This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Commerce to support veterans through training and employment in marine and coastal conservation work. The program would award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations that hire and train veterans for underwater conservation activities such as coral restoration, invasive species removal, marine debris cleanup, marine mammal rescue, and coastal restoration projects. The legislation is based on findings that veterans benefit mentally and emotionally from community-focused work, and that activities like scuba diving can help address post-traumatic stress disorder and combat-related trauma. The bill authorizes funding starting at one million dollars in fiscal year 2024 and increasing incrementally to 1.8 million dollars by 2028. The Department of Commerce would have 120 days after the bill's enactment to establish the program and would coordinate with the Department of the Interior in its implementation.
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