[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5618 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
                                H. R. 5618


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 15, 2008

    Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, 
                        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 ``National Sea Grant College Program 
Amendments Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided therein, 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 a section or other provision of the National 
Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.).

SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Section 202(a) (33 U.S.C. 1121(a)) is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (1)(D) to read as follows:
                    ``(D) encourage the development of preparation, 
                forecast, analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery 
                systems for coastal hazards;'';
            (2) in paragraph (2) by striking ``program of research, 
        education,'' and inserting ``program of integrated research, 
        education, extension,''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following:
            ``(6) The National Ocean Research Priorities Plan and 
        Implementation Strategy issued by the National Science and 
        Technology Council's Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and 
        Technology on January 26, 2007, identifies research priorities 
        for compelling areas of interaction between society and the 
        ocean, and calls for the engagement of a broad array of ocean 
        science sectors (government, academia, industry, and non-
        government entities) to address the areas of greatest research 
        need and opportunity.
            ``(7) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
        through the national sea grant college program, offers the most 
        suitable locus and means for such commitment and engagement 
        through the promotion of activities that will result in greater 
        such understanding, assessment, development, utilization, and 
        conservation. The most cost-effective way to promote such 
        activities is through continued and increased Federal support 
        of the establishment, development, and operation of programs 
        and projects by sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, and 
        other institutions, including strong collaborations between 
        Administration scientists and research and outreach personnel 
        at academic institutions.''.
    (b) Purpose.--Section 202(c) (33 U.S.C. 1121(c)) is amended by 
striking ``to promote research, education, training, and advisory 
service activities'' and inserting ``to promote integrated research, 
education, training, and extension activities''.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Amendments.--Section 203 (33 U.S.C. 1122) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (11) by striking ``advisory services'' and 
        inserting ``extension services'';
            (2) in each of paragraphs (12) and (13) by striking ``(33 
        U.S.C. 1126)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(17) The term `regional research and information plan' 
        means a plan developed by one or more sea grant colleges or sea 
        grant institutes that identifies regional priorities to 
        implement the National Ocean Research Priorities Plan and 
        Implementation Strategy.
            ``(18) The term `National Ocean Research Priorities Plan 
        and Implementation Strategy' means such plan and strategy 
        issued by the National Science and Technology Council's Joint 
        Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology on January 26, 
        2007.''.
    (b) Repeal.--Section 307 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide 
for the designation of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine 
Sanctuary'' (Public Law 102-251; 106 Stat. 66) is repealed.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM, GENERALLY.

    (a) Program Elements.--Section 204(b) (33 U.S.C. 1123(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) by amending in paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) sea grant programs that comprise a national sea grant 
        college program network, including international projects 
        conducted within such programs and regional and national 
        projects conducted among such programs;'';
            (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) administration of the national sea grant college 
        program and this title by the national sea grant office and the 
        Administration;''; and
            (3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
            ``(4) any regional or national strategic investments in 
        fields relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources 
        developed in consultation with the board and with the approval 
        of the sea grant colleges and the sea grant institutes.''.
    (b) Technical Correction.--Section 204(c)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1123(c)(2)) 
is amended by striking ``Within 6 months of the date of enactment of 
the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998, 
the'' and inserting ``The''.
    (c) Functions of Director of National Sea Grant College Program.--
Section 204(d) (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``long-range'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``(A)(i) evaluate'' and inserting 
                ``(A) evaluate and assess'';
                    (B) by striking ``activities; and'' and inserting 
                ``activities;''; and
                    (C) by striking clause (ii); and
            (3) in paragraph (3)(B)--
                    (A) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (iv) as 
                clauses (iv) through (vi), respectively, and by 
                inserting after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) encourage collaborations among sea 
                        grant colleges and sea grant institutes to 
                        address regional and national priorities 
                        established under subsection (c)(1);
                            ``(iii) encourage cooperation with Minority 
                        Serving Institutions--
                                    ``(I) to enhance collaborative 
                                research opportunities for faculty and 
                                students in the areas of atmospheric, 
                                oceanic, and environmental sciences, 
                                and remote sensing;
                                    ``(II) to improve opportunities 
                                for, and retention of, students and 
                                faculty from Minority Serving 
                                Institutions in the NOAA related 
                                sciences; and
                                    ``(III) to increase the number of 
                                such students graduating in NOAA 
                                science areas;''; and
                    (B) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated) by striking 
                ``encourage'' and inserting ``ensuring''.

SEC. 6. PROGRAM OR PROJECT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.

    (a) Exemption From Limitation on Cost Share.--Section 205(a) (33 
U.S.C. 1124(a)) is amended in the matter following paragraph (2), by 
inserting ``or that are appropriated under section 208(b)'' before the 
period at the end.
    (b) Special Grants; Maximum Amount.--Section 205(b) (33 U.S.C. 
1124(b)) is amended by striking the matter following paragraph (3) and 
inserting the following:
``The total amount that may be provided for grants under this 
subsection during any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 5 
percent of the total funds appropriated for such year under section 
212.''.

SEC. 7. EXTENSION SERVICES BY SEA GRANT COLLEGES AND SEA GRANT 
              INSTITUTES.

    Section 207(a) (33 U.S.C. 1126(a)) is amended in each of paragraphs 
(2)(B) and (3)(B) by striking ``advisory services'' and inserting 
``extension services''.

SEC. 8. FELLOWSHIPS.

    (a) Restriction on Use of Funds Available for Fellowships.--Section 
208 (33 U.S.C. 1127) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Restriction on Use of Funds.--Amounts available for 
fellowships under this section, including amounts accepted under 
section 204(c)(4)(F) or appropriated under section 212 to implement 
this section, shall be used only for award of such fellowships and 
administrative costs of implementing this section.''.
    (b) Technical Correction.--Section 208(a) (33 U.S.C. 1127(a)) is 
amended by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 
2002, and every 2 years thereafter,'' and inserting ``Every 2 years,''.

SEC. 9. NATIONAL SEA GRANT ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) Redesignation of Sea Grant Review Panel as Board.--
            (1) Redesignation.--The sea grant review panel established 
        by section 209 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act 
        (33 U.S.C. 1128), as in effect before the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, is redesignated as the National Sea Grant Advisory 
        Board.
            (2) Membership not affected.--An individual serving as a 
        member of the sea grant review panel immediately before the 
        enactment of this Act may continue to serve as a member of the 
        National Sea Grant Advisory Board until the expiration of such 
        member's term under section 209(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        1128(c).
            (3) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
        document, paper, or other record of the United States to such 
        sea grant review panel is deemed to be a reference to the 
        National Sea Grant Advisory Board.
            (4) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 209 (33 U.S.C. 1128) is 
                amended by striking so much as precedes subsection (b) 
                and inserting the following:

``SEC. 209. NATIONAL SEA GRANT ADVISORY BOARD.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There shall be an independent committee to be 
known as the National Sea Grant Advisory Board.''.
                    (B) Definition.--Section 203(9) (33 U.S.C. 1122(9)) 
                is amended to read as follows:
            ``(9) The term `Board' means the National Sea Grant 
        Advisory Board established under section 209.'';
                    (C) Other provisions.--The following provisions are 
                each amended by striking ``panel'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``Board'':
                            (i) Section 204 (33 U.S.C. 1123).
                            (ii) Section 207 (33 U.S.C. 1126).
                            (iii) Section 209 (33 U.S.C. 1128).
    (b) Duties.--Section 209(b) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)) is amended to read 
as follows:
    ``(b) Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board shall advise the Secretary and 
        the Director concerning--
                    ``(A) strategies for utilizing the sea grant 
                college program to address the Nation's highest 
                priorities regarding the understanding, assessment, 
                development, utilization, and conservation of ocean, 
                coastal, and Great Lakes resources;
                    ``(B) the designation of sea grant colleges and sea 
                grant institutes; and
                    ``(C) such other matters as the Secretary refers to 
                the Board for review and advice.
            ``(2) Biennial report.--The Board shall report to the 
        Congress every two years on the state of the national sea grant 
        college program. The Board shall indicate in each such report 
        the progress made toward meeting the priorities identified in 
        the strategic plan in effect under section 204(c). The 
        Secretary shall make available to the Board such information, 
        personnel, and administrative services and assistance as it may 
        reasonably require to carry out its duties under this title.''.
    (c) Extension of Term.--Section 209(c)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1128(c)(2)) is 
amended by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: 
``The Director may extend the term of office of a voting member of the 
Board once by up to 1 year.''.
    (d) Establishment of Subcommittees.--Section 204(c) (33 U.S.C. 
1123(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(8) The Board may establish such subcommittees as are reasonably 
necessary to carry out its duties under subsection (b). Such 
subcommittees may include individuals who are not Board members.''.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization.--Section 212(a) (33 U.S.C. 1131(a)) is amended 
to read as follows:
    ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary to carry out this title--
            ``(1) $66,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            ``(2) $72,800,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            ``(3) $79,600,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            ``(4) $86,400,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(5) $93,200,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(6) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.''.
    (b) Repeal of Distribution Requirement.--Section 212 (33 U.S.C. 
1131) is amended by striking subsection (c), and by redesignating 
subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2008.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

                               By Robert F. Reeves,

                                                          Deputy Clerk.