I
104TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3537
To improve coordination of Federal Oceanographic programs.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 29, 1996
Mr. SAXTON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Commit-
tee on Resources, and in addition to the Committees on National Secu-
rity, and 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 committee concerned
A BILL
To improve coordination of Federal Oceanographic programs.
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 ‘‘Federal Oceanography
Coordination Improvement Act of 1996’’.
SEC. 2. FEDERAL OCEANOGRAPHY COORDINATION IM-
PROVEMENT.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The oceans and coastal areas of the United
States are among the Nation’s most valuable natural
resources, making substantial contributions to eco-
nomic growth, quality of life, and national security.
(2) Oceans drive global and regional climate.
Therefore, they contain information affecting agri-
culture, fishing, and the prediction of severe weath-
er.
(3) Understanding of the oceans through basic
and applied research is essential for using the
oceans wisely and protecting their limited resources.
Therefore, the United States should maintain its
world leadership in oceanography as one key to its
competitive future.
(4) Ocean research and education activities take
place within Federal agencies, academic institutions,
and industry. These entities often have similar re-
quirements for research facilities, data, and other re-
sources (such as oceanographic research vessels).
(5) The need exists for a formal mechanism to
coordinate existing partnerships and establish new
partnerships for the sharing of resources, intellectual
talent, and facilities in the ocean sciences and edu-
cation, so that optimal use can be made of this most
important natural resource for the well-being of all
Americans.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES OF PROGRAM.
The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a program
to be known as the ‘‘National Oceanographic Partnership
Program’’. The purposes of the program are as follows:
(1) To promote the national goals of assuring
national security, advancing economic development,
protecting quality of life, and strengthening science
education and communication through improved
knowledge of the ocean.
(2) To coordinate and strengthen oceanographic
efforts in support of those goals by—
(A) identifying and carrying out partner-
ships among Federal agencies, academia, indus-
try, and other members of the oceanographic
scientific community in the areas of data, re-
sources, education, and communication; and
(B) reporting annually to Congress on the
program.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL OCEAN RESEARCH
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a National
Ocean Research Leadership Council (hereinafter in this
section referred to as the ‘‘Council’’).
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council is composed of the
following members:
(1) The Administrator of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, who shall be the
Chairman of the Council.
(2) The Secretary of the Navy.
(3) The Director of the National Science Foun-
dation.
(4) The Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration.
(5) The Deputy Secretary of Energy.
(6) The Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
(7) The Commandant of the Coast Guard.
(8) The Director of the Geological Survey of the
Department of the Interior.
(9) The Director of the Defense Advanced Re-
search Projects Agency.
(10) The Director of the Minerals Management
Service of the Department of the Interior.
(11) The President of the National Academy of
Sciences, the President of the National Academy of
Engineering, and the President of the Institute of
Medicine.
(12) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology.
(13) The Director of the Office of Management
and Budget.
(14) One member appointed by the Chairman
from among individuals who will represent the views
of ocean industries.
(15) One member appointed by the Chairman
from among individuals who will represent the views
of State governments.
(16) One member appointed by the Chairman
from among individuals who will represent the views
of academia.
(17) One member appointed by the Chairman
from among individuals who will represent such
other views as the Chairman considers appropriate.
(c) TERM OF OFFICE.—The term of office of a mem-
ber of the Council appointed under paragraph (14), (15),
(16), or (17) of subsection (b) shall be two years, except
that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring be-
fore the expiration of the term for which his or her prede-
cessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder
of such term.
(d) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS
OF COUNCIL MEM-
BERS.—The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration shall make the appointments
required by subsection (b) by not later than December 1,
1996.
(e) RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNCIL.—The Council
shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) To establish the Ocean Research Partner-
ship Coordinating Group as provided in section
7903.
(2) To establish the Ocean Research Advisory
Panel as provided in section 6.
(3) To submit to Congress an annual report
pursuant to subsection (f).
(f) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than March 1 of
each year, the Council shall submit to Congress a report
on the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. The
report shall contain the following:
(1) A description of activities of the program
carried out during the fiscal year before the fiscal
year in which the report is prepared. The description
also shall include a list of the members of the Ocean
Research Partnership Coordinating Group, the
Ocean Research Advisory Panel, and any working
groups in existence during the fiscal year covered.
(2) A general outline of the activities planned
for the program during the fiscal year in which the
report is prepared.
Coordinating Group’’ (hereinafter in this section referred
to as the ‘‘Coordinating Group’’).
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Coordinating Group shall
consist of members appointed by the Council, with one
member appointed from each Federal department or agen-
cy having an oceanographic research or development pro-
gram.
(c) CHAIRMAN.—The Council shall appoint the Chair-
man of the Coordinating Group.
(d) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Subject to the authority, di-
rection, and control of the Council, the Coordinating
Group shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) To prescribe policies and procedures to im-
plement the National Oceanographic Partnership
Program.
(2) To review, select, and identify and allocate
funds for partnership projects for implementation
under the program, based on the following criteria:
(A) Whether the project addresses critical
research objectives or operational goals, such as
data accessibility and quality assurance, sharing
of resources, education, or communication.
(B) Whether the project has broad partici-
pation within the oceanographic community.
(C) Whether the partners have a long-term
commitment to the objectives of the project.
(D) Whether the resources supporting the
project are shared among the partners.
(E) Whether the project has been sub-
jected to adequate peer review.
(3) To promote participation in partnership
projects by each Federal department and agency in-
volved with oceanographic research and development
by publicizing the program and by prescribing guide-
lines for participation in the program.
(4) To submit to the Council an annual report
pursuant to subsection (h).
(e) PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM OFFICE.—The Coordi-
nating Group shall establish in the National Ocean Service
and oversee a partnership program office to carry out such
duties as the Chairman of the Coordinating Group consid-
ers appropriate to implement the National Oceanographic
Partnership Program, including the following:
(1) To establish and oversee working groups to
propose partnership projects to the Coordinating
Group and advise the Group on such projects.
(2) To manage peer review of partnership
projects proposed to the Coordinating Group and
competitions for projects selected by the Group.
(3) To submit to the Coordinating Group an
annual report on the status of all partnership
projects and activities of the office.
(f) CONTRACT AND GRANT AUTHORITY.—The Co-
ordinating Group may authorize in the National Ocean
Service to enter into contracts and make grants, using
funds appropriated pursuant to an authorization for the
National Oceanographic Partnership Program, for the
purpose of implementing the program and carrying out
the Coordinating Group’s responsibilities.
(g) FORMS OF PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.—Partner-
ship projects selected by the Coordinating Group may be
in any form that the Coordinating Group considers appro-
priate, including memoranda of understanding, dem-
onstration projects, cooperative research and development
agreements, and similar instruments.
(h) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than February 1
of each year, the Coordinating Group shall submit to the
Council a report on the National Oceanographic Partner-
ship Program. The report shall contain, at a minimum,
copies of any recommendations or reports to the Coordi-
nating Group by the Ocean Research Advisory Panel.
SEC. 6. OCEAN RESEARCH ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Council shall appoint an
Ocean Research Advisory Panel (hereinafter in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Advisory Panel’’) consisting of not
less than 10 and not more than 18 members.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—Members of the Advisory Panel
shall be appointed from among persons who are eminent
in the fields of marine science or marine policy, or related
fields, and who are representative, at a minimum, of the
interests of government, academia, and industry.
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—
(1) REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.—The
Coordinating Group shall refer to the Advisory
Panel, and the Advisory Panel shall review, each
proposed partnership project estimated to cost more
than $500,000. The Advisory Panel shall make any
recommendations to the Coordinating Group that
the Advisory Panel considers appropriate regarding
such projects.
(2) OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Advisory
Panel shall make any recommendations to the Co-
ordinating Group regarding activities that should be
addressed by the National Oceanographic Partner-
ship Program that the Advisory Panel considers ap-
propriate.
(d) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS OF ADVISORY PANEL
MEMBERS.—The Council shall make the appointments to
the Advisory Panel by not later than January 1, 1997.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Of the amounts authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Defense, $30,000,000
is authorized for the National Oceanographic Partnership
Program.
(b) REQUIRED FUNDING FOR PROGRAM OFFICE.—
Of the amount appropriated for the National Oceano-
graphic Partnership Program for fiscal year 1997, at least
$500,000, or 3 percent of the amount appropriated,
whichever is greater, shall be available for operations of
the partnership program office established under section
5(e) for such fiscal year.
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