1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Harmful Algal Blooms Solutions Act of 2017 or the HABS Act of 2017 . 2. Establishment of program The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a program to award prizes to eligible persons for achievement in developing innovative, environmentally safe technologies and practices for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms in one or more of the following categories: (1) Large-scale physical removal of algal biomass. (2) Removal of, or rendering harmless, harmful algal bloom toxins in the environment. (3) Reduction of available nutrients that fuel harmful algal blooms. (4) Real-time monitoring of harmful algal blooms and early-warning systems. 3. Establishment of Board (a) In general The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a Board to administer the program. (b) Membership The Board shall be composed of 30 individuals who have experience in the field of harmful algal blooms as follows: (1) The Secretary of Commerce shall appoint six individuals with experience in the fields of environmental science, aquatic ecology, or environmental toxicology, of whom— (A) two shall be employees of institutions of higher education; (B) two shall be employees of not-for-profit or nonprofit entities