Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 , significantly amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 to enhance collaboration and engagement on ocean and coastal acidification issues. It introduces new definitions for "Indian Tribe" and "Native Hawaiian organization" to ensure their explicit inclusion in federal efforts. The legislation mandates the Secretary of Commerce, through NOAA, to establish an ongoing mechanism for input from a broad range of affected parties, including industry members, coastal stakeholders, community acidification networks, fishery management councils, Indigenous groups , and non-Federal scientific experts. A key provision requires the inclusion of two representatives from Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia on the advisory board, while also requiring the board to develop a policy for engagement and coordination with Indian Tribes. The Secretary is further directed to collaborate with State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations on community vulnerability assessments , research planning, and similar activities. These collaborative efforts are specifically tasked with prioritizing underserved populations, aiming to improve existing systems and identify models for other communities. Overall, these amendments aim to integrate local and Indigenous knowledge more effectively into federal research and monitoring efforts, fostering better on-the-ground management and adaptation strategies. The bill also makes several technical corrections and updates language across the original Act to consistently reflect these expanded collaborative requirements and ensure comprehensive engagement with all affected communities.