59–006 

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

TO AUTHORIZE THE NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM AND THE 

NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM WITHIN THE NATIONAL 

OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 

AUGUST 4, 2007.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. RAHALL, from the Committee on Natural Resources, 

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 Natural Resources, 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. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

TITLE I—NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION 

PROGRAM 

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE. 

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

SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION. 

The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, shall, in consultation with the National Science 

Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies, conduct a coordinated national 

ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that promotes collaboration with existing programs of the Administration, 

including those authorized in title II. 

SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES. 

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 

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ventory, 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 process for merit-based peer-review and approval of proposals for activities to be conducted under this program; 

(5) enhance the technical capability of the United States marine science community by promoting the development of improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and sensors and autonomous vehicles; 

(6) accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for the 

purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans; and 

(7) establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage partnerships and promote communication among experts and other stakeholders in order to enhance 

the scientific and technical expertise and relevance of the national program. 

SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION ADVISORY BOARD. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, or utilize an existing panel, 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 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.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall 

not apply to the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. 

(2) COMPLIANCE.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board shall be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with all 

provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to— (A) the balance of membership and expertise; 

(B) provisions of public notice regarding activities of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board; 

(C) open meetings; and 

(D) public access to documents created by the Ocean Exploration Advisory 

Board. 

(c) UTILIZATION OF EXISTING PANEL.—If the Administrator utilizes an existing 

panel to fulfill the requirements of this section, the membership of that panel must 

include relevant experts in the fields specified in subsection (a)(2). 

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

Nothing in this title or title II supersedes, or limits the authority of the Secretary 

of the Interior under, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et 

seq.). 

SEC. 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; 

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

(8) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2015; 

(9) $65,379,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 

(10) $71,917,000 for fiscal year 2017. 

TITLE II—UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM 

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 

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


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SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION. 

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall 

conduct an undersea research 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 large lake resources through undersea research, exploration, education, 

and technology development. The program shall be part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s undersea research, education, and technology development efforts, and shall make available the infrastructure and expertise to service 

the undersea science and technology needs of the academic community and 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. 

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 such as LEO–15, Pisces, and the Aquarius habitat. 

(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. COMPETITIVENESS. 

Except for a small discretionary fund for rapid response activities, for which no 

more than 10 percent of the program budget shall be set aside, and for National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-related service projects, the external 

projects supported by the regional centers shall be managed using an open and competitive process to evaluate scientific merit, relevance to the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, regional and national research priorities, and 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; 

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

(8) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2015; 

(9) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 

(10) $35,500,000 for fiscal year 2017. 


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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, may 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 the program. 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. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—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, nongovernmental, academic, industry, and other experts, shall convene an 

ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force, 

or utilize an existing panel, 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 the program; 

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

information processing system that will make information on unique and significant features obtained by the program available for research and management purposes; 

(4) to conduct public outreach activities that improve the public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes, in conjunction with relevant 

programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies; and 

(5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with governmental and nongovernmental entities that will assist in transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to the program. 

(b) UTILIZATION OF EXISTING PANEL.—If the Administrator utilizes an existing 

panel to fulfill the requirements of this section, the membership of that panel must 

include representative of all the agencies and other interests specified in subsection 

(a). 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H.R. 1834 is to authorize two ocean research programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): the National Ocean Exploration Program and the National Undersea Research Program. 

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 are 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 


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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 cutting edge technologies. 

NURP is comprised of a network of six regional centers and one national technology institute, located primarily 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 

world-class marine researchers, technology expertise and 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 enhance national ocean research requirements and priorities. Examples of research produced 

through NURP grants include: the discovery and analysis of novel 

marine bio-compounds useful for 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 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, develop new platforms, communication, navigation and other exploration instruments, disseminate information 

on discoveries to maximize benefits, and enhance education to increase science competence of the ocean environment in the United 

States. 

In 2001, NOAA responded to the panel’s recommendation and established the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) to support new exVerDate Aug 31 2005 11:27 Aug 06, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR311P1.XXX HR311P1

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peditions for the purpose of discovery and documentation of ocean 

voyages. Also located in OAR, the OE program operates under a 

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

archaeological aspects of the ocean; to better understand ocean dynamics and to describe the complex interactions of the living ocean; 

to develop new sensors and systems to regain U.S. leadership in 

ocean technology, and; to conduct public outreach to communicate 

the benefits of ocean exploration to the nation. The OE program 

has conducted field seasons 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 glaring national need to develop and advance 

new innovations in oceanographic research, communication and 

navigation technologies that support ocean exploration and science 

and expand extramural ocean research. 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 world’s ocean to our economic and environmental well-being. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

H.R. 1834 was introduced on March 29, 2007 by Mr. Saxton (R–

NJ). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 

and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans on April 10, 2007. The bill was also referred to the 

Committee on Science and Technology, as well as the Committee 

on Armed Services. On June 5, 2007, the Subcommittee held a 

hearing on the bill and received supportive testimony regarding the 

need for and substance of the legislation. On June 19, 2007, the 

Subcommittee met to mark up the bill. Mr. Saxton (R–NJ) offered 

an amendment in the nature of a substitute to add an additional 

Title III to authorize federal interagency financing in support of 

NURP and OE projects and expeditions; to extend the purview of 

the Technology and Infrastructure Task Force to both the OE and 

NURP programs, and to allow the Administrator of NOAA to utilize an existing entity to carry out the functions of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board and the Technology and Infrastructure 


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Task Force. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. The bill 

was then forwarded to the Full Committee, as amended. On June 

28, 2007, the Full Natural Resources Committee met to consider 

the bill. Mr. Saxton (R–NJ) again offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to clarify that there must be broad membership 

representation on the authorized advisory bodies for ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure. It was 

adopted by unanimous consent. The bill, as amended, was then ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Title I—National Ocean Exploration Program 

Section 101. Short title 

Section 101 cites this Act as the ‘‘National Ocean Exploration 

Program Act.’’

Section 102. Authorization 

Section 102 would establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to work in consultation with the National 

Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies. 

Section 103. Authorities 

Section 103 would authorize NOAA, with other entities, to conduct activities to explore and document lesser known marine resources. NOAA will utilize a transparent review process for proposed activities, enhance the technical capabilities of the U.S. marine science community, and improve communication and cooperation among experts by establishing an ocean exploration forum. 

Section 104. Ocean Exploration Advisory Board 

Section 104 directs the Administrator of NOAA to appoint an 

Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, or utilize an existing panel 

such as the Ocean Exploration Advisory Working Group formed 

under NOAA’s Science Advisory Board, to advise NOAA on the development and implementation of the OE program. This advisory 

board would be exempt from operating under the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act except for requirements regarding board membership, public notice, open meetings and public availability to documents developed by the advisory board. 

Section 105. Application with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

Section 105 confirms that nothing in this Title or Title II 

supercedes, or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior 

under, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. 

Section 106. Authorization of appropriations 

Section 106 would authorize appropriations to NOAA for this 

program on an incrementally increasing basis beginning with 

$30,500,000 in fiscal year 2008 and ending with $71,917,000 in fiscal year 2017. 


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Title II—Undersea Research Program 

Section 201. Short title 

Section 201 cites this Act as the ‘‘National Undersea Research 

Program Act of 2007.’’

Section 202. Authorization 

Section 202 would direct the Administrator of NOAA to conduct 

and designate a director of an undersea research program. 

Section 203. Purpose 

Section 203 states that the purpose of the program would be to 

increase the scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and large lake 

resources. It would also make available the infrastructure and expertise to meet the undersea science needs of the academic community. 

Section 204. Program 

Section 204 states that the program will be conducted through a 

national headquarters, a network of regional research centers, and 

a national technology institute. Direction will be provided by the 

program director with the support of the directors of all regional 

centers and the national technology institute (the ‘‘Council of Center Directors’’). 

Section 205. Regional centers and technology institute 

Section 205 states that the regional research centers and National Technology Institute will conduct programs that address undersea research priorities, enhance undersea technological capabilities, promote public education and awareness, discover and develop 

natural products from ocean and aquatic systems, and contribute 

to our understanding of the U.S.’s ocean and coastal resources. 

Section 206. Competitiveness 

Section 206 dictates that the program budget will be used for external projects, supported by the regional centers, to be managed 

using an open and competitive process and evaluated using specified criteria. No more than 10 percent of the program budget will 

be set aside for rapid response activities and for NOAA-related 

service projects. 

Section 207. Authorization of appropriations 

Section 207 would authorize appropriations to NOAA on an incrementally increasing basis beginning in fiscal year 2008 and ending in fiscal year 2017, divided between the National Technology 

Institute and the regional centers. Appropriations would begin in 

fiscal year 2008 with $16,638,000 for the regional centers and 

$6,655,000 for the National Technology Institute, and end in fiscal 

year 2017 with $29,474,000 for the regional centers and 

$11,790,000 for the National Technology Institute. 


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Title III. Interagency Financing, Planning, and Coordination 

Section 301. Interagency financing 

Section 301 would authorize NOAA, the National Science Foundation, the Department of the Navy, and other Federal agencies to 

share, transfer, receive, or spend funds appropriated to any of the 

program participants provided they were appropriated specifically 

for this program. 

Section 302. Ocean exploration and undersea research technology 

and infrastructure task force 

Section 302 would establish a task force consisting of the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of 

the Navy, the Minerals Management Service, and other relevant 

governmental, non-governmental, academic, industry, and other experts. The task force would enhance the program’s use of new technology and improve its communications, data management, and 

technical expertise capacity though partnerships between the government and other entities. The Administrator may utilize an existing panel for this purpose, but it must meet the criteria for 

membership described in this section. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 

Natural Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

The functions of the proposed advisory committee authorized in 

the bill is not currently being nor could they be performed by one 

or more agencies, an advisory committee already in existence or by 

enlarging the mandate of an existing advisory committee. The legislation as reported does grant to the NOAA Administrator discretionary authority to utilize an Ocean Exploration Advisory Working 

Group formed under NOAA’s Science Advisory Board to fulfill this 

responsibility. This pre-existing panel would have to comply with 

certain requirements under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 

U.S.C. App.) regarding membership and public notice, meeting and 

information availability requirements. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

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

grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides 

that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill preVerDate Aug 31 2005 11:27 Aug 06, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR311P1.XXX HR311P1

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pared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule 

XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 

308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not 

contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 

3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 

clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or objective 

of this bill, as ordered reported, is to authorize the national ocean 

exploration program and the national undersea research program 

within in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 

3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 

section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for this bill from the 

Director of the Congressional Budget Office: 

H.R. 1834—A bill to authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

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

exploration and undersea research programs. For this purpose, the 

bill would authorize the appropriation of nearly $300 million over 

the 2008–2012 period and nearly $760 million over the 2008–2017 

period. 

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

and $260 million over the 2008–2012 period. We estimate that 

about $500 million would be spent after 2012, including $460 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 

1 NOAA’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. In addition to the amounts shown in the 

table, the bill would authorize funding of about $460 million over the 2013–2017 period. In total, the bill would authorize appropriations of 

nearly $760 million over the 2008–2017 (1O-year) period. 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the legislation will be enacted near the beginning of 2008 and that the entire amounts authorized will be appropriated for each fiscal year. 


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Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for 

NOAA programs. 

The authorization levels in the table are as specified in the bill for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, including between $31 million 

and $45 million per year for ocean exploration and between $18 

million and $26 million per year for undersea research. 

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 estimate: 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. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis and David 

Reynolds. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Leo 

Lex. Impact on the Private-Sector: Jacob Kuipers. 

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

COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4

This bill contains no unfunded mandates. 

EARMARK STATEMENT

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. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

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

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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