A bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to foster enhanced coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales and other large cetacean species.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Official Summary
Official summary has not been imported yet.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™This Senate bill (S.4948) from the 118th Congress proposes that the Secretary of Commerce establish a grant program aimed at promoting improved coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales as well as other large cetacean species. The bill is situated within the policy area of Public Lands and Natural Resources and seeks to address interactions between human ocean activities and marine wildlife through financial support mechanisms. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation but ultimately failed or expired without further legislative action. No full text or detailed summary is available, limiting the depth of analysis.
S.4948 intended to create a Commerce Department grant program to support coexistence efforts between ocean users and large whales but did not advance beyond committee referral and expired.
- The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program focused on coexistence between ocean users and North Atlantic right whales and other large cetaceans.
- It was introduced in the Senate during the 118th Congress and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- The bill did not progress past committee referral and is currently classified as failed or expired.
['North Atlantic right whales and other large cetacean species through conservation efforts', 'Ocean users such as commercial and recreational maritime industries who may receive grants to implement coexistence measures', 'The Department of Commerce as the administering agency for the grant program']
['Lack of detailed bill text limits understanding of grant eligibility, funding levels, and oversight mechanisms', 'Potential administrative costs and resource allocation within the Department of Commerce to manage the grant program', 'Unclear criteria for measuring the effectiveness of funded coexistence initiatives']
The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during the 118th Congress. It addresses environmental and marine resource management concerns related to endangered species and ocean use conflicts. The bill did not advance beyond committee referral and expired, indicating limited legislative momentum or prioritization.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Potential increased collaboration between marine conservation groups and ocean user industries through grant-funded projects', 'Possible advancement in research and development of technologies or practices that reduce whale-human conflicts', 'Enhanced public awareness and stakeholder engagement on marine species protection']
The absence of a full bill text and official summary limits transparency and comprehensive analysis. Oversight considerations include ensuring clear criteria for grant awards, measurable outcomes for coexistence efforts, and accountability for use of federal funds. The bill's failure to advance suggests limited legislative prioritization, which may affect future efforts to address similar marine conservation challenges.
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