Bill > S1484

This bill establishes the Office of the Blue Economy within the Department of Economic Opportunity. The "blue economy" is defined as the economic uses of ocean and coastal resources with a focus on sustainable practices that benefit relevant industry sectors, such as maritime industries, floating and amphibious housing, tourism, and outdoor recreational activities. The Office of the Blue Economy is tasked with supporting the state's economy by connecting ocean and coastal resources to economic development strategies, surveying academic research on the blue economy, collaborating with relevant industries, developing a pipeline of research and commercialization, publishing reports on blue economy jobs and labor shortages, and educating other entities on the interests of the blue economy. The bill also requires the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to conduct a biennial evaluation of the state's blue economy for inclusion in its annual water resources assessment.