[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1834 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1834

 To authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national 
 undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                            Administration.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 29, 2007

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national 
 undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                            Administration.

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

              TITLE I--NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.

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

SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION.

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

SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES.

    In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(in this title referred to as the ``Administrator'') shall--
            (1) 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;
            (2) 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;
            (3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and 
        document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean 
        exploration activities that combine archaeology and 
        oceanographic sciences;
            (4) develop and implement, in consultation with the 
        National Science Foundation, a transparent process for merit-
        based peer-review and approval of proposals for activities to 
        be conducted under this program;
            (5) enhance the technical capability of the United States 
        marine science community by promoting the development of 
        improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and 
        data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and 
        sensors and autonomous vehicles;
            (6) accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be 
        applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing 
        knowledge of the oceans; and
            (7) establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage 
        partnerships and promote communication among experts and other 
        stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical 
        expertise and relevance of the national program.

SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall appoint an Ocean 
Exploration Advisory Board composed of experts in relevant fields to--
            (1) advise the Administrator on priority areas for survey 
        and discovery;
            (2) assist the program in the development of a five-year 
        strategic plan for exploration and discovery;
            (3) annually review the quality and effectiveness of the 
        proposal review process established under section 103(4); and
            (4) provide other assistance and advice as requested by the 
        Administrator.
    (b) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
        U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Ocean Exploration Advisory 
        Board.
            (2) Compliance.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Ocean 
        Exploration Advisory Board shall be appointed and operate in a 
        manner consistent with all provisions of the Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act with respect to--
                    (A) the balance of membership;
                    (B) provisions of public notice regarding 
                activities of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board;
                    (C) open meetings; and
                    (D) public access to documents created by the Ocean 
                Exploration Advisory Board.

SEC. 105. OCEAN EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.

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

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

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

SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title--
            (1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            (4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            (5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            (6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013;
            (7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014;
            (8) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2015;
            (9) $65,379,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
            (10) $71,917,000 for fiscal year 2017.

                  TITLE II--UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Undersea Research Program 
Act of 2007''.

SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION.

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

SEC. 203. PURPOSE.

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

SEC. 204. PROGRAM.

    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 a national technology 
institute. Overall direction of the program will be provided by the 
program director in coordination with a Council of Center Directors 
comprised of the directors of the extramural regional centers and the 
National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology.

SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND INSTITUTE.

    (a) Programs.--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:
            (1) Core research and exploration based on national and 
        regional undersea research priorities.
            (2) Advanced undersea technology development to support the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's research 
        mission and programs.
            (3) 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 such as LEO-15, Pisces, and the Aquarius 
        habitat.
            (4) Undersea science-based education and outreach programs 
        to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the 
        oceans and Great Lakes.
            (5) Discovery, study, and development of natural products 
        from ocean and aquatic systems.
    (b) Operations.--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.

SEC. 206. COMPETITIVENESS.

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

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title--
            (1) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (3) $21,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            (4) $23,500,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            (5) $25,500,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            (6) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2013;
            (7) $29,500,000 for fiscal year 2014;
            (8) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2015;
            (9) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
            (10) $35,500,000 for fiscal year 2017.

                    TITLE III--INTERAGENCY FINANCING

SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY FINANCING.

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