Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023

This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to create a separate grant program for sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, and establishes a dedicated fund for rapid response. It authorizes funding for these activities through fiscal year 2030.

Sec. 2, Sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response: This section amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to require the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to include separate eligibility for grants to address sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response, subject to available appropriations. Grants must have equivalent criteria and administration as existing marine mammal grants, developed in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Eligible applicants must have an authorization under the Endangered Species Act or a cooperative agreement, comply with care standards for captive sea turtles, and meet data reporting requirements. The section also establishes a new 'Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund' in the Treasury for emergency assistance. It authorizes $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for the sea turtle grant program, and $500,000 per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for the new fund.