Congressional Legislation · bill 119s843 · built from our database

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Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025

S. 843 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S. 843119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 03/04/2025SEN. MARKEYD-MA · SPONSORLeft: DW-NOMINATE -0.52 (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEFT(SPONSOR RANKING)ANIMALS

8 members · Left 4 · Center 0 · Right 4 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorSen. Markey, Edward J. (D-MA) (Introduced 03/04/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLeft · DW-NOMINATE -0.52 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 8 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Latest Action03/24/2026 Held at the desk.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in Senate (03/04/2025)

Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and expands the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program to include separate grants to rescue sea turtles. The grants must be used for

  • the recovery, care, or treatment of sick, injured, or entangled sea turtles;
  • responses to rescue stranded sea turtles;
  • the collection of data and samples from living or dead stranded sea turtles for scientific research or health assessments;
  • facility operating costs that are directly related to activities to assist sea turtles; or 
  • development of stranding network capacity where facilities do not exist or are sparse.

In addition, the bill establishes the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.

Text (3)

Engrossed in Senate (ES)

119 S843 ES: Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 119th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 843IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025.2.Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and responseSection 408 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421f–1) is amended—(1)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:(10)Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response(A)In generalSubject to the availability of appropriations specific to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall include separate eligibility for grants under this subsection to address the purposes described in paragraph (2) with respect to sea turtles. (B)Conditions of grantA grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response shall—(i)include the equivalent grant criteria and administration authorities and requirements described under paragraph (3), subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4), and paragraphs (5) through (9), developed, as appropriate, and awarded separately for sea turtles and in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in lieu of the Marine Mammal Commission; and(ii)in addition to the considerations under paragraph (4)(B), also consider rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. (C)Eligibility criteriaIn order to apply for a grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, an entity shall—(i)submit an application described in paragraph (5) to the Secretary of Commerce with respect to sea turtles; (ii)be authorized by and in compliance with—(I)an authorization issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(A)) with respect to sea turtles; or (II)a cooperative agreement entered into under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1535) with respect to sea turtles; (iii)comply with the standard conditions for care and maintenance of captive sea turtles prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior when relevant facilities will be utilized for such purposes; and (iv)comply with all relevant data reporting, requirements, such as the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network data collection requirements.; (2)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)Rescue and rapid response funds(1)In generalThere is established in the Treasury of the United States—(A)an interest-bearing fund to be known as the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund; and(B)an interest-bearing fund to be known as the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.(2)Use of fundsAmounts in the funds established under paragraph (1) shall be available only for use by the Secretary to provide emergency assistance.; and(3)in subsection (d)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)in subparagraph (A), by inserting marine mammal rescue and response after to carry out the;(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);(iii)by inserting after clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) the following:(B)Authorization of appropriations with respect to sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and responseThere is authorized to be appropriated for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program under subsection (b)(10), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, to remain available until expended.; and(iv)in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by clause (ii), by inserting or (B) after subparagraph (A); and(B)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:(2)Rescue and rapid response fundsThere is authorized to be appropriated—(A)to the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030; and(B)to the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030..Passed the Senate March 22, 2026.Secretary

Introduced in Senate (IS)

119 S843 IS: Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 U.S. Senate 2025-03-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 843IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 4, 2025Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Graham, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025.2.Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and responseSection 408 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421f–1) is amended—(1)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:(10)Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response(A)In generalSubject to the availability of appropriations specific to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall include separate eligibility for grants under this subsection to address the purposes described in paragraph (2) with respect to sea turtles. (B)Conditions of grantA grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response shall—(i)include the equivalent grant criteria and administration authorities and requirements described under paragraph (3), subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4), and paragraphs (5) through (9), developed, as appropriate, and awarded separately for sea turtles and in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in lieu of the Marine Mammal Commission; and(ii)in addition to the considerations under paragraph (4)(B), also consider rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. (C)Eligibility criteriaIn order to apply for a grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, an entity shall—(i)submit an application described in paragraph (5) to the Secretary of Commerce with respect to sea turtles; (ii)be authorized by and in compliance with—(I)an authorization issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(A)) with respect to sea turtles; or (II)a cooperative agreement entered into under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1535) with respect to sea turtles; (iii)comply with the standard conditions for care and maintenance of captive sea turtles prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior when relevant facilities will be utilized for such purposes; and (iv)comply with all relevant data reporting, requirements, such as the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network data collection requirements.; (2)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)Rescue and rapid response funds(1)In generalThere is established in the Treasury of the United States—(A)an interest-bearing fund to known as the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund; and(B)an interest-bearing fund to be known as the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.(2)Use of fundsAmounts in the funds established under paragraph (1) shall be available only for use by the Secretary to provide emergency assistance.; and(3)in subsection (d)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)in subparagraph (A), by inserting marine mammal rescue and response after to carry out the;(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);(iii)by inserting after clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) the following:(B)Authorization of appropriations with respect to sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and responseThere is authorized to be appropriated for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program under subsection (b)(10), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, to remain available until expended.; and(iv)in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by clause (ii), by inserting or (B) after subparagraph (A); and(B)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:(2)Rescue and rapid response fundsThere is authorized to be appropriated—(A)to the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030; and(B)to the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030..

Reported in Senate (RS)

119 S843 RS: Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 U.S. Senate 2025-07-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IICalendar No. 118119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 843[Report No. 119–41]IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 4, 2025Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Graham, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationJuly 16, 2025Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendmentInsert the part printed in italicA BILLTo require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025.2.Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and responseSection 408 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421f–1) is amended—(1)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:(10)Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response(A)In generalSubject to the availability of appropriations specific to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall include separate eligibility for grants under this subsection to address the purposes described in paragraph (2) with respect to sea turtles. (B)Conditions of grantA grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response shall—(i)include the equivalent grant criteria and administration authorities and requirements described under paragraph (3), subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (4), and paragraphs (5) through (9), developed, as appropriate, and awarded separately for sea turtles and in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in lieu of the Marine Mammal Commission; and(ii)in addition to the considerations under paragraph (4)(B), also consider rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. (C)Eligibility criteriaIn order to apply for a grant awarded under this subsection to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, an entity shall—(i)submit an application described in paragraph (5) to the Secretary of Commerce with respect to sea turtles; (ii)be authorized by and in compliance with—(I)an authorization issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(A)) with respect to sea turtles; or (II)a cooperative agreement entered into under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1535) with respect to sea turtles; (iii)comply with the standard conditions for care and maintenance of captive sea turtles prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior when relevant facilities will be utilized for such purposes; and (iv)comply with all relevant data reporting, requirements, such as the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network data collection requirements.; (2)by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:(c)Rescue and rapid response funds(1)In generalThere is established in the Treasury of the United States—(A)an interest-bearing fund to be known as the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund; and(B)an interest-bearing fund to be known as the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.(2)Use of fundsAmounts in the funds established under paragraph (1) shall be available only for use by the Secretary to provide emergency assistance.; and(3)in subsection (d)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)in subparagraph (A), by inserting marine mammal rescue and response after to carry out the;(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);(iii)by inserting after clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) the following:(B)Authorization of appropriations with respect to sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and responseThere is authorized to be appropriated for the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response grant program under subsection (b)(10), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, to remain available until expended.; and(iv)in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by clause (ii), by inserting or (B) after subparagraph (A); and(B)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:(2)Rescue and rapid response fundsThere is authorized to be appropriated—(A)to the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030; and(B)to the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030..July 16, 2025Reported by with an amendment

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (11)

DateChamberAll Actions
03/04/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
03/04/2025SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
03/12/2025SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
07/16/2025Library of CongressCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment. With written report No. 119-41.
07/16/2025SenateCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment. With written report No. 119-41.
07/16/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 118.
03/22/2026Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
03/22/2026SenatePassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1503-1504; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1504)
03/24/2026SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
03/24/2026House floor actionsReceived in the House.
03/24/2026House floor actionsHeld at the desk.

Titles (5)

Title TypeTitle
Display TitleSea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as Passed SenateSea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as Reported to SenateSea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as IntroducedSea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (7)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (3)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee07/16/2025 Reported By
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee03/12/2025 Markup By
Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee03/04/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (1)

Subjects (4)

Policy Area: Animals

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