[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1142 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 251

104th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 1142

                          [Report No. 104-178]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           November 29, 1995

                        Reported with amendments
                                                       Calendar No. 251
104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1142

                          [Report No. 104-178]

 To authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

               August 9 (legislative day, July 10), 1995

 Mr. Pressler (for himself, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Burns, and 
  Mr. Breaux) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

                           November 29, 1995

               Reported by Mr. Pressler, with amendments
                      [Insert the parts in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Authorization Act of 1995''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
            TITLE I--NOAA ATMOSPHERIC AND SATELLITE PROGRAMS

Sec. 101. National Weather Service operations and research.
Sec. 102. Public warning and forecast systems.
Sec. 103. Climate and air quality research.
Sec. 104. Atmospheric research.
Sec. 105. Satellite observing systems.
Sec. 106. Environmental data management systems.
Sec. 107. Duties of the National Weather Service.
Sec. 108. Satellite procurement.
Sec. 109. Landsat.
               TITLE II--NOAA OCEAN AND COASTAL PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. National Ocean Service.
Sec. 202. Ocean and Great Lakes Research.
Sec. 203. Reauthorization of the National Sea Grant College Program 
                            Act.
Sec. 204. National undersea research program.
Sec. 205. Reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act.
                TITLE III--NOAA MARINE FISHERY PROGRAMS

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 302. Fisheries research facilities.
Sec. 303. Fisheries loan guarantee reform.
              TITLE IV--PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT

Sec. 401. Program support.
Sec. 402. Personnel reductions.
                 TITLE V--COST SAVINGS AND STREAMLINING

Sec. 501. Transfer of aeronautical charting.
Sec. 502. Regulatory streamlining.
Sec. 503. Reduction in NOAA fleet.
Sec. 504. Reduction in reporting requirements.
Sec. 505. Laboratory consolidation study.
Sec. 506. Conveyances.
Sec. 507. Pribilof Islands.
Sec. 508. Reimbursement of expenses.
Sec. 509. Certain National Weather Service field stations.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act, the term--
            (1) ``Act of 1890'' means the Act entitled ``An Act to 
        increase the efficiency and reduce the expenses of the Signal 
        Corps of the Army, and to transfer the Weather Bureau of the 
        Department of Agriculture'', approved October 1, 1890 (26 Stat. 
        653);
            (2) ``Act of 1947'' means the Act entitled ``An Act to 
        define the functions and duties of the Coast and Geodetic 
        Survey, and for other purposes'', approved August 6, 1947 (33 
        U.S.C. 883a et seq.); and
            (3) ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, except as 
        otherwise expressly provided.

            TITLE I--NOAA ATMOSPHERIC AND SATELLITE PROGRAMS

SEC. 101. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out the operations and research activities of the National 
Weather Service under law, $477,207,000 for fiscal year 1996, 
$491,523,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $484,278,000 for fiscal year 
1998. Moneys appropriated pursuant to this authorization shall be used 
to fund those activities relating to National Weather Service 
operations and research specified by the Act of 1890, the Act of 1947, 
and any other law involving such activities. Such activities include 
meteorological, hydrological, and oceanographic public warnings and 
forecasts, as well as applied research in support of such warnings and 
forecasts.

SEC. 102. PUBLIC WARNING AND FORECAST SYSTEMS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to improve its public warning and forecast systems under 
law, $131,335,000 for fiscal year 1996, $222,500,000 for fiscal year 
1997, and $225,000,000 for fiscal year 1998. Moneys appropriated 
pursuant to this authorization shall be used to fund those activities 
relating to public warning and forecast systems specified by the Act of 
1890, the Act of 1947, and any other law involving such activities. 
Such activities include the development, acquisition, and 
implementation of major public warning and forecast systems.
    (b) Contractor Activities.--Activities of the contractor, including 
the purchase, transportation, receiving, and installation of property 
and materials, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration pursuant to the modernization of the National Weather 
Service as set forth in Pub. L. 102-567, are hereby expressly exempted 
from taxation in any manner or form by any State, county, municipality, 
or any subdivision thereof.

SEC. 103. CLIMATE AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out its climate and air quality research activities under law, 
$113,252,000 for fiscal year 1996, $115,918,000 for fiscal year 1997, 
and $119,396,000 for fiscal year 1998. Moneys appropriated pursuant to 
this authorization shall be used to fund those activities relating to 
climate and air quality research specified by the Act of 1890, the Act 
of 1947, and any other law involving such activities. Such activities 
include interannual and seasonal climate research, long-term climate 
and air quality research, and high performance computing.

SEC. 104. ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out its atmospheric research activities under law, $46,850,000 
for each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998. Moneys appropriated 
pursuant to this authorization shall be used to fund those activities 
relating to atmospheric research specified by the Act of 1890 and by 
any other law involving such activities. Such activities include 
research for developing improved observation and prediction 
capabilities for atmospheric processes, as well as solar-terrestrial 
services and research.

SEC. 105. SATELLITE OBSERVING SYSTEMS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out its satellite observing systems activities under law, 
$449,000,000 for fiscal year 1996 and $535,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 1997 and 1998. Such activities include spacecraft procurement, 
launch, and associated ground station system changes involving polar 
orbiting and geostationary environmental satellites and land remote-
sensing satellites, as well as the operation of such satellites.

SEC. 106. ENVIRONMENTAL DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out its data and information services activities under law, 
$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998. Moneys 
appropriated pursuant to this authorization shall be used to fund those 
activities relating to data and information services specified by the 
Act of 1890 and by any other law involving such activities. Such 
activities include climate data services, ocean data services, 
geophysical data services, and environmental services data and 
information management.

SEC. 107. DUTIES OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

    To protect life and property and enhance the national economy, the 
Secretary of Commerce, through the National Weather Service, shall be 
responsible for--
            (1) forecasts and shall serve as the sole official source 
        of weather warnings;
            (2) the issue of storm warning;
            (3) the collection, exchange, and distribution of 
        meteorological, hydrological, climatic, and oceanographic data 
        and information; and
            (4) the preparation of hydrometeorological guidance and 
        core forecast information.

SEC. 108. SATELLITE PROCUREMENT.

    To ensure and facilitate the acquisition of the additional GOES-
NEXT satellites and instruments, the Administrator is authorized to 
procure up to four additional Geostationary Operational Environmental 
NEXT (GOES I-M) Satellites and instruments together with the launch of 
and supporting ground systems for such satellites, and to enter, 
through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, into 
contracts and into amendments or modifications of contracts with the 
developer of previous GOES-NEXT satellites, without regard to the 
provisions of law relating to the funding, making, performance, 
amendment, or modification of contracts, if the Administrator 
determines that such action will not incure substantial additional 
costs over a competitive procurement or that such action is necessary 
to ensure continuity of satellite observations.

SEC. 109. LANDSAT.

    (a) Amendments To Land Remote Sensing Act of 1992.--Section 101 of 
the Land Remote Sensing Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as (e) and 
        (f), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Authority To Retain Fees.--The Landsat Program Management 
Member responsible for operation of the Landsat 7 system is directed to 
retain the fees collected from foreign ground stations and for Landsat 
7 data sales to offset the costs of operating the Landsat 7 system.''.
    (b) Ground System.--
            (1) The Administrator shall develop a plan for the 
        operation of the Landsat 7 spacecraft and the processing, 
        archiving, and distribution of its data from the currently 
designated distribution and archiving element at the EROS Data Center.
            (2) The plan shall--
                    (A) examine--
                            (i) a ground station capable of receiving 
                        data from multiple Earth observation 
                        satellites, including both United States and 
                        foreign-built satellites providing data which 
                        might be of commercial interest;
                            (ii) a command and control facility capable 
                        of operating the Landsat 7 spacecraft as well 
                        as other satellites; and
                            (iii) collaboration in concept development 
                        by commercial firms demonstrating an interest 
                        in operating the Landsat 7 spacecraft, and the 
                        possible leasing and operation of a common 
                        ground station; and
                    (B) include an assessment of the economics of such 
                a concept, including a definition of the conditions 
                which should exist to make such a facility economically 
                viable without dependence upon government funding.
    (c) Authorization.--Of the sums authorized under section 105, there 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, for procurement and 
operation of the Landsat 7 ground segment, and for operation of the 
Landsat 7 spacecraft.

               TITLE II--NOAA OCEAN AND COASTAL PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE.

    (a) Mapping, Charting, and Geodesy.--
            (1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
        Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration to carry out mapping, charting, and 
        geodesy activities (including geodetic data collection and 
        analysis) under the Act of 1947 and any other law involving 
        those activities, $44,917,000 for fiscal year 1996, $46,275,000 
        for fiscal year 1997 and $47,652,000 for fiscal year 1998.
            (2) The Secretary shall award contracts for hydrographic, 
        geodetic, and photogrammetric surveying and mapping services in 
        accordance with Title IX of the Federal Property and 
        Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 541 et seq.).
    (b) Observation and Assessment.--
            (1) Observation and assessment activities.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to 
        enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
        carry out observation and assessment activities $66,591,000 for 
        fiscal year 1996, $68,589,000 for fiscal year 1997, and 
        $70,646,000 for fiscal year 1998.
            (2) Coastal ocean program.--Of the sums authorized under 
        paragraph (1) of section (b), $10,943,000 for fiscal year 1996, 
        $11,271,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $11,609,000 for fiscal 
        year 1998, are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes 
        of conducting a Coastal Ocean Program. Such program shall 
        augment and integrate existing programs of the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration and shall include efforts to 
        improve predictions of fish stocks to better conserve and 
        manage living marine resources, to improve predictions of 
        coastal ocean pollution to help correct and prevent 
        degradation, and to improve predictions of coastal hazards to 
        protect human life and personal property.

SEC. 202. OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES RESEARCH.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out ocean and Great Lakes research activities under the Act of 
1947, the Act of 1890, and any other law involving those activities, 
$9,506,000 for fiscal year 1996, $9,791,000 for fiscal year 1997, and 
$10,085,000 for fiscal year 1998.

SEC. 203. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM 
              ACT.

    (a) In General.--Section 212(a) of Public Law 89-454 (33 U.S.C. 
1131(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out sections 205 and 208 of this title not more than--
            ``(1) $53,300,000 for fiscal year 1996;
            ``(2) $54,899,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
            ``(3) $56,546,000 for fiscal year 1998.''.
    (b) Administration.--Paragraph (1) of section 212(b) of such law 
(33 U.S.C. 1131(b)) is amended by striking ``amount--'' and all that 
follows and inserting ``amount for each of the fiscal years 1996 
through 1998 equal to not more than 5 percent of the amount 
appropriated for that fiscal year under subsection (a).''.

SEC. 204. NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``National 
Undersea Research Program Act of 1995''.
    (b) Establishment.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall establish and maintain a National 
Undersea Research Program and shall designate a Director of such 
program.
    (c) Purpose.--The purpose of the National Undersea Research Program 
is to increase scientific knowledge essential for the wise use and 
preservation of oceanic, coastal, and large lake resources by 
conducting advanced undersea research, including exploration, sampling, 
observation and experimentation.
    (d) Regional Centers.--
            (1) The undersea research activities of the National 
        Undersea Research Program shall be conducted by regional 
        National Undersea Research Centers, each of which shall receive 
        at least 13 percent of the annual appropriations made pursuant 
        to subsection (f).
            (2) Each regional National Undersea Research Center shall 
        annually solicit proposals from the scientific community for 
        undersea research in its region and shall, following peer 
        review, submit a prioritized list of such research proposals to 
        the Director of the National Undersea Research Program.
    (e) Administration.--The cost of reviewing and approving the 
undersea research proposals submitted under subsection (d)(2) and 
otherwise administering the National Undersea Research Program shall 
not exceed $500,000 annually. The Director of the National Undersea 
Research Program may in addition use up to 5 percent of the 
appropriations authorized under subsection (f) to fund undersea 
research activities identified by the Director.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section not more than--
            (1) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1996;
            (2) $12,360,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
            (3) $12,731,000 for fiscal year 1998.

SEC. 205. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

    (a) Management Program Development Grants.--
            (1) Section 305 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 
        (16 U.S.C. 1454) is amended by--
                    (A) striking ``1991, 1992, and 1993'' in subsection 
                (a) and inserting ``1996, 1997, and 1998''; and
                    (B) striking the last two sentences of subsection 
                (a) and inserting the following: ``A coastal state is 
                eligible to receive a total of four grants, beginning 
                in fiscal year 1991, pursuant to this subsection, 
                provided that the Secretary finds the state is making 
                substantial progress in developing its management 
                program.''.
            (2) Section 306(d)(16) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1455(d)(16)) 
        is amended by striking ``1990.'' and inserting the following: 
        `` 1990, in accordance with the deadlines established by 
        section 6206(b) of that Act.''.
            (3) Section 6206(b) of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization 
        Amendments of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 1455 note) is amended to read as 
        follows:
    ``(b) Additional Program Requirements.--
            ``(1) Each State which submitted on or before November 5, 
        1990, a management program for approval under section 306 of 
        the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 shall demonstrate to 
        the Secretary that the program complies with section 306(d)(16) 
        of that Act not later than 30 months after the date of 
        publication of final guidance under section 6217(g) of this 
        Act.
            ``(2) Each state which submits after November 5, 1990, a 
        management program for approval under section 306 of the 
        Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 shall demonstrate to the 
        Secretary that the program complies with section 306(d)(16) of 
        that Act by not later than 30 months after the date of approval 
        of the management program.''.
            (4) Section 308(b)(2)(A) of the Coastal Zone Management Act 
        of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1456a(b)(2)(A)) is amended to read as 
        follows:
            ``(A) Expenses incident to the administration of this 
        title.''.
    (b) Enhancement Grants.--Section 309(b) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
1456b(b)) is amended by striking ``development and submission for 
Federal approval of program changes'' and inserting ``development, 
submission for Federal approval, and implementation for up to 2 years 
of program changes and program refinements''.
    (c) Protecting Coastal Waters.--Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone 
Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1455b) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and implementing'' after ``developing'' 
        in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (f);
            (2) by striking ``1992, 1993, and 1994'' in subsection 
        (h)(1) and inserting ``1996, 1997, and 1998'';
            (3) striking clauses (i) through (iii) of subsection 
        (h)(2)(B);
            (4) redesignating clause (iv) of that subsection as clause 
        (i);
            (5) striking the period at the end of clause (i) of that 
        subsection, as redesignated, and inserting a semicolon and 
        ``and''; and
            (6) adding at the end of that subsection the following:
                            ``(ii) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                        1996, 1997, and 1998.''.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 318 of the Coastal 
Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1464) is amended by striking 
subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Sums Appropriated to the Secretary.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary--
            ``(1) such sums, not to exceed $750,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years occurring during the period beginning October 1, 
        1996, and ending September 30, 1998, as may be necessary for 
        grants under section 305, to remain available until expended;
            ``(2) not to exceed $45,500,000 for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 1996, $46,865,000 for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 1997, and $48,271,000 for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 1998, as may be necessary for grants under 
        sections 306, 306A, and 309 to remain available until expended;
            ``(3) not to exceed $3,350,000 for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 1996, $3,451,000 for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 1997, and $3,554,000 for the fiscal year ending 
        September 30, 1998, for grants under section 315 to remain 
        available until expended;
            ``(4) such sums, not to exceed $10,000,000 for each of the 
        fiscal years occurring during the period beginning October 1, 
        1996, and ending September 30, 1998, as may be necessary for 
        grants under section 310, to remain available until expended, 
        but no sums authorized under this paragraph may be used to 
        augment grants made under any other section of this Act; and
            ``(5) such sums not to exceed the lesser of--
                    ``(A) $5,000,000; or
                    ``(B) 8 percent of the total amount appropriated 
                under this Act for each of the fiscal years occurring 
                during the period beginning October 1, 1996, and ending 
                September 30, 1998, for administrative expenses 
                incident to the administration of this title, to remain 
                available until expended.''.

                TITLE III--NOAA MARINE FISHERY PROGRAMS

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Fisheries Information Collection and Analysis.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out 
fisheries information and analysis activities under the Fish and 
Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and any other law 
involving those activities, $49,340,000 for fiscal year 1996, 
$50,820,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $52,345,000 for fiscal year 1998. 
Such activities may include, but are not limited to, the collection, 
analysis and dissemination of scientific data necessary for the 
management of living marine resources and associated marine habitat.
    (b) Fisheries Conservation and Management Operations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out 
activities relating to fisheries conservation and management operations 
under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and 
any other law involving those activities, $28,183,000 for fiscal year 
1996, $29,028,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $29,899,000 for fiscal year 
1998. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, development, 
implementation, and enforcement of conservation and management measures 
to achieve continued optimum use of living marine resources, hatchery 
operations, habitat conservation, and protected species management.
    (c) Fisheries State and Industry Cooperative Programs.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out State 
and industry cooperative programs under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 
1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and any other law involving those 
activities, $22,405,000 for fiscal year 1996, $23,077,000 for fiscal 
year 1997, and $23,769,000 for fiscal year 1998. These activities 
include, but are not limited to ensuring the quality and safety of 
seafood products and providing grants to States for improving the 
management of interstate fisheries.
    (d) Relation to Other Laws.--Authorizations under this section 
shall be in addition to monies authorized under the Magnuson Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the Anadromous 
Fish Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 757 et seq.), and the 
Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (16 U.S.C. 4107 et seq.).

SEC. 302. FISHERIES RESEARCH FACILITIES.

    (a) Fort Johnson.--The Secretary of Commerce, through the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, is authorized to 
construct on land to be leased from the State of South Carolina, a 
facility at Fort Johnson, South Carolina, provided that the annual cost 
of leasing the required lands does not exceed one dollar.
    (b) Auke Cape.--The Secretary of Commerce, through the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, is authorized to 
construct a facility on Auke Cape near Juneau, Alaska, to provide 
consolidated office and laboratory space for National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration personnel in Juneau, provided that the 
property for such facility is transferred to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration from the United States Coast Guard for the 
City of Juneau.
    (c) Completion Date for Funded Work.--The Secretary of Commerce 
shall complete the architectural and engineering work for the 
facilities described in subsections (a) and (b) by not later than May 
1, 1996, using funds that have been previously appropriated for that 
work.
    (d) Availability of Appropriations.--The authorizations contained 
in subsections (a) and (b) are subject to the availability of 
appropriations provided for the purpose stated in this section.

SEC. 303. FISHERIES LOAN GUARANTEE REFORM.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds--
            (1) in recent years, Congress has appropriated funds to 
        allow the Fishing Vessel Obligation Guarantee Program to 
        guarantee between $25,000,000 and $45,900,000 in loans annually 
        for fishing vessels and fishery facilities;
            (2) many fisheries in the United States exclusive economic 
        zone are being overfished; and
            (3) United States fishing vessels presently have an excess 
        harvesting capacity.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            (1) to limit loan guarantees under the Fishing Vessel 
        Obligation Guarantee program to no more than $25,000,000 
        annually;
            (2) to enable the administrative costs of the Fishing 
        Vessel Obligation Guarantee program to be paid for by loan 
        guarantee recipients; and
            (3) to prohibit Federal loan guarantees from being made for 
        a period of 5 years for the construction of new fishing vessels 
        which will result in an increased harvesting capacity within 
        the United States exclusive economic zone.
    (c) Amendment of Merchant Marine Act, 1936.--Section 1104A(b)(2) of 
the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1274(b)(2)), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``equal to'' in the third proviso and 
        inserting ``not to exceed''; and
            (2) by striking ``except that no debt may be placed under 
        this proviso through the Federal Financing Bank:'' in the third 
        proviso and inserting ``and obligations related to fishing 
        vessels and fishery facilities under this title shall be placed 
        through the Federal Financing Bank unless placement through the 
        Federal Financing Bank is not reasonably available or placement 
        elsewhere is available at a lower annual yield than placement 
        through the Federal Financing Bank:''.
    (d) Limit on Guarantees.--Fishing Vessel Obligation loan guarantees 
may not exceed $25,000,000 for the purposes of section 504(b) of the 
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2U.S.C. 661c(b)).
    (e) Adjustment of Fees.--The Secretary of Commerce may take such 
actions as necessary to adjust fees imposed on new loan guarantee 
applicants to capture any savings from placement of loan guarantee 
obligations through the Federal Financing Bank if the total fees 
charged to applicants do not exceed the percentage amounts paid before 
the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Administrative Costs.--Fees generated from the adjustment in 
subsection (e) shall be deposited in the appropriate account of the 
Federal Ship Financing Fund. The Secretary of Commerce may transfer 
annually up to $1,000,000 from such account to pay for the 
administrative costs associated with the Fishing Vessel Obligation 
Guarantee Program if that program has resulted in job cost, as defined 
in section 502(5) of the Federal Credit Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)).
    (g) Prohibition.--Until October 1, 2001, no new loans may be 
guaranteed by the Federal Government for the construction of new 
fishing vessels if the construction will result in an increased 
harvesting capacity within the United States exclusive economic zone.

              TITLE IV--PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT

SEC. 401. PROGRAM SUPPORT.

    (a) Executive Direction and Administrative Activities.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out 
executive direction and administrative activities (including 
management, administrative support, provision of retired pay of 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned officers, 
and policy development) under the Act entitled ``An Act to clarify the 
status and benefits of commissioned officers of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes'', approved 
December 31, 1970 (33 U.S.C. 857-1 et seq.), and any other law 
involving those activities, $72,847,000 for fiscal year 1996, 
$75,032,000 for fiscal year 1997, and $77,283,000 for fiscal year 1998.
    (b) Acquisition, Construction, Maintenance, and Operation of 
Facilities.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
of Commerce, for acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation 
of facilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
under any law involving those activities, $54,163,000 for each of 
fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998.
    (c) Marine Services.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to carry out marine services activities 
(including ship operations, maintenance, and support) under the Act of 
1947 and any other law involving those activities, $60,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998.
    (d) Aircraft Services.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to carry out aircraft services activities 
(including aircraft operations, maintenance, and support) under the Act 
of 1890 and any other law involving those activities, $9,500,000 for 
each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998.

SEC. 402. PERSONNEL REDUCTIONS.

    (a) Full Time Equivalents.--The Administrator shall reduce the 
number of full time equivalent positions of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration by a least 2,318 from its fiscal year 1993 
base by the end of fiscal year 1999.
    (b) Authorized Number of Commissioned Officers.----
            (1) In general.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration is authorized an end-of-year personnel strength 
        for commissioned officers on the active list of--
                    (A) 383 as of September 30, 1996;
                    (B) 345 as of September 30, 1997;
                    (C) 311 as of September 30, 1998, and
                    (D) 285 as of September 30, 1999.
            (2) Conforming changes.--
                    (A) The item in title II of the Act of August 26, 
                1994 (108 Stat. 1741; 33 U.S.C. 851) relating to 
                operations, research, and facilities (including 
                transfer of funds) under the heading ``National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration'' is amended by striking 
                out ``not to exceed 439 commissioned officers on the 
                active list;'' and inserting: ``not to exceed the 
                number of commissioned officers on the active list 
                provided for by section 402(b)(1) of the National 
                Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 1995;''.
                    (B) Section 8(b) of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
                Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853g(b)) 
                is amended by striking ``four percent'' and inserting 
                ``ten percent''.
            (3) Voluntary separations and retirements.--To ease the 
        transition into the civilian work force of members of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned 
        Officer Corps (hereinafter referred to as the ``Corps''), and 
        to facilitate the reduction of active duty officers--
                    (A) section 1174a of title 10, United States Code, 
                shall apply to the members of the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration Corps in the same manner and 
                to the same extent as that provision applies to members 
                of the armed forces; and
                    (B) section 4403, other than subsection (f), of the 
                Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (10 
                U.S.C. 1293 note) shall apply to members of the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps 
                in the same manner and to the same extent as that 
                provision applies to members of the armed forces.
        The Secretary of Commerce shall implement the application of 
        those sections with respect to members of the Corps together 
        with other applicable provisions of law relating to separation 
        or retirement of Corps personnel.

                 TITLE V--COST SAVINGS AND STREAMLINING

SEC. 501. TRANSFER OF AERONAUTICAL CHARTING.

    (a) In General.--The following functions are transferred from the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the Federal Aviation 
Administration:
            (1) The functions vested in the Secretary of Commerce by 
        sections 1 and 2 of the Act of August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a 
        and 883b) relating to aeronautical surveys and the compilation, 
        printing, and distribution of aeronautical charts.
            (2) The functions vested in the Secretary of Commerce by 
        section 1307 of title 44, United States Code, relating to 
        establishment of prices at which aeronautical charts and 
        related products may be sold.
            (3) So much of the functions of the Secretary of Commerce 
        and the Department of Commerce as is incidental to or necessary 
        for the performance by, or under, the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration of the functions transferred by 
        this section or that relate primarily to those functions.
    (b) Incidental Transfers.--
            (1) So much of the personnel, property, records, and 
        unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other 
        funds employed, used, held, available, or to be made available 
        in connection with the functions transferred to the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration by this 
        section as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
        shall determine shall be transferred to the Federal Aviation 
        Administration at such time as the Director shall direct.
            (2) Such other measures as the Director of the Office of 
        Management and Budget determines to be necessary in order to 
        effectuate the transfers described in subsection (a) of this 
        section shall be carried out in such manner as the Director 
        shall direct.
    (c) Effective Date.--The transfers made by this section shall be 
effective on October 1, 1995.

SEC. 502. REGULATORY STREAMLINING.

    The Administrator is directed to review all regulations that were 
issued by the Administrator before January 1, 1995--
            (1) to determine whether those regulations continue to be 
        necessary to discharge the functions assigned to, or delegated 
        to, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
            (2) to identify and eliminate redundant and obsolete 
        regulations; and
            (3) to achieve a 45 percent reduction in the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's volume of regulations 
        by December 31, 1997, to the extent that such reduction is not 
        inconsistent with its statutory obligations.

SEC. 503. REDUCTION IN NOAA FLEET.

    Not later than March 1, 1996, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate, and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, 
a revised fleet modernization plan reflecting the budget constraints 
facing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a whole. 
The plan shall provide for--
            (1) reducing the current fleet size by at least 50 percent 
        over the next 10 years, including a decommissioning of 3 
        existing vessels in fiscal year 1997 and 3 existing vessels in 
        fiscal year 1998;
            (2) reducing the cost of construction contained in the 
        original plan submitted in 1993 by 50 percent;
            (3) chartering and contracting out where feasible with 
        vessels of the United States, including fishing vessels, for 
        activities now conducted by the Administration; and
            (4) selling vessels that are decommissioned where feasible.

SEC. 504. REDUCTION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    The Administrator is directed to review all relevant 
Congressionally-mandated reporting requirements to determine whether 
such reporting requirements continue to be necessary to inform the 
Congress of problems or progress in discharging the functions assigned 
to, or delegated to, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. Not later than March 31, 1996, the Administrator shall 
recommend legislation to eliminate not less than 50 percent of the 
Congressionally-mandated reporting requirements in effect on January 1, 
1995.

SEC. 505. LABORATORY CONSOLIDATION STUDY.

    By March 1, 1996, the Secretary of Commerce shall develop a 
laboratory consolidation plan for the current laboratories, including a 
proposed implementation schedule for consolidation, and transmit a copy 
of the plan to the appropriate committees of the Congress on or before 
that date. The plan shall consider--
            (1) the age and physical condition of the facility, and the 
        costs associated with keeping the facility functioning;
            (2) the relationship of research performed at the facility 
        to core National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        missions and legislative mandates; and
            (3) the geographic proximity of other Federal, State, or 
        private sector facilities that carry out similar research 
        functions.

SEC. 506. CONVEYANCES.

    (a) National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory at Gloucester, 
Massachusetts.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce shall convey to 
        the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, all right, title, and 
        interest of the United States in and to the property comprising 
        the National Marine Fisheries Service laboratory located on 
        Emerson Avenue in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
            (2) Terms.--A conveyance of property under paragraph (1) 
        shall be made--
                    (A) without payment of consideration; and
                    (B) subject to the terms and conditions specified 
                under paragraphs (3) and (4).
            (3) Conditions for transfer.--
                    (A) In general.--As a condition of any conveyance 
                of property under this subsection, the Commonwealth of 
                Massachusetts shall assume full responsibility for 
                maintenance of the property for as long as the 
                Commonwealth retains the right and title to that 
                property.
                    (B) Continued use of property by nmfs.--The 
                Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding 
                with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under which the 
                National Marine Fisheries Service is authorized to 
                occupy existing laboratory space on the property 
                conveyed under this subsection, if--
                            (i) the term of the memorandum of 
                        understanding is for a period of not longer 
                        than 5 years beginning on the date of enactment 
                        of this act; and
                            (ii) the square footage of the space to be 
                        occupied by the National Marine Fisheries 
                        Service does not conflict with the needs of, 
                        and is agreeable to, the Commonwealth of 
                        Massachusetts.
            (4) Revisionary interest.--All right, title, and interest 
        in and to all property conveyed under this subsection shall 
        revert to the United States on the date on which the 
        Commonwealth of Massachusetts uses any of the property for any 
        purpose other than the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division 
        of Marine Fisheries resource management program.
    (b) Pier in Charleston, South Carolina.--Section 22(a) of the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments of 1994 (Pub. Law 103-238; 108 
Stat. 561) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Not''; and
            (2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
            ``(2) Not later than March 30, 1996, the Secretary of the 
        Navy shall convey, without payment or other consideration, to 
        the Secretary of Commerce, all right, title, and interest to 
        the property comprising that portion of the Naval Base, 
        Charleston, South Carolina, bounded by Hobson Avenue, the 
        Cooper River, the landward extension of the property line 
        located 70 feet northwest of and parallel to the centerline of 
        Pier Q, and the northwest property line of the parking area 
        associated with Pier R. The property shall include Pier Q, all 
        towers and out-buildings on that property, and walkways and 
        parking areas associated with those buildings and Pier Q.''.

SEC. 507. PRIBILOF ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce is authorized, in the 
course of fulfilling other obligations under Federal and State law, to 
clean up landfills, wastes, dumps, debris, storage tanks, property, 
hazardous or unsafe conditions, and contaminants, including petroleum 
products and their derivatives, on lands which the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and its predecessor agencies abandoned, 
quitclaimed, or otherwise transferred, or are obligated to transfer, to 
local entities or landowners on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska pursuant 
to the Fur Seal of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1161).
    (b) Obligations of Secretary.--In carrying out cleanup activities 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) to the maximum extent practicable, execute agreements 
        with the State of Alaska and affected local governments and 
        entities eligible to receive conveyance of lands under the Fur 
        Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1161 et seq.);
            (2) manage such activities with the minimum possible 
        overhead, delay, and duplication of State and local planning 
        and design work;
            (3) receive approval from the State of Alaska for 
        agreements described in paragraph (1) where such activities are 
        required by State law;
            (4) receive approval from affected local entities or 
        landowners before conducting such activities on their property.
    (c) Use of Local Entities.--Notwithstanding any other law to the 
contrary, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, carry 
out activities under this section and fulfill other obligations under 
Federal and State law relating to the Pribilof Islands through 
contracts or other agreements with local entities and residents of the 
Pribilof Islands.

SEC. 508. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsections 3302(b) and (c) of 
title 31, United States Code, and subject to subsection (b) all amounts 
received by the United States in settlement of, or judgment for, damage 
claims arising from the October 9, 1992, allision of the vessel ZACHARY 
into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research 
vessel DISCOVERER--
            (1) shall be retained as an offsetting collection in the 
        Operations, Research and Facilities account of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
            (2) shall be deposited in that account upon receipt by the 
        United States Government; and
            (3) shall be available only for obligation for National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine services.
    (b) Limitation.--Not more than $518,757.09 of the amounts referred 
to in subsection (a) may be deposited into the Operations, Research and 
Facilities account pursuant to this section.

SEC. 509. CERTAIN NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FIELD STATIONS.

    Section 706(e) of the Weather Service Modernization Act (15 U.S.C. 
313 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (1)'
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
        inserting ``: or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end thereof the following:
            ``(3) which is located in, or serves, an area identified as 
        an area of geographic concern in chapter 4 of the report 
        entitled `Assessment of NEXRAD Coverage and Associated Weather 
        Services' published in June, 1995, by the National Research 
        Council, unless, prior to closing or relocating the field 
        office, the Secretary--
                    ``(A) evaluates, as part of the certification 
                process, the effect of that closing or relocation on 
                all weather information and services provided to users 
                served by that field office (including State agencies, 
                civil defense officials, local public safety officials, 
                farmers, and other local citizens serviced by that 
                field office); and
                    ``(B) includes in a certification made by the 
                Secretary under subsection (b) a determination that, 
                after the closing or relocation, an equivalent level of 
                weather services provided to the users referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) before the closing or relocation will 
                be provided to those users.''.
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