[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3835 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3835

 To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within 
          the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 20, 2005

 Mr. Saxton (for himself, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Farr, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. 
Simmons, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Young of Alaska, and Mr. Foley) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, and in 
addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within 
          the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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

              TITLE I--NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration Program 
Act''.

SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT.

    The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall, in consultation 
with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal 
agencies, establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program 
within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that 
promotes collaboration with existing programs of the Administration, 
including those authorized in title II.

SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES.

    In carrying out the program established under section 102, the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
shall--
            (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other 
        scientific activities in conjunction with other Federal 
        agencies or academic or educational institutions, to survey 
        little known areas of the marine environment, inventory, 
        observe, and assess living and nonliving marine resources, and 
        report such findings;
            (2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a 
        focus on surveying deep water marine systems that hold 
        potential for important scientific discoveries, such as 
        hydrothermal vent communities and seamounts;
            (3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and 
        document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean 
        exploration activities that combine archaeology and 
        oceanographic sciences;
            (4) develop, in consultation with the National Science 
        Foundation, a transparent process for reviewing and approving 
        proposals for activities to be conducted under this program;
            (5) enhance the technical capability of the United States 
        marine science community by promoting the development of 
        improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and 
        data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and 
        sensors;
            (6) accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be 
        applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing 
        knowledge of the oceans; and
            (7) establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage 
        partnerships and promote communication among experts and other 
        stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical 
        expertise and relevance of the national program.

SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in 
coordination with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 
the United States Geological Survey, Office of Naval Research, and 
relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, and other experts, 
shall convene an ocean exploration technology and infrastructure task 
force to develop and implement a strategy--
            (1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration technology to 
        the program established under section 102;
            (2) to improve availability of communications 
        infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to the 
        program;
            (3) to develop an integrated, workable, and comprehensive 
        data management information processing system that will make 
        information on unique and significant features obtained by the 
        program available for research and management purposes;
            (4) to conduct public outreach activities that improve the 
        public understanding of ocean science, resources, and 
        processes, in conjunction with relevant programs of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National 
        Science Foundation, and other agencies; and
            (5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with 
        governmental and non-governmental entities that will assist in 
        transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to 
        the program.

SEC. 105. INTERAGENCY FINANCING.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National 
Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program 
established under section 102, are authorized to participate in 
interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds 
appropriated to any Federal participant in the program for the purposes 
of carrying out any administrative or programmatic project or activity 
under the program. Funds may be transferred among such departments and 
agencies through an appropriate instrument that specifies the goods, 
services, or space being acquired from another Federal participant and 
the costs of the same.

SEC. 106. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT.

    Nothing in this title or title II supersedes, or limits the 
authority of the Secretary of the Interior under, the Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.).

SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title--
            (1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2006;
            (2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2007;
            (3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            (6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            (7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            (8) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2013;
            (9) $65,379,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
            (10) $71,917,000 for fiscal year 2015.

                  TITLE II--UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``NOAA Undersea Research Program Act 
of 2005''.

SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT.

    The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration shall establish and maintain an undersea research 
program and shall designate a Director of that program.

SEC. 203. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of the program established under section 202 is to 
increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, 
use and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and large lake resources 
through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology 
development. The program shall be part of National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration's undersea research, education, and 
technology development efforts, and shall make available the 
infrastructure and expertise to service the undersea science needs of 
the academic community.

SEC. 204. PROGRAM.

    The program established under section 202 shall be conducted 
through a national headquarters, a network of regional undersea 
research centers, and a national technology institute. Overall 
direction of the program will be provided by the program director with 
advice from a Council of Center Directors comprised of the directors of 
the regional centers and the national technology institute.

SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE.

     The following research, exploration, education, and technology 
programs shall be conducted through the network of regional centers and 
the national technology institute:
            (1) Core research and exploration based on national and 
        regional undersea research priorities.
            (2) Advanced undersea technology development to support the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's research 
        mission and programs, including advanced undersea technology 
        associated with seafloor observatories such as LEO-15 and the 
        Aquarius habitat, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous 
        underwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing technologies.
            (3) Undersea science-based education and outreach programs 
        to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the 
        oceans and Great Lakes.
            (4) Discovery, study, and development of natural products 
        from ocean and aquatic systems.

SEC. 206. COMPETITIVENESS.

    Except for a small discretionary fund for rapid response 
activities, for which no more than 10 percent of the program budget 
shall be set aside, and for National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration-related service projects, the external projects 
supported by the regional centers shall be managed using an open and 
competitive process to evaluate scientific merit, relevance to the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, regional and national 
research goals, and technical feasibility.

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration--
            (1) for fiscal year 2006--
                    (A) $12,500,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $5,000,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (2) for fiscal year 2007--
                    (A) $13,750,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $5,500,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (3) for fiscal year 2008--
                    (A) $15,125,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $6,050,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (4) for fiscal year 2009--
                    (A) $16,638,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $6,655,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (5) for fiscal year 2010--
                    (A) $18,301,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $7,321,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (6) for fiscal year 2011--
                    (A) $20,131,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $8,053,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (7) for fiscal year 2012--
                    (A) $22,145,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $8,859,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (8) for fiscal year 2013--
                    (A) $24,359,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $9,744,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute;
            (9) for fiscal year 2014--
                    (A) $26,795,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $10,718,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute; and
            (10) for fiscal year 2015--
                    (A) $29,474,000 for the regional centers, of which 
                50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and 
                50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers; 
                and
                    (B) $11,790,000 for the National Technology 
                Institute.
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