by a Governor of a State represented on an Interstate Marine Fishery Commission, to enter into cooperative agreements on a sole-source basis with any State, fisheries commission, fishery management council, or other regional or tribal entity charged with management of living marine resources for purposes of undertaking fisheries management projects. Requires the Secretary to make funds available for projects to address critical needs identified in fishery management reports or plans approved by such entities that pertain to: (1) collection and analysis of fishery data and information; or (2) development of measures to promote innovative or cooperative fishery management.(Sec. 203) Describes projects that shall receive priority for funding.(Sec. 205) Makes funds available from the Fund for administration of this title.Subtitle B: Cooperative Enforcement of Living Marine Resource Laws - Directs the Secretary, if requested by the Governor of a State represented on an interstate commission, to enter into an agreement under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that authorizes the deputization of State law enforcement officers to perform the Secretary's duties relating to enforcement of this Act or any other marine resource law enforced by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, after execution of that agreement and if requested by a State, to enter into an agreement for a joint project on matters of mutual interest. Declares that those joint project agreements are intended to provide a framework for enforcement and prosecution of Federal and State living marine resource laws and regulations in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement on a sole-source basis with an appropriate marine fisheries commission to assist in oversight and coordination of the joint project agreement.Title III: Cooperative Coastal Stewardship - Requires coastal States, in order to receive funds made available under this title, to develop certain ocean and coastal resource restoration and preservation projects that encourage coordination of Federal, State, and community programs and partnerships between the public and private sector. Sets forth procedures for approval of project plans by the Secretary. Allocates funds for projects based on total amount of coastline and coastal population.(Sec. 305) Requires the Secretary to maintain a database of information concerning coastal habitat restoration and preservation projects funded under this title.(Sec. 308) Makes funds available from the Fund for administration of this title.Title IV: Coral Reef Protection - Coral Reef Protection Act of 2000 - Declares that it is U.S. policy to conserve coral reef ecosystems.(Sec. 406) Authorizes the Secretary to provide: (1) financial assistance for projects that provide for the restoration or conservation of coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems; and (2) technical assistance to any State or Federal agency with coral reef jurisdiction.(Sec. 407) Authorizes: (1) the conducting of activities that conserve coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems or that further public awareness and education; and (2) joint projects with any Federal, State, or local authority or financial assistance to any person for such activities.(Sec. 408) Amends Federal law relating to vessels eligible for documentation to prohibit a vessel that is otherwise qualified to be documented as a vessel of the United States from being documented if the owner has abandoned any vessel on a reef subject to U.S. jurisdiction and the vessel remains on the reef or was removed using funds under this Act or any other Act on the same subject enacted after 1999.(Sec. 409) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a foundation under which the foundation may receive, hold, and administer funds to support public-private partnerships that further this title's purposes. Authorizes such a foundation to solicit and accept any gift or donation to further this title's purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer certain funds appropriated under this Act to such a foundation.(Sec. 410) Allocates funds to carry out this title.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1325-1326)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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