The "Working Waterfronts Act of 2025" aims to strengthen rural coastal and maritime economies through a comprehensive suite of programs. It addresses critical areas such as energy, fisheries, infrastructure, workforce development, and environmental protection to promote sustainable growth and resilience in these vital communities.

In coastal energy, the bill introduces a 30% tax credit for hydroelectric facility improvements, covering enhancements like fish passage, water quality, and marine energy projects, with provisions for elective payment and transferability. It also establishes a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pilot program, authorized at $20 million annually from 2026-2030, to offer loans for the transition to alternative fuel commercial fishing vessels and for related research and development of shoreside infrastructure.

For fisheries and seafood, the bill expands the definition of "farmer" and "farming" under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, making commercial fishing and fish processing businesses eligible for USDA farm ownership and operating loans. It also broadens the Farmers' Markets and Local Food Promotion Program to include wild-caught fish and domestic seafood marketing. Furthermore, it amends the Farm Credit Act to allow credit extensions to businesses serving aquatic product producers, enhances grant programs for shellfish mariculture under the harmful algal bloom program, and reallocates funds under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act to increase support for competitive grants and the Young Fishermen's Development Act. An Electronic Monitoring Innovation Prize is also established to encourage advanced fisheries monitoring technology.

Regarding shoreside infrastructure, the Department of Agriculture is directed to develop an action plan and provide competitive grants and cooperative agreements, totaling $10 million annually from 2026-2030, for rural seafood processing and cold storage infrastructure. Half of these funds are earmarked for facilities with fewer than 50 employees. Additionally, a Working Waterfronts Preservation grant program, administered by the Economic Development Administration, is authorized at $20 million annually from 2026-2030 to fund projects that improve or protect working waterfront areas, including wharves, access, and climate resilience measures.

For workforce development, a new Department of Transportation maritime workforce grant program is created, with $25 million authorized annually from 2026-2030, to support recruitment, education, and training for the maritime workforce, with 25% of funds allocated to rural areas. The bill also enhances fishing vessel safety standards by including training for behavioral and physical health risks, such as substance use and worker fatigue, and increases funding for these safety programs.

Miscellaneous provisions include the establishment of Ocean Innovation Clusters, with the Secretary of Commerce designating at least seven entities to foster Blue Economy growth and collaboration, supported by competitive grants of up to $10 million annually. It also mandates an Interagency Working Group to map and inventory vegetated coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems, and authorizes grants for pilot projects and research on coastal natural infrastructure in cold climates. Finally, it strengthens the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act by improving collaboration with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and making technical corrections, and transfers and amends the Coastal Aquatic Invasive Species Mitigation Grant Program, authorizing $5 million annually for mitigation efforts.