The 'Keep the Lights Local Act' would create a grant program to help restore and protect kelp forest ecosystems. This would provide funding for projects focused on kelp forest conservation, restoration, and management, and could involve local communities, universities, and Indigenous groups.
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AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The 'Keep the Lights Local Act' would create a grant program to help restore and protect kelp forest ecosystems. This would provide funding for projects focused on kelp forest conservation, restoration, and management, and could involve local communities, universities, and Indigenous groups.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Help Our Kelp Act<br/><br/></strong>This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a grant program to fund projects to conserve, restore, or manage kelp forest ecosystems. (A kelp forest is a dense grouping of large brown algae which also serves as a habitat for marine life.)</p><p>Eligible projects include those that address the greatest relative regional declines in kelp forest ecosystems, focus on kelp forest seeding and connectivity, or integrate Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into the restoration and monitoring of kelp forest ecosystems.</p><p>The bill specifies that members of the fishing industry, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, state agencies, and local governments are eligible to receive grants.</p><p>The bill prohibits a grant from exceeding 85% of the total project cost. However, NOAA may waive this restriction in limited circumstances.</p><p> </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Establishes a grant program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund projects that conserve, restore, or manage kelp forest ecosystems.
Eligible projects can address regional kelp forest declines, focus on kelp seeding and connectivity, or integrate Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices.
Grants can be awarded to members of the fishing industry, higher education institutions, nonprofits, tribes, state agencies, and local governments.
Grants are limited to 85% of the total project cost, but NOAA can waive this restriction in certain cases.
The goal is to protect and restore important kelp forest habitats that support marine life and coastal communities.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If enacted, this bill would provide much-needed funding and resources to help restore and conserve kelp forests, which are crucial habitats for many marine species and support coastal economies. It would engage a variety of stakeholders, including local communities and Indigenous groups, in these restoration efforts. The impacts would be felt most directly by coastal regions that have experienced significant declines in their kelp forest ecosystems.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Related Subjects
Aquaculture
Aquatic ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Indian lands and resources rights
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
5487, 119th Congress (2025). "Keep the Lights Local Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5487
