[House Report 118-48]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress    }                                    {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                    {       118-48

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



 
              COASTAL COMMUNITIES OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACT
                                OF 2023

                                _______
                                

  May 5, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Lucas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 676]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 676) to amend the Federal Ocean 
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 to require 
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to 
collaborate with State and local governments and Indian Tribes 
on vulnerability assessments related to ocean acidification, 
research planning, and similar activities, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon 
without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Legislative History..............................................     2
Section-by-Section...............................................     3
Committee Consideration..........................................     3
Roll Call Votes..................................................     3
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch.....................     5
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the 
  Committee......................................................     5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     5
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     5
Federal Advisory Committee Act...................................     5
Unfunded Mandate Statement.......................................     5
Earmark Identification...........................................     5
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     6
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     6

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 676 increases the involvement of Indian Tribes with 
ongoing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
ocean acidification activities. This bill amends the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to 
require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, to collaborate with State and local governments 
and Indian Tribes on vulnerability assessments related to ocean 
acidification, research planning, and similar activities.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    Ocean acidification is the global phenomenon of the gradual 
decrease in oceanic pH primarily from the absorption of excess 
carbon. It is a growing problem for coastal communities and 
economies that are dependent on ocean resources. Coastal 
economies contribute significantly to the nation's gross 
domestic product (GDP). According to NOAA, fourteen percent of 
U.S. counties that are adjacent to the coasts produce 45 
percent of the nation's GDP, with nearly three million jobs 
directly dependent on ocean and coastal resources. Some coastal 
economies in the United States have already been negatively 
impacted by ocean acidification, and there is a growing need to 
understand the social and economic effects of ocean 
acidification to help communities better prepare and respond.
    As required by the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and 
Monitoring Act of 2009, NOAA has established an Interagency 
Working Group and conducts a strategic research plan and 
program research on ocean and coastal acidification. State and 
local governments, industry, academia, and other 
representatives are included in this coordination and work, but 
there is no specific call out for Indian Tribes.
    H.R. 676 amends the statute directing collaboration of 
these activities to include Indian Tribes. Their participation 
is vital because tribal communities live and work on coasts and 
have used and conserved the ocean's natural resources for 
thousands of years.

                          Legislative History

    H.R. 676 was introduced on January 31, 2023, by 
Representative Pingree (D-ME) and is cosponsored by Waltz (R-
FL), Golden (D-ME), Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR), Carson (D-IN), 
Bonamici (D-OR), Tokuda (D-HI), Huffman (D-CA), Kilmer (D-WA), 
Scanlon (D-PA), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Panetta (D-CA), Peltola 
(D-AK), Thompson (D-CA), McCollum (D-MN), Schiff (D-CA), Lieu 
(D-CA), Posey (R-FL), Lee (D-PA), and McClellan (D-VA).
    On March 29, 2023, the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology met to consider H.R. 676. Chairman Lucas moved that 
Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 676, without 
amendment, to the House of Representatives with the 
recommendation that the bill be approved. The motion was agreed 
to by a vote of 35-0.

                           Section-by-Section


Section 1. Short title

    The short title of this legislation is ``Coastal 
Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2023.''

Section 2. Definitions

    This section amends the definitions included in the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to 
include Indian Tribe as defined by the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act.

Section 3. Improvement of collaboration on ocean acidification

    This section makes a number of minor tweaks to existing 
code that ensures Indian Tribes are included in coordination, 
research, and input on ocean acidification and coastal 
acidification activities. Specifically, this section designates 
2 seats on the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification 
for representatives from Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, 
or Tribal consortia. This section also ensures there is an 
ongoing mechanism to engage affected groups and communities in 
order to provide input on research, data, and monitoring that 
is necessary to support on-the-ground management and decision 
making related to ocean acidification.

Section 4. Technical corrections

    This section updates reference and numbering in the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to 
reflect changes made by H.R. 676.

                        Committee Consideration

    On March 29, 2023, the Committee met in open session and 
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 676, without 
amendment, by roll call vote, a quorum being present.

                            Roll Call Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the 
record votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments 
thereto. The following reflects the record votes taken during 
the Committee consideration:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

              Application of Law to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 676 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

          Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations
                            of the Committee

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         Statement of General Performance Goals And Objectives

    Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII, the goal of H.R. 
676 is to improve collaboration under the Federal Ocean 
Acidification Research and Monitoring Act with regard to 
vulnerability assessments related to ocean and coastal 
acidification, as well as other ongoing NOAA activities, by 
requiring the inclusion of tribal groups in this research and 
planning.

                    Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that no provision of H.R. 676 establishes or reauthorizes 
a program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of 
another Federal program, including any program that was 
included in a report to Congress pursuant to section 21 of 
Public Law 111-139 or identified in the most recent Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance.

                     Federal Advisory Committee Act

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish 
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within 
the definition of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act.

                       Unfunded Mandate Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

                         Earmark Identification

    Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 676 does not include any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee 
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the time this report was 
filed, the estimate was not available.

              New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority,
                          and Tax Expenditures

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee 
finds that H.R. 676 would result in no new or increased budget 
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or 
revenues.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII, at the time this 
report was filed, the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not available.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

    FEDERAL OCEAN ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH AND MONITORING ACT OF 2009



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE XII--NOAA UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM ACT OF 2009

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subtitle D--Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 
2009

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 12402. PURPOSES.

  The purposes of this subtitle are to provide for--
          (1) [development coordination and implementation] 
        development, coordination, and implementation of a 
        comprehensive interagency plan to--
                  (A) monitor and conduct research on the 
                processes and consequences of ocean 
                acidification and coastal acidification on 
                marine organisms and ecosystems; and
                  (B) maintain and advise an interagency 
                research, monitoring, and public outreach 
                program on ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification;
          (2) maintenance of an ocean acidification program 
        within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration;
          (3) assessment and consideration of regional and 
        national ecosystem and socioeconomic impacts of 
        increased ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification; and
          (4) research adaptation strategies and mitigating the 
        impacts of ocean and coastal acidification and related 
        co-stressors on marine ecosystems.

SEC. 12403. DEFINITIONS.

  In this subtitle:
          (1) Coastal acidification.--The term ``coastal 
        acidification'' means the decrease in pH and changes in 
        the water chemistry of coastal oceans, estuaries, and 
        Great Lakes from atmospheric pollution, freshwater 
        inputs, and excess nutrient run-off from land.
          (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        5304).
          [(2)] (3) Ocean acidification.--The term ``ocean 
        acidification'' means the decrease in pH and changes in 
        the water chemistry of the Earth's oceans, coastal 
        estuaries, marine waterways, and Great Lakes caused by 
        an increase of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and 
        the breakdown of organic matter.
          [(3)] (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means 
        the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
        Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
          [(4) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means 
        the National Science and Technology Council 
        Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.]
          (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of 
        the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the 
        Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other 
        territory or possession of the United States.
          (6) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means 
        the National Science and Technology Council 
        Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.
          (7) United states.--The term ``United States'' means 
        the States, collectively.

SEC. 12404. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.

  (a) Designation.--
          (1) In general.--The Subcommittee shall coordinate 
        Federal activities on ocean and coastal acidification 
        and establish and maintain an interagency working 
        group.
          (2) Membership.--The interagency working group on 
        ocean acidification shall be comprised of senior 
        representatives from the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, the National Science 
        Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space 
        Administration, the United States Geological Survey, 
        the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau 
        of Ocean Energy Management, the Environmental 
        Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the 
        Department of State, the Department of Energy, the 
        Department of the Navy, the National Park Service, the 
        Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology, the Smithsonian Institution, 
        and such other Federal agencies as appropriate.
          (3) Chair.--The interagency working group shall be 
        chaired by the representative from the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration.
  (b) Duties.--The Subcommittee shall--
          (1) develop the strategic research and monitoring 
        plan to guide Federal research on ocean acidification 
        required under section 12405 of this subtitle and 
        oversee the implementation of the plan;
          (2) oversee the development of--
                  (A) an assessment of the potential impacts of 
                ocean acidification and coastal acidification 
                on marine organisms and marine ecosystems; and
                  (B) adaptation and mitigation strategies to 
                conserve marine organisms and ecosystems 
                exposed to ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification;
          (3) facilitate communication and outreach 
        opportunities with nongovernmental organizations and 
        members of the stakeholder community with interests in 
        marine resources;
          (4) coordinate the United States Federal research and 
        monitoring program with research and monitoring 
        programs and scientists from other nations;
          (5) establish or designate, and contribute to as 
        appropriate, an Ocean Acidification Information 
        Exchange to make information on ocean acidification and 
        coastal acidification developed through or utilized by 
        the interagency ocean acidification program accessible 
        through electronic means, including information which 
        would be useful to policymakers, researchers, and other 
        stakeholders in mitigating or adapting to the impacts 
        of ocean acidificationand coastal acidification[; and].
  (c) Advisory Board.--
          (1) Establishment.--The Chair of the Subcommittee 
        shall establish an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board.
          (2) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
                  (A) maintain a process for reviewing and 
                making recommendations to the Subcommittee on--
                          (i) the biennial report specified in 
                        [subsection (d)(2)] subsection (e)(2); 
                        and
                          (ii) the strategic research plan in 
                        [subsection (d)(3)] subsection (e)(3);
                  (B) provide ongoing advice to the 
                Subcommittee and the interagency working group 
                on matters related to Federal activities on 
                ocean and coastal acidification, including 
                impacts and mitigation of ocean and coastal 
                acidification[; and];
                  (C) advise the Subcommittee and the 
                interagency working group on--
                          (i) efforts to coordinate research 
                        and monitoring activities related to 
                        ocean acidification and coastal 
                        acidification; and
                          (ii) the best practices for the 
                        standards developed for data archiving 
                        under section 12406(d)[.]; and
                  (D) maintain or establish an ongoing 
                mechanism (such as a liaison or other contact 
                of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration, standing meetings, or an online 
                platform) to engage affected industry members, 
                coastal stakeholders, community acidification 
                networks, fishery management councils and 
                commissions, indigenous knowledge groups, non-
                Federal resource managers, and scientific 
                experts not employed by the Federal Government 
                to provide input on research, data, and 
                monitoring that is necessary to support on-the-
                ground management, decision making, and 
                adaptation related to ocean acidification and 
                coastal acidification and the impacts of ocean 
                acidification and coastal acidification.
          (3) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall consist of 
        25 members as follows:
                  (A) Two representatives of the shellfish, 
                lobster, or crab industry.
                  (B) One representative of the finfish 
                industry.
                  (C) One representative of seafood processors.
                  (D) Three representatives from academia, 
                including both natural and social sciences.
                  (E) One representative of recreational 
                fishing.
                  (F) One representative of a relevant 
                nongovernmental organization.
                  (G) Two representatives from Indian Tribes, 
                Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia 
                affected by ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification.
                  [(G) Six] (H) Four representatives from 
                relevant State and local governments with 
                policy or regulatory authorities related to 
                ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
                                  [(H)] (I) One representative 
                                from the Alaska Ocean 
                                Acidification Network or a 
                                subsequent entity that 
                                represents the same 
                                geographical region and has a 
                                similar purpose.
                  [(I)] (J) One representative from the 
                California Current Acidification Network or a 
                subsequent entity that represents the same 
                geographical region and has a similar purpose.
                  [(J)] (K) One representative from the 
                Northeast Coastal Acidification Network or a 
                subsequent entity that represents the same 
                geographical region and has a similar purpose.
                  [(K)] (L) One representative from the 
                Southeast Coastal Acidification Network or a 
                subsequent entity that represents the same 
                geographical region and has a similar purpose.
                  [(L)] (M) One representative from the Gulf of 
                Mexico Coastal Acidification Network or a 
                subsequent entity that represents the same 
                geographical region and has a similar purpose.
                  [(M)] (N) One representative from the Mid-
                Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network or a 
                subsequent entity that represents the same 
                geographical region and has a similar purpose.
                  [(N)] (O) One representative from the Pacific 
                Islands Ocean Observing System or a subsequent 
                entity that represents the island territories 
                and possessions of the United States in the 
                Pacific Ocean, and the State of Hawaii and has 
                a similar purpose.
                  [(O)] (P) One representative from the 
                Caribbean Regional Association for Coastal 
                Ocean Observing or a subsequent entity that 
                represents Puerto Rico and the United States 
                Virgin Islands and has a similar purpose.
                  [(P)] (Q) One representative from the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                Olympic Coast Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site 
                or a subsequent entity that represents the same 
                geographical representation.
                  [(Q)] (R) One representative from the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                shall serve as an ex-officio member of the 
                Advisory Board without a vote.
          (4) Appointment of members.--The Chair of the 
        Subcommittee shall--
                  (A) appoint members to the Advisory Board 
                (taking into account the geographical interests 
                of each individual to be appointed as a member 
                of the Advisory Board to ensure that an 
                appropriate balance of geographical interests 
                are represented by the members of the Advisory 
                Board) who--
                          (i) represent the interest group for 
                        which each seat is designated;
                          (ii) demonstrate expertise on ocean 
                        acidification or coastal acidification 
                        and its scientific, economic, industry, 
                        cultural, and community impacts; and
                          (iii) have a record of distinguished 
                        service with respect to ocean 
                        acidification or coastal acidification, 
                        and such impacts;
                  (B) give consideration to nominations and 
                recommendations from the members of the 
                interagency working group and the public for 
                such appointments; and
                  (C) ensure that an appropriate balance of 
                scientific, industry, [State and local] State, 
                local, and Tribal resource managers, and 
                geographical interests are represented by the 
                members of the Advisory Board.
          (5) Term of membership.--Each member of the Advisory 
        Board--
                  (A) shall be appointed for a 5-year term; and
                  (B) may be appointed to no more than two 
                terms.
          (6) Chair.--The Chair of the Subcommittee shall 
        appoint one member of the Advisory Board to serve as 
        the Chair of the Advisory Board.
          (7) Meetings.--Not less than once each calendar year, 
        the Advisory Board shall meet at such times and places 
        as may be designated by the Chair of the Advisory 
        Board, in consultation with the Chair of the 
        Subcommittee and the Chair of the interagency working 
        group.
          (8) Briefing.--The Chair of the Advisory Board shall 
        brief the Subcommittee and the interagency working 
        group on the progress of the Advisory Board as 
        necessary or at the request of the Subcommittee.
          [(9) Tribal government engagement and coordination.--
                  [(A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall 
                maintain mechanisms for coordination, and 
                engagement with Tribal governments.
                  [(i) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
                subparagraph (A) may be construed as affecting 
                any requirement to consult with Indian Tribes 
                under Executive Order 13175 (25 U.S.C. 5301 
                note; relating to consultation and coordination 
                with Tribal governments) or any other 
                applicable law or policy.]
          (9) Engagement and coordination with indian tribes.--
                  (A) Policy required.--Not later than one year 
                after the date on which the Advisory Board is 
                established, the Advisory Board shall develop 
                and commence maintaining a policy for 
                engagement and coordination with Indian Tribes 
                affected by ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification.
                  (B) Consultation.--In developing the policy 
                under subparagraph (A), the Advisory Board 
                shall consult with Indian Tribes affected by 
                ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
          (10) Federal advisory committee act.--Section 14 of 
        the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to 
        the Advisory Board for 10 years from the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
  (d) Prize Competitions.--
          (1) In general.--Any Federal agency with a 
        representative serving on the interagency working group 
        established under this section may, either individually 
        or in cooperation with one or more agencies, carry out 
        a program to award prizes competitively under section 
        24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 
        1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719). An agency seeking to carry out 
        such a program shall carry out such program in 
        coordination with the chair of such interagency working 
        group.
          (2) Purposes.--Any prize competition carried out 
        under this subsection shall be for the purpose of 
        stimulating innovation to advance our Nation's ability 
        to understand, research, or monitor ocean acidification 
        or its impacts, or to develop management or adaptation 
        options for responding to ocean and coastal 
        acidification.
          (3) Priority programs.--Priority shall be given to 
        establishing programs under [this section] this 
        subsection that address communities, environments, or 
        industries that are in distress due to the impacts of 
        ocean and coastal acidification.
  (e) Reports to Congress.--
          (1) Initial report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee shall 
        transmit a report to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee 
        on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
        that--
                  (A) includes a summary of federally funded 
                ocean acidification research and monitoring 
                activities, including the budget for each of 
                these activities; and
                  (B) describes the progress in developing the 
                plan required under section 12405 of this 
                subtitle.
          (2) Biennial Report.--Not later than 2 years after 
        the delivery of the initial report under paragraph (1) 
        and every 2 years thereafter until 2032, the 
        Subcommittee shall transmit a report to the Committee 
        on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
        and the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
        Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
        Representatives, and to the Office of Management and 
        Budget, that includes--
                  (A) a summary of federally funded ocean 
                acidification research and monitoring 
                activities, including the budget for each of 
                these activities; and
                  (B) an analysis of the progress made toward 
                achieving the goals and priorities for 
                [interagency] the strategic research plan 
                developed by the Subcommittee under section 
                12405.
          (3) Strategic research plan.--Not later than 2 years 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Subcommittee shall transmit the strategic research plan 
        developed under section 12405 to the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Science and Technology and the 
        Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
        Representatives. A revised plan shall be submitted at 
        least once every 5 [years until 2031 thereafter] years 
        thereafter until 2031.
          (4) Economic vulnerability report.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after 
                the date of the enactment of the Coordinated 
                Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020, 
                and every 6 years thereafter until 2032, the 
                Subcommittee shall transmit to the appropriate 
                committees of Congress a report that--
                          (i) is named the ``Ocean Chemistry 
                        Coastal Community Vulnerability 
                        Assessment'';
                          (ii) identifies gaps in ocean 
                        acidification monitoring by public, 
                        academic, and private assets in the 
                        network of regional coastal observing 
                        systems;
                          (iii) identifies geographic areas 
                        which have gaps in ocean acidification 
                        research;
                          (iv) identifies United States coastal 
                        communities, including island 
                        communities, fishing communities, low-
                        population rural communities, tribal 
                        and subsistence communities, and island 
                        communities, that may be impacted by 
                        ocean acidification;
                          (v) identifies impacts of changing 
                        ocean carbonate chemistry on the 
                        communities described in clause (iv), 
                        including impacts from changes in ocean 
                        and coastal marine resources that are 
                        not managed by the Federal Government;
                          (vi) identifies gaps in understanding 
                        of the impacts of ocean acidification 
                        on economically or commercially 
                        important species, particularly those 
                        which support United States commercial, 
                        recreational, and tribal fisheries and 
                        aquaculture;
                          (vii) identifies habitats that may be 
                        particularly vulnerable to corrosive 
                        sea water, including areas experiencing 
                        multiple stressors such as hypoxia, 
                        sedimentation, and harmful algal 
                        blooms;
                          (viii) identifies areas in which 
                        existing National Integrated Coastal 
                        and Ocean Observation System assets, 
                        including unmanned maritime systems, 
                        may be leveraged as platforms for the 
                        deployment of new sensors or other 
                        applicable observing technologies;
                          (ix) identifies the efforts of the 
                        Secretary to collaborate with State and 
                        local governments and Indian Tribes on 
                        community vulnerability assessments, 
                        research planning, and similar 
                        activities, pursuant to section 
                        12406(e);
                          [(ix)] (x) is written in 
                        collaboration with Federal agencies 
                        responsible for carrying out this 
                        subtitle, including representatives 
                        of--
                                  (I) the National Marine 
                                Fisheries Service and the 
                                Office for Coastal Management 
                                of the National Oceanic and 
                                Atmospheric Administration;
                                  (II) regional coastal 
                                observing systems established 
                                under section 12304(c)(4);
                                  (III) regional ocean 
                                acidification networks; and
                                  (IV) sea grant programs (as 
                                defined in section 203 of the 
                                National Sea Grant College 
                                Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1122)); 
                                and
                          [(x)] (xi) is written in consultation 
                        with experts, including subsistence 
                        users, academia, and stakeholders 
                        familiar with the economic, social, 
                        ecological, geographic, and resource 
                        concerns of coastal communities in the 
                        United States.
                  (B) Form of report.--
                          (i) Initial report.--The initial 
                        report required under subparagraph (A) 
                        shall include the information described 
                        in clauses (i) through (viii) of that 
                        subparagraph on a national level.
                          (ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report 
                        required under subparagraph (A) after 
                        the initial report--
                                  (I) may describe the 
                                information described in 
                                clauses (i) through (viii) of 
                                that subparagraph on a national 
                                level; or
                                  (II) may consist of separate 
                                reports for each region of the 
                                National Oceanic and 
                                Atmospheric Administration.
                          (iii) Regional reports.--If the 
                        Subcommittee opts to prepare a report 
                        required under subparagraph (A) as 
                        separate regional reports under clause 
                        (ii)(II), the Subcommittee shall submit 
                        a report for each region of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration not less frequently than 
                        once during each 6-year reporting 
                        period.
                  (C) Appropriate committees of congress 
                defined.--In this paragraph and in paragraph 
                (5), the term ``appropriate committees of 
                Congress'' means the Committee on Commerce, 
                Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the 
                Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
                the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
                on Natural Resources of the House of 
                Representatives.
          (5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than 
        180 days after the date of the submission of the 
        initial report under paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee 
        shall transmit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report that develops a plan to deploy new 
        sensors or other applicable observing technologies such 
        as unmanned maritime systems--
                  (A) based on such initial report;
                  (B) prioritized by--
                          (i) the threat to coastal economies 
                        and ecosystems;
                          (ii) gaps in data; and
                          (iii) research needs; and
                  (C) that leverage existing platforms, where 
                possible.

SEC. 12405. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and not later than every 5 years 
following the publication of each subsequent strategic research 
plan until 2035, the Subcommittee shall develop a strategic 
plan for Federal research and monitoring on ocean acidification 
and coastal acidification that will provide for an assessment 
of the impacts of ocean acidification and coastal acidification 
on marine organisms and ecosystems and the development of 
adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the 
socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification and coastal 
acidification and coastal acidification and coastal 
acidification and to conserve marine organisms and ecosystems. 
In developing the plan, the Subcommittee shall consider and use 
information, reports, and studies of ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification that have identified research and 
monitoring needed to better understand ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification and its potential impacts, and 
recommendations made by the Advisory Board established in 
section 12404(c).
  (b) Contents of the Plan.--The plan shall--
          (1) provide for interdisciplinary research among the 
        ocean sciences and social sciences, and coordinated 
        research and activities to improve the understanding of 
        ocean chemistry that will affect marine ecosystems;
          (2) establish, for the 10-year period beginning in 
        the year the plan is submitted, the goals and 
        priorities for Federal research and monitoring which 
        will--
                  (A) advance understanding of ocean 
                acidification and its physical, chemical, and 
                biological impacts on marine organisms and 
                marine ecosystems;
                  (B) assess the short-term and long-term 
                socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification;
                  (C) provide information for the development 
                of adaptation and mitigation strategies to 
                address--
                          (i) socioeconomic impacts of ocean 
                        acidification and coastal 
                        acidification;
                          (ii) conservation of marine organisms 
                        and ecosystems;
                          (iii) assessment of the effectiveness 
                        of such adaptation and mitigation 
                        strategies; and
                  (D) improve research on--
                          (i) ocean acidification and coastal 
                        acidification;
                          (ii) the interactions between and 
                        effects of ocean and coastal 
                        acidification and multiple combined 
                        stressors including changes in water 
                        chemistry, changes in sediment 
                        delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal 
                        blooms, on ocean acidification and 
                        coastal acidification; and
                          (iii) the effect or effects of 
                        clauses (i) and (ii) on marine 
                        resources and ecosystems;
          (3) describe specific activities, including--
                  (A) efforts to determine user needs;
                  (B) research activities;
                  (C) monitoring activities;
                  (D) technology and methods development;
                  (E) data collection;
                  (F) data management;
                  (G) modeling activities;
                  (H) assessment of ocean acidification 
                impacts;
                  (I) participation in international research 
                efforts;
                  (J) assessment of adaptation and mitigation 
                strategies; and
                  (K) education and outreach activities;
          (4) identify relevant programs and activities of the 
        Federal agencies that contribute to the interagency 
        program directly and indirectly and ensure an 
        appropriate balance of contribution in establishing the 
        role of each Federal agency in implementing the plan;
          (5) consider and utilize, as appropriate, the best 
        available peer-reviewed scientific reports and studies 
        conducted by Federal agencies, the National Research 
        Council, or other entities;
          (6) make recommendations for the coordination of the 
        ocean acidification and coastal acidification research 
        and monitoring activities within the United States with 
        such activities of other nations and international 
        organizations;
          (7) outline budget requirements for Federal ocean 
        acidification research and monitoring and assessment 
        activities to be conducted by each agency under the 
        plan;
          (8) identify the monitoring systems and sampling 
        programs currently employed in collecting data relevant 
        to ocean acidification and coastal acidification and 
        prioritize additional monitoring systems that may be 
        needed to ensure adequate data collection and 
        monitoring of ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification and their impacts;
          (9) describe specific activities designed to 
        facilitate outreach and data and information exchange 
        with stakeholder communities;
          (10) make recommendations for research to be 
        conducted, including in the social sciences and 
        economics, to address the key knowledge gaps identified 
        in the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability 
        Assessment conducted under [section 12404(c)(4)] 
        section 12404(e)(4);
          (11) describe monitoring needs necessary to support 
        [potentially affected industry members, coastal 
        stakeholders, fishery management councils and 
        commissions, Tribal governments, non-Federal resource 
        managers, and scientific experts] affected industry 
        members, coastal stakeholders, community acidification 
        networks, fishery management councils and commissions, 
        indigenous knowledge groups, non-Federal resource 
        managers, and scientific experts not employed by the 
        Federal Government on decision-making and adaptation 
        related to ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification; and
          (12) describe the extent to which the Subcommittee 
        incorporated feedback from the Advisory Board 
        established in section 12404(c).
  (c) Program Elements.--The plan shall include at a minimum 
the following program elements:
          (1) Monitoring of ocean chemistry and biological 
        impacts associated with ocean acidification at selected 
        coastal and open-ocean monitoring stations, including 
        satellite-based monitoring to characterize--
                  (A) marine ecosystems;
                  (B) changes in marine productivity; and
                  (C) changes in ocean chemistry.
          (2) Research to understand the species specific 
        physiological responses of marine organisms to ocean 
        acidification and coastal acidification, impacts on 
        marine food webs of ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification, and to develop environmental and 
        ecological indices that track marine ecosystem 
        responses to ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification.
          (3) Modeling to predict changes in the ocean carbon 
        cycle as a function of carbon dioxide and atmosphere-
        induced changes in temperature, ocean circulation, 
        biogeochemistry, ecosystem and terrestrial inputs, 
        modeling to determine impacts on marine ecosystems, 
        marine food webs, and individual marine organisms, and 
        modeling that supports fisheries management.
          (4) Technology development and standardization of 
        carbonate chemistry measurements on moorings and 
        autonomous floats.
          (5) Assessment of socioeconomic impacts of ocean 
        acidification and coastal acidification and development 
        of adaptation and mitigation strategies to conserve 
        marine organisms and marine ecosystems.
          (6) Research to understand the combined impact of 
        changes in ocean chemistry and other stressors, 
        including sediment delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal 
        blooms, on each other and on living marine resources, 
        including aquaculture and coastal ecosystems.
          (7) Applied research to identify adaptation 
        strategies for species impacted by changes in ocean 
        chemistry including vegetation-based systems, shell 
        recycling, species and genetic diversity, applied 
        technologies, aquaculture methodologies, and management 
        recommendations.
          (8) Research to understand related and cumulative 
        stressors and other biogeochemical processes occurring 
        in conjunction with ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification.
  (d) Publication.--Concurrent with the submission of the plan 
to Congress, the Subcommittee shall publish the plan on a 
public website.

SEC. 12406. NOAA OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain 
an ocean acidification program within the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to conduct research, monitoring, 
coordination, and other activities consistent with the 
strategic research and implementation plan developed by the 
Subcommittee under section 12405 that--
          (1) includes--
                  (A) interdisciplinary research among the 
                ocean and atmospheric sciences, and coordinated 
                research and activities to improve 
                understanding of ocean acidification and 
                coastal acidification;
                  (B) the establishment of a long-term 
                monitoring program of ocean acidification and 
                coastal acidification utilizing existing global 
                and national ocean observing assets, including 
                leveraging, as appropriate, the Integrated 
                Ocean Observing System and the ocean observing 
                assets of other Federal, State, and Tribal 
                agencies, and adding instrumentation and 
                sampling stations as appropriate to the aims of 
                the research program;
                  (C) prioritization of the location of 
                monitoring instruments, assets, and projects to 
                [maximize] take into consideration the 
                efficiency of resources and agency and 
                department missions;
                  (D) an optimization of understanding of 
                socioeconomic impacts and ecosystem health;
                  (E) research to identify and develop 
                adaptation and mitigation strategies and 
                techniques for effectively conserving marine 
                ecosystems as they cope with increased ocean 
                acidification and coastal acidification;
                  (F) technical assistance to socioeconomically 
                vulnerable States, local governments, [Tribal 
                governments] Indian Tribes, communities, and 
                industries impacted by ocean and coastal 
                acidification to support their development of 
                ocean and coastal acidification mitigation 
                strategies;
                  (G) as an integral part of the research 
                programs described in this subtitle, 
                educational opportunities that encourage an 
                interdisciplinary and international approach to 
                exploring the impacts of ocean acidification 
                and coastal acidification;
                  (H) as an integral part of the research 
                programs described in this subtitle, national 
                public outreach activities to improve the 
                understanding of current scientific knowledge 
                of ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification and their respective impacts on 
                marine resources;
                  (I) coordination of ocean acidification and 
                coastal acidificationresearch, monitoring, and 
                adaptation and mitigation strategies with other 
                appropriate international ocean science bodies 
                such as the International Oceanographic 
                Commission, the International Council for the 
                Exploration of the Sea, the North Pacific 
                Marine Science Organization, and others;
                  (J) research to improve understanding of--
                          (i) the impact of ocean acidification 
                        and coastal acidification; and
                          (ii) how multiple environmental 
                        stressors may contribute to and 
                        exacerbate ocean and coastal 
                        acidification on living marine 
                        resources and coastal ecosystems; and
                  (K) research to support the development of 
                adaptation and mitigation strategies to address 
                the socioeconomic impacts of ocean and coastal 
                acidification on coastal communities;
          (2) provides grants for critical research, education, 
        and outreach projects that explore and communicate the 
        effects of ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification on ecosystems and the socioeconomic 
        impacts of increased ocean acidification and coastal 
        acidification that are relevant to the goals and 
        priorities of the strategic research plan;
          (3) incorporates a competitive merit-based process 
        for awarding grants that may be conducted jointly with 
        other participating agencies or under the National 
        Oceanographic Partnership Program under section 8931 of 
        title 10, United States Code; and
          (4) includes an ongoing mechanism that allows 
        [industry members, coastal stakeholders, fishery 
        management councils and commissions, non-Federal 
        resource managers, community acidification networks, 
        indigenous knowledge groups, and scientific experts] 
        affected industry members, coastal stakeholders, 
        community acidification networks, fishery management 
        councils and commissions, indigenous knowledge groups, 
        non-Federal resource managers, and scientific experts 
        not employed by the Federal Government to provide input 
        on monitoring needs that are necessary to support on 
        the ground management, decision making, and adaptation 
        related to ocean acidification and its impacts.
  (b) Additional Authority.--In conducting the Program, the 
Secretary may enter into and perform such contracts, leases, 
grants, or cooperative agreements as may be necessary to carry 
out the purposes of this subtitle on such terms as the 
Secretary considers appropriate.
  (c) Relationship to Interagency Working Group.--The National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall serve as the lead 
Federal agency responsible for coordinating the Federal 
response to ocean and coastal acidification. The Administration 
may enter into Memoranda of Understanding to--
          (1) coordinate monitoring and research efforts among 
        Federal agencies in cooperation with [State, local, and 
        Tribal governments] State and local governments, Indian 
        Tribes, and international partners; this may include 
        analysis and synthesis of the results of monitoring and 
        research;
          (2) maintain an Ocean Acidification Information 
        Exchange described under section 12404(b)(5) to allow 
        for information to be electronically accessible, 
        including information--
                  (A) on ocean acidification developed through 
                or used by the ocean acidification program 
                described under subsection (a)[; or];
                  (B) on ocean acidification and coastal 
                acidification research, data, and monitoring 
                from affected industry members, coastal 
                stakeholders, community acidification networks, 
                fishery management councils and commissions, 
                indigenous knowledge groups, non-Federal 
                resource managers, and scientific experts not 
                employed by the Federal Government; or
                  [(B)] (C) that would be useful to [State 
                governments, local governments, Tribal 
                governments] State and local governments, 
                Indian Tribes, resource managers, policymakers, 
                researchers, and other stakeholders in 
                mitigating or adapting to the impacts of ocean 
                acidification and coastal acidification; and
          (3) establishing and maintaining the data archive 
        system under subsection (d).
  (d) Data Archive System.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with 
        the members of the interagency working group, shall 
        support the long-term stewardship of, and access to, 
        data relating to ocean and coastal acidification 
        through providing the data on a publicly accessible 
        data archive system. To the extent possible, this data 
        archive system shall collect and provide access to 
        ocean and coastal acidification data--
                  (A) from relevant federally funded research;
                  (B) provided by a Federal, State, or local 
                government, academic scientist, citizen 
                scientist, or industry organization;
                  (C) voluntarily submitted by [Tribes or 
                Tribal governments] Indian Tribes, Tribal 
                organizations, and Tribal consortia; and
                  (D) from existing global or national data 
                assets that are currently maintained within 
                Federal agencies.
          (2) Data standards.--[The Secretary to,] The 
        Secretary, to the extent possible, shall ensure all 
        such data adheres to data and metadata standards to 
        support the public findability, accessibility, 
        interoperability, and reusability of such data.
  (e) Better Collaboration on Vulnerability Assessments, 
Research Planning, and Similar Activities.--
          (1) In general.--In carrying out the program under 
        subsection (a), and in support of vulnerability 
        assessments transmitted under section 12404(e)(4) and 
        recommendations included in the strategic research plan 
        described in section 12405(b)(10), the Secretary shall 
        build upon existing activities and collaborate with 
        State and local governments and Indian Tribes that are 
        conducting or have completed vulnerability assessments, 
        research planning, climate action plans, or other 
        similar activities related to ocean acidification and 
        coastal acidification and the impacts of ocean 
        acidification and coastal acidification on coastal 
        communities, for the purpose of--
                  (A) supporting collaborative interagency 
                relationships and information sharing at the 
                State, local, and Tribal levels; and
                  (B) assisting State and local governments and 
                Indian Tribes in--
                          (i) improving existing systems and 
                        programs to better address ocean 
                        acidification and coastal 
                        acidification; and
                          (ii) identifying whether such 
                        activities can be used as a model for 
                        other communities.
          (2) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall prioritize underserved populations and 
        entities in the use of resources of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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