[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 115 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6412-H6414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5618) to reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant 
College Program Act, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5618

       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

[[Page H6413]]

     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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College 
Program Amendments Act of 2008, is legislation that I introduced this 
past March. The bill reauthorizes the National Sea Grant College 
Program Act to improve marine resource conservation, management and 
utilization.
  Sea Grant Colleges sponsor a wide range of applied and basic marine 
science research, education, training and technical assistance programs 
promoting the understanding, the assessment, the development, the 
utilization and the conservation of ocean, coastal and Great Lakes 
resources. The reauthorization bill affords the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration the ability and the flexibility to 
strengthen the current network of Sea Grant Colleges and their 
collaborating institutions through fiscal year 2014. It does so based 
on the sensible recommendation of the Sea Grant Association, the Sea 
Grant Review Panel, the National Sea Grant Program Office, and other 
stakeholders.
  By reauthorizing this program, the opportunity for enlisting more 
partnering institutions and increasing the overall number of designated 
Sea Grant Colleges remains. Capacity building for eventual Sea Grant 
College designation is ongoing at several institutions. And I note that 
in reauthorizing the program, H.R. 5618 keeps intact in current law the 
authority for NOAA to provide administrative, technical and financial 
assistance to institutions preparing and aiming for eventual Sea Grant 
College designation. The current eligibility criteria have ensured 
ultimate success with the entire program.
  The University of Guam, in my district, Mr. Speaker, continues to 
plan for eventual designation. I support NOAA's efforts to assist with 
capacity building at the University of Guam and at other institutions 
in the Western Pacific region and across the United States that are 
working to develop the expertise and resources necessary to be 
designated a Sea Grant Institution.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I note that in reauthorizing the overall 
program, we also renewed the authority for the continuation of the 
highly successful Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. 
Several of us here serving in Congress have had the extraordinary 
opportunity to host a legislative Sea Grant Fellow in our office. The 
skill and the competency of the Sea Grant fellows are a testament to 
the strength and the depth of the Sea Grant College program. The 
contributions of Sea Grant fellows in both the executive and the 
legislative branches have helped ensure policy is both crafted and 
implemented with an invaluable science perspective.
  In reauthorizing the National Sea Grant College Program, Congress 
reaffirms its national value to protecting our human and our 
environmental health to the design and the utilization of sustainable 
development practices, and to the overall advancement of important 
research and extensive activities in the Marine Sciences.
  With our support, the network of Sea Grant Colleges is positioned to 
continue collaborative ground-breaking research and engagement in the 
Marine Sciences with stakeholders in communities all across the United 
States.

[[Page H6414]]

  Mr. Speaker, I therefore ask Members on both sides to support passage 
of this noncontroversial bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the majority, capably led 
by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo of the Republic of Guam, has 
superbly explained the bill. The National Sea Grant College Program has 
been an important component in addressing local and regional research 
for needs for ocean and Great Lakes issues. The program, such as the 
one at Buford, South Carolina, has been extremely effective in 
disseminating science-based information to citizens through education 
and outreach programs.
  H.R. 5618 reauthorizes this important marine science program, and I 
support its passage with particular appreciation for the Buford 
Laboratory.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this 
particular piece of legislation. I want to thank my colleague, Mr. 
Wilson of South Carolina, for his supportive remarks.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
5618, amending the National Sea Grant College Program Act and 
reauthorizing the program that is scheduled to expire fiscal year 2008.
  First and foremost, I want to commend Congresswoman Bordallo of Guam, 
Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans of 
the Committee on Natural Resources, for taking the initiative to 
introduce this important legislation. This bill is an example of the 
efforts by the Congress to support our many Sea Grant College programs 
in improving marine resource conservation and management.
  H.R. 5618 implements changes in the Sea Grant Program, which is 
administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
NOAA, that were recommended by the National Research Council in their 
2006 report that has strong support from the various agencies and the 
Sea Grant Association. Such recommendations include increasing the 
interaction between the National Sea Grant and the individual state 
programs. It will improve programmatic performance reviews that will 
strengthen oversight and accountability but at the same time will 
ensure that Sea Grant programs are consistent and supportive of the 
national objectives. Importantly, the increase in funding levels will 
greatly assist in the needs of our coastal and Great Lake communities 
and will improve program activities and research that have been at a 
standstill because of flat-funding for the past few years.
  Like our national land grant programs, the National Sea Grant College 
Program is a powerful resource in maintaining America's status in the 
world for research and development of our marine sciences. It is a 
program that we must continue to strengthen and support.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation will authorize funding for the National 
Sea Grant Program until FY 2014. The inclusion of the many 
recommendations by the NRC in the language of the bill and the strong 
support of the Federal agencies and the Sea Grant Association reinforce 
the necessity to pass this legislation immediately. Given that almost 
54 percent of our population lives on the coast, the U.S. has continued 
to provide so little for marine policy research. Through H.R. 5618, I 
am hopeful that we are able to increase this necessary funding to 
monitor the drastic changes that are greatly affecting our coastlines.
  I am grateful for the work that Sea Grant has been able to provide 
through research and projects to my Congressional district. Through the 
University of Hawaii, Sea Grant has a strong presence at the American 
Samoa Community College and has continued to educate students of the 
necessity in protecting our reefs and marine environments. They have 
also continued to provide the tools for marine research that is 
urgently needed by the U.S. territories.
  For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 5618. Again, I 
thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation.
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5618 the National 
Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 authored by my friend 
and chairwoman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, 
Wildlife and Oceans, Representative Madeleine Bordallo.
  The National Sea Grant College Program has, since 1966, provided 
research grants, traineeships and fellowships which help graduate 
students and researchers study areas of the ocean which have strong 
effects on people. This is mostly done through the State Sea Grant 
programs which operate in most coastal States in conjunction with major 
universities. The Sea Grant programs provide valuable research and 
education into the economics, public health, and environmental impacts 
where people connect with the oceans. I have trouble thinking of a 
better return to the public on our research investments.
  The National Sea Grant program operates the Dean John A. Knauss 
National Marine Policy Fellowship which provides graduate students in 
ocean science and environmental studies the opportunity to bring their 
expertise as a fellow in a Congressional office or in a Federal agency 
office to gain experience and impact ocean policy. In my tenure in 
Congress, I have had 11 Sea Grant Fellows in my office. They have 
provided invaluable knowledge and passion for the oceans that have 
improved my understanding and helped to bolster my fight for the 
oceans.
  In California, we are lucky to have two Sea Grant Programs: the 
California Sea Grant program operated through the world class 
University of California system and the Southern California Sea Grant 
program operated through the University of Southern California. These 
programs are on the ground in California connecting the research and 
policy community, providing research grants, and educating the public, 
scientists, and policy makers on the importance of human interactions 
with the ocean.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Sea Grant programs have done a lot with a 
little money and I am confident that they will continue this tradition. 
I cannot emphasize enough the need for this Congress to provide for 
ocean stewardship now. The oceans and the Great Lakes belong to all the 
people of the United States and it is our duty to understand the 
implications of our actions on them. I support the National Sea Grant 
College Program Amendment Act and I urge my colleagues to join me.
  Ms. BORDALLO. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5618, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________