HR 1834 PCS
(3) annually review the quality and effectiveness 
of the proposal review process established under sec-
tion 103(4); and 
(4) provide other assistance and advice as re-
quested 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 sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 105. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
LANDS ACT. 
Nothing in this Act supersedes, or limits the author-
ity of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Conti-
nental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.). 
SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Na-
tional 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. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
04:49 Feb 26, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1834.PCS
H1834
smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS
HR 1834 PCS
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 At-
mospheric Administration shall conduct an undersea re-
search, exploration, education, and technology develop-
ment program and shall designate a Director of that pro-
gram. 
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, 
marine, 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 exist-
ing authorities, with the private sector to achieve the goals 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
04:49 Feb 26, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1834.PCS
H1834
smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS
HR 1834 PCS
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 rep-
resent all relevant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration regions, and the National Institute for Un-
dersea Science and Technology. Overall direction of the 
program will be developed by the program director with 
a Council of Center Directors comprised of the directors 
of the extramural regional centers and the National Insti-
tute for Undersea Science and Technology. Draft program 
direction shall be published not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act. The draft program di-
rection shall be published in the Federal Register for a 
public comment period of not less than 120 days. Final 
program direction with Agency responses to the comments 
received shall be published in the Federal Register within 
90 days after the close of the comment period. The pro-
gram director shall update the program direction, with op-
portunity for public comment, at least every five years. 
SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND INSTITUTE. 
(a) PROGRAMS.—The following research, exploration, 
education, and technology programs shall be conducted 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
04:49 Feb 26, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1834.PCS
H1834
smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS
HR 1834 PCS
through the network of extramural regional centers and 
the National Institute for Undersea Science and Tech-
nology: 
(1) Core research and exploration based on na-
tional 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 ad-
vanced undersea technology associated with ocean 
observatories, submersibles, advanced diving tech-
nologies, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous un-
derwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing 
technologies. 
(4) Undersea science-based education and out-
reach programs to enrich ocean science education 
and public awareness of the oceans and Great 
Lakes. 
(5) Discovery, study, and development of nat-
ural products from ocean and aquatic systems. 
(b) OPERATIONS.—Operation of the extramural re-
gional centers and the National Institute for Undersea 
Science and Technology shall leverage partnerships and 
cooperative research with academia and private industry. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
04:49 Feb 26, 2008
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1834.PCS
H1834
smartinez on PRODPC61 with BILLS