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S. 5056 116th Congress Senate

OCEAN Act of 2020

Official title: A bill to require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide for ocean-based climate solutions to reduce carbon emissi… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide for ocean-based climate solutions to reduce carbon emissions and global warming, to make coastal communities more resilient, and to provide for the conservation and restoration of ocean and coastal habitats, biodiversity, and marine mammal and fish populations, and for other purposes.

Introduced: December 17, 2020 Introduced by: Jeff Merkley Democratic · Oregon See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Advanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAir qualityAlabama
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AppropriationsAquatic ecologyAtlantic Coast (U.S.)Atmospheric science and weatherCaliforniaCardiovascular and respiratory healthClimate change and greenhouse gasesCongressional oversightConnecticutDelawareDepartment of CommerceDisaster relief and insuranceDistrict of ColumbiaEcologyEconomic performance and conditionsEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployee hiringEndangered and threatened speciesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental educationEnvironmental healthEnvironmental regulatory proceduresEvergladesExecutive agency funding and structureFederal-Indian relationsFishesFloods and storm protectionFloridaFood industry and servicesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGreat LakesGulf of MexicoHigher educationHistorical and cultural resourcesIndian lands and resources rightsInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntergovernmental relationsLakes and riversLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsLouisianaMaineMammalsMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine and inland water transportationMarine pollutionMarylandMassachusettsMississippiNatural disastersNew HampshireNew JerseyNew York StateOregonPacific OceanPerformance measurementPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementRacial and ethnic relationsResearch administration and fundingRhode IslandRural conditions and developmentSeafoodSeashores and lakeshoresSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsSolid waste and recyclingState and local government operationsTexasUnemploymentVermontVirginiaWashington StateWater qualityWetlandsWildlife conservation and habitat protection
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 17, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Dec 17, 2020
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action December 17, 2020

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Ocean Climate Emergency Action Now Act of 2020 or the OCEAN Act of 2020

This bill addresses climate change and establishes programs and incentives concerning efforts to

  • protect oceans, coastal ecosystems, and wildlife;
  • support fisheries;
  • support certain seaweed and shellfish farming;
  • help coastal communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and sea level rise; and
  • reduce or halt greenhouse gas emissions.
 Related & companion bills 17
  • HR 335 South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act of 2019
  • HR 414 Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act
  • HR 729 Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act
  • HR 1237 COAST Research Act
  • HR 1314 Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act Amendments of 2019
  • HR 1716 Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2019
  • HR 1921 Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2019
  • HR 2185 District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2019
  • HR 3115 Living Shorelines Act of 2019
  • HR 3297 Harmful Algal Bloom Essential Forecasting Act
Show all 17 related billsShow fewer related bills
  • HR 7387 Shovel-Ready Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2020
  • HR 7450 Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms Act
  • HR 8627 To express the sense of Congress that the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration …
  • HR 8750 To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administr…
  • S 778 Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2019
  • S 1730 Living Shorelines Act of 2020
  • S 2166 Regional Ocean Partnership Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 5056: OCEAN Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-5056/
MLA
"S. 5056: OCEAN Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-5056/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 5056, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-5056/.
Markdown link
[S. 5056: OCEAN Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-5056/)
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