<enum>I</enum><header>NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM</header> <section id="H9F0BAF756B6C429FAEB3BA99763300E1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote><short-title>National Ocean Exploration Program Act</short-title></quote>.</text> </section><section id="HF6C0F28DA01F4BBA9FA6914D2CD33772"><enum>102.</enum><header>Authorization</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall, in consultation with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies, conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that promotes collaboration with other Federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. To the extent appropriate, the Administrator shall seek to facilitate coordination of data and information management systems, outreach and education programs to improve public understanding of ocean and coastal resources, and development and transfer of technologies to facilitate ocean and undersea research and exploration.</text> </section><section id="H9DEE707E84F6472384CC42F8A6D454E8"><enum>103.</enum><header>Authorities</header> <subsection id="H3CBCF53E574944449962CD7D70925F41"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in this title referred to as the <quote>Administrator</quote>) shall—</text> <paragraph id="H5704002A4D3B4D1FB138C59F5D91ABC5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct interdisciplinary voyages or other scientific activities of discovery in conjunction with other Federal agencies or academic or educational institutions, to explore and survey little known areas of the marine environment, inventory, observe, and assess living and nonliving marine resources, and report such findings;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H509003561BFA4F05AF53815B5B4F93B9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a focus on deep water marine systems that hold potential for important scientific discoveries, such as hydrothermal vent communities and seamounts;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H79254C5F206943E480F7C8CB5E18E308"><enum>(3)</enum><text>conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean exploration activities that combine archaeology and oceanographic sciences;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HB0721654F13E4158B43836E1C4319937"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">develop and implement, in consultation with the National Science Foundation, a transparent, competitive process for merit-based peer-review and approval of proposals for activities to be conducted under this program, taking into consideration advice of the Board established under section 104;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H34BB3FDFE4FF4F2BADA796717CC0B019"><enum>(5)</enum><text>enhance the technical capability of the United States marine science community by promoting the development of improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and sensors and autonomous vehicles; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HF59E3C7AB827430B9D1E9BFF51228BE4"><enum>(6)</enum><text>establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage partnerships and promote communication among experts and other stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical expertise and relevance of the national program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H754C69355ED64400BEF005851DBF9021"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Donations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the Administrator may accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans.</text> </subsection></section><section id="HE41AA5FC985947D3B3B000A2F2956C12"><enum>104.</enum><header>Ocean exploration advisory Board</header> <subsection id="H0E1D76BA36C1428FBCEEA5B8DCA1DA32"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Administrator shall appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board composed of experts in relevant fields to—</text> <paragraph id="HED93779CB97A4E3C88B087531D69458C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>advise the Administrator on priority areas for survey and discovery;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HA89F95C0B24247E282538B0986E2ED24"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">assist the program in the development of a five-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lakes science, exploration, and discovery;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H80CB312DF16440CCB3BBF66E00F8A6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>annually review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process established under section 103(4); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H73FB0F7CCE944BE6ACAAB8A4A3277EA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>provide other assistance and advice as requested by the Administrator.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB4D2FF105E564676804521DD35F7E100"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Board appointed under subsection (a).</text> </subsection></section><section id="HFF4C9F6658184942B2865117D05DB3EC"><enum>105.</enum><header>Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing in this Act supersedes, or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1331">43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.</external-xref>).</text> </section><section id="HD86F27505D6941169D9372FAB61EF7B"><enum>106.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title—</text> <paragraph id="H10A248A7A32841128D596669D772AABA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$30,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HBC0FB30FE4644AB188B2BA89A6F31DE8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H459F6CDAA73845A6A4FC76AD97E00F1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H8146A864C98940B3A8D7D12D73A6A503"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H3FA9E1C98F094FFE96C1E0E76F2FA4FC"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HE88F4A579B1443078CD900BE175496AC"><enum>(6)</enum><text>$49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H0F51CBD54E764B7AAFEDFE00946105EC"><enum>(7)</enum><text>$54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014.</text> </paragraph></section>

110 HR 1834 EH: National Undersea Research U.S. House of Representatives 0 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

<enum>I</enum><header>NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM</header> <section id="H9F0BAF756B6C429FAEB3BA99763300E1" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>101.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote><short-title>National Ocean Exploration Program Act</short-title></quote>.</text> </section><section id="HF6C0F28DA01F4BBA9FA6914D2CD33772"><enum>102.</enum><header>Authorization</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall, in consultation with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies, conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that promotes collaboration with other Federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. To the extent appropriate, the Administrator shall seek to facilitate coordination of data and information management systems, outreach and education programs to improve public understanding of ocean and coastal resources, and development and transfer of technologies to facilitate ocean and undersea research and exploration.</text> </section><section id="H9DEE707E84F6472384CC42F8A6D454E8"><enum>103.</enum><header>Authorities</header> <subsection id="H3CBCF53E574944449962CD7D70925F41"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in this title referred to as the <quote>Administrator</quote>) shall—</text> <paragraph id="H5704002A4D3B4D1FB138C59F5D91ABC5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct interdisciplinary voyages or other scientific activities of discovery in conjunction with other Federal agencies or academic or educational institutions, to explore and survey little known areas of the marine environment, inventory, observe, and assess living and nonliving marine resources, and report such findings;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H509003561BFA4F05AF53815B5B4F93B9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a focus on deep water marine systems that hold potential for important scientific discoveries, such as hydrothermal vent communities and seamounts;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H79254C5F206943E480F7C8CB5E18E308"><enum>(3)</enum><text>conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean exploration activities that combine archaeology and oceanographic sciences;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HB0721654F13E4158B43836E1C4319937"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">develop and implement, in consultation with the National Science Foundation, a transparent, competitive process for merit-based peer-review and approval of proposals for activities to be conducted under this program, taking into consideration advice of the Board established under section 104;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H34BB3FDFE4FF4F2BADA796717CC0B019"><enum>(5)</enum><text>enhance the technical capability of the United States marine science community by promoting the development of improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and sensors and autonomous vehicles; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HF59E3C7AB827430B9D1E9BFF51228BE4"><enum>(6)</enum><text>establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage partnerships and promote communication among experts and other stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical expertise and relevance of the national program.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H754C69355ED64400BEF005851DBF9021"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Donations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the Administrator may accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans.</text> </subsection></section><section id="HE41AA5FC985947D3B3B000A2F2956C12"><enum>104.</enum><header>Ocean exploration advisory Board</header> <subsection id="H0E1D76BA36C1428FBCEEA5B8DCA1DA32"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Administrator shall appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board composed of experts in relevant fields to—</text> <paragraph id="HED93779CB97A4E3C88B087531D69458C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>advise the Administrator on priority areas for survey and discovery;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HA89F95C0B24247E282538B0986E2ED24"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">assist the program in the development of a five-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lakes science, exploration, and discovery;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H80CB312DF16440CCB3BBF66E00F8A6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>annually review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process established under section 103(4); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H73FB0F7CCE944BE6ACAAB8A4A3277EA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>provide other assistance and advice as requested by the Administrator.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB4D2FF105E564676804521DD35F7E100"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Board appointed under subsection (a).</text> </subsection></section><section id="HFF4C9F6658184942B2865117D05DB3EC"><enum>105.</enum><header>Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing in this Act supersedes, or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1331">43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.</external-xref>).</text> </section><section id="HD86F27505D6941169D9372FAB61EF7B"><enum>106.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title—</text> <paragraph id="H10A248A7A32841128D596669D772AABA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$30,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HBC0FB30FE4644AB188B2BA89A6F31DE8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H459F6CDAA73845A6A4FC76AD97E00F1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H8146A864C98940B3A8D7D12D73A6A503"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H3FA9E1C98F094FFE96C1E0E76F2FA4FC"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HE88F4A579B1443078CD900BE175496AC"><enum>(6)</enum><text>$49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H0F51CBD54E764B7AAFEDFE00946105EC"><enum>(7)</enum><text>$54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014.</text> </paragraph></section><enum>II</enum><header>UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM</header> <section id="H5A2198D3C177458299F0DBB534B28F00"><enum>201.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote><short-title>National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007</short-title></quote>.</text> </section><section id="HE0E771D895E04A19925E8172A589EA38"><enum>202.</enum><header>Authorization</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall conduct an undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development program and shall designate a Director of that program.</text> </section><section id="H25D0B91211574F45B1009FA6004418EB"><enum>203.</enum><header>Purpose</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purpose of the program authorized under section 202 is to increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The Director, in carrying out the program authorized in section 202, shall cooperate with institutions of higher education and other educational marine and ocean science organizations, and shall make available undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, information, and expertise to support undersea research efforts by these organizations. The Director may also enter into partnerships, using existing authorities, with the private sector to achieve the goals of the program and to promote technological advancement of the marine industry.</text> </section><section id="HB7B881148A624868B2F23D3DB3BB90BF"><enum>204.</enum><header>Program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The program authorized under section 202 shall be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Overall direction of the program will be developed by the program director with a Council of Center Directors comprised of the directors of the extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Draft program direction shall be published not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. The draft program direction shall be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 120 days. Final program direction with Agency responses to the comments received shall be published in the Federal Register within 90 days after the close of the comment period. The program director shall update the program direction, with opportunity for public comment, at least every five years.</text> </section><section id="H5280DC15EC9A43910076DA9B48C3E008"><enum>205.</enum><header>Regional centers and Institute</header> <subsection id="HAC07FEDA081E43C4B2AF37EC8922C059"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Programs</header><text>The following research, exploration, education, and technology programs shall be conducted through the network of extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology:</text> <paragraph id="H12A2AC6CC14541B1A7D300F8414E9D2B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Core research and exploration based on national and regional undersea research priorities.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HCCCAECF982F24267BAA4363700B3AD62"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Advanced undersea technology development to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research mission and programs.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HB9AEFD1CC02845FA00EB0092F2FAE396"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Development, testing, and transition of advanced undersea technology associated with ocean observatories, submersibles, advanced diving technologies, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing technologies.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H02AE387513B54ADAB723A55C46D75D3F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Undersea science-based education and outreach programs to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the oceans and Great Lakes.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HA8C408A6544D42B30027445BC0CAEDAC"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Discovery, study, and development of natural products from ocean and aquatic systems.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H750C97A71C3C48DBAE4762DCD938FCD8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Operations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Operation of the extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology shall leverage partnerships and cooperative research with academia and private industry.</text> </subsection></section><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD141A075DE89444E8F2517B0DA96CC71" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>206.</enum><header>Competition</header> <subsection commented="no" id="HD3DD52F02F1E4E6092E4125D60DC37F9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Discretionary fund</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The program shall allocate no more than 10 percent of its annual budget to a discretionary fund that may be used only for program administration and priority undersea research projects identified by the Director but not covered by funding available from centers.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H346B46C126CD4990A591A7E01ACB377"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Competitive selection</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator shall conduct an initial competition to select the regional centers that will participate in the program 90 days after the publication of the final program direction required in section 204 and every five years thereafter. Funding for projects conducted through the regional centers shall be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process on the basis of their relevance to the goals of the program and their technical feasibility.</text> </subsection></section><section id="H9233D18463BC4FC598A8DFEF8D46171"><enum>207.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title—</text> <paragraph id="H10A218C981DD4FA8B707F0A8ACA15BD5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HF7144786714E454DA359CFFF895E7ED4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H4C3F2956B6CE4A0D817E6B6436887B57"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$21,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H94619FA34405459FAE737502EA4B9B93"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$23,500,000 for fiscal year 2011;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H2B2A449DC0A649218C82710051DC00C5"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$25,500,000 for fiscal year 2012;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H661691B22063425D8FA1D3DBCA061C"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$27,500,000 for fiscal year 2013; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H837444A5CFEA45248E71E64C801FF381"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$29,500,000 for fiscal year 2014.</text> </paragraph></section><enum>III</enum><header>INTERAGENCY PLANNING AND COORDINATION</header> <section id="H55E325E97DCE47DCA43F8F02799BD3F1"><enum>301.</enum><header>Ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force</header> <subsection id="H8DC99887BCF5427A85D136E167E575BD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in coordination with the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States Geological Survey, the Department of the Navy, the Mineral Management Service, and relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, industry, and other experts, shall convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy—</text> <paragraph id="HF73FAC0F565F4F25A338E8B34204AA81"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to facilitate transfer of new exploration and undersea research technology to the programs authorized under titles I and II of this Act;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="HAD4518A98BB64E308D18C1148D4124EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to improve availability of communications infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to such programs;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H5D81D40693A84B6999E62776AD071F00"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to develop an integrated, workable, and comprehensive data management information processing system that will make information on unique and significant features obtained by such programs available for research and management purposes;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H2084962901A142AEB4B105512C009596"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to conduct public outreach activities that improve the public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes, in conjunction with relevant programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H693EF35FA9AF4084A42C4F91D249D98C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental entities that will assist in transferring exploration and undersea research technology and technical expertise to the programs.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H82D4B7F2A9BB4675A0B3D4E2064018CF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Budget coordination</header><text>The task force shall coordinate the development of agency budgets and identify the items in their annual budget that support the activities identified in the strategy developed under subsection (a).</text> </subsection></section>

Passed the House of Representatives February 14, 2008.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.