Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696590613301.pdf (United States)
IB Union Calendar No.

435 117TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 6654 [Report No.

117–602] To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Climate Adapta- tion Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to respond to the effects of extreme weather events and climate trends, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 9, 2022 Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. CASTEN, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. LEVIN of California, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. CASE, Ms. CAS- TOR of Florida, Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Ms. SCANLON, and Ms. MATSUI) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com- mittee on Natural Resources DECEMBER 7, 2022 Additional sponsors: Ms. LEE of California, Mr.
BOWMAN, Mr. KAHELE, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. COHEN, Ms. STANSBURY, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. GARAMENDI, and Mr. NEGUSE DECEMBER 7, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 9, 2022] B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Climate Adaptation Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to respond to the effects of extreme weather events and climate trends, and for other purposes.
B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i •HR 6654 RH 3 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Climate Adaptation Science Centers Act’’ or the ‘‘CASC Act’’.

SEC.

2.

DEFINITIONS.
In this Act: (1) ADAPTATION.—The term ‘‘adaptation’’ means— (A) the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and the effects of extreme weath- er, climate trends, and climate variability; and (B) protection, management, and conserva- tion efforts designed to maintain or enhance the ability of people, fish, wildlife, plants, land, eco- systems, and water of the United States to with- stand, adjust to, or recover from the effects of ex- treme weather, climate trends, and climate vari- ability.
(2) ADVISORY SERVICE ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘‘advisory service activities’’ means activities includ- ing— (A) sharing climate science and climate ad- aptation knowledge between National and Re- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 4 gional Climate Adaptation Science Center re- searchers, stakeholders, and other partners; (B) building collaborations between Na- tional and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center researchers, stakeholders, and other part- ners; and (C) integrating climate adaptation science into natural and cultural resource management, decision-making and planning.
(2) CULTURAL RESOURCES.—The term ‘‘cultural resources’’— (A) means those features and values related to cultural heritage; and (B) includes— (i) biological species with cultural her- itage or ceremonial importance, and his- toric and precontact sites, cultural land- scapes, trails, structures, inscriptions, art, and artifacts on Federal lands or represent- ative of the culture of Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders; and (ii) resources considered to be cultural resources according to the traditional knowledge of Indian Tribes, Native Hawai- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 5 ians, and Native American Pacific Island- ers.
(3) COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Committee’’ means the Advisory Committee on Climate and Natural Re- source Sciences established under section 6.
(4) CONSORTIUM INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘con- sortium institution’’ means college, university, State cooperative institution, State agency, Indian Tribe, Tribal College or University, Historically Black Col- lege or University, Tribal organization, Native Ha- waiian organization, minority-serving institution, or other educational institution or organization, Federal agency, public or private organization, or any other party within each regional center other than the United States Geological Survey and the host institu- tion.
(5) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ means the Department of the Interior.

(6) ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.—The term ‘‘ecosystem services’’ means those benefits that ecosystems provide humans and human society, including clean air, clean water, and other economically important serv- ices.
(7) HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNI- VERSITIES.—The term ‘‘Historically Black Colleges •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 6 and Universities’’ has the same meaning given the term ‘‘part B institutions’’ in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

1061).
1061).

(8) HOST INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘host institu- tion’’ means the non-Federal lead organization within each regional center.

(9) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the In- dian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.

5304(e)).
5304(e)).

(10) MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘minority-serving institution’’ means a His- panic-serving institution, an Alaska Native-serving institution, a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, a Predominantly Black Institution, an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institu- tion, or a Native American-serving nontribal institu- tion (as described in section 371 of the Higher Edu- cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

1067q(a))).
1067q(a))).

(11) NATIONAL CENTER.—The term ‘‘National Center’’ means the National Climate Adaptation Science Center established under section 3(a).
(12) NATIVE AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS.— The term ‘‘Native American Pacific Islanders’’ means any descendent of the aboriginal people of any island •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 7 in the Pacific Ocean that is a territory of the United States.
(13) NATIVE HAWAIIAN.—The term ‘‘Native Ha- waiian’’ means any individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now con- stitutes the State of Hawaii.
(14) NATIVE HAWAIIAN ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘Native Hawaiian organization’’ means— (A) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; (B) Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai’i Nei; and (C) any other organization that— (i) serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians; (ii) has as a primary and stated pur- pose the provision of services to Native Ha- waiians; and (iii) has expertise in Native Hawaiian Affairs.
(15) NATURAL RESOURCES.—The term ‘‘natural resources’’ has the meaning given that term in section 11.14 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations.
(16) REGIONAL CENTER.—The term ‘‘regional center’’ means one of the Regional Climate Adapta- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 8 tion Science Centers established under section 3(a) that provide support for specific geographic locations in the United States.
(17) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior.

(18) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— (A) a State of the United States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) American Samoa; (D) Guam; (E) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; (F) Puerto Rico; and (G) the Virgin Islands of the United States.
(19) TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.—The term ‘‘Tribal College or University’’ means an insti- tution that— (A) qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C.

1801 et seq.)

or the Nav- ajo Community College Act (25 U.S.C.

640a note); or (B) is cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C.

301 note).
•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 9 (20) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘Tribal organization’’ means— (A) the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; or (B) any legally established organization of Indians that is— (i) controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by the recognized governing body of an In- dian Tribe; or (ii)(I) democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization; and (II) includes the maximum participa- tion of Indians in all phases of its activi- ties.
(21) UNIVERSITY.—The term ‘‘university’’ has the meaning given to the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

1001(a)).

SEC.

3.

ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in collabora- tion with States, Indian Tribes, and other partner or- ganizations, shall establish a program to be known as •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 10 the ‘‘National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers’’, which shall— (A) provide scientific expertise to agencies, organizations, individuals, Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organiza- tions engaged in the management of natural re- sources, cultural resources, and ecosystem serv- ices for the purpose of informing decisions that aid adaptation to a changing climate and ex- treme weather events; and (B) include a National Climate Adaptation Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers.
(2) CHIEF; DIRECTORS.— (A) CHIEF.—The Chief of the National Cen- ter shall be a United States Geological Survey employee and shall be responsible for national- scale and network-wide strategic initiatives, science direction, and partnerships.
(B) DIRECTORS.—Each regional center shall have— (i) a Federal Director who shall— (I) be a United States Geological Survey employee; •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 11 (II) report directly to the Chief of the National Center; and (III) be responsible for region-spe- cific and cross-regional strategic ini- tiatives and implementation of climate science research agendas; and (ii) a Host Institution Director who shall— (I) carry out the terms and condi- tions of the financial assistance award; (II) lead the institutional consor- tium in each region; and (III) oversee training and capac- ity building at the host and consor- tium institutions.
(C) COOPERATIVE WORK.—Each Regional Federal Director and each Host Institution Di- rector shall work cooperatively to further the mission of the relevant regional center.

(D) ADMINISTRATION.—The National Cen- ter and all regional centers shall be administered by the United States Geological Survey.
(b) DUTIES OF THE NATIONAL CENTER.—In collabo- ration with Federal agencies, States, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiians, Native Hawaiian orga- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 12 nizations, Native American Pacific Islanders, and other partner organizations, the National Center shall— (1) serve as the national office for the regional centers; (2) provide leadership and guidance on adminis- tration, partnerships, information management, and communications; (3) develop and facilitate coordination among the regional centers; (4) coordinate and collaborate with other Federal agencies working on similar research and activities to— (A) minimize, as much as possible, the du- plication of research and effort; and (B) use, as much as possible, existing data in the development of new or ongoing research; (5) conduct research on cross-regional and na- tional science priorities; (6) support regional centers that— (A) are hosted at a university, or a consor- tium of universities or other research institu- tions, within the region of each regional center; (B) are collaborations between the Federal Director and the Host Institution Director and their staffs to address the broad scientific mis- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ sion and goals as defined by the National Center in a manner that is relevant to its specific geo- graphic region and in cooperation with State and local governments, Indian Tribes, Tribal or- ganizations, Native Hawaiians, Native Hawai- ian organizations, Native American Pacific Is-
 landers, and other entities within that region; (C) promote research, education, training, and advisory service activities to stakeholders, Tribal governments, and the public via informa- tional publications, trainings, and other out- reach methods; and (D) receive funding at the host institution through cooperative agreements, contracts, and grants under section 4; and (7) acting through the Chief of the National Cen- ter, with respect to the regional centers— (A) evaluate and assess the performance of the programs of regional centers every five years, using the priorities, guidelines, and qualifica- tions established by the Secretary under this sec- tion, and determine if the programs are well managed and carry out high-quality research, education, training, and advisory service activi- ties; and •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ (B) subject to the availability of appropria- tions, allocate funding among regional centers so as to— (i) conduct regionally relevant re- search, education, training, and advisory service activities in each of the regions; (ii) encourage collaborations among re- gional centers to address regional and na- tional priorities established under this sec- tion; (iii) ensure successful implementation and operation of regional centers; (iv) to the maximum extent consistent with other provisions of this Act, provide a stable base of funding in support of the re- gional centers on 5-year terms, with addi- tional funds available annually subject to the availability of appropriations; (v) encourage and promote coordina- tion and cooperation between the research, education, training, and advisory service activities of the Department and those of the host and consortium institutions; and (vi) pay the official Federal Govern- ment
 negotiated overhead rate to the host •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 15 institution and partners on the basic agree- ment establishing the location of the re- gional center.
(c) AUTHORITIES OF THE NATIONAL CENTER.—The National Center may— (1) procure the services of appropriate public and private agencies and institutions and other qualified persons to conduct its work; and (2) operate and fund a network of not fewer than nine regional centers that shall address the impacts of climate trends and variability, including extreme weather events, on natural and cultural resources and ecosystem services.
(d) DESIGNATION OF THE REGIONAL CENTERS.— (1) EXISTING REGIONAL CENTER DESIGNA- TIONS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Any institution or con- sortium of institutions designated as a regional center before the date of enactment of this Act shall participate in one final competition for its status as a regional center upon the conclusion of its existing 5-year term to assure that the host institutions and association consortium institu- tions update proposals recognizing the long-term commitment as a host.
•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ (B) RECOMPETES.—After the next competi- tion for regional center after the date of enact- ment of this Act, a designated regional center shall not have to recompete on 5-year terms, but shall be subject to review on 5-year terms as de- scribed in paragraph (2).
After competed, the final agreements shall only be recompeted in the event of a failed review.
(2) REVIEWS OF THE REGIONAL CENTERS.— (A) The Chief of the National Center, in consultation with the Committee, shall establish guidelines for 5-year merit reviews of each re- gional center, which shall include guidelines for — (i) the establishment of a statement of objectives, agreed upon by the National Cen- ter and regional host institutions at the be- ginning of the 5-year term, that outline the expectations of activities or measures of suc- cess to be completed during the agreed upon period; and (ii) an independent merit review, con- ducted by the National Center, of the host institution’s activities as related to the statement of objectives.
•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ (B) If a regional center does not meet the requirements included in the statement of objec- tive as determined by the independent merit re- view referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii), the host institution or consortium of institutions may not continue as a host of a regional center.
(C) If a host institution or consortium of institution fails a merit review referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Chief of the National Center may give the host institution or consor- tium of institutions a probationary period of one year.
After the one-year probationary period, the Chief of the National Center shall undertake an additional review referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) to determine if the host institution or consortium of institutions shall— (i) continue as a host of a regional center; or (ii) not continue as a host of a re- gional center, in which case the Chief of the National Center shall initiate a competitive process to select a new host institution .
(D) The Chief of the National Center shall ensure that reviews completed pursuant to this paragraph are publicly available.
•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 18 (2) CHANGES TO CONSORTIUM INSTITUTIONS.— The Chief of the National Center, in consultation with the Federal Director and Host Institution Director of a regional center, may add or remove consortium in- stitutions at any time to address regional and na- tional priorities established under this section.
(3) FACA.—Committees, subcommittees, and working groups appointed by Federal Directors of the regional centers pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.

App.).
(e) DUTIES OF THE REGIONAL CENTERS.—In collabo- ration with Federal and State natural resources agencies and departments, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Na- tive Hawaiians, Native Hawaiian organizations, Native American Pacific Islanders, Tribal Colleges or Universities, Historically Black Colleges or Universities, minority-serv- ing institutions, universities, other research or educational institutions, and other partner organizations, regional cen- ters shall develop research, education, training, and advi- sory service priorities regarding the impacts of climate trends and variability on natural and cultural resource management in their regions for the purpose of climate ad- aptation.
•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 19 (f) PROJECT SOLICITATION .—Subject to the avail- ability of appropriations, each regional center shall undergo a project solicitation process annually that shall— (1) include regionally identified science priority topics; (2) work with science partners in the region to develop a scientific review process to assure the high- est quality of proposals are selected; and (3) final decisions on annual project selections shall be made by the Federal Directors of the regional centers.
SEC.

4.

GENERAL AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, GRANTS, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, AND INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS.

(a) AUTHORITY.—The Director of the United States Geological Survey is authorized to enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with a host institution or consortium institution to further the research, education, training, and advisory service activities of the Department or its partners relating to impacts of climate trends and variability.
This authority supplements all other laws relat- ing to the Department and is not to be construed as lim- iting or repealing any existing authorities.
(b) LEGAL INSTRUMENTS.—The Director of the United States Geological Survey may use a contract, grant, cooper- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 20 ative agreement, or interagency agreement as the legal in- strument reflecting a relationship between the Secretary and a host institution or consortium institution, to further the duties under section 3 without regard to— (1) any requirements for competition; (2) section 6101 of title 41, United States Code; or (3) subsections (a) and (b) of section 3324 of title 31, United States Code.
(c) PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Not- withstanding any other provision of law, any Federal agen- cy may participate in any such cooperative agreement under this section by contributing funds through the Na- tional Center or otherwise if it is mutually agreed that the objectives of the agreement shall further the authorized pro- grams of the contributing agency.
(d) APPROVAL REQUIRED.—In any case where a con- tract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefitting more than one Indian Tribe, the ap- proval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant.

SEC.

5.

INTERAGENCY COOPERATION.
Each department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Federal Government, that is engaged in or concerned with, or that has authority over, matters relating to natural •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 21 and cultural resources, ecosystem services, or climate varia- bility or change, including all member agencies of the United States Global Change Research Program— (1) shall, upon a written request from the Sec- retary, furnish any available data or other informa- tion that the Secretary deems necessary to carry out any provision of section 3; (2) shall cooperate with the National Center, re- gional centers, and duly authorized officials thereof; (3) may make available, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, any personnel (with their consent and without prejudice to their position and rating), serv- ice, or facility which the Chief of the National Center deems necessary to carry out any provision of section 3; and (4) may transfer budgetary resources or other- wise enter into interagency agreements, including funding, facilities, computational resources, data, or other tangible or intangible resources, between the Na- tional Center or regional centers to aid collaborative work among Federal agencies, when approved by the Chief of the National Center and their counterpart in the other Federal agency.
B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i •HR 6654 RH SEC.

6.

COMMITTEES.
6.

COMMITTEES.

22 (a) AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH COMMITTEES.—The Chief of the National Center may establish committees or working groups and procedures to facilitate public partici- pation in the advisory process, such as a national advisory committee for the National Center, stakeholder advisory committees and science implementation panels for the re- gional centers, and working groups for review of competi- tive.
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and pursu- ant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.

App.
App.

), the Secretary shall establish an Advisory Com- mittee on Climate and Natural Resource Sciences to advise the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers on the following: (A) The contents of a national strategy identifying key climate adaptation science prior- ities to advance the management of natural and cultural resources in the face of climate change.

(B) The nature, extent, and quality of rela- tions with and facilitating engagement of key partners at the regional center level.
(C) The nature and effectiveness of mecha- nisms to effectively deliver science information 26 •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 23 and tools, and build capacity, to aid the natural and cultural resource management community and decision-makers in adapting to a changing climate.
(D) Mechanisms that may be employed by the National Center to ensure high standards of scientific quality and integrity in its products.

(E) The integration of equity, particularly for historically underserved communities, in the operation of the National Center and regional centers.

(2) VOTING MEMBERS.—The Committee shall have not fewer than 15 voting members who shall be appointed by the Secretary.
Each voting member shall be an employee of— (A) an Indian Tribe; (B) a Tribal organization; (C) a Native Hawaiian organization; (D) a State or local government; (E) nongovernmental organization whose primary mission is conservation and related sci- entific and advocacy activities; (F) an academic institution; or (G) other sectors, environmental justice or- ganizations, or private industry.
•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 24 (3) NON-VOTING MEMBERS.—A Host Institution Director who is elected by the various Host Institu- tion Directors shall serve as a non-voting member of the Committee.
No individual is eligible to be a voting member of the Committee if the individual is— (A) a Host Institution Director; (B) a full-time officer or employee of the United States; or (C) a voting member of the Committee who is an applicant for or beneficiary of any grant or contract under this Act shall abstain from voting when there is a conflict of interest.

(4) CHAIR.—The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall appoint a Committee Chair from among the members of the Committee.
(5) VICE CHAIR.—The Committee shall select one voting member to serve as the Vice Chair, who shall act as Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair.

(6) NOMINATIONS.—Not less than once each year, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee.
B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i •HR 6654 RH 25 (7) TERM OF OFFICE.—(A) The term of office of a voting member of the Committee shall be not more than 3 years.

(B) No individual may serve more than two con- secutive terms as a voting member of the Committee.
(C) The Chair may extend the term of office of a voting member of the Committee by up to 1 year.

(D) Any individual appointed to a partial or full term may be reappointed for one additional full term.

(8) DUTIES.—The Committee shall identify and recommend priorities for ongoing research needs on the issues described in section 3(e) to inform the re- search priorities of the National Center.
(9) ESTIMATED NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet approximately one to two times annually, and at such other times as designated by the Director of the United States Ge- ological Survey.
(c) COMMITTEES; WORKING GROUPS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—At the direction of the Sec- retary, the Chief of the National Center may establish committees or working groups to provide input on the science priorities, implementation of science pro- •HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ 26 grams, review of competitive proposals, and evalua- tion of the National Center and the regional centers.
(2) MEMBERS.—The committees or working groups shall, to the extent practicable, include mem- bers from Federal and State government, universities, private sector, nongovernmental organizations, In- dian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Ha- waiian organizations.
(3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary may establish procedures to facilitate public participation in the advisory process, including providing advance notice of meetings, providing adequate opportunity for public input and comment, maintaining appro- priate records, and making a record of the pro- ceedings of meetings available for public inspection.
(4) IMPLEMENTATION; AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the proce- dures described in paragraph (3) are adopted and im- plemented and that the records described in para- graph (3) are accurately maintained and available for public inspection.

(5) FACA.—(A) The committees or working groups shall not be considered advisory committees under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.

App.).
App.).

•HR 6654 RH B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i 27 (B) Seeking advice and input under subpara- graph (A) shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.

App.).

SEC.

7.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.


There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act not less than— (1) $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; (2) $94,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (3) $104,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (4) $114,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and (5) $124,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i •HR 6654 RH , c o m m i t t e d t o t h e C o m - , D E C E M B E R 7 , - .
e v e n t s a n d c l i m a t e t r e n d s , a n d f o r o t h e r p u r - A B I L L 2 D S E S S I O N 1 1 7 T H C O N G R E S S H .

R .

6 6 5 4 [ R e p o r t N o .

1 1 7 – 6 0 2 ] U n i o n C a l e n d a r N o .

4 3 5 B O J _ $ $ h t i w D O R P 2 X 7 W V L J K S D n o s n n b p i