I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3627
To establish in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Oceans 
and Coastal Policy. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 21, 2003
Mr. SAXTON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish in the Executive Office of the President the 
Office of Oceans and Coastal Policy.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Office of Ocean and 
Coastal Policy Creation Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that there is a demonstrated need 
for there to be an Office of Oceans and Coastal Policy 
in the Executive Office of the President.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF OCEANS AND 
COASTAL POLICY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Executive Office of the President the Office of Oceans and 
Coastal Policy. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the office is to de-
velop comprehensive oceans and coastal policy and to ad-
vise the President on scientific, environmental, economic, 
technological, and international considerations involved in 
areas of national concern to ocean and coastal policy, in-
cluding the sustainable use of the Nation’s ocean and 
coastal resources, in order to provide for a better under-
standing and knowledge of the world’s oceans. 
SEC. 4. DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—There shall be at the head of the 
Office a Director of the Office of Oceans and Coastal Pol-
icy, who shall—
(1) be appointed by the President, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate; and 
(2) be compensated at a rate consistent with 
the compensation of the Directors of other Offices 
within the Executive Office of the President. 
(b) ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS.—The President may ap-
point not more than 2 Associate Directors of the Office 
of Oceans and Coastal Policy, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate, who shall each—
(1) be compensated at a rate not to exceed the 
rate provided for other Associate Directors of Offices 
within the Executive Office of the President; and 
(2) shall perform such functions as the Director 
may prescribe. 
SEC. 5. FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR. 
(a) PRIMARY FUNCTION.—The primary function of 
the Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of 
the President, advice on the scientific environmental, eco-
nomic, technological, and international aspects of ocean 
and coastal issues that require the attention at the highest 
levels of the Government. 
(b) OTHER FUNCTIONS.—The Director shall—
(1) advise the President on scientific, environ-
mental, economic, technological, and international 
considerations involved in areas of national concern 
relating to ocean and coastal policy, including the 
sustainable use of the Nation’s ocean and coastal re-
sources; 
(2) evaluate the scale, quality, and effectiveness 
of the Federal effort in management and conserva-
tion of the Nation’s oceans and coastal resources, 
and advise the President on appropriate actions to 
take with respect to such management and conserva-
tion;
(3) advise the President on scientific, environ-
mental, economic, technological, and international 
aspects of ocean and coastal considerations with re-
gard to Federal budgets, assist the Office of Man-
agement and Budget with an annual review and 
analysis of funding proposed for research and devel-
opment in budgets of all Federal agencies, and aid 
the Office of Management and Budget and the agen-
cies throughout the budget development process; 
(4) assist the Office of Management and Budg-
et with an annual review and analysis of funding 
proposed for research and development relating to 
such policy in budgets of all Federal agencies, and 
aid the Office of Management and Budget and Fed-
eral agencies regarding oceans and coastal policy 
throughout the budget development process; 
(5) assist the President in providing general 
leadership and coordination of the research and de-
velopment programs of the Federal Government re-
lating to the oceans and coastal concerns; 
(6) coordinate the scientific, environmental, eco-
nomic, technological, and international aspects of 
ocean and coastal issues with the Council on Envi-
ronmental Quality, the Office of Science and Tech-
nology, the Council of Economic Advisers, and other
offices within the Executive Office of the President; 
and 
(7) perform such other functions and activities 
relating to the oceans and coastal policy as the 
President may prescribe. 
SEC. 6. CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON OCEAN AND 
COASTAL POLICY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
a Commission on Ocean and Coastal Policy. The purpose 
of the Commission shall be to advise and assist the Direc-
tor of the Office of Ocean and Coastal Policy in identifying 
and fostering policies to conserve and manage the ocean 
and coastal environments and resources. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—(1) The Commission shall consist 
of no less than 18 and no more than 36 members, who 
shall be appointed for three year terms. 
(2) The Commission shall be composed of the Direc-
tor, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, 
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Pol-
icy, at least eight members to represent the interests of 
the States, and representatives of various interested stake-
holders. 
(3) The Director of the Office of Ocean and Coastal 
Policy shall serve as the Chairman of the Commission.