Help Our Kelp Act of 2025

S 513, the Help Our Kelp Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program to fund projects restoring and conserving kelp forest ecosystems. It directly affects eligible entities like fishing industry groups, tribal governments, nonprofits, and coastal local governments, which can apply for grants covering up to 85% of project costs. Key provisions require projects to address declining kelp forests through methods such as removing sea urchins, restoring natural food chains, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and monitoring ecosystems. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030), with at least $750,000 reserved specifically for tribal-led projects.