H.R. 2406 Passed the House Public Lands and Natural Resources

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025

To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to address sexual harassment and sexual assault involving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] Introduced March 27, 2025 Cosponsors 3 (1 D, 2 R) Latest action September 15, 2026

Summary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025
This bill expands requirements for addressing sexual harassment and sexual assault involving personnel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The bill specifies that NOAA's sexual harassment prevention and response policy applies to personnel such as observers, at-sea monitors, and voting members and staff of regional fishery management councils.
The bill removes the requirement that certain acts, such as assault, intimidation, and sexual harassment of an observer or a data collector, be forcible in nature to be unlawful.
The bill also requires NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations to establish a policy for reporting to the Coast Guard the names of NOAA personnel involved in a sexual harassment or sexual assault claim. Specifically, such reports must identify employees or contractors who are the subject of such claim, the time and date of the incident, and the location of the vessel when the incident occurred.
The bill prohibits a person convicted of certain sexual offenses from enlisting with or being commissioned by NOAA.
Additionally, the bill directs NOAA to update its policies to develop a restricted reporting system that allows employees and other personnel to confidentially report sexual harassment or assault and receive services without triggering an investigation.
Finally, the bill also expands reporting requirements on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and equal employment.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 15, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Sep 14, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 14, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5571-5573)
  4. Sep 14, 2026 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  5. Sep 14, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2406.
  6. Sep 14, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5571-5574)
  7. Sep 14, 2026 Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  8. Aug 20, 2026 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 662.
  9. Aug 20, 2026 Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-761.
  10. Jul 15, 2026 Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
  11. Jul 15, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  12. Jul 15, 2026 Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged

Congressional and federal records come from official public sources: the House Clerk, the U.S. Senate, GovInfo and the Library of Congress (bill status), the Federal Register, and the congress-legislators project. They are copied on a schedule and may lag the official record by a few hours; the official sources govern. News and coverage counts are drawn from the 4Conservative index and reflect what the press published, not 4Conservative's views. Nothing here is an endorsement of any candidate, party or position. Terms of use.