[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1465 Introduced in Senate (IS)]



109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1465

  To strengthen programs relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
    science training by providing coordination of efforts, greater 
interagency cooperation, and the strengthening and expansion of related 
     programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration, and to diversify the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
        science community by attracting underrepresented groups.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 22, 2005

 Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Boxer,  Mr. Levin, and 
 Mr. Sarbanes) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To strengthen programs relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
    science training by providing coordination of efforts, greater 
interagency cooperation, and the strengthening and expansion of related 
     programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration, and to diversify the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
        science community by attracting underrepresented groups.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Ocean and Coastal 
Literacy in Urban and other Environments''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
       Title I--Ocean and Coastal Science Education Coordination

Sec. 101. National Science and Technology Council Technical Amendments.
Sec. 102. National Ocean and Coastal Science Education Task Force.
Sec. 103. Ocean and coastal science education advisory panel.
 Title II--Interagency Programs to Advance Ocean and Coastal Knowledge

Sec. 201. National strategy for ocean and coastal science education.
Sec. 202. Ocean and coastal science education program.
      Title III--NOAA Ocean and Coastal Science Education Programs

Sec. 301. NOAA ocean and coastal science education programs.
Sec. 302. Amendment to the National Sea Grant College Program Act.
Sec. 303. Amendment to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
                        Title IV--Authorizations

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The coastal regions and ocean waters of the United 
        States are vital to the Nation's public safety, homeland 
        security, transportation, trade, energy production, recreation 
        and tourism, food production, scientific research and 
        education, environmental and human health, and historical and 
        cultural heritage.
            (2) Development, resource extraction, and other human 
        activities throughout watersheds, coupled with an expanding 
        coastal population, are contributing to processes of 
        environmental change that may significantly threaten the long-
        term health and sustainability of ocean, coastal, and Great 
        Lakes ecosystems.
            (3) The United States Commission on Ocean Policy reports 
        that United States high school graduates' scientific literacy 
        is below the international average and finds that exciting 
        ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes sciences and education has the 
        potential to stem the tide of science illiteracy in the Nation.
            (4) Development and implementation of ocean, coastal, and 
        Great Lakes literacy programs are essential to ensure a public 
        that is fully knowledgeable about, fully informed about, and 
        fully capable of decisions contributing to ocean, coastal, and 
        Great Lakes issues.
            (5) Development and implementation of education and 
        training programs are essential to build a national scientific, 
        technological, and engineering workforce fully representative 
        of the Nation's citizens that meets the needs of growing ocean, 
        coastal, and Great Lakes economies and better prepares the 
        Nation for competition in the global economy.
            (6) Those involved in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
        policy and sciences are not fully representative of the 
        Nation's citizens, with only 10 percent of United States 
        graduate students in marine sciences from underrepresented 
        groups.
            (7) A coordinated program of ocean and coastal science 
        education would assist the Nation and the world in furthering 
        knowledge of the ocean and the global climate system, ensuring 
        homeland and national security, developing innovative marine 
        products, improving weather and climate forecasts, improving 
        human health, strengthening management and sustainable use of 
        ocean and coastal resources, increasing the safety and 
        efficiency of maritime operations, and protecting the 
        environment and mitigate man-made and natural hazards.
            (8) Seven of the 10 most populated urban centers in the 
        United States are located along our marine, estuarine, and 
        Great Lakes coasts, and a coordinated program of education 
        specifically focused on urban coastal issues, including urban 
        stakeholders, would focus national attention on the unique 
        challenges faced by urban coastal communities.
            (9) Increased Federal cooperation and investment are 
        essential to build on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research 
        and education activities that are taking place within numerous 
        federal, state, and local agencies, academic institutions and 
        industries and to establish new partnerships for sharing ocean, 
        coastal, and Great Lakes science resources, intellectual 
        talent, and facilities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator; Administration.--The terms 
        ``Administrator'' and ``Administration'' mean the Administrator 
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and that 
        Administration, respectively.
            (2) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the 
        Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel established under 
        section 103.
            (3) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National 
        Science and Technology Council.
            (4) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means an institution that is--
                    (A) a historically Black college or university that 
                is a part B institution, as defined in section 322(2) 
                of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1061(2));
                    (B) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in 
                section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5));
                    (C) a tribally controlled college or university, as 
                defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3));
                    (D) an Alaska Native-serving institution under 
                section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1059d(b));
                    (E) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution under 
                section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1059d(b)); or
                    (F) an institution determined by the Secretary of 
                Education to have enrolled a substantial number of 
                minority, low-income students during the previous 
                academic year who received assistance under subpart I 
                of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.) for that year.
            (5) Ocean and coastal.--When used as an adjective, the term 
        ``ocean and coastal'' means ocean, coastal (including 
        estuarine), and Great Lakes.
            (6) Ocean and coastal sciences.--The term ``ocean and 
        coastal sciences'' includes the exploration of ocean, coastal 
        (including estuarine), and Great Lakes environments, the 
        development of methods and instruments to study and monitor 
        such environments, and the conduct of basic and applied 
        research to advance understanding of--
                    (A) the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of 
                the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes;
                    (B) ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes processes and 
                interactions with other components of the total Earth 
                system; and
                    (C) the impacts of the ocean, coastal regions, and 
                Great Lakes on society and manner in which such 
                environments are influenced by human activity.
            (7) Ocean and coastal science education.--The term ``ocean 
        and coastal science education'' includes literacy, outreach, 
        formal education, and informal education focused on the oceans, 
        coasts, and Great Lakes at all levels, including elementary, 
        secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and the general public.
            (8) Strategy.--The term ``strategy'' means the National 
        Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science, Education, and Literary 
        developed under section 201.
            (9) Task Force.--The term ``task force'' means the National 
        Ocean and Coastal Science Education Task Force established 
        under section 102.
            (10) Underrepresented group.--The term ``underrepresented 
        group'' means, with respect to ocean and coastal sciences, 
        policy, and education programs and activities, members of a 
        minority group, women, individuals with disabilities, and any 
        other class of individuals who are underrepresented.

       TITLE I--OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION COORDINATION

SEC. 101. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy To Chair 
Council.--Section 207(a) of the National Science and Technology Policy, 
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6616(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``Chairman of Federal Coordinating Council 
        for Science, Engineering, and Technology'' in the subsection 
        heading and inserting ``Chair of the National Science and 
        Technology Council''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) serve as Chair of the National Science and Technology 
        Council; and''.
    (b) Functions.--Section 401 of the National Science and Technology 
Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 401. FUNCTIONS OF COUNCIL.

    ``(a) In General.--The National Science and Technology Council 
shall consider problems and developments in the fields of science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics and related activities 
affecting more than one Federal agency, and shall recommend policies 
and other measures designed to--
            ``(1) provide more effective planning and administration of 
        Federal scientific, engineering, and technology programs;
            ``(2) identify research and education needs, including 
        areas requiring additional emphasis;
            ``(3) achieve more effective use of the scientific, 
        engineering, and technological resources and facilities of 
        Federal agencies, including elimination of unwarranted 
        duplication; and
            ``(4) further international cooperation in science, 
        engineering and technology.
    ``(b) Coordination.--The Council may be assigned responsibility for 
developing long-range and coordinated plans for scientific and 
technical research and education activities which involve the 
participation of more than 2 agencies. The plans shall--
            ``(1) identify research approaches and priorities which 
        most effectively advance scientific understanding and provide a 
        basis for policy decisions;
            ``(2) provide for effective cooperation and coordination of 
        research among Federal agencies; and
            ``(3) encourage domestic and, as appropriate, international 
        cooperation among government, industry and university 
        scientists.
    ``(c) Other Duties.--The Council shall perform such other related 
advisory duties as shall be assigned by the President or by the Chair 
of the Council.
    ``(d) Assistance of Other Agencies.--For the purpose of carrying 
out the provisions of this section, each Federal agency represented on 
the Council shall furnish necessary assistance to the Council, 
including--
            ``(1) detailing employees to the Council to perform such 
        functions, consistent with the purposes of this section, as the 
        Chairman of the Council may assign to them; and
            ``(2) undertaking upon the request of the Chair, such 
        special studies for the Council as come within the scope of 
        authority of the Council.
    ``(e) Standing Committees; Task Forces; Working Groups.--For the 
purpose of developing interagency plans, conducting studies, and making 
reports as directed by the Chairman, standing committees, task forces, 
and working groups of the Council may be established.''.

SEC. 102. NATIONAL OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

    (a) Task Force.--The President shall establish a National Ocean and 
Coastal Science Education Task Force.
    (b) Membership.--The task force shall be composed senior 
representatives with responsibility for, and expertise in, education 
from each of the following agencies and departments:
            (1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) The Navy.
            (3) The National Science Foundation.
            (4) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
            (5) The Department of Energy.
            (6) The Environmental Protection Agency.
            (7) The Coast Guard.
            (8) The United States Geological Survey.
            (9) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
            (10) The National Park Service.
            (11) The Minerals Management Service.
            (12) The Army Corps of Engineers.
            (13) The National Institutes of Health.
            (14) The Department of Agriculture.
            (15) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
            (16) The Department of Labor.
            (17) The Department of Education.
            (18) The Smithsonian Institution.
            (19) Such other Federal agencies and departments as the 
        chair and vice chairs of the task force deem appropriate.
    (c) Chair and Vice Chairs.--The chair and vice chairs of the task 
force shall be appointed every 2 years by a selection committee 
composed of leaders of the departments and agencies represented on the 
task force including, at a minimum, the Administrator and the Director 
of the National Science Foundation. The term of office of the chair and 
vice chairs shall be 2 years. A person who has previously served as 
chair or vice chair may be reappointed.
    (d) Responsibilities.--The task force shall--
            (1) serve as the primary source of advice and support on 
        ocean and coastal science education for the Council and assist 
        in carrying out the functions of the Council as they relate to 
        such matters, including budgetary analyses;
            (2) serve as the committee on ocean and coastal science 
        education for the Council and carry out Council functions under 
        section 401 of the National Science and Technology Policy, 
        Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651) that 
        relate to ocean and coastal sciences;
            (3) improve cooperation among Federal departments and 
        agencies with respect to ocean and coastal sciences and 
        education budgets, programs, operations, facilities and 
        personnel;
            (4) stimulate collaborations among Federal departments and 
        agencies to allow more efficient and effective use of existing 
        Federal assets;
            (5) provide a forum for development of the national 
        strategy for ocean and coastal science education and oversee 
        its implementation;
            (6) establish standards for United States ocean and coastal 
        literacy, which may include development of ocean and coastal 
        science assessments or curricula to meet national or State 
        science standards in elementary and secondary education science 
        programs;
            (7) establish standards for an ocean and coastal literacy 
        outreach program to link science and education programs to 
        broader communities, especially with respect to 
        underrepresented groups and urban coastal areas;
            (8) foster the development of ocean and coastal education 
        and outreach programs that are integrated with and based upon 
        Federal ocean and coastal science programs and that link 
        educators and scientists, especially with respect to 
        underrepresented groups and specifically urban coastal issues;
            (9) coordinate Federal programs to improve representation 
        of underrepresented groups and groups from urban areas in 
        ocean-related careers;
            (10) coordinate Federal ocean and coastal education 
        activities for students at all levels, including funding for 
        educational opportunities at the elementary, secondary, 
        undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels;
            (11) identify and work to establish linkages among Federal 
        programs and those of States, academic institutions, museums 
        and aquariums, industry, foundations, and other non-
        governmental organizations;
            (12) coordinate United States government ocean and coastal 
        science education activities with those of other nations;
            (13) carry out such other activities as the Council may 
        require; and
            (14) establish such interagency subcommittees and working 
        groups as necessary to support the functions of the task force 
        and develop comprehensive and balanced Federal programs and 
        approaches to ocean and coastal sciences and education needs.

SEC. 103. OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL.

    (a) Membership.--
            (1) Appointment.--The task force shall maintain an Ocean 
        and Coastal Science Education Advisory Panel consisting of not 
        less than 10 and not more than 18 members appointed by the 
        chair.
            (2) Qualifications.--Members of the advisory panel shall be 
        selected from among individuals representing ocean and coastal 
        industries and foundations, State governments, museums and 
        aquariums, non-governmental organizations, formal and informal 
        educators, ocean and coastal science educators, and such other 
        participants in ocean and coastal activities as the chair 
        considers appropriate, who have the requisite expertise under 
        paragraph (3).
            (3) Expertise.--Members shall have expertise in fields of 
        endeavor including ocean and coastal sciences, ocean and 
        coastal science education, outreach, ocean and coastal 
        management and policy, and ocean engineering.
            (4) Representatives of underrepresented groups.--
        Representatives of underrepresented groups shall have balanced 
        representation on the advisory panel without regard to the 
        requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
    (b) Responsibilities.--The advisory panel will advise the task 
force on--
            (1) development and implementation of the national strategy 
        for ocean and coastal science education;
            (2) matters relating to links between ocean and coastal 
        science education and ocean and coastal observing systems, 
        oceanographic facilities and laboratories, and national 
        oceanographic data requirements;
            (3) issues pertaining to involvement of underrepresented 
        groups in ocean-related careers; and
            (4) Any additional matters that the task force considers 
        appropriate.
    (c) Funding.--The chair and vice chairs of the task force annually 
shall make funds available to support the activities of the Advisory 
Panel.

 TITLE II--INTERAGENCY PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE OCEAN AND COASTAL KNOWLEDGE

SEC. 201. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AND 
              LITERACY.

    (a) In General.--The task force shall develop a national strategy 
for ocean and coastal science education and literacy. The chair shall 
submit the strategy to the Congress within 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and submit a revised strategy at least once 
every 3 years thereafter. The initial strategy shall be based on the 
recommendations of the United States Commission on Ocean Policy and 
shall establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the 
strategy is submitted, the goals and priorities for education that most 
effectively support national workforce and professional development 
needs and improve public understanding and ability to participate in 
ocean policy decisions.
    (b) Specific Actions.--The strategy shall--
            (1) provide for increased Federal investment in ocean and 
        coastal science education over 5 years and for additional 
        investments in education and outreach, technology development, 
        and ocean exploration;
            (2) make recommendations for the coordination of Federal 
        ocean and coastal science education activities with those of 
        States, regional entities, other nations, and international 
        organizations;
            (3) consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies 
        conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National 
        Research Council, or other entities;
            (4) establish a plan to improve representation of 
        traditionally underrepresented groups in ocean-related careers, 
        both policy and science;
            (5) establish a plan to address specifically urban marine 
        and coastal issues, emphasizing the link between urban 
        communities and coastal issues including health, recreation, 
        open space, development, and resource use;
            (6) build on and complement existing programs; and
            (7) develop an evaluation and assessment strategy for 
        determining the most effective practices for existing and new 
        ocean and coastal science education programs.
    (c) Elements.--The strategy shall include the following elements:
            (1) Ocean and coastal science education coordination and 
        establishment of mechanisms to improve ocean literacy and 
        contribute to public awareness of the condition and importance 
        of the ocean.
            (2) Partnerships among Federal agencies, States, academia, 
        industries, members of the ocean and coastal science community, 
        and underrepresented groups.
            (3) Workforce and professional development including 
        traineeships, scholarships, fellowships, and internships.
            (4) Information management systems that provide information 
        from varied sources to produce information readily usable by 
        ocean and coastal science educators, students, and the public.
            (5) The development, adapted for ocean and coastal science 
        education, of technology and sensor development, including 
        adaptation of their products for ocean and coastal science 
        education.
            (6) The development of information management systems and 
        new learning technologies for efficient delivery of Federal 
        marine science assets to students, teachers, and citizen 
        decision-makers.
    (d) Public Participation.--In developing the strategy, the task 
force shall consult with the Advisory Panel, academic, State, industry, 
museums and aquariums, education, and conservation groups and 
representatives. Not later than 90 days before the chair submits the 
strategy, or any revision thereof, to the Congress, a summary of the 
proposed strategy or revision and a response to comments shall be 
published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not 
less than 60 days.

SEC. 202. OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Consistent with the strategy, the President 
shall establish an interagency ocean and coastal education program to 
improve public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the role 
of the ocean in meeting our Nation's economic, social, and 
environmental needs. The program shall complement and build upon 
existing efforts rather than duplicate such efforts. The ocean and 
coastal education program shall include formal education activities for 
elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral 
students, continuing education activities for adults, and informal 
education activities for learners of all ages. Under the program, 
particular attention shall be paid with respect to--
            (1) students from underrepresented groups, especially at 
        the elementary and secondary levels; and
            (2) elementary and secondary students in urban areas, with 
        the goal of improving public awareness and literacy of urban 
        coastal problems.
    (b) Elements.--
            (1) In general.--The program shall use appropriate 
        interagency coordination mechanisms, build upon existing 
        programs, and shall, at a minimum, provide sustained funding 
        for--
                    (A) development of model instructional programs for 
                students at all levels, with special focus on 
                developing an urban unit;
                    (B) a regional education network to support 
                academic competition and experiential learning 
                opportunities for middle and high school students;
                    (C) a regional education network specifically to 
                enhance ocean literacy opportunities for minority 
                students and students in urban areas;
                    (D) teacher enrichment programs that provide for 
                participation in ocean and coastal sciences, research 
                expeditions, voyages of exploration, and the conduct of 
                scientific research;
                    (E) educator professional development and student 
                training and support to provide diverse ocean-related 
                education opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate, 
                and postdoctoral levels;
                    (F) mentoring programs and partnerships with 
                minority-serving institutions, building on elementary 
                and secondary minority programs, to ensure diversity in 
                the ocean and coastal workforce;
                    (G) a national network of Centers for Ocean and 
                Coastal Sciences Education Excellence to improve the 
                acquisition of knowledge by students at all levels 
                through enhanced collaborations between the scientific 
                and education communities;
                    (H) the National Ocean and Coastal Sciences Bowl, a 
                competition among high schools to promote knowledge of 
                the ocean and coasts, with evaluation of the potential 
                merits of a similar program for middle schools;
                    (I) the EstuaryLive program, a experiential 
                learning program focused on coastal resources and 
                issues; and
                    (J) an internet-based ocean and coastal science 
                portal to provide a centralized source of Federal, 
                State, academic, non-governmental, and other ocean and 
                coastal science education materials, programs, and 
                products.
            (2) Evaluation.--The task force shall assess and evaluate 
        the elements of the program for success on a continuing basis.
    (c) Interagency Funding.--The Administration, the National Science 
Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program 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 this section. 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.

      TITLE III--NOAA OCEAN SCIENCE AND COASTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

SEC. 301. NOAA OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Authority to establish programs.--The Administrator 
        shall conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate formal 
        and informal educational activities authorized by this section 
        to enhance public awareness and understanding of the science, 
        service, and stewardship missions of the Administration, such 
        as the EstuaryLive program, the Bay Watershed Education and 
        Training Program, and the Teacher-at-Sea and Teacher-in-the Air 
        Programs. In conducting those activities, the Administrator 
        shall consult with the task force and build upon the 
        educational programs and activities of the National Sea Grant 
        College Program, the National Marine Sanctuaries Program, the 
        National Estuarine Research Reserve System, regional offices of 
        the Administration, and programs relating to ocean exploration, 
        undersea research, marine resources, marine observations, and 
        oceans and human health.
            (2) Educational activities included.--In carrying out this 
        section, the Administrator shall include among the educational 
        activities education of the general public, teachers, students 
        at all levels (including primary and secondary levels), and 
        ocean and coastal managers and stakeholders, with particular 
        attention to addressing the lack of participation by 
        underrepresented groups in ocean and coastal sciences and 
        policy careers.
            (3) Grant and contract authority.--In carrying out 
        educational activities under this section, the Administrator 
        may enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, 
        resource sharing agreements or interagency financing with 
        Federal, State and regional agencies, tribes, commercial 
        organizations, educational institutions, non-profit 
        organizations or other persons.
            (4) Goals; standards; periodic assessments.--The 
        Administrator shall establish goals and standards for assessing 
        the success of each of the Administration's educational 
        activities under this section and shall evaluate the success of 
        each such activity every 3-to-5 years.
            (5) Strategies.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
        the appropriate program directors, shall ensure that 
        educational activities under this section will--
                    (A) integrate agency-conducted and agency-funded 
                science into high-quality educational materials;
                    (B) improve access to Administration educational 
                resources;
                    (C) support educator professional development 
                programs to improve understanding and use of agency 
                sciences;
                    (D) promote participation in agency-related 
                sciences and careers, particularly by members of 
                underrepresented groups; and
                    (E) leverage partnerships to enhance formal and 
                informal environmental science education.
    (b) Regional Education Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        regional elementary and secondary education program that--
                    (A) focuses on providing experiential learning 
                opportunities for students in the area of ocean and 
                coastal resources, based on the model of the Bay 
                Watershed Education and Training Program;
                    (B) is administered, wherever possible, at the 
                local and regional offices of the Administration or Sea 
                Grant College Program offices or offices of other 
                appropriate existing programs; and
                    (C) shall provide funding, on a competitive basis, 
                to organizations emphasizing experiential learning for 
                elementary and secondary students.
            (2) Priorities.--The regional program shall give a priority 
        to--
                    (A) providing experiential ocean and coastal 
                education programs for elementary, middle, and 
                secondary school students that are aligned with 
                National or State standards of learning; and
                    (B) providing teacher training in ocean and coastal 
                education, including adequate training for teachers to 
                bring experiential learning into their classrooms.
    (c) Ocean and Coastal Literacy in Urban Environments Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish an Ocean 
        and Coastal Literacy in Urban Environments Program (to be known 
        as the Ocean CLUE Program) that is designed to broaden 
        knowledge about the oceans and coastal areas among 
        underrepresented groups and in urban areas.
            (2) Eligibility criteria.--In order to be eligible to 
        participate in the program--
                    (A) at least 50 percent of the student body of an 
                applicant school, or a school with which an applicant 
                group proposes to work, shall consist of members of 
                underrepresented groups; or
                    (B) the applicant school, or a school with which an 
                applicant proposes to work, shall be located in an 
                urban area.
            (3) Grants.--
                    (A) In general.--Under the program, the 
                Administrator shall award grants to eligible elementary 
                and secondary schools, or groups proposing to work with 
                elementary and secondary schools selected through a 
                competitive process, on the basis of the merits of 
                their proposals.
                    (B) Term.--A grant under the program shall be 
                awarded initially for a period of 1 year, but may be 
                renewed annually for up to 3 additional years.
                    (C) Requirements.--As a condition of receiving a 
                grant under the program, a recipient shall demonstrate 
                to the satisfaction of the Administrator that--
                            (i) it will use a curriculum of ocean and 
                        coastal science that complements or satisfies 
                        National, State, or regional science 
                        requirements;
                            (ii) activities funded in whole or in part 
                        by the grant will focus on marine science, 
                        marine policy, and other maritime social 
                        sciences, with experiential teaching methods 
                        explored;
                            (iii) it will contribute to a coordinated 
                        Ocean CLUE website established by the 
                        Administrator that is accessible by the public; 
                        and
                            (iv) it will undertake to meet with other 
                        grant recipients at least once during each year 
                        for which it is receiving a grant to share 
                        curricula and to discuss successful techniques 
                        and challenges.
    (d) Bay Watershed Education and Training Program.--The 
Administrator shall expand the Bay Watershed Education and Training 
Program by not more than 1 region per year.
    (e) Educational Partnership Program.--The Administrator shall 
establish a program of educational partnerships with minority-serving 
institutions, providing financial assistance to these institutions to 
support collaborative research and training of students in ocean, 
atmospheric, and Earth sciences through competitive processes. The 
program shall have include at least the following 4 components:
            (1) Cooperative Science Centers will be established at 
        minority-serving institutions in partnership with other 
        institutions that have established programs and graduate 
        degrees in ocean, Earth, and atmospheric disciplines.
            (2) An Environmental Entrepreneurship Program will provide 
        funding to eligible minority-serving institutions to attract 
        students who are members of an underrepresented group to pursue 
        academic study, careers, and entrepreneurship opportunities in 
        ocean, Earth, and atmospheric sciences.
            (3) A Graduate Sciences Program will recruit and provide 
        graduate level training in ocean, Earth, and atmospheric 
        sciences to outstanding candidates who are members of an 
        underrepresented group.
            (4) An Undergraduate Scholarship Program will be 
        established whose goal is to increase the number of students 
        who undertake coursework and graduate with degrees in fields 
        integral to the Administration's mission.
    (f) Additional Elementary and Secondary Programs.--The 
Administrator shall establish elementary and secondary ocean education 
programs, exploring partnerships with non-governmental organizations 
and exploring experiential or non-traditional education techniques, 
such as the EstuaryLive and the Bay Watershed Education and Training 
programs.
    (g) Teacher-at-Sea; Teacher-in-the-Air.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) establish a program, to be known as the Teacher-at-Sea 
        Program, to bring teachers from elementary, middle, and 
        secondary schools, and from institutions of higher education to 
        sea aboard Administration research and survey ships to work 
        under the tutelage of scientists and crew;
            (2) establish a related program, to be known as the 
        Teacher-in-the Air Program, using Administration aircraft for 
        the purposes of marine observations and studies of links 
        between the atmosphere and the ocean; and
            (3) consider establishing a counterpart program to the 
        Teacher-at-Sea Program in coastal areas using smaller 
        Administration ships.
    (h) NOAA Science Education Plan.--The Administrator, in 
consultation with the Ocean Education Council and representatives of 
the Marine Sanctuaries Program, the Sea Grant Program, the National 
Estuarine Research Reserve System, the Office of Exploration, the 
National Undersea Research Program, and other appropriate 
Administration programs, shall develop a science education plan setting 
forth education goals and strategies for the Administration, as well as 
programmatic actions to carry out such goals and priorities over the 
next 20 years. The plan shall--
            (1) set forth the Administration's goals, priorities, and 
        programmatic activities for ocean and coastal science education 
        in 5-year phases;
            (2) identify links between the Administration's ocean and 
        coastal science education activities and its programs and 
        missions;
            (3) consider the recommendations of ocean and coastal 
        science and education experts, as well as those of professional 
        education associations or organizations;
            (4) be developed in consultation with programmatic offices, 
        ocean and coastal sciences and education experts, and 
        interested members of the public; and
            (5) be evaluated and updated every 3-to-5 years.

SEC. 302. AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ACT.

    Section 212(a) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 
U.S.C 1131(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Marine and aquatic science education.--In addition to 
        the amounts authorized for each fiscal year under paragraphs 
        (1) and (2), there are authorized to be appropriated for marine 
        and aquatic science education in each of fiscal years 2006 
        through 2011--
                    ``(A) $6,000,000 in funding for the educational 
                activities of sea grant programs;
                    ``(B) $4,000,000 for competitive grants for 
                projects and research that target national and regional 
                ocean and coastal science literacy; and
                    ``(C) $3,000,000 for competitive grants to support 
                educational partnerships under the national Coastal and 
                Ocean Education Program to be funded through an 
                appropriate interagency mechanism.''.

SEC. 303. AMENDMENT TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1972.

    Section 318(a) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 
U.S.C. 1464(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph 
        (1)(C);
            (2) by striking ``1999.'' in paragraph (2)(C) and inserting 
        ``1999; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) for estuarine science education, there are authorized 
        to be appropriated, in addition to the amounts authorized for 
        each fiscal year under paragraphs (1) and (2), in each of 
        fiscal years 2006 through 2011--
                    ``(A) $3,000,000 in increased funding for the 
                educational activities of National Estuarine Research 
                Reserves; and
                    ``(B) $1,000,000 for competitive grants for 
                projects that use National Estuarine Research Reserve 
                System system-wide monitoring program data to advance 
                ocean and coastal science literacy.''.

                        TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATIONS

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) National Ocean and Coastal Education Program.--Of the amounts 
authorized annually to the Department of the Navy, the National Science 
Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies that 
are members of the National Ocean and Coastal Science Education Task 
Force for fiscal year 2006 through fiscal year 2011, up to $25,000,000 
from each agency may be made available for the National Ocean and 
Coastal Education Program under section 202.
    (b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--In addition 
to the amounts authorized to be made available by subsection (a) of 
this section and under section 212(a)(3) of the National Sea Grant 
College Program Act (33 U.S.C 1131(a)(3)) and section 318(a)(3) of the 
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1464(a)(3)), there are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator--
            (1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 
        for educational activities under section 301(a);
            (2) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 
        for educational activities under section 301 (c);
            (3) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 
        for educational activities under section 301(d);
            (4) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 
        for educational activities under section 301(e);
            (5) $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 
        for educational activities under section 301(f); and
            (6) $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 for 
        educational activities under section 301(g).
    (c) Availability.--Sums appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) 
shall remain available until expended.
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