69–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPT. 110–311 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session Part 2 

OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA RESEARCH 

DECEMBER 18, 2007.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee, from the Committee on Science and 

Technology, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1834] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Science and Technology, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 1834) to authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and 

recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Amendment ................................................................................................. 2 

II. Purpose of the Bill ...................................................................................... 4 

III. Background and Need for the Legislation ................................................ 5 

IV. Hearing Summary ....................................................................................... 7 

V. Committee Actions ...................................................................................... 8 

VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill, As Reported ........................... 9 

VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section), As Reported ............ 9 

VIII. Committee View .......................................................................................... 11 

IX. Cost Estimate .............................................................................................. 13 

X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate ............................................. 13 

XI. Compliance with Public Law 104–4 .......................................................... 15 

XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations ........................... 15 

XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives ...................... 15 

XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement .......................................................... 15 

XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................... 15 

XVI. Congressional Accountability Act .............................................................. 15 

XVII. Earmark Identification ............................................................................... 15 

XVIII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law ........................ 15 

XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ........................ 15 

XX. Committee Recommendations .................................................................... 15 

XXI. Proceedings of the Subcommittee Markup ................................................ 16 

XXII. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup ............................................. 48 

XXIII. Exchange of Letters .................................................................................... 56 


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I. AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

TITLE I—NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION 

PROGRAM 

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Ocean Exploration Program Act’’. 

SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION. 

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall, 

in consultation with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal 

agencies, conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that promotes collaboration with 

other Federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. To the extent 

appropriate, the Administrator shall seek to facilitate coordination of data and information management systems, outreach and education programs to improve public 

understanding of ocean and coastal resources, and development and transfer of technologies to facilitate ocean and undersea research and exploration. 

SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the 

Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in this title 

referred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’) shall—

(1) conduct interdisciplinary voyages or other scientific activities of discovery 

in conjunction with other Federal agencies or academic or educational institutions, to explore and 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 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 and implement, in consultation with the National Science Foundation, a transparent, competitive process for merit-based peer-review and approval of proposals for activities to be conducted under this program, taking into 

consideration advice of the Board established under section 104; 

(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 and autonomous vehicles; and 

(6) 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. 

(b) DONATIONS.—In carrying out the program authorized under section 102, the 

Administrator may accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied 

for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans. 

SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION ADVISORY BOARD. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board composed of experts in relevant fields to—

(1) advise the Administrator on priority areas for survey and discovery; 

(2) assist the program in the development of a five-year strategic plan for the 

fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lakes exploration, discovery, and science; 

(3) annually review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process established under section 103(4); and 

(4) provide other assistance and advice as requested by the Administrator. 

(b) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Board appointed under subsection 

(a). 

SEC. 105. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT. 

Nothing in this Act 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.). 


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SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration to carry out this title—

(1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; 

(2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009; 

(3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010; 

(4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011; 

(5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012; 

(6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; and 

(7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014. 

TITLE II—UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM 

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 

This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007’’. 

SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION. 

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall 

conduct an undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development 

program and shall designate a Director of that program. 

SEC. 203. PURPOSE. 

The purpose of the program authorized under section 202 is to increase scientific 

knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, 

coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The Director, in carrying out the program authorized in section 202, shall cooperate with institutions of higher education and 

other educational marine and ocean science organizations, and shall make available 

undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, information, and expertise to 

support undersea research efforts by these organizations. The Director may also 

enter into partnerships, using existing authorities, with the private sector to achieve 

the goals of the program and to promote technological advancement of the marine 

industry. 

SEC. 204. PROGRAM. 

The program authorized under section 202 shall be conducted through a national 

headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regions, and 

a national technology institute. Overall direction of the program will be provided by 

the program director in coordination with a Council of Center Directors comprised 

of the directors of the extramural regional centers and the National Institute for 

Undersea Science and Technology. Program direction shall be published not later 

than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 

SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND INSTITUTE. 

(a) PROGRAMS.—The following research, exploration, education, and technology 

programs shall be conducted through the network of extramural regional centers 

and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology: 

(1) Core research and exploration based on national and regional undersea research priorities. 

(2) Advanced undersea technology development to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s research mission and programs. 

(3) Development, testing, and transition of advanced undersea technology associated with ocean observatories, submersibles, advanced diving technologies, 

remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and new sampling 

and sensing technologies. 

(4) Undersea science-based education and outreach programs to enrich ocean 

science education and public awareness of the oceans and Great Lakes. 

(5) Discovery, study, and development of natural products from ocean and 

aquatic systems. 

(b) OPERATIONS.—Operation of the extramural regional centers and the National 

Institute for Undersea Science and Technology shall leverage partnerships and cooperative research with academia and private industry. 

SEC. 206. COMPETITION. 

(a) DISCRETIONARY FUND.—The program shall allocate no more than 10 percent 

of its annual budget to a discretionary fund that may be used only for program administration and priority undersea research projects identified by the Director but 

not covered by funding available from centers. 


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(b) COMPETITIVE SELECTION.—The Administrator shall conduct a competition to 

select the regional centers that will participate in the program five years after the 

date of enactment of this Act and every five years thereafter. Funding for projects 

conducted through the regional centers shall be awarded through a competitive, 

merit-reviewed process on the basis of their relevance to the goals of the program 

and their technical feasibility. 

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration to carry out this title—

(1) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; 

(2) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; 

(3) $21,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; 

(4) $23,500,000 for fiscal year 2011; 

(5) $25,500,000 for fiscal year 2012; 

(6) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2013; and 

(7) $29,500,000 for fiscal year 2014. 

TITLE III—INTERAGENCY FINANCING 

PLANNING AND COORDINATION 

SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY FINANCING. 

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 

National Science Foundation, the Department of the Navy, and other Federal agencies involved in the programs authorized under title I and II, 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 Act. 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 thereof. 

SEC. 302. OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE. 

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in 

coordination with the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration, the United States Geological Survey, the Department of the 

Navy, the Mineral Management Service, and relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, industry, and other experts, shall convene an ocean exploration 

and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy—

(1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration and undersea research technology 

to the programs authorized under titles I and II of this Act; 

(2) to improve availability of communications infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to such programs; 

(3) to develop an integrated, workable, and comprehensive data management 

information processing system that will make information on unique and significant features obtained by such programs 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 nongovernmental entities that will assist in transferring exploration and undersea research technology and technical expertise to the programs. 

II. PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Through the Administrator of NOAA, with the National Science 

Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies, this bill authorizes a coordinated national ocean exploration and undersea reVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:00 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR311P2.XXX HR311P2

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search program that promotes collaboration with existing programs 

of the Administration. 

III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

In 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, whose members 

were appointed by President George W. Bush, released a report 

containing recommendations for the establishment of a comprehensive and coordinated ocean policy for the nation. The report concluded, among many other findings, that increased scientific knowledge of the oceans and coasts and the associated technological development to gather such information were imperative for sustainable resource use, economic development, and conservation of marine biodiversity. 

In order to attain these goals, a comprehensive national strategy 

is needed. In addition, the Commission concluded that the American public has too little awareness of the importance of the ocean 

in their daily lives and to all life on the planet, and that an interested and an engaged public is essential to addressing complex 

ocean- and coastal-related issues. Legislation is required to implement many of the Commission’s recommendations. 

NOAA has for many years utilized its broad general authority as 

the federal agency responsible for the management of living marine 

and coastal resources to conduct activities supporting ocean exploration and undersea research. In 1971, NOAA administratively established the Manned Undersea Science and Technology (MUST) 

program to pioneer exploration of undersea habitats. In 1980, the 

MUST program was reconstituted as the National Undersea Research Program (NURP) within NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research (OAR). 

NURP was created to provide marine scientists with the requisite tools and expertise to investigate the undersea environment, 

including submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous 

underwater vehicles, mixed gas diving gear, underwater laboratories and observatories, and other technologies specifically designed for underwater exploration. NURP is comprised of a network of six regional centers and one national technology institute, 

located at major universities in Connecticut, New Jersey, North 

Carolina, Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mississippi. This extramural network facilitates collaborations with federal and non-federal programs outside of NOAA, leverages external funds and infrastructure, and provides access to specialized facilities, worldclass marine researchers, and technology expertise. These university-based centers also provide unique training and educational opportunities for students. Federal grants fund the regional centers 

and national technology institute and each facility undergoes periodic external review to ensure performance and accountability. 

NURP supports on average over 100 peer-reviewed research 

projects each year that are relevant to NOAA’s overall mission and 

address national ocean research priorities. Examples of research 

produced through NURP grants include: the discovery and analysis 

of novel marine bio-compounds with potential medical and pharmaceutical applications; research to better understand new 

chemosynthetic communities discovered at deep sea vents and 

seeps; and groundbreaking research regarding factors affecting 

coral reef health, especially coral bleaching events and climate 


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change. Since 1995, Congress has appropriated over $178 million 

specifically for NURP. 

In 2000, President William J. Clinton’s Panel on Ocean Exploration—a multi-disciplinary group of ocean experts—released a historic report entitled ‘‘Discovering Earth’s Final Frontier: A U.S. 

Strategy for Ocean Exploration.’’ This panel found that our current 

understanding of the ocean environment is inadequate compared 

with the undeniable importance of the oceans to the health and 

wealth of our country, and that the U.S. has fallen behind other 

nations in our capabilities for undertaking ocean exploration. The 

panel recommended the establishment of an Ocean Exploration 

Program for an initial 10-year period to conduct interdisciplinary 

voyages of discovery, to develop new tools to support ocean exploration, to disseminate information on discoveries of new life forms 

and ocean resources, and to enhance understanding of ocean and 

coastal environments in the United States. 

In 2001, NOAA responded to the panel’s recommendation and established the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) to support expeditions for the purpose of discovery and documentation of ocean resources. Also located in OAR, the OE program operates under a 

multi-purpose mission to map the physical, biological, chemical and 

archaeological aspects of the oceans and the Great Lakes; to expand understanding of ocean dynamics and to describe the complex 

interactions of the living ocean. The OE program develops new sensors and other equipment to regain U.S. leadership in ocean technology and conducts public outreach and education programs to 

communicate the benefits of ocean exploration to the nation. The 

OE program has conducted multiple voyages every year since 2001, 

often in collaboration with other NOAA programs and federal agencies such as NURP, the National Marine Sanctuary Program and 

the National Science Foundation. The OE program has conducted 

over 100 expeditions in unknown, remote or poorly understood 

ocean areas, including expeditions to assess hydrothermal vents at 

the Galapagos Rift in the equatorial Pacific Ocean; investigations 

of the frigid depths of the Canada Basin in the Arctic Ocean; exploration of little known sea mounts in the North Atlantic; and, reconnaissance of the Bransfield Strait and Drake’s Passage in the 

Southern Ocean near Antarctica. The Congress has appropriated 

$118.5 million to support this program since its establishment in 

2001. 

H.R. 1834 would implement a key recommendation of the U.S. 

Commission on Ocean Policy to provide specific and separate authorizations for these two programs within NOAA. The authorizations would further strengthen NOAA’s standing as the preeminent 

civilian federal ocean agency by granting the agency explicit authority to conduct scientific research that directly contributes to increasing scientific knowledge of the world’s oceans. The legislation 

would address the national need to develop and advance new innovations in oceanographic research, communication and navigation 

technologies to support ocean exploration and science. Additionally, 

this legislation would emphasize the importance of outreach and 

public education to ensure that future scientific discoveries and 

benefits are disseminated to decision-makers in both the public and 

private sectors, and conveyed to the general public to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Great Lakes and the world’s 


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oceans and their importance to our economic and environmental 

well-being. 

IV. HEARING SUMMARY

The Environment, Technology, and Standards Subcommittee 

held a hearing in the 109th Congress on July 27, 2006 to hear testimony on, then, H.R. 3835, from the following witnesses: 

Panel 1 

• The Honorable Jim Saxton, Congressman, 3rd District, New 

Jersey (R) 

Panel 2 

• Dr. Richard Spinrad, Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration • Mr. Andrew Shepard, Director, Southeastern U.S. and Gulf of 

Mexico National Undersea Research Programs, University of North 

Carolina • Dr. Marcia McNutt, President and Chief Executive Officer, 

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 

Rep. Saxton, the author of the legislation, discussed specific provisions of the legislation. Recognizing that ocean and Great Lakes 

exploration and research is done by multiple federal agencies, he 

emphasized that one purpose of the bill was to encourage closer coordination between NOAA’s activities and those of the National 

Science Foundation. He stated that the NURP and the OE programs have distinct, but complementary missions and that both 

are core to NOAA’s mission. 

In his testimony Dr. Spinrad expressed strong support for the 

overall intent of H.R. 3835. He believed the legislation elevates the 

importance of ocean exploration and undersea technology development. He discussed the implications for the programs of the significant funding reduction that occurred in fiscal year 2006. 

Mr. Shepard described the history of NURP, and the vital role 

it plays in the development of advanced diving technologies. He indicated his support for H.R. 3835 and for its inclusion of authorizations for both NURP and OE activities. He also described the positive aspects of the regional focus of the program. The regional presence of the centers provides a direct conduit of information gained 

through ocean and coastal exploration to the coastal management 

community to address issues such as hurricane impacts, shoreline 

erosion, and sea level rise. 

Dr. McNutt discussed the importance of the OE program to the 

nation pointing to the discovery of the hot-vent communities that 

resulted in new research on a unique new ecosystem which thrives 

on energy sources and in environmental conditions that were 

thought to be inhospitable. This research led to new understanding 

of how life may be sustained in other parts of the universe. Dr. 

McNutt believes that H.R. 3835 would address the need to have 

OE authorized as an explicit part of NOAA’s mission. She offered 

the view that the lack of a distinct OE mission at NOAA was a 

more important factor limiting OE than the funding history. She 

also expressed the view that OE and NURP are distinct programs 

and should be maintained as separate programs. 


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V. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTIONS

On March 29, 2007, Representative Jim Saxton, for himself and 

Representatives Young of Alaska, McIntyre, Pallone, Farr, Wicker, 

and Abercrombie introduced H.R. 1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act, which was referred to the Committee on 

Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources and Armed Services. 

In the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment met to consider H.R. 1834 on October 10, 2007, with no 

amendments to the bill. Mr. McNerney moved that the Subcommittee favorably report the bill, H.R. 1834, to the Full Committee on Science and Technology. The motion was agreed to by a 

voice vote. 

The Committee on Science and Technology met on October 24, 

2007, to consider H.R. 1834 as reported by the Subcommittee and 

to consider the following amendment to the bill: 

A manager’s amendment offered by Representative Lampson that 

changes Section 102 of the bill to assign all responsibility for direction of the ocean exploration and undersea research programs to 

the Administrator of NOAA and clarifies that NOAA’s programs 

are to be coordinated with other federal programs conducting ocean 

and undersea research and exploration. It also amends Section 103 

of the bill to direct the Administrator of NOAA to implement a 

competitive process for approving proposals submitted to the program and to permit the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment that appropriately further the purposes 

of the programs. It amends Section 104 to specify that the Advisory 

Board created to provide outside advice and expertise to the program will be convened, selected, and operated in accordance with 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act except that the Board will not 

expire as required by Section 14 of FACA. It moves Section 105 of 

the bill to Title III and amends the Section to clarify that the Task 

Force will address issues related to both the ocean exploration and 

the undersea research programs. 

In Title II, the amendment changes Sections 202 and 203 to direct NOAA to carry out a program of undersea research, exploration, education and technology development in cooperation with 

universities, marine science and education organizations, and the 

private sector and adds a requirement in Section 204 to make the 

direction of the undersea research program determined by the program Director in coordination with the undersea research center 

Directors, publicly available within three years of the date of enactment. In Section 206, the amendment clarifies that ten percent of 

the program funds will be retained by the NOAA undersea research program office for use by the Director for administration of 

the program and to fund priority projects that are not being funded 

through the regional centers. The amendment also requires awards 

made through the regional centers to be done through a competitive, merit reviewed process. The amendment also requires NOAA 

to re-compete the awards to the centers within five years of enactment and on a five-year cycle thereafter. 

The amendment also eliminates the authorizations in both Titles 

I and II for fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017 to reduce the total 


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authorization period from ten years to seven years, and lowers the 

overall authorization level of the bill by $297 million. 

The amendment was adopted by voice vote. 

The Committee favorably reported the bill, H.R. 1834, as amended, by a voice vote. 

VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS AS REPORTED

H.R. 1834 authorizes a National Ocean Exploration Program that 

requires NOAA to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board 

and expand ocean exploration in an interdisciplinary manner to 

discover new marine substances that potentially have therapeutic 

benefits; to study unique and little known marine ecosystems, organisms and the geology of the world’s oceans; and to maximize ocean 

research effectiveness by integrating multiple scientific disciplines 

in the ocean science community. The bill also authorizes a National 

Undersea Research that shall be conducted through a national 

headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research 

centers representing all NOAA regions, and a national technology 

institute to increase scientific knowledge for informed management, use and preservation of oceanic, coastal and Great Lake resources. H.R. 1834 authorizes NOAA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal agencies involved in programs under 

this Act to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, 

receive, and spend funds appropriated to any federal participant in 

the program, and to convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force. H.R. 1834 is authorized through fiscal year 2014 for both programs. 

VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE BILL AS REPORTED

Title I—National Ocean Exploration Program 

Section 101. Short title 

States that this title may be cited as the National Ocean Exploration Program Act. 

Section 102. Authorization 

Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a coordinated national 

ocean exploration program in consultation with the National 

Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal Agencies programs conducting ocean and undersea research and exploration. 

Section 103. Authorities 

Defines activities of the program to include interdisciplinary voyages to explore and survey the marine environment giving priority 

to deep ocean areas and to conduct archaeological and scientific 

voyages of shipwrecks and submerged sites; to enhance the technical capability of the U.S. marine science community; and to establish an ocean exploration forum to promote communication and 

information exchange between experts and other stakeholders in 

the ocean science community. It also directs the Administrator of 

NOAA to develop a merit-based, competitive process in consultation 

with the National Science Foundation for the review and approval 

of proposals for program activities. Also in carrying out the proVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:00 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR311P2.XXX HR311P2

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gram the Administrator is permitted to accept appropriate donations of property, data or equipment for use in ocean exploration 

activities. 

Section 104. Ocean Exploration Advisory Board 

Directs the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board 

composed of relevant experts to advise on priority areas for survey 

and discovery; assist development of a five-year strategic plan; annually review the effectiveness of the proposal peer-review process; 

and provide other assistance as requested. The board will be selected and operated in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act except that the Board will not expire as required by Section 14 of FACA. 

Section 105. Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

States that the provisions of the bill do not supersede or limit the 

authority of the Secretary of the Interior under this Act. 

Section 106. Authorization of appropriations 

Authorizes appropriations of $30.5 million beginning in fiscal 

year 2008 increasing each year to $54.0 million in fiscal year 2014. 

Title II—Undersea Research Program 

Section 201. Short title 

States that this title may be cited as the National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007. 

Section 202. Authorization 

Directs the NOAA Administrator to conduct undersea research, 

exploration, education, and technology development programs and 

to designate a Director for the program. 

Section 203. Purpose 

Defines the purpose of the program to increase scientific knowledge for informed management, use and preservation of oceanic, 

coastal and Great Lake resources through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development. Requires the Director to cooperate with institutions of higher education and other 

educational organizations and to make equipment, information and 

expertise available to these organizations as appropriate. 

Section 204. Program 

Directs the Administrator to conduct the program through a national headquarters, a representative network of extramural regional centers and a national technology institute. Requires program direction to be provided by the program director in coordination with a Council of Center Directors and to be made publicly 

available within three years of the date of enactment. 

Section 205. Regional centers and institute 

Defines the content of the programs that are to be conducted 

through the network of extramural regional centers and the technology institute as: Core research and exploration; advanced undersea technology development; development of technologies associated 


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with undersea research, observation, and exploration; education 

and outreach; and research and development of natural products 

from ocean and aquatic systems. Encourages the extramural centers to cooperate with academic institutions and the private sector. 

Section 206. Competition 

Directs the Administrator to ensure the external projects supported by the regional centers will be managed through an open, 

competitive, merit-based process. Directs the NOAA undersea research program office to retain ten percent of program funds for 

use by the Director for administration of the program and to fund 

priority projects that are not being funded through the regional 

centers. NOAA is also required to re-compete the awards to the 

centers within 5 years of enactment and on a 5-year cycle thereafter. 

Section 207. Authorization of appropriations 

Authorizes appropriations of $17.5 million for fiscal year 2008 in- creasing each year to $29.5 million in fiscal year 2014. 

Title III—Interagency Financing, Planning and Coordination 

Section 301. Interagency financing 

Allows relevant federal agencies to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive and spend appropriated funds 

to carry out the purposes of this legislation. 

Section 302. Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Technology 

and Infrastructure Task Force 

Directs the Administrator of NOAA to convene a task force including other federal agencies and experts from non-governmental 

organizations, academia, and industry to develop and implement a 

strategy to facilitate transfer of exploration and undersea technology and technical expertise, to improve communications infrastructure, to develop an integrated data management system, to 

conduct public outreach activities, and to encourage cost-sharing 

partnerships. 

VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS

It is the view of the Committee that authorizing the national 

ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA), in coordination with the National Science Foundation 

(NSF) and other appropriate Federal agencies, is necessary to expand our knowledge of oceans and coastal resources and to promote 

sustainable management of marine systems. The Committee recognizes that NSF and the H.R. 1834 authorizes a coordinated ocean 

policy that promotes collaboration with existing programs within 

the federal government with NOAA as the lead agency. 

The Committee is aware that recent funding short falls have motivated NOAA to develop a plan to consolidate the Ocean Exploration (OE) Program and the National Undersea Research Program 

(NURP). The Committee recognizes and supports Administration 

efforts to identify synergies of these programs that could result in 

cost savings and efforts to institute competition that will ensure 


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that scarce funds are allocated to meritorious, high priority research. However, the Committee believes these programs are complementary, not duplicative and that both programs’ activities are 

necessary to attain comprehensive knowledge of ocean, coastal, and 

Great Lakes systems and resources. Therefore, H.R. 1834 provides 

authorizations and direction for each program. 

The Committee believes that funding should be distributed by 

these programs through merit-based, competitive processes to ensure performance and accountability. H.R. 1834 contains provisions 

in both the OE program and the NURP directing the Administrator 

to establish these procedures. The Committee recognizes these two 

programs operate in different ways and through different structures. The Committee believes the OE program should consult with 

NSF in the development of their process, and that the OE process 

should be modeled on the process utilized by NSF for proposal review and approval. The NURP operates through regionally-based 

centers, a structure that will be maintained by this legislation. 

However, the Committee believes that NOAA should select the institution or consortium of institutions that will operate the regional 

programs through a competitive process on a 5-year cycle. Funding 

distributed through the regional centers should also be awarded 

through a competitive, merit based process. 

The Committee believes the ocean exploration program would 

benefit from outside advice from an Ocean Exploration Advisory 

Board. The Committee believes this Board should operate as a federal advisory committee following the procedures established in the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The advisory board 

should assist in the development of a five-year strategic plan for 

the program and review the competitive process developed by the 

Agency for reviewing and selecting proposals for funding. The Committee is aware that the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) has 

established a group with expertise in ocean exploration. If the SAB 

group is selected and operated in accordance with FACA, this 

group could serve as the OE Advisory Board mandated by Section 

104 of the legislation. The Committee believes that operating the 

Board under FACA will ensure that activities of the Board will be 

transparent to Congress and stakeholders in the program and will 

ensure that the Board has the full range of expertise needed to 

offer sound advice to the Agency. 

The Committee believes the Director should work with directors 

of the regional centers and with the director of the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST) to develop research priorities and direction for NURP. The Committee believes 

the program direction should be made publicly available prior to 

conducting the competition to select the regional centers that will 

operate the regional component of the program. The Committee 

wants to ensure that program direction is available to the full 

range of individuals and institutions that may have an interest in 

developing a proposal to compete for the opportunity to become a 

regional NURP center. 

The Committee believes the network of regional centers and 

NIUST should contribute to the development of advanced undersea 

technologies. The Committee also recognizes and encourages continued partnerships of NIUST and the regional centers with the 

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nologies. The Committee believes that development and advancement of technologies such as Human Occupied Submersibles (e.g. 

Pisces), autonomous underwater vehicles, mixed gas diving gear, 

underwater laboratories (e.g. Aquarius) and observatories (e.g. the 

Long-term Ecosystem Observatory or LEO–15) are essential if we 

are to expand our knowledge of ocean and undersea resources and 

utilize these resources in a sustainable manner. 

The Committee recognizes that as exploration and research proceed, new opportunities will present themselves that could not be 

anticipated in the program planning process. To provide NOAA 

with some flexibility to respond to such opportunities, Section 206 

of H.R. 1834 sets aside ten percent of the funds provided for the 

undersea research program annually to fund priority projects that 

were not anticipated by the program direction. This funding will 

also enable the program director to fund programs of national priority that may not receive funding through the regional centers. 

The Committee believes that the Administrator should lead a 

task force in order to develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy that will support the activities of the OE program 

and NURP. The Committee is aware that the functions of the Joint 

Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST) are very 

similar to those defined for the task force authorized in Section 302 

of the legislation. The Committee anticipates that the Administration may designate the JSOST to perform these functions. The Administration established the JSOST in 2003 as a subcommittee of 

the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and expanded 

its role to include science and technology in 2005. However, the 

JSOST is not created in statute and a subsequent Administration 

may decide to abolish or substantially alter the mandate of this 

group. The Committee believes an on-going interagency forum for 

communicating and coordinating federal activities in ocean and undersea research and exploration is essential and has therefore provided on-going authority and direction for these activities. 

IX. COST ESTIMATE

A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to the Committee on 

Science and Technology prior to the filing of this report and is included in Section XI of this report pursuant to House Rule XIII, 

clause 3(c)(3). 

H.R. 1834 does not contain new budget authority, credit authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming that the 

sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 1834 does 

authorize additional discretionary spending, as described in the 

Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is contained 

in Section X of this report. 

XI. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

H.R. 1834—National Ocean Exploration Program Act 

Summary: H.R. 1834 would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out programs on ocean 

exploration and undersea research. For this purpose, the bill would 


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authorize the appropriation of nearly $300 million over the 2008– 2012 period and nearly $460 million over the 2008–2014 period. 

Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO esti- mates that implementing H.R. 1834 would cost $30 million in 2008 

and $260 million over the 2008–2012 period. We estimate that about $200 million would be spent after 2012, including nearly 

$160 million authorized to be appropriated after 2012. Enacting the 

bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. 

H.R. 1834 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 1834 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Authorization Level 1 ...................................................................................... 49 54 59 65 71 

Estimated Outlays ......................................................................................... 30 45 55 62 68 

Note: In addition to the amounts shown in the table, the bill would authorize funding of about $160 million over the 2013–2014 period. In 

total, the bill would authorize appropriations of nearly $460 million over the 2008–2014 period. 1 NOAA has not yet received a full-year appropriation for fiscal year 2008. The agency’s National Ocean Service received appropriations of 

around $600 million in 2007, including funding for some activities that are similar to the exploration, research, and mapping programs that 

would be authorized by H.R. 1834. 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the legislation will be enacted before the end of calendar year 2007 and that 

the entire amounts authorized will be appropriated for each fiscal 

year. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns 

for NOAA programs. 

The authorization levels specified in the bill for fiscal years 2008 

through 2012 include between $31 million and $45 million per year 

for ocean exploration and between $18 million and $26 million per 

year for undersea research (totaling $49 million to $71 million over 

that period). 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1834 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Previous CBO cost estimates: On March 23, 2007, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 39, the Ocean and Coastal Exploration 

and NOAA Act (OCEAN Act), as ordered reported by the Senate 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 

13, 2007. The provisions of S. 39 regarding ocean exploration and 

undersea research are similar to those in H.R. 1834. The CBO estimates for those provisions reflect differences in the authorization 

levels for the affected programs. 

On July 30, 2007, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 

1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 28, 

2007. The two versions of H.R. 1834 are very similar. Both bills 

would authorize the same level of appropriations through fiscal 

year 2014, but the version approved by the House Committee on 

Natural Resources also would authorize appropriations beyond that 

year—through fiscal year 2017. 


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Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Deborah Reis, Impact on 

state, local, and tribal governments: Neil Hood, Impact on the private-sector: Jacob Kuipers. 

Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 

XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4

H.R. 1834 contains no unfunded mandates. 

XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The oversight findings and recommendations of the Committee 

on Science and Technology are reflected in the body of this report. 

XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c) of House Rule XIII, the goal of H.R. 1834 

is to authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration. 

XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States 

grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 1834. 

XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

H.R. 1834 does establish and authorize the establishment of any 

advisory committee. Section 104 is amended to specify that the Advisory Board created to provide outside advice and expertise to the 

program will be convened, selected, and operated in accordance 

with the Federal Advisory Committee Act except that the Board 

will not expire as required by Section 14 of FACA. 

XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The Committee finds that H.R. 1834 does not relate to the terms 

and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

XVII. EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

H.R. 1834 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), 

or 9(f) of rule XXI. 

XVIII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

XIX. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H.R. 1834, as reported, makes no changes in existing law. 

XX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On October 24, 2007, the Committee on Science and Technology 

favorably reported H.R. 1834, as amended, by a voice vote and recommended its passage by the House of Representatives. 


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XXI. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARKUP BY THE 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ON H.R. 1834, THE NATIONAL OCEAN 

EXPLORATION PROGRAM ACT 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT, 

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 

Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 2:06 p.m., in Room 

2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Nick Lampson 

[Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding. 

Chairman LAMPSON. Good afternoon. This Committee on Energy 

and Environment will come to order. Pursuant to notice, the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment meets to consider the following measures: H.R. 3776, Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act of 2007; H.R. 3775, Industrial Energy Efficiency Research 

and Development Act of 2007; and H.R. 1834, National Ocean Exploration Program Act. We will now proceed with the markup, beginning with opening statements, and I will begin. 

Today the Subcommittee will consider three bills. 

The first is the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act, introduced yesterday by Chairman Gordon. As we learned in the 

hearing last week, an aggressive research program to accelerate 

the development of batteries and other energy-storing technologies 

is essential to achieving greater energy efficiency and emission reduction in the utility and transportation sectors. Chairman Gordon’s bill, which incorporates many features of an energy bill introduced earlier in the Congress by Ranking Member Hall, will ensure 

that we move these import technologies forwards and support a 

vigorous domestic industrial capability in this areas. 

The second bill is the Industrial Energy Efficiency Research and 

Development Act. I introduced this legislation yesterday after circulating a discussion draft of the bill at the end of September. If 

we want to maintain a competitive, domestic industrial economy, 

we must find ways to enable energy-intensive industries to become 

more energy efficient and to diversify the fuel and raw materials 

they use to manufacture their products. Competition for energy and 

material is increasing and driving up prices for these inputs. The 

Industrial Technology Program at the Department of Energy has 

been working in partnership with industries across the county to 

achieve these important goals, but we still must do more. 

And finally, we will consider H.R. 1834, introduced by our colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, Representative 

Saxton. The National Ocean Exploration and National Undersea 

Research Program Act will expand our knowledge of the oceans 

and provide basic information about the vast resources of the seas. 

The ocean and coastal areas of our nation support significant economic activity in a wide variety of areas, but in many respects, the 


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oceans remain a mystery with many areas unexplored. Representative Saxton’s legislation provides the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the authorities and direction to support 

a vigorous ocean-exploration program. We will continue to work 

with our colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee to move 

this legislation forward. 

I urge the Members of the Subcommittee to support all three of 

these bills, and I look forward to continue working with all of you 

as these will go forward. 

[The prepared statement of Chairman Lampson follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN NICK LAMPSON

Good afternoon. 

Today the Subcommittee will consider three bills. The first is the Energy Storage 

Technology Advancement Act introduced yesterday by Chairman Gordon. As we 

learned in the hearing last week, an aggressive research program to accelerate the 

development of batteries and other energy storing technologies is essential to 

achieving greater energy efficiency and emission reductions in the utility and transportation sectors. 

Chairman Gordon’s bill, which incorporates many features of an energy bill introduced earlier in this Congress by Ranking Member Hall, will ensure that we move 

these important technologies forward and support a vigorous domestic industrial capability in this area. 

The second bill is the Industrial Energy Efficiency Research and Development 

Act. I introduced this legislation yesterday after circulating a discussion draft of the 

bill at the end of September. 

If we want to maintain a competitive, domestic industrial economy we must find 

ways to enable energy-intensive industries to become more energy efficient and to 

diversify the fuel and raw materials they use to manufacture their products. Competition for energy and materials is increasing and driving up prices for these inputs. The Industrial Technology Program at the Department of Energy has been 

working in partnership with industries across the country to achieve these important goals, but we must do more. 

Finally, we will consider H.R. 1834 introduced by our Colleague on the Natural 

Resources Committee, Rep. Saxton. The National Ocean Exploration and National 

Undersea Research Program Act will expand our knowledge of the oceans and provide basic information about the vast resources of the seas. 

The ocean and coastal areas of our nation support significant economic activity 

in a wide variety of areas. But in many respects, the oceans remain a mystery with 

many areas unexplored. Rep. Saxton’s legislation provides the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration with the authorities and direction to support a vigorous 

ocean exploration program. We will continue to work with our colleagues on the 

Natural Resources Committee to move this legislation forward. 

I urge the Members of the Subcommittee to support all three of these bills, and 

I look forward to continue working with all of you as these bills go forward. 

Chairman LAMPSON. And I recognize Mr. Inglis to present his 

opening remarks. 

Mr. INGLIS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to this 

markup, and today we will mark up two bills that address two vital 

needs in pursuit of our energy security: energy efficiency and energy storage. 

The Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program 

has a successful track record of helping U.S. manufacturers translate research and development into efficient, cost-saving technologies. By reauthorizing this program, the Industrial Energy Efficiency Research and Development Act, H.R. 3775, will support our 

nation’s industries in achieving energy efficiency while remaining 

economically competitive. It is very important that we direct this 

program to prioritize its efficiency efforts, targeting industry secVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:00 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6602 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR311P2.XXX HR311P2

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tors, not individual businesses, where we can attain the best emissions reductions for our buck. 

While energy efficiency reduces our total consumption of foreign 

oil and gas, energy-storage progress will encourage development of 

clean, renewable energy sources. H.R. 3776, the Energy Storage 

Technology Advancement Act, can help promote consistent and stable energy supply from renewable sources. That is a big hurdle, but 

it is one we can’t clear soon enough. 

Finally, we shall be marking up the bill H.R. 1834, the National 

Ocean Exploration Program Act. Marine scientists tell us that we 

haven’t come close to tapping the resources available to us in and 

under our oceans. I hope that the bill we markup today steers research dollars to those fact-finding projects so that we might, one 

day, reap the benefits of our hidden oceanic resources. 

Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to working 

with you to advance this legislation. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Inglis follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE BOB INGLIS

Thank you for holding this markup, Mr. Chairman. 

Today we’ll mark up two bills that address two vital needs in our pursuit of energy security: energy efficiency and energy storage. 

The Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) has a successful track record of helping U.S. manufacturers translate research and development 

into efficient, cost-saving technologies. By reauthorizing this program, the Industrial 

Energy Efficiency Research and Development Act (H.R. 3775) will support our nation’s industries in achieving energy efficiency while remaining economically competitive. It is very important that we direct this program to prioritize its efficiency 

efforts, targeting industry sectors (not individual businesses) where we can attain 

the best emissions reductions for our buck 

While energy efficiency reduces our total consumption of foreign oil and gas, energy storage progress will encourage development of clean, renewable energy 

sources. H.R. 3776, the Energy Storage Technology Advancement Act can help promote consistent and stable energy supply from renewable sources. That’s a big hurdle, but it’s one we can’t clear soon enough. 

Finally, we’ll be marking up the H.R. 1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act. Marine scientists tell us that we haven’t come close to tapping the resources available to us in and under our oceans. I hope that the bill we markup 

today steers research dollars to those ‘‘fact-finding’’ projects, so that humanity might 

one day reap the benefits of our hidden oceanic resources. 

Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to working with you to advance this legislation. 

Chairman LAMPSON. Thank you, Mr. Inglis. Without objection, 

Members may place statements in the record at this point. 

We will now consider 1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act. 

I yield to myself for five minutes to describe this bill. 

H.R. 1834 was introduced by Representative Saxton in March. It 

is very similar to a bill he introduced in the previous Congress, 

H.R. 3835. The Committee held a hearing on this legislation at the 

end of the last Congress. The bill authorizes two programs to be 

carried out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, an ocean-exploration program to explore and survey 

the oceans and to investigate life in the sea and to assess ocean 

and coastal resources. The bill also authorizes NOAA to carry out 

an undersea research program. This program operates through a 

network of regional undersea research centers. Both of these programs have strong education and outreach components. The proVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:00 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 6602 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR311P2.XXX HR311P2

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grams are authorized for ten years, beginning at a total funding 

level of $48 million in fiscal year 2008, and escalating to $107.4 in 

fiscal year 2017. 

This bill was marked up by the Committee on Natural Resources 

a short time ago, and we will incorporate changes made by that 

committee at the Full Committee markup later this month. 

I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I look forward to working together with our colleagues on the other committee to move this legislation forward. 

I now recognize Mr. Inglis to present any remarks on the bill. 

Mr. INGLIS. No remarks, Mr. Chairman, just simply appreciation 

for moving the bill, and I look forward to its successful passage. 

Chairman LAMPSON. Thank you, Mr. Inglis. Does anyone else 

wish to be recognized? 

I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read and 

open to amendment at any point and that the Member proceed 

with the amendments in the order of the roster. Without objection, 

it is so ordered. 

Are there any amendments? None. Everybody hold their breath 

for five minutes or less. Mr. Bartlett. 

Mr. BARTLETT. Can we, by unanimous consent, waive the quorum 

rule? 

Chairman LAMPSON. If there is no objection, we may go forward, 

yes. 

Mr. BARTLETT. I ask unanimous consent we waive the quorum 

rule and go forward. 

Chairman LAMPSON. I recognize Mr. McNerney to offer a motion. 

Mr. MCNERNEY. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably report H.R. 1834 to the Full Committee. Furthermore, I 

move that the staff be instructed to prepare the Subcommittee legislative report and make necessary technical and conforming 

changes to the bill, in accordance with the recommendations of the 

Subcommittee. 

Chairman LAMPSON. The question is on the motion to report the 

bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 

aye; those opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is reported 

favorably. 

Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. 

The Subcommittee Members may submit additional or Minority 

views on the measure. 

I want to thank the Members for their attendance. This concludes our Subcommittee markup. We are adjourned. Thank you. 

[Whereupon, at 2:25 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.] 


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Appendix: 

H.R. 1834, SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS


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SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Ocean Exploration and National Undersea Research 

Title I—National Ocean Exploration Program 

Section 101. Short Title 

States that this title may be cited as the National Ocean Exploration Program 

Act. 

Section 102. Authorization 

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration 

program in consultation with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal Agencies. 

Section 103. Authorities 

Defines activities of the program to include interdisciplinary voyages to explore 

and survey the marine environment giving priority to deep ocean areas and to conduct archaeological and scientific voyages of shipwrecks and submerged sites; to enhance the technical capability of the U.S. marine science community; and to establish an ocean exploration forum to promote communication and information exchange between experts and other stakeholders in the ocean science community. It 

also directs the Secretary to develop a merit-based, peer review process in consultation with the National Science Foundation for the review and approval of proposals 

for program activities and to accept donations of property, data or equipment for use 

in ocean exploration activities. 

Section 104. Ocean Exploration Advisory Board 

Directs the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board composed of relevant experts to advise on priority areas for survey and discovery; assist development of a five-year strategic plan; annually review the effectiveness of the proposal 

peer-review process; and provide other assistance as requested. 

Exempts the Advisory Board from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 

generally, but requires the Board to be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with several provisions of FACA. 

Section 105. Ocean Exploration Technology and Infrastructure Task Force 

Directs the Administrator of NOAA to convene a task force including other federal 

agencies and experts from non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry 

to develop and implement a strategy to facilitate transfer of exploration technology, 

to improve communications infrastructure, to develop an integrated data management system, to conduct public outreach activities, and to encourage cost-sharing 

partnerships with the program established in Section 102. 

Section 106. Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

States that the provisions of the bill do not supersede or limit the authority of 

the Secretary of the Interior under this Act. 

Section 107. Authorization of Appropriations 

Authorizes appropriations of $30.5 million beginning in fiscal year 2008 increasing 

each year to $71.9 million in fiscal year 2017. 

Title II—Undersea Research Program 

Section 201. Short Title 

States that this title may be cited as the National Undersea Research Program 

Act of 2007. 

Section 202. Authorization 

Directs the NOAA Administrator to conduct an undersea research program and 

designate a director for the program. 

Section 203. Purpose 

States that the purpose of the program is to increase scientific knowledge for informed management, use and preservation of oceanic, coastal and large lake resources through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development. 


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Section 204. Program 

Directs the Administrator to conduct the program through a national headquarters, a representative network of extramural regional centers and a national 

technology institute. Direction will be provided by the program director in coordination with a Council of Center Directors. 

Section 205. Regional Centers and Institute 

Defines the content of the programs that are to be conducted through the network 

of extramural regional centers and the technology institute as: core research and exploration; advanced undersea technology development; development of technologies 

associated with undersea ocean observatories, submersibles, advanced diving equipment, etc.; education and outreach; and research and development of natural products from ocean and aquatic systems. 

Section 206. Competitiveness 

Directs the Administrator to ensure the external projects supported by the regional centers will be managed through an open, competitive, merit-based process 

except for a small set-aside for rapid response activities. 

Section 207. Authorization of Appropriations 

Authorizes appropriations of $17.5 million for fiscal year 2008 increasing each 

year to $35.5 million in fiscal year 2017. 

Title III—Interagency Financing, Planning and Coordination 

Section 301. Interagency Financing 

Allows relevant federal agencies to participate in interagency financing and share, 

transfer, receive and spend appropriated funds to carry out the purposes of this legislation. 


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Appendix: 

REPORT FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP, AMENDMENT ROSTER


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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND 

ENVIRONMENT 

REPORT FROM SUBCOMMITTEE MARKUP 

OCTOBER 10, 2007 

H.R. 1834, THE NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM ACT

I. Purpose 

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the national ocean exploration program 

and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Through the Administrator of NOAA, with the 

National Science Foundation and other appropriate federal agencies, this bill authorizes a coordinated national ocean exploration and undersea research program 

that promotes collaboration with existing programs of the Administration. 

II. Background and Need for Legislation 

In 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, whose members were appointed 

by President George W. Bush, released a report containing recommendations for the 

establishment of a comprehensive and coordinated ocean policy for the nation. The 

report concluded, among many other findings, that increased scientific knowledge of 

the oceans and coasts and the associated technological development to gather such 

information were imperative for sustainable resource use, economic development, 

and conservation of marine biodiversity. 

In order to attain these goals, a comprehensive national strategy is needed. In addition, the Commission concluded that the American public has too little awareness 

of the importance of the ocean in their daily lives and to all life on the planet, and 

that an interested and an engaged public is essential to addressing complex oceanand coastal-related issues. Legislation is required to implement many of the Commission’s recommendations. 

NOAA has for many years utilized its broad general authority as the federal agency responsible for the management of living marine and coastal resources to conduct 

activities supporting ocean exploration and undersea research. In 1971, NOAA administratively established the Manned Undersea Science and Technology (MUST) 

program to pioneer exploration of undersea habitats. In 1980, the MUST program 

was reconstituted as the National Undersea Research Program (NURP) within 

NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research (OAR). 

NURP was created to provide marine scientists with the requisite tools and expertise to investigate the undersea environment, including submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, mixed gas diving gear, underwater 

laboratories and observatories, and other technologies specifically designed for underwater exploration. NURP is comprised of a network of six regional centers and 

one national technology institute, located at major universities in Connecticut, New 

Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mississippi. This extramural 

network facilitates collaborations with federal and non-federal programs outside of 

NOAA, leverages external funds and infrastructure, and provides access to specialized facilities, world-class marine researchers, and technology expertise. These university-based centers also provide unique training and educational opportunities for 

students. Federal grants fund the regional centers and national technology institute 

and each facility undergoes periodic external review to ensure performance and accountability. NURP supports on average over 100 peer-reviewed research projects 

each year that are relevant to NOAA’s overall mission and address national ocean 

research priorities. Examples of research produced through NURP grants include: 

the discovery and analysis of novel marine bio-compounds with potential medical 

and pharmaceutical applications; research to better understand new chemosynthetic 

communities discovered at deep sea vents and seeps; and ground-breaking research 

regarding factors affecting coral reef health, especially coral bleaching events and 

climate change. Since 1995, Congress has appropriated over $178 million specifically 

for NURP. 

In 2000, President William J. Clinton’s Panel on Ocean Exploration—a multi-disciplinary group of ocean experts—released a historic report entitled ‘Discovering 

Earth’s Final Frontier: A U.S. Strategy for Ocean Exploration.’ This panel found that 

our current understanding of the ocean environment is inadequate compared with 

the undeniable importance of the oceans to the health and wealth of our country, 


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and that the U.S. has fallen behind other nations in our capabilities for undertaking 

ocean exploration. The panel recommended the establishment of an Ocean Exploration Program for an initial 10-year period to conduct interdisciplinary voyages of 

discovery, to develop new tools to support ocean exploration, to disseminate information on discoveries of new life forms and ocean resources, and to enhance understanding of ocean and coastal environments in the United States. 

In 2001, NOAA responded to the panel’s recommendation and established the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) to support expeditions for the purpose of discovery 

and documentation of ocean resources. Also located in OAR, the OE program operates under a multi-purpose mission to map the physical, biological, chemical and archaeological aspects of the oceans and the Great Lakes; to expand understanding 

of ocean dynamics and to describe the complex interactions of the living ocean. The 

OE program develops new sensors and other equipment to regain U.S. leadership 

in ocean technology and conducts public outreach and education programs to communicate the benefits of ocean exploration to the Nation. The OE program has conducted multiple voyages every year since 2001, often in collaboration with other 

NOAA programs and federal agencies such as NURP, the National Marine Sanctuary Program and the National Science Foundation. The OE program has conducted over 100 expeditions in unknown, remote or poorly understood ocean areas, 

including expeditions to assess hydrothermal vents at the Galapagos Rift in the 

equatorial Pacific Ocean; investigations of the frigid depths of the Canada Basin in 

the Arctic Ocean; exploration of little known sea mounts in the North Atlantic; and, 

reconnaissance of the Bransfield Strait and Drake’s Passage in the Southern Ocean 

near Antarctica. The Congress has appropriated $118.5 million to support this program since its establishment in 2001. 

H.R. 1834 would implement a key recommendation of the U.S. Commission on 

Ocean Policy to provide specific and separate authorizations for these two programs 

within NOAA. The authorizations would further strengthen NOAA’s standing as the 

preeminent civilian federal ocean agency by granting the agency explicit authority 

to conduct scientific research that directly contributes to increasing scientific knowledge of the world’s oceans. The legislation would address the national need to develop and advance new innovations in oceanographic research, communication and 

navigation technologies to support ocean exploration and science. Additionally, this 

legislation would emphasize the importance of outreach and public education to ensure that future scientific discoveries and benefits are disseminated to decision-makers in both the public and private sectors, and conveyed to the general public to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Great Lakes and the world’s oceans 

and their importance to our economic and environmental well-being. 

III. Subcommittee Actions 

The Environment, Technology, and Standards Subcommittee held a hearing in the 

109th Congress on July 27, 2006 to hear testimony on, then, H.R. 3835, from the 

following witnesses: 

Panel 1: 

• The Honorable Jim Saxton, Congressman, 3rd District, New Jersey (R) 

Panel 2: 

• Dr. Richard Spinrad, Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

• Mr. Andrew Shepard, Director, Southeastern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico National Undersea Research Programs, University of North Carolina 

• Dr. Marcia McNutt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Monterey Bay 

Aquarium Research Institute 

Rep. Saxton, the author of the legislation, discussed specific provisions of the legislation. Recognizing that ocean and Great Lakes exploration and research is done 

by multiple federal agencies, he emphasized that one purpose of the bill was to encourage closer coordination between NOAA’s activities and those of the National 

Science Foundation. He stated that the NURP and the OE programs have distinct, 

but complementary missions and that both are core to NOAA’s mission. 

In his testimony Dr. Spinrad expressed strong support for the overall intent of 

H.R. 3835. He believed the legislation elevates the importance of ocean exploration 

and undersea technology development. He discussed the implications for the programs of the significant funding reduction that occurred in fiscal year 2006. 

Mr. Shepard described the history of NURP, and the vital role it plays in the development of advanced diving technologies. He indicated his support for H.R. 3835 


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and for its inclusion of authorizations for both NURP and OE activities. He also described the positive aspects of the regional focus of the program. The regional presence of the centers provides a direct conduit of information gained through ocean 

and coastal exploration to the coastal management community to address issues 

such as hurricane impacts, shoreline erosion, and sea level rise. 

Dr. McNutt discussed the importance of the OE program to the Nation pointing 

to the discovery of the hot-vent communities that resulted in new research on a 

unique new ecosystem which thrives on energy sources and in environmental conditions that were thought to be inhospitable. This research led to new understanding 

of how life may be sustained in other parts of the universe. Dr. McNutt believes 

that H.R. 3835 would address the need to have OE authorized as an explicit part 

of NOAA’s mission. She offered the view that the lack of a distinct OE mission at 

NOAA was a more important factor limiting OE than the funding history. She also 

expressed the view that OE and NURP are distinct programs and should be maintained as separate programs. 

On March 29, 2007, Representative Jim Saxton, for himself and Representatives 

Young of Alaska, McIntyre, Pallone, Farr, Wicker, and Abercrombie introduced H.R. 

1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act, which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural 

Resources and Armed Services. 

In the 110th Congress, the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment met to consider H.R. 1834 on October 10, 2007, with no amendments to the bill. 

Mr. McNerney moved that the Subcommittee favorably report the bill, H.R. 1834, 

to the Full Committee on Science and Technology. The motion was agreed to by a 

voice vote. 

IV. Summary of Major Provisions 

H.R. 1834 authorizes a National Ocean Exploration Program that requires NOAA 

to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board and expand ocean exploration in 

an interdisciplinary manner to discover new marine substances that potentially 

have therapeutic benefits; to study unique and little known marine ecosystems, organisms and the geology of the world’s oceans; and to maximize ocean research effectiveness by integrating multiple scientific disciplines in the ocean science community. The bill also authorizes a National Undersea Research that shall be conducted 

through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers representing all NOAA regions, and a national technology institute 

to increase scientific knowledge for informed management, use and preservation of 

oceanic, coastal and Great Lake resources. H.R. 1834 authorizes NOAA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal agencies involved in programs 

under this Act to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, 

and spend funds appropriated to any federal participant in the program, and to convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task 

force. H.R. 1834 is authorized through fiscal year 2017 for both programs. 

V. Section-by-Section Analysis of the bill as reported by the Subcommittee 

Title I—National Ocean Exploration Program 

Section 101. Short Title 

States that this title may be cited as the ‘‘National Ocean Exploration Program 

Act’’. 

Section 102. Authorization 

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration 

program in consultation with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate federal agencies. 

Section 103. Authorities 

Defines activities of the program to include interdisciplinary voyages to explore 

and survey the marine environment giving priority to deep ocean areas and to conduct archaeological and scientific voyages of shipwrecks and submerged sites; to enhance the technical capability of the U.S. marine science community; and to establish an ocean exploration forum to promote communication and information exchange between experts and other stakeholders in the ocean science community. It 

also directs the Secretary to develop a merit-based, peer review process in consultation with the National Science Foundation for the review and approval of proposals 

for program activities and to accept donations of property, data or equipment for use 

in ocean exploration activities. 


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Section 104. Ocean Exploration Advisory Board 

Directs the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Advisory Board composed of relevant experts to advise on priority areas for survey and discovery; assist development of a five-year strategic plan; annually review the effectiveness of the proposal 

peer-review process; and provide other assistance as requested. 

Exempts the Advisory Board from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 

generally, but requires the Board to be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with several provisions of FACA. 

Section 105. Ocean Exploration Technology and Infrastructure Task Force 

Directs the Administrator of NOAA to convene a task force including other federal 

agencies and experts from non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry 

to develop and implement a strategy to facilitate transfer of exploration technology, 

to improve communications infrastructure, to develop an integrated data management system, to conduct public outreach activities, and to encourage cost-sharing 

partnerships with the program established in Section 102. 

Section 106. Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

States that the provisions of the bill do not supersede or limit the authority of 

the Secretary of the Interior under this Act. 

Section 107. Authorization of Appropriations 

Authorizes appropriations of $30.5 million beginning in fiscal year 2008 increasing 

each year to $71.9 million in fiscal year 2017. 

Title II—Undersea Research Program 

Section 201. Short Title 

States that this title may be cited as the ‘‘National Undersea Research Program 

Act of 2007’’. 

Section 202. Authorization 

Directs the NOAA Administrator to conduct an undersea research program and 

designate a director for the program. 

Section 203. Purpose 

States that the purpose of the program is to increase scientific knowledge for informed management, use and preservation of oceanic, coastal and large lake resources through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development. 

Section 204. Program 

Directs the Administrator to conduct the program through a national headquarters, a representative network of extramural regional centers and a national 

technology institute. Direction will be provided by the program director in coordination with a Council of Center Directors. 

Section 205. Regional Centers and Institute 

Defines the content of the programs that are to be conducted through the network 

of extramural regional centers and the technology institute as: core research and exploration; advanced undersea technology development; development of technologies 

associated with undersea ocean observatories, submersibles, advanced diving equipment, etc.; education and outreach; and research and development of natural products from ocean and aquatic systems. 

Section 206. Competitiveness 

Directs the Administrator to ensure the external projects supported by the regional centers will be managed through an open, competitive, merit-based process 

except for a small set-aside for rapid response activities. 

Section 207. Authorization of Appropriations 

Authorizes appropriations of $17.5 million for fiscal year 2008 increasing each 

year to $35.5 million in fiscal year 2017. 


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Title III—Interagency Financing, Planning and Coordination 

Section 301. Interagency Financing 

Allows relevant federal agencies to participate in interagency financing and share, 

transfer, receive and spend appropriated funds to carry out the purposes of this legislation. 


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XXII. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 1834, THE NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM 

ACT 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:10 a.m., in Room 

2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Bart Gordon 

[Chairman of the Committee] presiding. 

Chairman GORDON. Good morning. The Committee will come to 

order, pursuant to notice. The Committee of Science and Technology meets to consider the following measures: H.R. 2406, To authorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology to Increase its efforts in support of the integration of health care information enterprises in the United States; H.R. 3877, the Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act; and H.R. 1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act. 

As we start, let me welcome back Mike Quear. Mike is the brains 

and the inspiration for, particularly the health care bit of this. As 

we pointed out the other day, Mr. Hall was very complimentary; 

Mike had a stroke recently, complicated by some other matters. He 

is back, and we are glad you are here, Mike. You are very important to the entire Committee. 

We now proceed with the mark up, and I will begin with a brief 

statement. Today the Committee meets to mark up three bills dealing with a wide range of issues. 

The first bill we will mark up, H.R. 2406, deals with the issue 

of health care information technology. The broad use of IT in the 

health care sector could have far reaching benefits, including saving tens of billions of dollars per year—and that is tens of billions 

of dollars for both the taxpayers as well as for patients—improving 

the quality of medical care, and reducing dangerous medical errors. 

But meeting the challenge of developing and maintaining such a 

system is not simple. In order to achieve broad implementation, we 

need widely accepted technical standards that will let health care 

IT systems interoperate while protecting patient privacy. 

H.R. 2406 authorizes the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology to increase its efforts to support the integration of 

health care IT in the United States, to develop or adapt or adopt 

existing technical health care IT standards for federal agencies, 

and to create a university grant program for multidisciplinary research in health care IT—and I thank Mr. Wu for that addition. 

The bill is based on the recommendations of a report by the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee in 2004 and a 

study by the National Academies in 2005. 

The next bill we will mark up is H.R. 3877, which addresses the 

issue of underground mine communication technology. 


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Tragedies in West Virginia and Utah over the last few years 

have given us a painful illustration for the need for robust emergency communications in mines. 

H.R. 3877 authorizes research and standards development programs to address the important challenge of communication technology for underground mines. The bill authorizes an R&D and 

standards development program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology at NIST to promote development of innovative 

communications and tracking technologies of underground mines. 

To be clear, this bill has not, in any way, diminished the role of 

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIST’s 

efforts to promote improved communications technology through 

R&D and technical standards only support NIOSH’s important 

work. And I want to thank Mr. Matheson for bringing this very important and timely issue to us. 

The National Ocean Exploration and National Undersea Research Program Act formally authorizes two programs at NOAA 

that have made important contributions to our knowledge of the 

oceans and developed technologies that enable us to explore these 

vast areas of our planet. 

Once again, the Committee has three good bills in front of it, 

which do address three different but critical issues. 

And once again, we are marking up both Republican and Democratic bills, because as I have said before, good ideas are good 

ideas, regardless of where they might originate. And I urge my colleagues to support each of these good bills. 

I now recognize Mr. Hall to present his opening remarks. 

[The prepared statement of Chairman Gordon follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN BART GORDON

Today the Committee meets to mark up three bills dealing with a wide range of 

issues. 

The first bill we will mark up, H.R. 2406, deals with the issue of health care information technology. The broad use of IT in the health care sector could have far 

reaching benefits, including saving tens of billions of dollars per year, improving the 

quality of medical care, and reducing dangerous medical errors. 

But meeting the challenge of developing and maintaining such a system is not 

simple. In order to achieve broad implementation, we need widely accepted technical 

standards that will let health care IT systems interoperate while protecting patient 

privacy. 

H.R. 2406 authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 

to increase its efforts to support the integration of health care IT in the United 

States, to develop or adopt existing technical health care IT standards for federal 

agencies, and to create a university grant program for multidisciplinary research in 

health care IT. 

The bill is based on the recommendations of a report by the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) in 2004 and a study by the National 

Academies in 2005. 

The next bill we will mark up is H.R. 3877, which addresses the issue of underground mine communication technology. 

Tragedies in West Virginia and Utah over the last few years have given us a painful illustration of the need for robust emergency communications in mines. 

H.R. 3877 authorizes research and standards development programs to address 

the important challenge of communications technology for underground mines. The 

bill authorizes an R&D and standards development program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to promote development of innovative communications and tracking technologies for underground mines. 

To be clear, this bill does not in any way diminish the role of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIST’s efforts to promote imVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:00 Dec 20, 2007 Jkt 069006 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 6602 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\HR311P2.XXX HR311P2

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proved communications technology through R&D and technical standards support 

NIOSH’s important work. 

Historically, NIST has worked with industry and federal agencies on long-term 

R&D projects and development of technical standards, including first responder 

radio communications, and is the best agency to bridge the research and technology 

gap in the field of mine communications. 

Finally, we will also consider H.R. 1834, introduced by our colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Saxton. The National Ocean Exploration and National Undersea Research Program Act formally authorizes two programs at NOAA 

that have made important contributions to our knowledge of the oceans and developed technologies that enable us to explore these vast areas of our planet. 

Once again, the Committee has three good bills in front of it which address three 

different but critical issues. 

And once again, we are marking up both Republican and Democratic bills, because as I have said before, good ideas are good ideas regardless of where they come 

from. I urge my colleagues to support each of these good bills. 

Mr. HALL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As you very ably pointed 

out, I am pleased, and our side of the docket is pleased that this 

committee is marking up three good bills today. 

H.R. 2406 will certainly help clarify and codify NIST’s role in the 

integration of health information technology. NIST has played a 

very important role in health information technology through their 

work with the Department of Health and Human Services, and this 

legislation helps them to continue that vital role as we develop 

interoperability standards. 

H.R. 3877 offers another opportunity to clarify NIST’s role in the 

important area of mine communication technology. As the tragedy 

in Utah unfortunately illustrated, we have a lot of work to do to 

improve communications between surface personnel and underground miners so as to advance miner health and safety. 

And finally, H.R. 1834 authorizes two programs that are already 

in existence at NOAA, the Ocean Exploration Program and the National Undersea Research Program. These are two excellent initiatives, and it is time that we codify their goals and objections into 

law. 

I would like to thank you and your staff for working with us to 

improve these bills and craft good policy. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE RALPH M. HALL

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased that this committee is marking up three 

good bills today. H.R. 2406 will help clarify and codify NIST’s role in the integration 

of health information technology. NIST has played an important role in health information technology through their work with the department of health and human 

services, and this legislation helps them continue that vital role as we develop interoperability standards. 

H.R. 3877 offers another opportunity to clarify NIST’s role in the important area 

of mine communications technology. As the tragedy in Utah unfortunately illustrated, we have a lot of work to do to improve communications between surface personnel and underground miners so as to advance miner health and safety. 

Finally, H.R. 1834 authorizes two programs that are already in existence at 

NOAA, the Ocean Exploration Program and the National Undersea Research Program. These are two excellent initiatives, and it is time that we codify their goals 

and objectives into law. 

I would like to thank you and your staff for working with us to improve these 

bills and craft good policy. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Hall. 


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Without objection, Members may place statements in the records 

at any point. 

Chairman GORDON. The last bill we will consider is H.R. 1834, 

introduced by our colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, 

Mr. Saxton. I yield myself five minutes to describe the bill. 

The National Ocean Exploration and National Undersea Research Program Act formally authorizes two programs at NOAA, 

an undersea research program and an ocean exploration program. 

The ocean and coastal areas of our nation support significant economic activity, including recreation, fisheries, and mineral and energy production. Representative Saxton’s legislation formalizes 

NOAA’s role as our nation’s lead agency in the ocean exploration 

and science and ensures they will coordinate their efforts with 

those—with the National Science Foundation and other federal 

agencies with a role in ocean science and exploration. 

The staff of the Committee has worked with Mr. Saxton to make 

improvements to the legislation that will be adopted through a 

manager’s amendment. We will continue to work with our colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee to bring this bill to 

the Floor in the near future. 

I recognize Mr. Hall to present any remarks. 

Mr. HALL. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

H.R. 1834, the National Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Program Act, as you pointed out, authorizes two programs 

that are already in existence at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. These programs are the Ocean 

Exploration Program and the National Undersea Research Program. 

The Ocean Exploration Program was created to coordinate a systemic and strategic effort to search and investigate the deepest 

reaches of our planet’s oceans for the purposes of discovery. H.R. 

1834 is the framework to allow for better coordination between 

NOAA and NSF. 

As a federal agency responsible for managing living marine and 

coastal resources, NOAA requires a presence beneath the sea and 

under the Great Lakes and to better understand the systems under 

its management. The National Undersea Research Program provides NOAA with the really unique ability to access the undersea 

environment, either directly, with submersibles and technical diving, or virtually, using robots and seafloor observations. 

The manager’s amendment that Mr. Lampson will be offering to 

this bill is a product of good-faith cooperation and negotiation between the Majority and the Minority, and this amendment led 

greater transparency in the funding process by requiring NOAA to 

conduct an open and competitive process in the selection of projects 

that are to receive funding, and it further directs NOAA to engage 

in collaborative efforts with other federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and the academic community, for greater 

transfer of research technology and technical expertise. These actions ensure better coordination of research objectives to avoid duplication and the wasting of resources. 

So I would like to thank Representative Saxton of New Jersey for 

bringing this important bill to our attention and for all of his hard 

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port the manager’s amendment to H.R. 1834 and report the bill favorably out of Committee, and I yield back my time. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE RALPH M. HALL

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. H.R. 1834, the National Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Program Act, authorizes two programs that are already in existence at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. These programs are the Ocean Exploration Program and the National Undersea Research 

Program. 

The Ocean Exploration Program 1was created to coordinate a systematic and strategic effort to search and investigate the deepest reaches of our planet’s oceans for 

the purposes of discovery. H.R. 1834 is a framework to allow for better coordination 

between NOAA and NSF. 

As the federal agency responsible for managing living marine and coastal resources, NOAA requires a presence beneath the sea and Great Lakes to better understand the systems under its management. The National Undersea Research Program (NURP) provides NOAA with the unique ability to access the undersea environment either directly, with submersibles and technical diving, or virtually, using 

robots and seafloor observatories. 

The manager’s amendment that Mr. Lampson will be offering to this bill is the 

product of good-faith cooperation and negotiation between the Majority and the Minority. The amendment will add greater transparency in the funding process by requiring NOAA to conduct an open and competitive process in the selection of 

projects that are to receive funding. It further directs NOAA to engage in collaborative efforts with other federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and the 

academic community for greater transfer of research technology and technical expertise. These actions ensure better coordination of research objectives to avoid duplication and the wasting of resources. 

I would like to thank Representative Saxton of New Jersey for bringing this important bill to our attention and for all his hard work in moving it forward. I urge 

all my colleagues to support the manager’s amendment to H.R. 1834 and to report 

the bill favorably out of Committee. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman GORDON. Does anyone else wish to be recognized? 

Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman? 

Chairman GORDON. Mr. Rohrabacher is recognized. 

Mr. ROHRABACHER. Can you hear me there? Thank you. 

First of all, I am supportive of the bill, but I would like to note 

for the record, as we discuss this, that the actual involvement of 

these organizations in coastal waters is just as important, I would 

say, as deep-sea exploration, and deep-sea exploration is an important function because it is a long-term goal for humanity, let us 

say, because we—there are so many resources and so much can be 

done in the deep sea that we are unaware of right now of what the 

potential is. And this bill, I think, is designed to discover that potential. 

But at the same time, cooperation with NOAA and others, for example NASA, has resulted in our ability to track pollution sources 

along the coast, and those are the type of things that we should 

also promote and applaud as well. So cooperation among the agencies, which the bill exemplifies, is certainly something that we 

should support, but we should also make sure that NASA is included in that cooperation, and I just thought I would mention 

that. 

Thank you very much. 

Chairman GORDON. I concur with the coastal Representative 

from California, Mr. Rohrabacher. 

Does anyone else wish to be recognized? 


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Then I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read 

and open to amendment at any point and that the Members proceed with the amendments in order of the roster. Without objection, so ordered. 

The first amendment on the roster is the manager’s amendment, 

offered by the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Lampson. 

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. 

Chairman GORDON. Are you ready to report the amendment? 

Mr. LAMPSON. I am ready to. I have an amendment at the desk. 

Chairman GORDON. All right. The Clerk will report the amendment. 

The CLERK. Amendment to H.R. 1834, offered by Mr. Lampson 

of Texas. 

Chairman GORDON. I ask unanimous consent to dispense the 

reading. Without objection, so ordered. 

I recognize Mr. Lampson for five minutes to explain his amendment. 

Mr. LAMPSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

The manager’s amendment makes a series of changes throughout 

the bill to clarify intent, assign clear duties and responsibilities to 

NOAA for the Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Programs, and to ensure funds awarded to non-federal organizations 

are made through competitive, merit-based procedures. 

The amendment changes Section 102 of the bill to assign all responsibility for direction of the Ocean Exploration and Undersea 

Research Programs to the Administrator of NOAA and clarifies 

that NOAA programs are to be coordinated with other federal programs conducting ocean and undersea research and exploration. 

Section 103 of the bill is amended to direct the Administrator of 

NOAA to implement a competitive process for approving proposals 

submitted to the program and to permit the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment that appropriately 

further the purpose of the programs. 

And Section 104 is amended to specify that the advisory board 

created to provide outside advice and expertise to the program will 

be convened, selected, and operated in accordance with the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act, except that the board will not expire as 

required by Section 14 of FACA. 

Section 105 of the bill is moved to Title III and changed to clarify 

that the task force will address issues related to both the ocean exploration and the undersea research programs. 

Sections 202 and 203 are amended to direct NOAA to carry out 

a program of undersea research exploration, education, and technology development in cooperation with universities, marine 

science, and education organizations, and the private sector. 

The amendment adds a requirement in Section 204 to make the 

direction of the undersea research program determined by the program director in coordination with the undersea research center directors publicly available within three years of the date of enactment. 

The amendment clarifies that ten percent of the program funds 

will be retained by the NOAA Undersea Research Program Office 

for use by the director for administration of the program and to 

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gional centers. The awards made through the regional centers will 

be made through a competitive merit-review process. 

The amendment also requires NOAA to recompute the awards to 

the centers within five years of enactment and on a five-year cycle 

thereafter. 

And finally, the amendment eliminates the authorizations in 

both Titles I and III for fiscal year 2015, fiscal year 2016, and fiscal 

year 2017, to reduce the total authorization period from 10 years 

to seven years. This lowers the overall authorization level of the 

bill by $297 million. 

The amendment is a product of a cooperative effort between the 

Committee staff and Mr. Saxton’s staff. The amendment improves 

the bill and ensures NOAA will conduct a world-class program of 

ocean exploration and undersea research through a production collaboration with other federal agencies, the academic community, 

and the private sector. 

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield 

back. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Lampson follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE NICK LAMPSON

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. 

I have an amendment at the desk. 

The manager’s amendment makes a series of changes throughout the bill to clarify intent, assign clear duties and responsibilities to NOAA for the ocean exploration 

and undersea research programs, and to ensure funds awarded to non-federal organizations are made through competitive, merit-based procedures. 

The amendment changes Sec. 102 of the bill to assign all responsibility for direction of the ocean exploration and undersea research programs to the Administrator 

of NOAA and clarifies that NOAA’s programs are to be coordinated with other federal programs conducting ocean and undersea research and exploration. 

Sec. 103 of the bill is amended to direct the Administrator of NOAA to implement 

a competitive process for approving proposals submitted to the program and to permit the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment if it furthers the purpose of the programs. 

Sec. 104 is amended to specify that the Advisory Board created to provide outside 

advice and expertise to the program will be convened, selected, and operated in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act except that the Board will not 

expire as required by Section 14 of FACA. 

Sec. 105 of the bill is moved to Title III and changed to clarify that the task force 

will address issues related to both the ocean exploration and the undersea research 

programs. 

Sections 202 and 203 are amended to direct NOAA to carry out a program of undersea research, exploration, education and technology development in cooperation 

with universities, marine science and education organizations, and the private sector. 

The amendment adds a requirement in Sec. 204 to make the undersea research 

program direction determined by the program director in coordination with the undersea research center directors publicly available within three years of the date of 

enactment. 

The amendment clarifies that ten percent of the program funds will be retained 

by the NOAA undersea research program office for use by the director for administration of the program and to fund priority projects that are not being funded 

through the regional centers. The awards made through the regional centers will 

be made through a competitive, merit reviewed process. The amendment also requires NOAA to re-compete the awards to the centers within five years of enactment 

and on a five-year cycle thereafter. 

Finally, the amendment eliminates the authorizations in both Titles I and II for 

fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017 to reduce the total authorization period from ten 

years to seven years. This lowers the overall authorization level of the bill by $297 

million. 


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The amendment is the product a cooperative effort between the Committee staff 

and Mr. Saxton’s staff. The amendment improves the bill and ensures NOAA will 

conduct a world-class program of ocean exploration and undersea research through 

a productive collaboration with other federal agencies, the academic community, and 

the private sector. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. 

Chairman GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Lampson. 

Is there further discussion on the amendment? If no, the vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say aye; those opposed no. 

The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. 

Are there other amendments? If no, the vote is on the bill H.R. 

1834, as amended. All those in favor, say aye; those opposed, no. 

In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

I recognize Mr. Hall to offer a motion. 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably 

report H.R. 1834, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill, as amended, do pass. Furthermore, I move that 

the staff be instructed to prepare the legislative report and make 

necessary technical and conforming changes and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the House for 

consideration. I yield back. 

Chairman GORDON. The question is on the motion to report the 

bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 

aye; opposed, no. The ayes have it, and the bill is favorably reported. 

Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the desk. 

Members will have two subsequent calendar days in which to submit supplement Minority or additional views on the measure, ending Monday, October the 29th at 9:00 a.m. 

I move, pursuant to Clause 1 of Rule 22 of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, that the Committee authorize the Chairman to offer such motions as may be necessary in the House to 

adopt and pass H.R. 1834, the National Ocean Exploration Program Act, as amended. Without objection, so ordered. 

Let me say to the Members, this appears to be our last markup 

of this year. I thank you for your attendance. I think this is probably a record year, and we want to do more than just have numbers. We want to have good content, too, and this is 30-something 

bills, all of which have been bipartisan. All but one had been unanimous. I thank you for your cooperation, and let us continue next 

year in the same way. 

This concludes this markup——

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, just may I before you end, just 

commend you for the leadership that you have provided to this 

committee. It has been excellent. It is great to work with you, and 

I think this is a wonderful committee to be a part of. Thank you 

so much. 

Chairman GORDON. Thank you. 

Mr. LAMPSON. And the staff. 

Chairman GORDON. I was going to say, it helps to have excellent 

staff. And we do. Thank you very much. 

[Whereupon, at 11:18 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 


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