; harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance (1) In general The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: 611. National level incubator program (a) In general The Under Secretary, in collaboration with research universities and institutions, shall establish a national level incubator program to increase the number of available control strategies and technologies relating to harmful algal blooms. Such incubator shall establish a framework for preliminary assessments of novel harmful algal bloom prevention, mitigation, and control technologies in order to determine the potential for effectiveness and scalability. (b) Operation The incubator under subsection (a) shall provide merit-based funding for harmful algal bloom control strategies and technologies that eliminate or reduce through biological, chemical, or physical means the levels of harmful algae and associated toxins. (c) Database The incubator under subsection (a) shall establish a database to— (1) catalog the economic costs, feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability of both novel and established prevention, control, and mitigation measures; and (2) clarify the licensing and permitting requirements regulating the application of such measures. (d) Prioritization In carrying out the incubator under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall prioritize proposed activities that would— (1) protect key habitats for fish and wildlife; (2) maintain biodiversity; (3) protect public health; (4) protect coastal resources of national, historical, and cultural significance