assistance to fishery participant.

SEC. 12005. assistance to fishery participant. (a) [15 U.S.C. 1512 note] In General.—The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to provide assistance to Tribal, subsistence, commercial, and charter fishery participants affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which may include direct relief payments. (b) Fishery Participants.—For the purposes of this section, “fishery participants” include Tribes, persons, fishing communities, aquaculture businesses not otherwise eligible for assistance under part 1416 of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations for losses related to COVID-19, processors, or other fishery-related businesses, who have incurred, as a direct or indirect result of the coronavirus pandemic— (1) economic revenue losses greater than 35 percent as compared to the prior 5-year average revenue; or (2) any negative impacts to subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial fisheries. (c) Rolling Basis.—Funds may be awarded under this section on a rolling basis, and within a fishing season, to ensure rapid delivery of funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. (d) Appropriations.—In addition to funds that are otherwise made available to assist fishery participants under this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated, $300,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2021, to carry out this section, of which up to 2 percent may be used for administration and oversight activities. (e) Emergency Requirement.—The amount provided by this section is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.