[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4075 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4075

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to provide for better 
understanding and protection of marine mammals, 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 ``Marine Mammal Protection Act 
Amendments of 2006''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to such section or other provision of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.).

SEC. 3. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Committee References.--The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 
(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) is amended by striking ``Committee on Merchant 
Marine and Fisheries'' each place it appears and inserting ``Committee 
on Resources''.
    (b) Obsolete Reference to Section.--Section 118(c)(3)(A)(i) (16 
U.S.C. 1387(c)(3)(A)(i)) is amended by striking ``, except that'' and 
all that follows through ``is valid''.

SEC. 4. LIMITED AUTHORITY TO EXPORT MARINE MAMMAL PRODUCTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 101(a)(6) (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(6)) is 
amended by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C), and by 
inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
            ``(B) A marine mammal product may be exported from the 
        United States if the product--
                    ``(i) is legally possessed, and exported by, a 
                citizen of the United States for noncommercial purposes 
                in conjunction with travel outside the United States 
                and the product is imported into the United States by 
                the same person upon the termination of travel;
                    ``(ii) is legally possessed, and exported by, a 
                person that is not a citizen of the United States for 
                noncommercial purposes;
                    ``(iii) is legally possessed and exported as part 
                of a cultural exchange, by an Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo 
                residing in Alaska; or
                    ``(iv) is owned by a Native inhabitant of Russia, 
                Canada, or Greenland and is exported for noncommercial 
                purposes--
                            ``(I) in conjunction with, and upon the 
                        completion of, travel within the United States; 
                        or
                            ``(II) as part of a cultural exchange with 
                        an Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo residing in 
                        Alaska.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 101(a)(6)(A)(i) (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(6)(A)(i)) is amended by inserting ``for noncommercial 
purposes'' after ``United States'' the first place it appears.

SEC. 5. CAPTIVE RELEASE PROHIBITION.

    Section 102(a) (16 U.S.C. 1372(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4) by striking ``subsection 104(c); and'' 
        and inserting ``section 104(c);'';
            (2) in paragraph (5) by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) for any person that is subject to the jurisdiction of 
        the United States to release any captive marine mammal unless 
        specifically authorized to do so under section 104(c)(3)(A), 
        104(c)(4)(A), or 109(h), except that this paragraph shall not 
        apply to the temporary release of any marine mammal that is 
        maintained in captivity under section 7524 of title 10, United 
        States Code (including any progeny of a marine mammal 
        maintained under that section).''.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT REQUIREMENT.

    Section 103(f) (16 U.S.C. 1373(f)) is amended in the first 
sentence, by inserting ``and notwithstanding Public Law 104-66'' after 
``thereafter''.

SEC. 7. PERMIT CLARIFICATIONS.

    (a) Clarifications.--Section 104 (16 U.S.C. 1374) is amended as 
follows:
            (1) Subsection (c)(7) is amended by inserting 
        ``notwithstanding any other provision of law'' after 
        ``requesting the permit''.
            (2) Subsection (c)(9) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(9)(A) No marine mammal may be exported--
                            ``(i) for the purpose of public display, 
                        unless the Secretary of Agriculture evaluates 
                        and verifies, and thereafter notifies the 
                        Secretary, that the receiving facility meets 
                        standards that are comparable to the 
                        requirements that a person must meet to receive 
                        a permit under this subsection for that 
                        purpose; or
                            ``(ii) for the purpose of scientific 
                        research or enhancing the survival or recovery 
                        of a species or stock, unless the receiving 
                        facility meets standards that are comparable to 
                        the requirements that a person must meet to 
                        receive a permit under this subsection for that 
                        purpose.
            ``(B) The Secretary may not require or request, through 
        comity or any other means, that any marine mammal or its 
        progeny remain subject to the jurisdiction of the United States 
        when located in waters or on lands that are subject to the 
        jurisdiction of another country.''.
            (3) Subsection (c)(10) is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence by inserting ``held 
                within the lands and waters of the United States'' 
                after ``marine mammals'' each place it appears;
                    (B) by inserting after the first sentence the 
                following: ``The Secretary shall update the inventory 
                on an annual basis.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (D) by inserting ``ownership, 
                or other'' after ``date of''.
    (b) Review and Report Regarding Inventory.--
            (1) Review.--The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior 
        shall, by not later than 12 months after date of the enactment 
        of this Act, jointly conduct a review of the inventory 
        maintained under section 104(c)(10) of the Marine Mammal 
        Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1374(c)(10)), the use of the 
        information in the inventory, and the costs, benefits, and 
        issues associated with the development of an online inventory.
            (2) Consultation.--In conducting the review, the Secretary 
        shall consult and solicit input from persons who are required 
        to provide information for the inventory.
            (3) Report.--The Secretary shall submit a report to 
        Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate on the findings of the review under this subsection. The 
        report shall include the following:
                    (A) Recommendations on whether the inventory should 
                be maintained by the Secretary or by another person 
                under contract.
                    (B) How the Secretary would oversee maintenance of 
                the inventory carried out under contract.
                    (C) How public access and access by Federal 
                agencies to the inventory can be maintained if the 
                inventory is maintained under contract.
                    (D) How the Secretary can minimize duplication on 
                the information the Secretary receives from public 
                display facilities and reduce the paper work burden on 
                those facilities.
                    (E) An estimate of the cost of maintaining the 
                inventory.
                    (F) A description of how the Secretary will ensure 
                the secure maintenance of the data in the inventory.
                    (G) An analysis of the potential that online 
                availability of the information in the inventory could 
                adversely affect the safety of the animals.
    (c) Limitation on Notification Requirements.--Section 104(c) (16 
U.S.C. 1374(c)) is amended in paragraph (2)(E) in the first sentence, 
and in paragraph (8)(B)(i)(II), by inserting before the period at the 
end the following: ``, except that if the transport is for purposes of 
public display and the transfer is between facilities where the 
ownership and care of the marine mammal will be under the same license 
or registration issued under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et 
seq.) then only a notice of transport is required''.

SEC. 8. FINES AND PENALTIES.

    (a) Fines and Penalties, Generally.--Section 105 (16 U.S.C. 1375) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking ``$10,000'' and 
        inserting ``$20,000''; and
            (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``$20,000'' and inserting 
        ``$30,000''.
    (b) Vessel Penalty.--Section 106(b) (16 U.S.C. 1376(b)) is amended 
by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$35,000''.

SEC. 9. MARINE MAMMAL GRANTS.

    Section 110(a) (16 U.S.C. 1380(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Authorization of Assistance; Annual Report.--
            ``(1) Authorization of assistance.--The Secretary may make 
        grants, or provide financial assistance in such other form as 
        the Secretary considers appropriate, to any Federal or State 
        agency, public or private institution, or other person for the 
        purpose of assisting such agency, institution, or person to 
        undertake research in subjects that are relevant to the 
        protection and conservation of marine mammals.
            ``(2) Reports.--
                    ``(A) Reports by secretary.--The Secretary shall 
                include a description of the results of research 
                carried out with assistance under this section in the 
                annual report required under section 103(f).
                    ``(B) Reports by federal agencies.--The head of 
                each Federal agency that conducts and provides funds 
                for research on marine mammals shall report annually to 
                the Committee on Resources of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation of the Senate on funding provided 
                and research conducted regarding marine mammals during 
                the preceding year.
            ``(3) Contributions.--For purposes of carrying out this 
        section, the Secretary may accept, solicit, receive, hold, 
        administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests.''.

SEC. 10. FISHERIES GEAR DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 111 (16 U.S.C. 1381) is amended as follows:
            (1) Subsection (a) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Fishing Gear Development Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce (in this 
        section referred to as the `Secretary') shall--
                    ``(A) carry out a program for the purpose of 
                devising improved fishing gear and methods so as to 
                reduce to the maximum extent practicable the incidental 
                taking of marine mammals in connection with fishing 
                operations; and
                    ``(B) make every practicable effort to develop, 
                evaluate, and make available to owners and operators of 
                fishing vessels such gear and fishing method 
                improvements as quickly as possible.
            ``(2) Coordination with other countries.--The Secretary may 
        coordinate with other countries to foster gear technology 
        transfer initiatives to reduce to the maximum extent 
        practicable the incidental mortality and serious injury of 
        marine mammals throughout the full extent of their range.''.
            (2) By adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Gear Improvement Mini-Grant Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, the Secretary may establish a grant program to 
        provide financial assistance for developing, manufacturing, 
        testing, or designing new types of fishing gear designed to 
        reduce to the maximum extent practicable the incidental taking 
        (including incidental mortality and serious injury) of marine 
        mammals.
            ``(2) Grant amount and purposes.--The amount of a grant 
        under this subsection may not exceed $20,000.
            ``(3) Grant applications.--To receive a grant under this 
        section, an applicant must submit an application in such form 
        and manner as the Secretary may prescribe.
            ``(4) Consultation regarding criteria.--The Secretary shall 
        consult with the Secretary of the Interior and the Marine 
        Mammal Commission regarding the development of criteria for the 
        awarding of grants under this subsection.
            ``(5) Administrative costs.--Of amounts available each 
        fiscal year to carry out this subsection, the Secretary may 
        expend not more than $40,000 to pay the administrative expenses 
        necessary to carry out this subsection.
            ``(6) Contributions.--For purposes of carrying out this 
        section, the Secretary may accept, solicit, receive, hold, 
        administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests.''.

SEC. 11. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

    Subsection (c) of the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1385) is amended in paragraph (2) by striking ``160 degrees 
west longitude'' and inserting ``150 degrees west longitude''.

SEC. 12. TAKE REDUCTION PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 118 (16 U.S.C. 1387) is amended as 
follows:
            (1) In subsection (a) by striking ``commercial'' each place 
        it appears in paragraphs (1) and (5).
            (2) In subsection (c)(1) by striking so much as precedes 
        subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Registration and Authorization.--(1) The Secretary shall, 
within 90 days after the date of enactment of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act Amendments of 2006--
            ``(A) publish in the Federal Register for public comment, 
        for a period of not less than 90 days, any necessary changes to 
        the Secretary's list of fisheries published under section 
        114(b)(1) in the Federal Register on August 24, 1994 (along 
        with an explanation of such changes and a statement describing 
        the marine mammal stocks interacting with, and the approximate 
        number of vessels or persons actively involved in, each such 
        fishery), with respect to--
                    ``(i) commercial and recreational fisheries that 
                have frequent incidental mortality and serious injury 
                of marine mammals;
                    ``(ii) commercial and recreational fisheries that 
                have occasional incidental mortality and serious injury 
                of marine mammals; or
                    ``(iii) commercial fisheries that have a remote 
                likelihood of or no known incidental mortality or 
                serious injury of marine mammals;''.
            (3) In subsection (c)(1) in subparagraphs (B) and (C) by 
        striking ``commercial''.
            (4) In subsection (c)(2)(A) by striking ``commercial''.
            (5) In subsection (c)(3)(A) in the matter preceding clause 
        (i) by striking ``a commercial fishery'' and inserting ``that 
        fishery''.
            (6) In subsection (c)(3)(E) by inserting ``commercial'' 
        after ``any''.
            (7) In subsection (c)(5)(B) by striking ``commercial''.
            (8) In subsection (d)(1) in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A) by striking ``commercial fishing operations'' 
        and inserting ``fishing operations in a fishery listed under 
        subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (9) In subsection (d)(3) in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A) by striking ``commercial fisheries'' and 
        inserting ``fisheries listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or 
        (ii)''.
            (10) In subsection (d)(4) as follows:
                    (A) In the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
                striking ``commercial fisheries'' and inserting 
                ``fisheries listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or 
                (ii)''.
                    (B) In subparagraph (A) by striking ``commercial 
                fisheries'' and inserting ``fisheries listed under 
                subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
                    (C) In subparagraph (B) by striking ``commercial 
                fisheries'' and inserting ``fisheries listed under 
                subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
                    (D) In subparagraph (C) by striking ``commercial 
                fisheries'' and inserting ``fisheries listed under 
                subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (11) In subsection (d)(5) by striking ``commercial fishing 
        operations'' and inserting ``fishing operations in fisheries 
        listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (12) In subsection (e) in the matter preceding paragraph 
        (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``commercial'' each place it 
                appears; and
                    (B) by striking ``this Act'' and inserting ``this 
                section''.
            (13) In subsection (f) by striking so much as precedes 
        paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
    ``(f) Take Reduction Plans.--(1) The Secretary shall develop and 
implement a take reduction plan designed to assist in the recovery or 
prevent the depletion of each strategic stock which interacts with a 
fishery listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii), unless the 
Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for public comment, 
that the level of fishery related mortality and serious injury is 
having a negligible impact on that stock. The Secretary may develop and 
implement a take reduction plan for any other marine mammal stocks 
which interact with a fishery listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) 
which the Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for public 
comment, has a high level of mortality and serious injury across a 
number of such marine mammal stocks.''.
            (14) In subsection (f)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``6 months'' and inserting ``9 
                months''; and
                    (B) by striking ``commercial fishing operations'' 
                each place it appears and inserting ``fishing 
                operations in fisheries listed under subsection 
                (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (15) In subsection (f)(3) by striking ``commercial''.
            (16) In subsection (f)(4)(B) by striking ``commercial 
        fishing operations'' and inserting ``fishing operations in 
        fisheries listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (17) In subsection (f)(5)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``6 months'' 
                and inserting ``9 months''; and
                    (B) in subparagraphs (A) and (B) by striking 
                ``commercial'' each place it appears.
            (18) In subsection (f)(6)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``(not later than 30 days)''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii) by striking ``commercial 
                fisheries'' and inserting ``fisheries listed under 
                subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (19) In subsection (f)(6)(C) in the second sentence, by 
        inserting before ``, and others'' the following: ``, where 
        appropriate a representative of the office of General Counsel 
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a 
        representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service having 
        responsibilities related to fisheries science, a representative 
        of the National Marine Fisheries Service having 
        responsibilities related to law enforcement, and a 
        representative of the appropriate National Marine Fisheries 
        Service Regional Administrator''.
            (20) In subsection (f)(7)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ``6 months'' 
                and inserting ``9 months'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
                            (i) by striking ``not later than 60 days'' 
                        and inserting ``not later than 120 days''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following: 
                        ``Before publishing any plan that is different 
                        than the draft plan proposed by a take 
                        reduction team, the Secretary shall reconvene 
                        the team and explain to the team the 
                        differences between the published plan and the 
                        draft plan proposed by the team.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B)(ii)--
                            (i) by striking ``6 months'' and inserting 
                        ``9 months''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``not later than 8 
                        months'' and inserting ``not later than 11 
                        months''.
            (21) In subsection (f)(7)(C) by striking ``Not later than 
        60 days'' and inserting ``Not later than 90 days''.
            (22) In subsection (f)(7)(D) by striking ``commercial''.
            (23) In subsection (f)(8)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``Not later 
                than 60 days'' and inserting ``Not later than 180 
                days''; and
                    (B) by striking ``commercial'' each place it 
                appears.
            (24) In subsection (f)(9) as follows:
                    (A) In subparagraph (A) by striking ``commercial 
                fisheries or restrict commercial fisheries'' and 
                inserting ``fisheries listed under subsection 
                (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii) or restrict such fisheries''.
                    (B) In subparagraphs (B) and (C) by striking 
                ``commercial'' each place it appears.
                    (C) In subparagraph (D) by striking ``commercial 
                fishing operations'' and inserting ``participation in a 
                fishery listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (25) In subsection (g)(1) by striking ``commercial 
        fisheries'' and inserting ``fisheries listed under subsection 
        (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (26) In subsection (g)(3)(B) by striking ``commercial''.
            (27) In subsection (g)(4) by striking ``commercial 
        fishery'' and inserting ``fishery listed under subsection 
        (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)''.
            (28) In subsection (j) by inserting ``including observer, 
        research, and education and outreach programs,'' after ``For 
        purposes of carrying out this section,''.
            (29) By amending subsection (d)(1)(C) to read as follows:
            ``(C) identify current fishery regulations and changes in 
        fishing methods or technology that may increase or decrease 
        incidental mortality and serious injury.''.
            (30) In subsection (f)(2) in the last sentence by inserting 
        ``conservation benefits of'' before ``State or regional fishery 
        management plans.''.
            (31) By amending subsection (f)(4)(A) to read as follows:
            ``(A) a review of the information in the final stock 
        assessment published under section 117(b), any substantial new 
        information, a review of the conservation benefits from current 
        State and regional fishery management regulations;''.
    (b) Stock Assessments.--Section 117(a)(4) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (C);
            (2) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) potential conservation benefits provided by 
                State and regional fishery management regulations;''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 101(a)(5)(E) (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(5)(E)) is amended by inserting ``or recreational'' after 
``commercial'' each place it appears.

SEC. 13. PINNIPED CONTROL PROGRAM.

    Section 120 (16 U.S.C. 1389) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(k) Nonlethal Removal and Control.--(1) The Secretary shall 
conduct a program on the nonlethal removal and control of nuisance 
pinnipeds. The program shall include a review of measures that have 
been taken to effect such removal and control, the effectiveness of 
these measures, and the development of new technologies to deter 
nuisance pinnipeds.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall include, among the individuals that 
develop the program under this subsection, representatives of the 
commercial and recreational fishing industries and, as appropriate, 
individuals with scientific proficiency, technical credentials, and 
expertise.
    ``(3) The Secretary is encouraged, where appropriate, to use 
independent marine mammal research institutions in developing and in 
conducting the program.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall, by December 31 of each year, submit an 
annual report on the results of research under this subsection to the 
Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    ``(l) Qualified Nonlethal Control Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may, to the extent amounts 
        are available to carry out this subsection, provide a grant to 
        any eligible applicant to carry out a qualified nonlethal 
        control project in accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Applications.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) publish guidelines for and solicit 
                applications for grants under this subsection not later 
                than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
                subsection; and
                    ``(B) receive, review, evaluate, and approve 
                applications for grants under this subsection.
            ``(3) Eligible applicant.--To be an eligible applicant for 
        purposes of paragraph (1), an applicant must--
                    ``(A) be a State, local government, or interstate 
                or regional agency; and
                    ``(B) have adequate personnel, funding, and 
                authority to carry out and monitor or maintain a 
                nonlethal control of nuisance pinnipeds project.
            ``(4) Qualified control project.--To be a qualified control 
        project under this subsection, a project must--
                    ``(A) by humane and nonlethal means, remove, deter, 
                and control nuisance pinnipeds in areas where they are 
                a recurrent and persistent threat to public health and 
                safety; and
                    ``(B) encourage public notice, education, and 
                outreach on project activities in the affected 
                community.
            ``(5) Grant duration.--Each grant under this subsection 
        shall be to provide funding for the Federal share of the cost 
        of a project carried out with the grant for up to 2 fiscal 
        years.
            ``(6) Reporting by grantee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A grantee carrying out a control 
                project with a grant under this subsection shall report 
                to the Secretary at the expiration of the grant.
                    ``(B) Report contents.--Each report under this 
                subsection shall include specific information on the 
                methods and techniques used to control nuisance 
                pinniped species in the project area, and on the 
                ensuing results.
            ``(7) Cost sharing.--
                    ``(A) Federal share.--Except as provided in 
                paragraphs (2) and (3), the Federal share of the cost 
                of a project carried out with a grant under this 
                subsection shall not exceed 75 percent of such cost.
                    ``(B) Application of in-kind contributions.--The 
                Secretary may apply to the non-Federal share of costs 
                of a control project carried out with a grant under 
                this subsection the fair market value of services or 
                any other form of in-kind contribution to the project 
                made by non-Federal interests that the Secretary 
                determines to be an appropriate contribution equivalent 
                to the monetary amount required for the non-Federal 
                share of the activity.
                    ``(C) Derivation of non-federal share.--The non-
                Federal share of the cost of a control project carried 
                out with a grant under this subsection may not be 
                derived from a Federal grant program or other Federal 
                funds.
            ``(8) Clarification.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        interpreted as suspending or waiving any requirement under any 
        other provision of this Act.''.

SEC. 14. MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION.

    (a) Number of Employees.--Section 206(5) (16 U.S.C. 1406(5)) is 
amended by striking ``; except that no fewer than 11 employees must be 
employed under paragraph (1) at any time''.
    (b) Administration.--Section 206 (16 U.S.C. 1406) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4) by striking ``(but at rates for 
        individuals not to exceed $100 per diem)''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5) by striking ``Financial'' and all that 
        follows through the end of that sentence.

SEC. 15. STRANDING AND ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE.

    (a) Collection and Updating of Information.--Section 402(b)(1)(A) 
(16 U.S.C. 1421a(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``or entangled'' 
after ``stranded''.
    (b) Entanglement Response Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--Section 403 (16 U.S.C. 1421b) is amended--
                    (A) by amending the section heading to read as 
                follows:

``SEC. 403. STRANDING OR ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE AGREEMENTS.''; AND

                    (B) in subsection (a) by inserting ``or 
                entanglement'' before the period.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents at the end 
        of the first section is amended by striking the item relating 
        to section 403 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 403. Stranding or entanglement response agreements''.
    (c) Liability.--Section 406(a) (16 U.S.C. 1421e(a)) is amended by 
inserting ``or entanglement'' after ``stranding''.
    (d) Entanglement Defined.--
            (1) In general.--Section 410 (16 U.S.C. 1421h) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) in 
                order as paragraphs (2) through (7); and
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
            ``(1) The term `entanglement' means an event in the wild in 
        which a living or dead marine mammal has gear, rope, line, net, 
        or other material wrapped around or attached to it and is--
                    ``(A) on a beach or shore of the United States; or
                    ``(B) in waters under the jurisdiction of the 
                United States.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 408(a)(2)(B)(i) (16 
        U.S.C. 1421f-1(a)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``section 
        410(6)'' and inserting ``section 410(7)''.
    (e) John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant 
Program.--
            (1) Authorization of appropriations for grant program.--
        Section 408(h) (16 U.S.C. 1421f-1(h)) is amended by striking 
        ``$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003'' and 
        inserting ``$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 
        2010''.
            (2) Administrative costs and expenses.--Section 408 (16 
        U.S.C. 1421f-1) is amended--
                    (A) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) the 
                following: ``All funds available to implement this 
                section shall be distributed to eligible stranding 
                network participants for the purposes set forth in this 
                paragraph and paragraph (2), except as provided in 
                subsection (f).''; and
                    (B) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Administrative Costs and Expenses.--Of the amounts available 
each fiscal year to carry out this section, the Secretary may expend 
not more than 5 percent or $80,000, whichever is greater, to pay the 
administrative costs and administrative expenses to implement the grant 
program under subsection (a). Any such funds retained by the Secretary 
for a fiscal year for such costs and expenses that are not used for 
such costs and expenses before the end of the fiscal year shall be 
provided as grants under subsection (a).''.
            (3) Emergency assistance.--Section 408 (16 U.S.C. 1421f-1) 
        is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a) by redesignating paragraph 
                (2) as paragraph (3), and by inserting after paragraph 
                (1) the following:
    ``(2) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary 
may also enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or such other 
agreements or arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
address stranding events requiring emergency assistance.'';
                    (B) in subsection (d) by inserting ``(1)'' before 
                the text, and by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Funding for emergency stranding projects shall not be subject 
to the funding limit established in paragraph (1).'';
                    (C) in subsection (e)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1) by striking ``The non-
                        Federal'' and inserting ``Except as provided in 
                        paragraph (2), the non-Federal'';
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
                        paragraph (3); and
                            (iii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                        following:
            ``(2) Emergency assistance.--No non-Federal contribution 
        shall be required for funding for a response to an emergency 
        stranding event.''; and
                    (D) in subsection (g) by redesignating paragraph 
                (2) as paragraph (3) and inserting after paragraph (1) 
                the following:
            ``(2) Emergency assistance.--The term `emergency 
        assistance' means assistance provided for a stranding event 
        that--
                    ``(A) is not an unusual mortality event as defined 
                in section 409(6);
                    ``(B) leads to an immediate increase in required 
                costs for stranding response, recovery, or 
                rehabilitation in excess of regularly scheduled costs;
                    ``(C) may be cyclical or endemic; and
                    ``(D) may involve out-of-habitat animals.''.
            (4) Contributions.--Section 408 (16 U.S.C. 1421f-1) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Contributions.--For purposes of carrying out this section, 
the Secretary may solicit, accept, receive, hold, administer, and use 
gifts, devises, and bequests.''.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations for Marine Mammal Unusual 
Mortality Event Fund.--Section 409(3) (16 U.S.C. 1421g(3)) is amended 
by striking ``$500,000 for fiscal year 1993'' and inserting ``$125,000 
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010''.

SEC. 16. SCRIMSHAW EXEMPTION.

    Any valid certificate of exemption referred to in section 18 of 
Public Law 103-238 (16 U.S.C. 1539 note) that was valid under that 
section on April 29, 1999, shall be valid during the 11-year period 
beginning October 31, 1999.

SEC. 17. POLAR BEARS.

    (a) In General.--The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following:

                         ``TITLE V--POLAR BEARS

``SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) Agreement.--The term `Agreement' means the Agreement 
        Between the Government of the United States of America and the 
        Government of the Russian Federation on the Conservation and 
        Management of the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population, signed 
        at Washington, D.C., on October 16, 2000.
            ``(2) Alaska nanuuq commission.--The term `Alaska Nanuuq 
        Commission' means the Alaska Native entity, in existence on the 
        date of enactment of this title, that represents all villages 
        in the State of Alaska that engage in the annual subsistence 
        taking of polar bears from the Alaska-Chukotka population and 
        any successor entity.
            ``(3) Import.--The term `import' means to land on, bring 
        into, or introduce into, or attempt to land on, bring into, or 
        introduce into, any place subject to the jurisdiction of the 
        United States, without regard to whether the landing, bringing, 
        or introduction constitutes an importation within the meaning 
        of the customs laws of the United States.
            ``(4) Polar bear part or product.--The term `part or 
        product of a polar bear' means any polar bear part or product, 
        including the gall bile and gall bladder.
            ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            ``(6) Taking.--The term `taking' has the meaning given the 
        term in the Agreement.
            ``(7) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the 
        commission established under article 8 of the Agreement.

``SEC. 502. PROHIBITIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--It is unlawful for any person who is subject to 
the jurisdiction of the United States--
            ``(1) to take any polar bear in violation of the Agreement;
            ``(2) to take any polar bear in violation of the Agreement 
        or any annual taking limit or other restriction on the taking 
        of polar bears that is adopted by the Commission pursuant to 
        the Agreement;
            ``(3) to import, export, possess, transport, sell, receive, 
        acquire, or purchase, exchange, barter, or offer to sell, 
        purchase, exchange, or barter any polar bear, or any part or 
        product of a polar bear, that is taken in violation of 
        paragraph (2);
            ``(4) to import, export, sell, purchase, exchange, barter, 
        or offer to sell, purchase, exchange, or barter, any polar bear 
        gall bile or polar bear gall bladder;
            ``(5) to commit, solicit another person to commit, or cause 
        to be committed, any offense under this subsection; or
            ``(6) to violate any regulation promulgated by the 
        Secretary to implement any of the prohibitions established in 
        this subsection.
    ``(b) Exceptions.--For the purpose of forensic testing or any other 
law enforcement purpose, the Secretary, and Federal law enforcement 
officials, and any State or local law enforcement official authorized 
by the Secretary, may import a polar bear or any part or product of a 
polar bear.

``SEC. 503. ADMINISTRATION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall do all things 
necessary and appropriate, including the promulgation of regulations, 
to implement, enforce, and administer the provisions of the Agreement 
on behalf of the United States. The Secretary shall consult with the 
Secretary of State and the Alaska Nanuuq Commission on matters 
involving the implementation of the Agreement.
    ``(b) Utilization of Other Government Resources and Authorities.--
            ``(1) Other government resources.--The Secretary may 
        utilize by agreement, with or without reimbursement, the 
        personnel, services, and facilities of any other Federal 
        agency, any State agency, or the Alaska Nanuuq Commission for 
        purposes of carrying out this title or the Agreement.
            ``(2) Other powers and authorities.--Any person authorized 
        by the Secretary under this subsection to enforce this title or 
        the Agreement shall have the authorities that are enumerated in 
        section 6(b) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 
        3375(b)).
    ``(c) Ensuring Compliance.--
            ``(1) Title i authorities.--The Secretary may use 
        authorities granted under title I to enforce this title.
            ``(2) Additional authorities.--Any gun, trap, net, or other 
        equipment used, to aid in the violation or attempted violation 
        of this title shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture under 
        section 106.
    ``(d) Regulations.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall promulgate such 
        regulations as are necessary to carry out this title and the 
        Agreement.
            ``(2) Ordinances and regulations.--If necessary to carry 
        out this title and the Agreement, and to improve compliance 
        with any annual taking limit or other restriction on taking 
        adopted by the Commission and implemented by the Secretary in 
        accordance with this title, the Secretary may promulgate 
        regulations that adopt any ordinance or regulation that 
        restricts the taking of polar bears for subsistence purposes if 
        the ordinance or regulation has been promulgated by the Alaska 
        Nanuuq Commission.

``SEC. 504. COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT; AUTHORITY TO DELEGATE 
              ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, may share authority under 
this title for the management of the taking of polar bears for 
subsistence purposes with the Alaska Nanuuq Commission if such 
commission is eligible under subsection (b).
    ``(b) Delegation.--To be eligible for the management authority 
described in subsection (a), the Alaska Nanuuq Commission shall--
            ``(1) enter into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary 
        under section 119 for the conservation of polar bears;
            ``(2) meaningfully monitor compliance with this title and 
        the Agreement by Alaska Natives; and
            ``(3) administer its co-management program for polar bears 
        in accordance with--
                    ``(A) this title; and
                    ``(B) the Agreement.

``SEC. 505. COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS; COMPENSATION, TRAVEL EXPENSES, AND 
              CLAIMS.

    ``(a) Appointment of U.S. Commissioners.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The United States commissioners on the 
        Commission shall be appointed by the President, in accordance 
        with paragraph 2 of article 8 of the Agreement, after taking 
        into consideration the recommendations of--
                    ``(A) the Secretary;
                    ``(B) the Secretary of State; and
                    ``(C) the Alaska Nanuuq Commission.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--Both of the United States 
        commissioners shall have knowledge or expertise in polar bears.
            ``(3) Service and term.--Each United States commissioner 
        shall serve--
                    ``(A) at the pleasure of the President; and
                    ``(B) for an initial 4-year term and such 
                additional terms as the President shall determine.
            ``(4) Vacancies.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Any individual appointed to fill 
                a vacancy occurring before the expiration of any term 
                of office of a United States commissioner shall be 
                appointed for the remainder of that term.
                    ``(B) Manner.--Any vacancy on the Commission shall 
                be filled in the same manner as the original 
                appointment.
    ``(b) Alternate Commissioners.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of State and the Alaska Nanuuq Commission, shall 
        designate an alternate commissioner for each member of the 
        United States section.
            ``(2) Duties.--In the absence of a United States 
        commissioner, an alternate commissioner may exercise all 
        functions of the United States commissioner at any meetings of 
        the Commission or of the United States section.
            ``(3) Reappointment.--An alternate commissioner--
                    ``(A) shall be eligible for reappointment by the 
                President; and
                    ``(B) may attend all meetings of the United States 
                section.
    ``(c) Duties.--The members of the United States section may carry 
out the functions and responsibilities described in article 8 of the 
Agreement in accordance with this title and the Agreement.
    ``(d) Compensation and Expenses.--
            ``(1) Compensation.--A member of the United States section 
        shall serve without compensation.
            ``(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the United States 
        section shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
        lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an 
        agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
        States Code, while away from the home or regular place of 
        business of the member in the performance of the duties of the 
        United States-Russia Polar Bear Commission.
    ``(e) Agency Designation.--The United States section shall, for the 
purpose of title 28, United States Code, relating to claims against the 
United States and tort claims procedure, be considered to be a Federal 
agency.

``SEC. 506. VOTES TAKEN BY THE UNITED STATES SECTION ON MATTERS BEFORE 
              THE COMMISSION.

    ``In accordance with paragraph 3 of article 8 of the Agreement, the 
United States section , made up of commissioners appointed by the 
President, shall vote on any issue before the United States-Russia 
Polar Bear Commission only if there is no disagreement between the 
United States commissioners regarding the vote.

``SEC. 507. IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall take all necessary actions 
to implement the decisions and determinations of the Commission under 
paragraph 7 of article 8 of the Agreement.
    ``(b) Taking Limitation.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the Secretary receives notice of the determination of the 
Commission of an annual taking limit, or of the adoption by the 
Commission of other restriction on the taking of polar bears for 
subsistence purposes, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the 
Federal Register announcing the determination or restriction.

``SEC. 508. APPLICATION WITH OTHER TITLES OF ACT.

    ``The authority of the Secretary under this title is in addition 
to, and shall not affect the authority of the Secretary under, the 
other titles of this Act or the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 
3371 et seq.) or the exemption for Alaskan natives under section 101(b) 
of this Act.

``SEC. 509. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this title and the Agreement $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2007 through 2010.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in the first section 
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

                         ``TITLE V--POLAR BEARS

``Sec. 501. Definitions.
``Sec. 502. Prohibitions.
``Sec. 503. Administration.
``Sec. 504. Cooperative management agreement; authority to delegate 
                            enforcement authority.
``Sec. 505. Commission appointments; compensation, travel expenses, and 
                            claims.
``Sec. 506. Votes taken by the United States Section on matters before 
                            the Commission.
``Sec. 507. Implementation of actions taken by the Commission.
``Sec. 508. Application with other titles of Act.
``Sec. 509. Authorization of appropriations.''.
    (c) Treatment of Containers.--Section 107(d)(2) of the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1377(d)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or other conveyance'' and inserting ``, 
        other conveyance, or container''; and
            (2) by striking ``or conveyance'' and inserting 
        ``conveyance, or container''.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 17, 2006.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.
109th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 4075

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to provide for better 
understanding and protection of marine mammals, and for other purposes.