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[House Report 115-736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

115th Congress    }                                 {         Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session       }                                 {         115-736
======================================================================

 
            HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENTS ACT

                                _______
                                

 June 12, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Bishop of Utah, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted 
                             the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 221]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 221) to reauthorize the Hydrographic Services 
Improvement Act of 1998, and for other purposes, 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:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Hydrographic Services Improvement 
Amendments Act''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
                    1998.

  (a) Reauthorizations.--Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services 
Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended--
          (1) by inserting before ``There are authorized'' the 
        following: ``(a) In General.--'';
          (2) in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1))--
                  (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``surveys--'' and 
                all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
                inserting ``surveys, $70,814,000 for each of fiscal 
                years 2019 through 2023.'';
                  (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``vessels--'' and 
                all that follows through the end of the paragraph and 
                inserting ``vessels, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
                years 2019 through 2023.'';
                  (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Administration--
                '' and all that follows through the end of the 
                paragraph and inserting ``Administration, $29,932,000 
                for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.'';
                  (D) in paragraph (4), by striking 
                ``title--'' and all that follows through the end of the 
                paragraph and inserting ``title, $26,800,000 for each 
                of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''; and
                  (E) in paragraph (5), by striking 
                ``title--'' and all that follows through the end of the 
                paragraph and inserting ``title, $30,564,000 for each 
                of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''; and
          (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  ``(b) Arctic Programs.--Of the amount authorized by this section for 
each fiscal year--
          ``(1) $10,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire 
        hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, conduct 
        coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation, 
        and improve the management of coastal change in the Arctic; and
          ``(2) $2,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire 
        hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the 
        Arctic necessary to delineate the United States extended 
        Continental Shelf.''.
  (b) Limitation on Administrative Expenses for Surveys.--Section 306 
of such Act (33 U.S.C. 892d) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following:
  ``(c) Limitation on Administrative Expenses for Surveys.--Of amounts 
authorized by this section for each fiscal year for hydrographic 
surveys, not more than 5 percent is authorized for administrative 
costs.''.

SEC. 3. GAO STUDY.

  The Comptroller General of the United States shall, by not later than 
18 months after the date of enactment of this Act--
          (1) conduct a study comparing the unit costs of hydrographic 
        surveys conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration and the unit costs of procuring performance of 
        such surveys; and
          (2) report to the Congress on the findings of such study.

                          Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of H.R. 221 is to reauthorize the Hydrographic 
Services Improvement Act of 1998.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    The United States government began conducting ocean surveys 
as early as 1807 when Congress passed legislation authorizing 
the President ``to cause a survey to be taken off the coasts of 
the United States'' to improve maritime navigation.\1\ This 
legislation resulted in the creation of the civilian-operated 
U.S. Coast Survey in 1838, the precursor to the National Ocean 
Service (NOS) within the National Oceanic Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA).\2\ NOS is one of six line offices under 
NOAA and is responsible for the collection of hydrographic 
data, among other duties.\3\ Hydrographic services overseen by 
NOS broadly include data collection, tide and water level 
observations, and a variety of ocean- and coastal-related 
surveying techniques.\4\ Hydrographic information is valuable 
to federal, State and local governments along with a wide 
variety of ocean-based economic activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\``An Act to provide for surveying the coasts of the United 
States'', 2 Stat. 413.
    \2\``History of Coast Survey'', https://
www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/hist.html.
    \3\``An Introduction to NOAA's National Ocean Service'', can be 
accessed at: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/about/.
    \4\Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, 33 U.S.C. 
Sec. 892(3)(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Different agencies acting under different statutory 
authorities have conducted hydrographic surveys throughout U.S. 
history, and the federal resources committed to these efforts 
have also fluctuated over time. After World War II, due to 
strong economic growth and technological innovation in sonar 
technology, the federal government invested heavily in 
hydrographic surveying.\5\ The federal government maintained a 
robust hydrographic data collection program through the 1940s 
into the 1970s.\6\ However, support for hydrographic services 
withered between 1979 and 1994.\7\ Concerned with the aging 
fleet of hydrographic survey ships and the threat the survey 
backlog posed to maritime safety and ocean-related economic 
activity, Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ) introduced H.R. 3164, the 
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, in the 105th 
Congress. This legislation allowed NOAA to contract for 
hydrographic services, insure the quality of privately-gathered 
hydrographic data and maintain its own capacity to gather these 
data.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \5\Committee on Resources Report on H.R. 3164, H. Rept. 105-485, p. 
4.
    \6\Id at 5.
    \7\Id.
    \8\Id. at 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 was 
enacted as Title III of Public Law 105-384 and has been 
reauthorized twice, in 2002 and 2008,\9\ with the current 
authorization of appropriations having expired in 2012.\10\ As 
ordered reported, H.R. 221, the Hydrographic Services 
Improvement Amendments Act, would reauthorize appropriations 
for the program through 2023. Further, the bill would authorize 
the use of appropriated funds to acquire hydrographic data and 
conduct surveys in the Arctic. Finally, H.R. 221 directs the 
Comptroller General to conduct a study comparing the costs of 
federally and privately conducted hydrographic surveys and 
submit findings to Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \9\Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2002, Public 
Law 107-372; Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008, 
Public Law 110-386.
    \10\33 U.S.C. Sec. 892d.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Committee Action

    H.R. 221 was introduced on January 3, 2017, by Congressman 
Don Young (R-AK). The bill was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee 
on Water, Power and Oceans. On November 2, 2017, the 
Subcommittee held a hearing on the legislation. On May 8, 2018, 
the Natural Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The 
Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous consent. Congressman 
Don Young offered an amendment designated #1; it was adopted by 
unanimous consent. No further amendments were offered, and the 
bill, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House 
of Representatives by unanimous consent.

            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.

      Compliance With House Rule XIII and Congressional Budget Act

    1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. 
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the 
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                      Washington, DC, May 21, 2018.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 221, the 
Hydrographic Services Improvement Amendments Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Robert Reese.
            Sincerely,
                                             Mark P. Hadley
                                        (For Keith Hall, Director).
    Enclosure.

H.R. 221--Hydrographic Services Improvement Amendments Act

    Summary: H.R. 221 would authorize the appropriation of $183 
million annually from 2019 to 2023 for the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct certain 
hydrographic activities (the measurement and description of 
features that affect maritime navigation).
    CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 221 would cost $811 
million over the 2019-2023 period and $104 million after 2023, 
assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.
    Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or 
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 221 would not increase net 
direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
    H.R. 221 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary effect of H.R. 221 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             2018      2019      2020      2021      2022      2023    2019-2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
 
Authorization Level......................         0       183       183       183       183       183        915
Estimated Outlays........................         0       114       157       178       181       181        811
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 
221 will be enacted near the end of 2018 and that the 
authorized amounts will be appropriated for each fiscal year 
beginning in 2019. Estimated outlays are based on historic 
spending patterns for the affected programs.
    H.R. 221 would authorize the appropriation of $183 million 
a year from 2019 through 2023 to carry out hydrographic 
activities, including nautical mapping and charting, collecting 
hydrographic data, maintaining a geodetic reference system (a 
worldwide coordinate system used for navigation), and measuring 
tides and currents. In 2018, NOAA allocated $213 million to 
carry out similar activities. CBO estimates that implementing 
H.R. 221 would cost $811 million over the 2019-2023 period and 
$104 million after 2023.
    Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
    Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO 
estimates that enacting H.R. 221 would not increase net direct 
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 
10-year periods beginning in 2029.
    Mandates: H.R. 221 contains no intergovernmental or 
private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
    Previous CBO estimate: On March 3, 2017, CBO transmitted a 
cost estimate for S. 171, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments and 
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Reauthorization 
Amendments Act of 2017, as ordered reported by the Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on January 
24, 2017. Provisions of title V of S. 171 are similar to 
provisions of H.R. 221. The differences in CBO's estimates of 
those provisions' costs stem from differences in the fiscal 
years for which the bills would authorize appropriations.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Robert Reese; 
Mandates: Zach Byrum.
    Estimate reviewed by: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and 
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss, 
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
    2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or 
objective of this bill is to reauthorize the Hydrographic 
Services Improvement Act of 1998.

                           Earmark Statement

    This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives.

                    Compliance With Public Law 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                       Compliance With H. Res. 5

    Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any 
directed rule makings.
    Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not 
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government 
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was 
not included in any report from the Government Accountability 
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program 
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law 
98-169) as relating to other programs.

                Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law

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

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

             HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE III--NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Administrator the following:
          (1) To carry out nautical mapping and charting 
        functions under sections 304 and 305, except for 
        conducting hydrographic [surveys--] surveys, 
        $70,814,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
                  [(A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                  [(B) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                  [(C) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                  [(D) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.]
          (2) To contract for hydrographic surveys under 
        section 304(b)(1), including the leasing or time 
        chartering of [vessels--] vessels, $25,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
                  [(A) $32,130,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                  [(B) $32,760,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                  [(C) $33,390,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                  [(D) $34,020,000 for fiscal year 2012.]
          (3) To operate hydrographic survey vessels owned by 
        the United States and operated by the [Administration--
        ] Administration, $29,932,000 for each of fiscal years 
        2019 through 2023.
                  [(A) $25,900,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                  [(B) $26,400,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                  [(C) $26,900,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                  [(D) $27,400,000 for fiscal year 2012.]
          (4) To carry out geodetic functions under this 
        [title--] title, $26,800,000 for each of fiscal years 
        2019 through 2023.
                  [(A) $32,640,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                  [(B) $33,280,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                  [(C) $33,920,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                  [(D) $34,560,000 for fiscal year 2012.]
          (5) To carry out tide and current measurement 
        functions under this [title--] title, $30,564,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
                  [(A) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                  [(B) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                  [(C) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                  [(D) $28,500,000 for fiscal year 2012.]
          (6) To acquire a replacement hydrographic survey 
        vessel capable of staying at sea continuously for at 
        least 30 days $75,000,000.
  (b) Arctic Programs.--Of the amount authorized by this 
section for each fiscal year--
          (1) $10,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire 
        hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, 
        conduct coastal change analyses necessary to ensure 
        safe navigation, and improve the management of coastal 
        change in the Arctic; and
          (2) $2,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire 
        hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in 
        the Arctic necessary to delineate the United States 
        extended Continental Shelf.
  (c) Limitation on Administrative Expenses for Surveys.--Of 
amounts authorized by this section for each fiscal year for 
hydrographic surveys, not more than 5 percent is authorized for 
administrative costs.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                                  [all]
```