(d) SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—
(1) MEMBERSHIP.—The Science Advisory Com-
mittee established under subsection (b) shall be com-
prised of an interdisciplinary membership that in-
cludes individuals who are qualified by reason of 
academic background and experience to represent 
natural and social science fields of study, including 
biology, ecology, oceanography, atmospheric science, 
geology, geography, sociology, anthropology, and eco-
nomics. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Science Advisory Com-
mittee established under subsection (b) shall—
(A) provide scientific expertise on the va-
lidity and overall approach taken by the Council 
in its efforts to protect, maintain, and restore 
the health of marine ecosystems; 
(B) oversee the peer-review of documents 
and technical reports produced by the Council 
and the quality of documents and technical re-
ports used by the Council; and 
(C) provide consultation to Council staff in 
their efforts to provide information or guidance 
requested by the Council, its committees and 
working groups.
(3) 
EFFECT
OF
RECOMMENDATIONS.—The 
Science Advisory Committee may issue publicly 
available Implementation Instructions. In such 
cases, the Council shall, within 90 days of issuance 
of Implementation Instructions, consult with advi-
sory committees and working groups as deemed ap-
propriate, and—
(A) implement the recommendation; or 
(B) provide publicly available written ex-
planation as to why the Implementation In-
structions were not implemented. 
(4) OTHER GUIDANCE.—The Science Advisory 
Committee may issue guidance and other statements 
not subject to the above provision. 
(e) CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—
(1) 
MEMBERSHIP.—The 
Citizens 
Advisory 
Committee shall be comprised of nongovernmental 
members of the public, including, but not limited to, 
a wide range of citizens interested in multiple uses 
of United States ocean waters and ocean resources. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Citizens Advisory Com-
mittee shall—
(A) provide information about the activities 
encompassed in, affected by, or pertinent to Re-
gional Ocean Ecosystem Plans;
(B) advise the Council as appropriate; and 
(C) provide consultation to Council staff in 
their efforts to provide information or guidance 
requested by the Council, its committees, and 
working groups. 
(f) INLAND STATES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The 
Inland-States Advisory Committee established under sub-
section (b) shall—
(1) have a membership that is comprised of 
representatives of inland States that, according to 
maps and data of the United States Geological Sur-
vey, have jurisdiction over waters that feed into the 
ocean region over which the Council has authority; 
(2) facilitate communication between such in-
land States and coastal States regarding important 
coastal and ocean issues that cannot be solved with-
out inland State participation; and 
(3) provide consultation to Council staff in their 
efforts to provide information or guidance requested 
by the Council, its committees, and working groups. 
(g) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to any advisory committee 
established by a Council.
SEC. 707. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES. 
The Administrator shall provide financial assistance 
to States for expenses incurred in participating on a Re-
gional Ocean Council or an Inland States Advisory Com-
mittee under this title. 
SEC. 708. CITIZEN SUITS. 
(a) SUITS AUTHORIZED.—Any person may com-
mence a civil suit on the person’s own behalf—
(1) to enjoin any person, including the United 
States or any other governmental instrumentality or 
agency (to the extent permitted by the eleventh 
amendment to the Constitution), that is alleged to 
be in violation of this Act or any regulation issued 
under this Act; 
(2) seeking judicial review of the compliance—
(A) of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan 
with the requirements of this Act; or 
(B) of the actions of any person with a Re-
gional Ocean Ecosystem Plan approved or pre-
pared by the Administrator under this Act; or 
(3) against the Administrator for a failure of 
the Administrator to perform any act or duty under 
this Act that is not discretionary. 
(b) JURISDICTION.—The district courts of the United 
States shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the 
amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties,