[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 39 Referred in House (RFH)]
1st Session
S. 39
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 11, 2005
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee
on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration Program
Act''.
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT.
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, establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program
within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that
promotes collaboration with existing programs of the agency, including
those authorized in title II.
SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES.
In carrying out the program the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall--
(1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other
scientific activities in conjunction with other Federal
agencies or academic or educational institutions, to 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 surveying 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, in consultation with the National Science
Foundation, a transparent process for reviewing and approving
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;
(6) accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be
applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing
knowledge of the oceans;
(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; and
(8) avoid directing the programs towards activities
relating to global temperature trends and instead focus on
underwater regions of particular scientific interest.
SEC. 104. EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in
coordination with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
the U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Naval Research, and relevant
governmental, non-governmental, academic, and other experts, shall
convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop
and implement a strategy--
(1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration technology to
the program;
(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 non-governmental entities that will assist in
transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to
the program.
SEC. 105. INTERAGENCY FINANCING.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National
Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program,
are authorized to 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 this section.
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 of the
same.
SEC. 106. 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. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out the program--
(1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2012;
(8) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2013;
(9) $65,379,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
(10) $71,917,000 for fiscal year 2015.
TITLE II--UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``NOAA Undersea Research Program Act
of 2005''.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT.
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall establish and maintain an undersea research
program and shall designate a Director of that program.
SEC. 203. PURPOSE.
The purpose of the program 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 also make
available the infrastructure and expertise to service the undersea
science needs of the academic community.
SEC. 204. PROGRAM.
The program shall be conducted through a national headquarters, a
network of regional undersea research centers, and a national
technology institute. Overall direction of the program will be provided
by the program director with advice from the Council of Center
directors comprised of the directors of the regional centers and the
national technology institute.
SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE.
The following research, exploration, education, and technology
programs shall be conducted through the network of regional centers and
the national technology institute:
(1) Core research and exploration based on national and
regional undersea research priorities.
(2) Advanced undersea technology to support the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's research mission and
programs.
(3) Undersea science-based education and outreach programs
to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the
oceans and Great Lakes.
(4) Development of advanced undersea technology associated
with seafloor observatories, remotely operated vehicles,
autonomous underwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing
technologies.
(5) Discovery, study, and development of natural products
from ocean and aquatic systems.
SEC. 206. COMPETITIVENESS.
Except for a small discretionary fund for rapid response activities
and for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-related
service projects, for which no more than 10 percent of the program
budget shall be set aside, 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 goals, and
technical feasibility.
SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration--
(1) for fiscal year 2006--
(A) $12,500,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $5,000,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(2) for fiscal year 2007--
(A) $13,750,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $5,500,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(3) for fiscal year 2008--
(A) $15,125,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $6,050,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(4) for fiscal year 2009--
(A) $16,638,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $6,655,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(5) for fiscal year 2010--
(A) $18,301,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $7,321,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(6) for fiscal year 2011--
(A) $20,131,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $8,053,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(7) for fiscal year 2012--
(A) $22,145,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $8,859,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(8) for fiscal year 2013--
(A) $24,359,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $9,744,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(9) for fiscal year 2014--
(A) $26,795,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $10,718,000 for the National Technology
Institute; and
(10) for fiscal year 2015--
(A) $29,474,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $11,790,000 for the National Technology
Institute.
Passed the Senate July 1, 2005.
Attest:
EMILY J. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.