[House Report 110-311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                            Rept. 110-311
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     Part 1

======================================================================

 
 TO AUTHORIZE THE NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM AND THE NATIONAL 
 UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM WITHIN THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
                             ADMINISTRATION

                                _______
                                

                 August 4, 2007.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Rahall, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1834]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 
bill (H.R. 1834) to authorize the national ocean exploration 
program and the national undersea research program within the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, having 
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment 
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

              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, or utilize an existing panel, 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 the fields of exploration, discovery, and 
        science;
          (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 and expertise;
                  (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.
  (c) Utilization of Existing Panel.--If the Administrator utilizes an 
existing panel to fulfill the requirements of this section, the 
membership of that panel must include relevant experts in the fields 
specified in subsection (a)(2).

SEC. 105. 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. 106. 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 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, PLANNING, AND COORDINATION

SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY FINANCING.

  The Administrator of 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, may 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.

SEC. 302. OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY AND 
                    INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.

  (a) In General.--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, nongovernmental, 
academic, industry, and other experts, shall convene an ocean 
exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task 
force, or utilize an existing panel, to develop and implement a 
strategy--
          (1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration and undersea 
        research technology to the programs authorized under titles I 
        and II of this Act;
          (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 nongovernmental entities that will assist in transferring 
        exploration technology and technical expertise to the program.
  (b) Utilization of Existing Panel.--If the Administrator utilizes an 
existing panel to fulfill the requirements of this section, the 
membership of that panel must include representative of all the 
agencies and other interests specified in subsection (a).

                          PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of H.R. 1834 is to authorize two ocean research 
programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA): the National Ocean Exploration Program 
and the National Undersea Research Program.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    In 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, whose members 
were appointed by President George W. Bush, released a report 
containing recommendations for the establishment of a 
comprehensive and coordinated ocean policy for the nation. The 
report concluded, among many other findings, that increased 
scientific knowledge of the oceans and coasts and the 
associated technological development to gather such information 
are imperative for sustainable resource use, economic 
development, and conservation of marine biodiversity. In order 
to attain these goals, a comprehensive national strategy is 
needed. In addition, the Commission concluded that the American 
public has too little awareness of the importance of the ocean 
in their daily lives and to all life on the planet, and that an 
interested and an engaged public is essential to addressing 
complex ocean- and coastal-related issues. Legislation is 
required to implement many of the Commission's recommendations.
    NOAA has for many years utilized its broad general 
authority as the federal agency responsible for the management 
of living marine and coastal resources to conduct activities 
supporting ocean exploration and undersea research. In 1971, 
NOAA administratively established the Manned Undersea Science 
and Technology (MUST) program to pioneer exploration of 
undersea habitats. In 1980, the MUST program was reconstituted 
as the National Undersea Research Program (NURP) within NOAA's 
Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research (OAR).
    NURP was created to provide marine scientists with the 
requisite tools and expertise to investigate the undersea 
environment, including submersibles, remotely operated 
vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, mixed gas diving 
gear, underwater laboratories and observatories, and other 
cutting edge technologies. NURP is comprised of a network of 
six regional centers and one national technology institute, 
located primarily at major universities in Connecticut, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, and 
Mississippi. This extramural network facilitates collaborations 
with federal and non-federal programs outside of NOAA, 
leverages external funds and infrastructure, and provides 
access to world-class marine researchers, technology expertise 
and students. Federal grants fund the regional centers and 
national technology institute and each facility undergoes 
periodic external review to ensure performance and 
accountability. NURP supports on average over 100 peer-reviewed 
research projects each year that are relevant to NOAA's overall 
mission and enhance national ocean research requirements and 
priorities. Examples of research produced through NURP grants 
include: the discovery and analysis of novel marine bio-
compounds useful for medical and pharmaceutical applications; 
research to better understand new chemosynthetic communities 
discovered at deep sea vents and seeps; and groundbreaking 
research regarding factors affecting coral reef health, 
especially coral bleaching events and climate change. Since 
1995, Congress has appropriated over $178 million specifically 
for NURP.
    In 2000, President William J. Clinton's Panel on Ocean 
Exploration--a multi-disciplinary group of ocean experts--
released a historic report entitled ``Discovering Earth's Final 
Frontier: A U.S. Strategy for Ocean Exploration.'' This panel 
found that our current understanding of the ocean environment 
is inadequate compared with the undeniable importance of the 
oceans to the health and wealth of our country, and that the 
U.S. has fallen behind other nations in our capabilities for 
undertaking ocean exploration. The panel recommended the 
establishment of an Ocean Exploration Program for an initial 
10-year period to conduct interdisciplinary voyages of 
discovery, develop new platforms, communication, navigation and 
other exploration instruments, disseminate information on 
discoveries to maximize benefits, and enhance education to 
increase science competence of the ocean environment in the 
United States.
    In 2001, NOAA responded to the panel's recommendation and 
established the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) to support new 
expeditions for the purpose of discovery and documentation of 
ocean voyages. Also located in OAR, the OE program operates 
under a multi-purpose mission to map the physical, biological, 
chemical and archaeological aspects of the ocean; to better 
understand ocean dynamics and to describe the complex 
interactions of the living ocean; to develop new sensors and 
systems to regain U.S. leadership in ocean technology, and; to 
conduct public outreach to communicate the benefits of ocean 
exploration to the nation. The OE program has conducted field 
seasons every year since 2001, often in collaboration with 
other NOAA programs and federal agencies such as NURP, the 
National Marine Sanctuary Program and the National Science 
Foundation. The OE program has conducted over 100 expeditions 
in unknown, remote or poorly understood ocean areas, including 
expeditions to assess hydrothermal vents at the Galapagos Rift 
in the equatorial Pacific Ocean; investigations of the frigid 
depths of the Canada Basin in the Arctic Ocean; exploration of 
little known sea mounts in the North Atlantic; and, 
reconnaissance of the Bransfield Strait and Drake's Passage in 
the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. The Congress has 
appropriated $118.5 million to support this program since its 
establishment in 2001.
    H.R. 1834 would implement a key recommendation of the U.S. 
Commission on Ocean Policy to provide specific and separate 
authorizations for these two programs within NOAA. The 
authorizations would further strengthen NOAA's standing as the 
preeminent civilian federal ocean agency by granting the agency 
explicit authority to conduct scientific research that directly 
contributes to increasing scientific knowledge of the world's 
oceans. The legislation would address the glaring national need 
to develop and advance new innovations in oceanographic 
research, communication and navigation technologies that 
support ocean exploration and science and expand extramural 
ocean research. Additionally, this legislation would emphasize 
the importance of outreach and public education to ensure that 
future scientific discoveries and benefits are disseminated to 
decision-makers in both the public and private sectors, and 
conveyed to the general public to increase public awareness and 
appreciation of the world's ocean to our economic and 
environmental well-being.

                            COMMITTEE ACTION

    H.R. 1834 was introduced on March 29, 2007 by Mr. Saxton 
(R-NJ). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural 
Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on 
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans on April 10, 2007. The bill was also 
referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, as well as the 
Committee on Armed Services. On June 5, 2007, the Subcommittee held a 
hearing on the bill and received supportive testimony regarding the 
need for and substance of the legislation. On June 19, 2007, the 
Subcommittee met to mark up the bill. Mr. Saxton (R-NJ) offered an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute to add an additional Title III 
to authorize federal interagency financing in support of NURP and OE 
projects and expeditions; to extend the purview of the Technology and 
Infrastructure Task Force to both the OE and NURP programs, and to 
allow the Administrator of NOAA to utilize an existing entity to carry 
out the functions of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board and the 
Technology and Infrastructure Task Force. The amendment was adopted by 
voice vote. The bill was then forwarded to the Full Committee, as 
amended. On June 28, 2007, the Full Natural Resources Committee met to 
consider the bill. Mr. Saxton (R-NJ) again offered an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute to clarify that there must be broad membership 
representation on the authorized advisory bodies for ocean exploration 
and undersea research technology and infrastructure. It was adopted by 
unanimous consent. The bill, as amended, was then ordered favorably 
reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

                      SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Title I--National Ocean Exploration Program

Section 101. Short title

    Section 101 cites this Act as the ``National Ocean 
Exploration Program Act.''

Section 102. Authorization

    Section 102 would establish a coordinated national ocean 
exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), to work in consultation with the 
National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal 
agencies.

Section 103. Authorities

    Section 103 would authorize NOAA, with other entities, to 
conduct activities to explore and document lesser known marine 
resources. NOAA will utilize a transparent review process for 
proposed activities, enhance the technical capabilities of the 
U.S. marine science community, and improve communication and 
cooperation among experts by establishing an ocean exploration 
forum.

Section 104. Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

    Section 104 directs the Administrator of NOAA to appoint an 
Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, or utilize an existing panel 
such as the Ocean Exploration Advisory Working Group formed 
under NOAA's Science Advisory Board, to advise NOAA on the 
development and implementation of the OE program. This advisory 
board would be exempt from operating under the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act except for requirements regarding board 
membership, public notice, open meetings and public 
availability to documents developed by the advisory board.

Section 105. Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act

    Section 105 confirms that nothing in this Title or Title II 
supercedes, or limits the authority of the Secretary of the 
Interior under, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Section 106. Authorization of appropriations

    Section 106 would authorize appropriations to NOAA for this 
program on an incrementally increasing basis beginning with 
$30,500,000 in fiscal year 2008 and ending with $71,917,000 in 
fiscal year 2017.

Title II--Undersea Research Program

Section 201. Short title

    Section 201 cites this Act as the ``National Undersea 
Research Program Act of 2007.''

Section 202. Authorization

    Section 202 would direct the Administrator of NOAA to 
conduct and designate a director of an undersea research 
program.

Section 203. Purpose

    Section 203 states that the purpose of the program would be 
to increase the scientific knowledge essential for the informed 
management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and 
large lake resources. It would also make available the 
infrastructure and expertise to meet the undersea science needs 
of the academic community.

Section 204. Program

    Section 204 states that the program will be conducted 
through a national headquarters, a network of regional research 
centers, and a national technology institute. Direction will be 
provided by the program director with the support of the 
directors of all regional centers and the national technology 
institute (the ``Council of Center Directors'').

Section 205. Regional centers and technology institute

    Section 205 states that the regional research centers and 
National Technology Institute will conduct programs that 
address undersea research priorities, enhance undersea 
technological capabilities, promote public education and 
awareness, discover and develop natural products fromocean and 
aquatic systems, and contribute to our understanding of the U.S.'s 
ocean and coastal resources.

Section 206. Competitiveness

    Section 206 dictates that the program budget will be used 
for external projects, supported by the regional centers, to be 
managed using an open and competitive process and evaluated 
using specified criteria. No more than 10 percent of the 
program budget will be set aside for rapid response activities 
and for NOAA-related service projects.

Section 207. Authorization of appropriations

    Section 207 would authorize appropriations to NOAA on an 
incrementally increasing basis beginning in fiscal year 2008 
and ending in fiscal year 2017, divided between the National 
Technology Institute and the regional centers. Appropriations 
would begin in fiscal year 2008 with $16,638,000 for the 
regional centers and $6,655,000 for the National Technology 
Institute, and end in fiscal year 2017 with $29,474,000 for the 
regional centers and $11,790,000 for the National Technology 
Institute.

Title III. Interagency Financing, Planning, and Coordination

Section 301. Interagency financing

    Section 301 would authorize NOAA, the National Science 
Foundation, the Department of the Navy, and other Federal 
agencies to share, transfer, receive, or spend funds 
appropriated to any of the program participants provided they 
were appropriated specifically for this program.

Section 302. Ocean exploration and undersea research technology and 
        infrastructure task force

    Section 302 would establish a task force consisting of the 
National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA), the U.S. Geological Survey, the 
Department of the Navy, the Minerals Management Service, and 
other relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, 
industry, and other experts. The task force would enhance the 
program's use of new technology and improve its communications, 
data management, and technical expertise capacity though 
partnerships between the government and other entities. The 
Administrator may utilize an existing panel for this purpose, 
but it must meet the criteria for membership described in this 
section.

            COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

                  FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    The functions of the proposed advisory committee authorized 
in the bill is not currently being nor could they be performed 
by one or more agencies, an advisory committee already in 
existence or by enlarging the mandate of an existing advisory 
committee. The legislation as reported does grant to the NOAA 
Administrator discretionary authority to utilize an Ocean 
Exploration Advisory Working Group formed under NOAA's Science 
Advisory Board to fulfill this responsibility. This pre-
existing panel would have to comply with certain requirements 
under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
regarding membership and public notice, meeting and information 
availability requirements.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

    1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and 
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be 
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) 
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when 
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted 
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
    2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) 
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this 
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.
    3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or 
objective of this bill, as ordered reported, is to authorize 
the national ocean exploration program and the national 
undersea research program within in the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
    4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate 
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office:

H.R. 1834--A bill to authorize the national ocean exploration program 
        and the national undersea research program within the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Summary: H.R. 1834 would direct the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out programs on 
Ocean exploration and undersea research programs. For this 
purpose, the bill would authorize the appropriation of nearly 
$300 million over the 2008-2012 period and nearly $760 million 
over the 2008-2017 period.
    Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 1834 would cost $30 million in 
2008 and $260 million over the 2008-2012 period. We estimate 
that about $500 million would be spent after 2012, including 
$460 million authorized to be appropriated after 2012. Enacting 
the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.
    H.R. 1834 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 1834 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      By fiscal year, in millions of
                                                 dollars--
                                 ---------------------------------------
                                   2008    2009    2010    2011    2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Authorization Level\1\..........      49      54      59      65      71
Estimated Outlays...............      30      45      55      62     68
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\NOAA's National Ocean Service received appropriations of around $600
  million in 2007, including funding for some activities that are
  similar to the exploration, research, and mapping programs that would
  be authorized by H.R. 1834. In addition to the amounts shown in the
  table, the bill would authorize funding of about $460 million over the
  2013-2017 period. In total, the bill would authorize appropriations of
  nearly $760 million over the 2008-2017 (1O-year) period.

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
legislation will be enacted near the beginning of 2008 and that 
the entire amounts authorized will be appropriated for each 
fiscal year. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending 
patterns for NOAA programs.
    The authorization levels in the table are as specified in 
the bill for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, including between 
$31 million and $45 million per year for ocean exploration and 
between $18 million and $26 million per year for undersea 
research.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1834 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or 
tribal governments.
    Previous CBO cost estimate: On March 23, 2007, CBO 
transmitted a cost estimate for S. 39, the Ocean and Coastal 
Exploration and NOAA Act (OCEAN Act), as ordered reported by 
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
on February 13, 2007. The provisions of S. 39 regarding ocean 
exploration and undersea research are similar to those in H.R. 
1834. The CBO estimates for those provisions reflect 
differences in the authorization levels for the affected 
programs.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis and David 
Reynolds. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Leo 
Lex. Impact on the Private-Sector: Jacob Kuipers.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                           EARMARK STATEMENT

    H.R. 1834 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9(d), 9(e) or 9(f) of rule XXI.

                PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

    This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or 
tribal law.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing 
law.

                                  
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