S. 190 — North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act

This section amends the North Pacific Research Board (NPRB)—which receives 20% of annual interest from the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund (established with half of a 1997 Supreme Court award to the United States in U.S. v. Alaska for investment, with the other 80% available for high-priority deferred maintenance by the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service, as well as certain Louisiana oil and gas payments)—as follows: (1) adds one board member representing Alaska Natives with direct subsistence experience, nominated by the board and appointed by the Secretary, with three-year terms renewable once for that member and the member under subparagraph (N); (2) authorizes the NOAA Administrator to exceed the 15% cap on administrative expenses in years of declining funding under subsection (c)(2) to prioritize board operations, research funding, and grant quality; and (3) fully waives the 15% administrative expense cap for five years beginning on enactment.