H.R. 7918 — what changed

changed Establishment— The Secretary shall establish a grant program to be known as the “Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program”, to award encourage and facilitate coordinated rapid response and rescue by awarding grants for the purposes described in subsection (c).

changed the recovery, care, short- or long-term care, transportation, and treatment of stranded marine turtles;

changed the collection release of data rescued and samples from stranded marine turtles for scientific research or assessments regarding recovered marine turtle health; andturtles;

changed facility operation costs that are directly related to activities described in paragraphs (1) the collection of data and (2).samples from stranded marine turtles for scientific research or assessments regarding marine turtle health, including tagging information; and

changed the number of stranding events that occurred in each stranding region in the preceding year;5 years; and

changed the average number conservation priorities and recovery needs of stranding events per stranding region per year;species of marine turtles that are threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

changed Development of criteria— The Secretary shall, in consultation with a representative from each stranding region and representatives the Director of public and private organizations that are actively involved in rescue, rehabilitation, release, scientific research, marine conservation, the United States Fish and forensic science with respect to stranded marine turtles, develop Wildlife Service, establish by regulation appropriate criteria for awarding grants under this section.

changed Required criteria—Stakeholder engagement— The As part of the process for developing and finalizing criteria developed under paragraph (1) shall prioritize applicants (1), the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, provide opportunities for engagement with representatives from stranding regions and representatives of public and private organizations with an established record of rescuing or rehabilitating in rescue, rehabilitation, and release, as well as related scientific research, marine conservation, and forensic science, with respect to stranded marine turtles.

changed Matching requirement— The non-Federal share of the costs of an activity conducted with a grant awarded under the Program shall be not less than 25 50 percent of such costs, including in-kind services and the use of property.

changed Administrative cost—Authorization of appropriations— The Secretary may not expend There are authorized to administer be appropriated to the Program in a Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal year an amount greater than—years 2023 through 2028 to remain available until expended. Not more than 3 percent shall be used for administrative expenses to carry out this Act.