Bill > S2807

This bill, the "Help Our Kelp Act," requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish and carry out a grant program to conserve, restore, and manage kelp forest ecosystems. The bill outlines the eligible entities that can apply for these grants, such as members of the fishing industry, institutions of higher education, and Indian Tribes, and the types of projects that can be funded, including efforts to address regional declines in kelp forests, enhance their long-term resilience, and integrate Indigenous knowledge. The bill also sets a matching requirement for the grants, with the possibility of a waiver, and authorizes $5 million per year from 2024 to 2028 for the program, with a minimum of $750,000 per year reserved for grants to Indian Tribes.