A bill to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Summary: Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with existing programs of NOAA, including those authorized under the Undersea Research Program.

(Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator of NOAA, in carrying out the program, to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other scientific activities to survey, inventory, observe, and assess little-known areas of the marine environment; (2) promote the development of oceanographic research; (3) accept donations for purposes of exploring or increasing knowledge of the oceans; and (4) avoid directing the programs towards activities relating to global warming, and instead focus on underwater regions of particular interest.

(Sec. 104) Requires the NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy to: (1) facilitate the transfer of new exploration technology to the program; (2) improve the availability of communications infrastructure (including satellite capabilities) to the program; (3) develop a data management information processing system for information obtained under the program; (4) conduct public outreach activities to improve public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes; and (5) encourage cost-sharing partnerships to assist in transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to the program.

(Sec. 105) Authorizes the NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies participating in the program to participate in interagency financing in carrying out program activities.

(Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2015.

Title II: Undersea Research Program - NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2005 - (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator of NOAA to establish and maintain an undersea research program.

(Sec. 203) Requires the program to: (1) be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of regional undersea research centers, and a national technology institute; and (2) increase scientific knowledge for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and large lake resources through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development.

(Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2015.

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.