National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2014

To reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2014 2. References to the National Sea Grant College Program Act Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the National Sea Grant College Program Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq. 3. Sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes; annual report on progress Section 207 ( 33 U.S.C. 1126 4. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Section 208(b) ( 33 U.S.C. 1127(b) may shall 5. Report on coordination of oceans and coastal research activities Section 9 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 ( 33 U.S.C. 857–20 6. National Sea Grant Advisory Board report Section 209(b) ( 33 U.S.C. 1128(b) (2) Report The Board shall report to the Congress every 3 years on the state of the national sea grant college program. The Board shall indicate in each such report the progress made toward meeting the priorities identified in the strategic plan in effect under section 204(c). The Secretary shall make available to the Board such information, personnel, and administrative services and assistance as it may reasonably require to carry out its duties under this title. . 7. Technical amendment Section 205(c) ( 33 U.S.C. 1124(c) Elegibility Eligibility 8. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general Section 212(a) ( 33 U.S.C. 1131(a) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking and (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (G) $72,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; (H) $75,600,000 for fiscal year 2016; (I) $79,380,000 for fiscal year 2017; (J) $83,350,000 for fiscal year 2018; (K) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2019; and (L) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2020. ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking activities activities through fiscal year 2014 (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) Priority activities for fiscal years 2015 through 2020 In addition to the amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2020 $18,000,000 for competitive grants for the following: (A) University research on the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species. (B) University research on oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks. (C) University research on the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms. (D) University research, education, training, and extension services and activities focused on regional or national priority issues identified in the strategic plan under section 204(c)(1). (E) Fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance, and not supplant, existing core program funding. . (b) Limitations Section 212(b)(1) ( 33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(1) (1) Administration (A) In general There may not be used for administration of programs under this title in a fiscal year more than 5.5 percent of the lesser of— (i) the amount authorized to be appropriated under this title for the fiscal year; or (ii) the amount appropriated under this title for the fiscal year. (B) Critical staffing requirements The Director shall use the authority under subchapter VI of chapter 33 . (c) Distribution of funds Section 212(c) ( 33 U.S.C. 1131(c) , the year in which base funding was set, 2003 (d) Conforming amendment Section 212(b)(2) ( 33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(2) or (a)(3) (a)(2)

Summary: National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2014 - Reauthorizes the National Sea Grant College Program Act through FY2020. (Sec. 3) Removes a requirement that Department of Commerce report annually on efforts and progress made by colleges, universities, institutions, associations, and alliances to become designated as sea grant colleges or institutes. (Sec. 4) Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authority of Commerce to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships to support the placement of individuals at the graduate level of education (in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources) in positions with the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. Grants first priority to placement of those legislative fellows in offices or committees of Congress that have jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and second priority to placement in offices of Members of Congress that have a demonstrated interest in ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources. Requires Commerce to ensure that placements are equitably distributed among political parties. Urges the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to encourage participating federal agencies to consider opportunities for fellowship awardees at the conclusion of their fellowship for workforce positions appropriate for their education and experience. (Sec. 5) Requires Commerce to establish priorities for the use of donations of money and voluntary, uncompensated services for the National Sea Grant Program. Directs the National Sea Grant Office to recommend the optimal use of the donations. (Sec. 6) Repeals a reporting requirement under the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 regarding the coordination of research activities by NOAA and the National Science Foundation. (Sec. 7) Requires the National Sea Grant Advisory Board to report to Congress every three years (currently, every two years) on the progress made toward meeting priorities under the Secretary's strategic plan. (Sec. 9) Authorizes additional FY2015-FY2020 appropriations designated specifically for competitive grants relating to: (1) university research on aquatic non-native species, oyster diseases, oyster restoration, oyster-related human health risks, harmful algal blooms, coastal resilience and U.S. working waterfronts and other specified regional or national priority issues, and sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies; and (2) fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or institutes to enhance existing core program funding. Requires the Program to use authority available for the temporary assignment of personnel between federal, state, and local governments and other organizations to meet any critical staffing requirement while implementing authorized activities. Exempts costs associated with the exercise of such authority from limitations on the amount that may be used for administration of programs in a fiscal year.