S.Amdt. 3014

SA 3014. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be
proposed by him to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for
fiscal year 2025 for military activities of the Department of Defense,
for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department
of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:

At the end of subtitle H of title X, add the following:

SEC. 1095. OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE AND WILD SEAFOOD POLICY AND
PROGRAM INTEGRATION.

Subtitle B of title VI of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7651 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 621. OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE AND WILD SEAFOOD POLICY AND
PROGRAM INTEGRATION.

``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish
an Office of Aquaculture and Wild Seafood Policy and Program
Integration to provide for the effective coordination of
aquaculture and wild seafood policies and activities within
the Department, and in coordination with the Secretary of
Commerce, the United States Trade Representative, the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the heads of other
necessary Federal agencies relating to the support of
domestically harvested and processed wild seafood and
aquaculture products and aquaculture operations.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Aquaculture.--The term `aquaculture' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the National Aquaculture Act
of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2802).
``(2) Aquaculture product.--The term `aquaculture product'
means a farm-raised aquatic or marine animal cultivated in
the United States, including--
``(A) shellfish (including oysters, clams, and mussels);
``(B) micro- and macro-algae;
``(C) animals cultivated within land-based systems; and
``(D) other animals, as determined by the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the heads of
other Federal agencies, as applicable.
``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
the Office appointed under subsection (c)(2).

[[Page S5268]]

``(4) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of
Aquaculture and Wild Seafood Policy and Program Integration
established under subsection (c)(1).
``(5) Wild seafood.--
``(A) In general.--The term `wild seafood' means a natural-
born or hatchery-raised finfish, mollusk, crustacean, or
other form of aquatic animal life that is--
``(i) harvested from a natural habitat; and
``(ii) used for human consumption.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `wild seafood' includes--
``(i) a fillet, a steak, a nugget, and any other flesh from
wild fish or shellfish;
``(ii) fish oil; and
``(iii) any other nonflesh product of wild fish or
shellfish.
``(C) Exclusions.--The term `wild seafood' does not
include--
``(i) marine mammals; or
``(ii) seabirds.
``(c) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in the
Office of the Chief Economist an office, to be known as the
`Office of Aquaculture and Wild Seafood Policy and Program
Integration'.
``(2) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director
of Aquaculture and Wild Seafood Policy and Program
Integration, who shall be appointed by the Secretary.
``(d) Responsibilities.--The Office shall be responsible
for--
``(1) the development and coordination of Department and
interagency policy on wild seafood and aquaculture products,
including technological and policy input, advice on wild
seafood and aquaculture issues, and support for aquaculture-
and wild seafood-producing operations that promote United
States food security;
``(2) providing strategic oversight, planning,
implementation, communication, and coordination of Department
and interagency activities for wild seafood and aquaculture
products--
``(A) to strengthen United States wild seafood and
aquaculture production and supply chains;
``(B) to facilitate wild seafood and aquaculture product
research and nutrition science;
``(C) to maintain, develop, and expand markets for wild
seafood, wild seafood products, and aquaculture products;
``(D) to incorporate wild seafood and aquaculture
production into economic analyses, reviews, and forecasts, in
coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and other relevant Federal agencies;
``(E) to integrate United States wild seafood and
aquaculture production into Federal policy strategies and
relevant programs of the Department to ensure--
``(i) food system security and climate-resilient food
production;
``(ii) rural business development to support food security
and wild seafood and aquaculture production; and
``(iii) wild seafood and aquaculture product nutrition and
consumption education activities;
``(F) to engage in stakeholder relations and develop
external partnerships relating to sustainable wild seafood
harvest and aquaculture practices and to oversee extension
and outreach efforts to support aquaculture and wild seafood
producers and businesses; and
``(G) to identify common State and municipal best practices
for navigating local policies relating to wild seafood and
aquaculture production and marketing;
``(3) providing scientific and policy analysis to advise
the Secretary and the Chief Economist regarding the
development, availability, promotion, and use of domestically
produced wild seafood and aquaculture products in Department
programs and policies;
``(4) identifying opportunities to provide integrated
access for United States wild seafood and aquaculture
producers to Department programs to more efficiently and
effectively--
``(A) support the modernization and development of--
``(i) consumer education and outreach on the health and
nutrition benefits of wild seafood and aquaculture product
consumption;
``(ii) harvesting and production technologies and processes
that minimize waste and reduce environmental impacts;
``(iii) value-added wild seafood and aquaculture product
processing and product development;
``(iv) infrastructure capacity to support the harvesting
and production of wild seafood and aquaculture products in
rural communities; and
``(v) technical assistance relating to best practices for
aquaculture producers and businesses, including for
shellfish, algae, and land-based systems--

``(I) using the best available science; and
``(II) in coordination with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and other relevant Federal
agencies;

``(B) strengthen capacity for local and regional wild
seafood and aquaculture system development through community
collaboration and expansion of local and regional supply
chains;
``(C) work to improve income and economic opportunities for
wild seafood and aquaculture producers and food businesses
through job creation and improved regional food system
infrastructure, especially in rural communities;
``(D) serve as a conduit of information regarding
Department application eligibility and processes to support
aquaculture products and domestically harvested wild seafood
in all applicable Department programs, including food
commodity promotion, producer assistance, risk mitigation,
and disaster programs; and
``(E) increase access to, and use of, seafood (including
wild seafood and aquaculture products) in the school lunch
program established under the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) to levels
commensurate with Food and Drug Administration dietary
guidelines;
``(5) collecting and disseminating data relating to
aquaculture and wild seafood production, in coordination with
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other
relevant Federal agencies; and
``(6) performing such other functions as may be required by
law or prescribed by the Secretary.
``(e) Interagency Agreement for Coordination.--
``(1) In general.--In support of the responsibilities
described in subsection (d), the Office shall provide
leadership to ensure coordination of interagency activities
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
United States Trade Representative, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, and other Federal and State agencies.
``(2) Interagency agreement.--
``(A) In general.--The Office shall develop an agreement to
be entered into between the Department and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance wild
seafood and aquaculture purchases through the school lunch
program established under the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
``(B) Requirements.--The agreement under subparagraph (A)
shall establish information-sharing protocols, including
sharing with the Department the list of domestic seafood
vendors of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(f) Outreach.--The Office shall consult with wild seafood
harvesters and aquaculture producers that may be affected by
policies or actions of the Department, as necessary, in
carrying out the responsibilities of the Office described in
subsection (d).
``(g) Aquaculture Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish
an advisory committee, to be known as the `Aquaculture
Advisory Committee' (referred to in this subsection as the
`Committee'), to advise the Secretary with respect to--
``(A) the development of policies and outreach relating to
sustainable aquaculture practices;
``(B) the history, use, and preservation of indigenous and
traditional aquaculture practices and ecological knowledge;
and
``(C) any other aspects relating to the implementation of
this section.
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of 14
members, to be appointed by the Secretary, of whom--
``(i) 1 shall be a representative of the Department, who
shall serve as chairperson of the Committee;
``(ii) 4 shall be aquaculture producers who employ best
practices and limit adverse effects that result from the
operations of the aquaculture producers;
``(iii) 2 shall be representatives of Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, or Native Hawaiian organizations;
``(iv) 1 shall be a representative of a State or interstate
commission;
``(v) 1 shall be a representative of an institution of
higher education or an extension program;
``(vi) 1 shall be a representative of a nonprofit
organization, which may include a public health,
environmental, or community organization;
``(vii) 1 shall be a representative of a relevant port,
coastal, or waterfront community;
``(viii) 1 shall be an individual with--

``(I) supply chain experience, which may include experience
relating to a food aggregator, a wholesale food distributor,
or a food hub; or
``(II) direct-to-consumer market experience;

``(ix) 1 shall be an individual with experience or
expertise relating to aquaculture production practices, as
determined by the Secretary; and
``(x) 1 shall be a representative of aquaculture end-users,
including a chef, a member of the food service industry, or a
grocer.
``(B) Initial appointments.--The Secretary shall appoint
the initial members of the Committee not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this section.
``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B)(i), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years.
``(B) Initial appointments.--
``(i) Terms of service.--Of the members initially appointed
to the Committee under paragraph (2)(B), as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate--

``(I) 5 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;
``(II) 5 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
``(III) 4 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.

``(ii) Consecutive terms.--A member initially appointed to
the Committee may serve

[[Page S5269]]

an additional consecutive term if the member is reappointed
by the Secretary.
``(C) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Committee--
``(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and
``(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the same
manner as the original appointment.
``(4) Meetings.--
``(A) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet not fewer than 3
times per year.
``(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days after the
date on which the members are appointed under paragraph
(2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the
Committee.
``(5) Duties.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall--
``(i) develop recommendations and advise the Director with
respect to aquaculture policies, initiatives, and outreach
administered by the Office;
``(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research and extension
activities relating to aquaculture practices;
``(iii) identify new and existing barriers to successful
aquaculture practices; and
``(iv) provide to the Director additional assistance and
advice, as appropriate.
``(B) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the Committee is established, and every 2 years
thereafter through 2028, the Committee shall submit a report
describing the recommendations developed under subparagraph
(A) to--
``(i) the Secretary;
``(ii) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate; and
``(iii) the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources
of the House of Representatives.
``(6) Personnel matters.--
``(A) Compensation.--A member of the Committee shall serve
without compensation.
``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5,
United States Code.
``(7) Termination.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after
the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph
(2)(B).
``(B) Extensions.--Before the date on which the Committee
terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee for 1 or
more 2-year periods.
``(h) Wild Seafood Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish
an advisory committee, to be known as the `Wild Seafood
Advisory Committee' (referred to in this subsection as the
`Committee'), to advise the Secretary with respect to--
``(A) the development of policies and outreach relating to
sustainable wild seafood product support and practices;
``(B) the history, use, and preservation of indigenous and
traditional aquaculture practices and ecological knowledge;
and
``(C) any other aspects relating to the implementation of
this section.
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of 14
members, to be appointed by the Secretary in a manner that
ensures--
``(i) balanced representation among--

``(I) commercial harvesters and processors of wild seafood;
``(II) consumer, academic, Tribal, governmental, and supply
chain experts; and
``(III) experts in other interest areas; and

``(ii) geographic diversity.
``(B) Qualifications.--Each member of the Committee shall
have expertise or experience relating to 1 or more of the
following:
``(i) Harvesting wild seafood.
``(ii) Processing or marketing wild seafood or wild seafood
products.
``(iii) Holding a leadership role in a national, State, or
regional organization representing wild seafood interests or
seafood commodity interests.
``(iv) Representing consumers of wild seafood or wild
seafood products through active, sustained participation in a
local, State, or national organization.
``(v) Teaching, writing, researching, or consulting on
matters relating to wild seafood as a food commodity.
``(vi) Public health, environmental, or community
organizations.
``(vii) Wild seafood-producing port, coastal, or waterfront
communities.
``(viii) Supply chains, which may include a food
aggregator, wholesale food distributor, or food hub.
``(ix) Direct-to-consumer markets.
``(C) Initial appointments.--The Secretary shall appoint
the initial members of the Committee not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this section.
``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B)(i), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years.
``(B) Initial appointments.--
``(i) Terms of service.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the terms of the members initially appointed to the Committee
under paragraph (2)(B) are staggered such that the terms of
not more than approximately \1/3\ of the membership of the
Committee shall expire during any single year.
``(ii) Consecutive terms.--A member initially appointed to
the Committee may serve an additional consecutive term if the
member is reappointed by the Secretary.
``(C) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Committee--
``(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and
``(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the same
manner as the original appointment.
``(4) Chairperson; vice chairperson.--The Secretary shall
designate a chairperson and vice chairperson from among the
members of the Committee.
``(5) Meetings.--
``(A) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet at least 1 time
per year.
``(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days after the
date on which the members are appointed under paragraph
(2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the
Committee.
``(6) Duties.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall--
``(i) develop recommendations and advise the Director with
respect to wild seafood policies, initiatives, and outreach
administered by the Office;
``(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research, support
efforts, and other activities relating to wild seafood
production and supply chains;
``(iii) identify new and existing barriers to successful
wild seafood food production and distribution; and
``(iv) provide additional assistance and advice to the
Director as appropriate.
``(B) Reports.--Not later than 2 years after the date on
which the Committee is established, and every 2 years
thereafter through 2028, the Committee shall submit a report
describing the recommendations developed under subparagraph
(A) to--
``(i) the Secretary;
``(ii) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate; and
``(iii) the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources
of the House of Representatives.
``(7) Personnel matters.--
``(A) Compensation.--A member of the Committee shall serve
without compensation.
``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5,
United States Code.
``(8) Termination.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after
the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph
(2)(B).
``(B) Extensions.--Before the date on which the Committee
terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee for 1 or
more 2-year periods.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2028; and
``(2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years
2029 through 2033.''.
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