[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 122, 110th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

122 STAT. 4106

Public Law 110-386
110th Congress

An Act


 
To reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, and
for other purposes. [NOTE: Oct. 10, 2008 -  [S. 1582]]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, [NOTE: Hydrographic
Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008. 33 USC 851 note.]

SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Hydrographic Services Improvement Act
Amendments of 2008''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

Section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33
U.S.C. 892) is amended by striking paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) and
inserting the following:
``(3) Hydrographic data.--The term `hydrographic data' means
information that--
``(A) is acquired through--
``(i) hydrographic, bathymetric,
photogrammetric, lidar, radar, remote sensing, or
shoreline and other ocean- and coastal-related
surveying;
``(ii) geodetic, geospatial, or geomagnetic
measurements;
``(iii) tide, water level, and current
observations; or
``(iv) other methods; and
``(B) is used in providing hydrographic services.
``(4) Hydrographic services.--The term `hydrographic
services' means--
``(A) the management, maintenance, interpretation,
certification, and dissemination of bathymetric,
hydrographic, shoreline, geodetic, geospatial,
geomagnetic, and tide, water level, and current
information, including the production of nautical
charts, nautical information databases, and other
products derived from hydrographic data;
``(B) the development of nautical information
systems; and
``(C) related activities.
``(5) Coast and geodetic survey act.--The term `Coast and
Geodetic Survey Act' means the Act entitled `An Act to define
the functions and duties of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and
for other purposes', approved August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et
seq.).''.

[[Page 4107]]
122 STAT. 4107

SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.

Section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33
U.S.C. 892a) is amended--
(1) by striking ``the Act of 1947,'' in subsection (a) and
inserting ``the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act, promote safe,
efficient and environmentally sound marine transportation, and
otherwise fulfill the purposes of this Act,'';
(2) by striking ``data;'' in subsection (a)(1) and inserting
``data and provide hydrographic services;'' and
(3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

``(b) Authorities.--To fulfill the data gathering and dissemination
duties of the Administration under the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act,
promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine
transportation, and otherwise fulfill the purposes of this Act, subject
to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator--
``(1) may procure, lease, evaluate, test, develop, and
operate vessels, equipment, and technologies necessary to ensure
safe navigation and maintain operational expertise in
hydrographic data acquisition and hydrographic services;
``(2) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations,
design, install, maintain, and operate real-time hydrographic
monitoring systems to enhance navigation safety and efficiency;
and
``(3) where appropriate and to the extent that it does not
detract from the promotion of safe and efficient navigation, may
acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services to
support the conservation and management of coastal and ocean
resources;
``(4) where appropriate, may acquire hydrographic data and
provide hydrographic services to save and protect life and
property and support the resumption of commerce in response to
emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and homeland
security and maritime domain awareness needs, including
obtaining mission assignments (as defined in section 641 of the
Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C.
741));
``(5) may create, support, and maintain such joint centers
with other Federal agencies and other entities as the
Administrator deems appropriate or necessary to carry out the
purposes of this Act; and
``(6) notwithstanding the existence of such joint centers,
shall award contracts for the acquisition of hydrographic data
in accordance with subchapter VI of chapter 10 of title 40,
United States Code.''.

SEC. 4. [NOTE: Establishment.] HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES REVIEW PANEL.

Section 305(c)(1)(A) of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of
1998 (33 U.S.C. 892c(c)(1)(A)) is amended to read as follows: ``(A) The
panel shall consist of 15 voting members who shall be appointed by the
Administrator. The Co-directors of the Center for Coastal and Ocean
Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center and no more than 2 employees of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration appointed by the
Administrator shall serve as nonvoting members of the panel. The voting
members of the panel shall be individuals who, by reason of knowledge,
experience, or training, are especially qualified in 1 or more of the
disciplines

[[Page 4108]]
122 STAT. 4108

and fields relating to hydrographic data and hydrographic services,
marine transportation, port administration, vessel pilotage, coastal and
fishery management, and other disciplines as determined appropriate by
the Administrator.''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33
U.S.C. 892d) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator the
following:
``(1) To carry out nautical mapping and charting functions
under sections 304 and 305, except for conducting hydrographic
surveys--
``(A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(B) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(C) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(D) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(2) To contract for hydrographic surveys under section
304(b)(1), including the leasing or time chartering of vessels--
``(A) $32,130,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(B) $32,760,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(C) $33,390,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(D) $34,020,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(3) To operate hydrographic survey vessels owned by the
United States and operated by the Administration--
``(A) $25,900,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(B) $26,400,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(C) $26,900,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(D) $27,400,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(4) To carry out geodetic functions under this title--
``(A) $32,640,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(B) $33,280,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(C) $33,920,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(D) $34,560,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(5) To carry out tide and current measurement functions
under this title--
``(A) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(B) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(C) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
``(D) $28,500,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(6) To acquire a replacement hydrographic survey vessel
capable of staying at sea continuously for at least 30 days
$75,000,000.''.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZED NOAA CORPS STRENGTH.

Section 215 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3005) is amended to
read as follows:

``SEC. 215. NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

``Effective [NOTE: Effective date.] October 1, 2009, the total
number of authorized commissioned officers on the lineal list of the
commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall be increased from 321 to 379 if--
``(1) the Secretary has submitted to the Congress--

[[Page 4109]]
122 STAT. 4109

``(A) the Administration's ship recapitalization
plan for fiscal years 2010 through 2024;
``(B) the Administration's aircraft remodernization
plan; and
``(C) supporting workforce management plans;
``(2) appropriated funding is available; and
``(3) the Secretary has justified organizational needs for
the commissioned corps for each such fiscal year.''

Approved October 10, 2008.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1582:
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SENATE REPORTS: No. 110-218 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 154 (2008):
Sept. 26, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 29, considered and passed House.