214 
(5) summarize existing Federal and State pro-
grams for purchase of individual properties vulner-
able to the impacts of climate change and propose 
how these programs might be restructured, im-
proved, or expanded to incentivize climate change re-
location; 
(6) describe measures that governments or 
other organizations can take to reduce the psycho-
logical stress associated with relocation to preserve 
or support the historical and cultural identity of 
communities being relocated and to restore and con-
serve areas that are relocated from as publicly acces-
sible natural assets, and how Federal programs will 
support these efforts; 
(7) identify and recommend measures to over-
come how institutional barriers, such as Federal pro-
grams that do not account for Tribal sovereignty, 
constrain Tribal communities’ ability to pursue self- 
determined management of their resources and built 
environment; 
(8) identify measures that Congress, Federal 
agencies, or State and local governments should take 
to discourage or restrict new development and hard 
structural measures in areas vulnerable to such sig-
nificant climate change impacts that they are likely 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00214
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
215 
to require a solution that includes relocation, in par-
ticular, where the Federal Government could estab-
lish stricter funding requirements for post-disaster 
funding that require updated building codes and 
land use strategies reflecting climate risk; 
(9) describe existing policies and clarify respon-
sibilities of governments in complying with obliga-
tions to protect private property, including providing 
just compensation for any taking of private prop-
erty; 
(10) propose an application process, available 
online, for States and communities to express af-
firmative interest in climate relocation assistance, ei-
ther as a leaving community or receiving community; 
(11) provide guidance on and identify additional 
funding for operations and maintenance require-
ments for vacated land, and identify the resources 
needed to prioritize public access, recreational 
spaces, or conservation areas; 
(12) review efficacy of existing flood mitigation 
strategies on reducing flood risk to human popu-
lations, and identify opportunities to coordinate 
blue-green infrastructure solutions with buyout pro-
grams that increase the resilience of remaining resi-
dents; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00215
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
216 
(13) outline the amount and timing of Federal 
funding that is expected to be needed to implement 
the Climate Change Relocation Program. 
(f) DEVELOPMENT OF REPORT TO CONGRESS.—In 
developing the report required under subsection (e), the 
Chair shall— 
(1) provide for public review and comment of a 
draft of the report; 
(2) consult with organizations representing 
State and local governments; 
(3) consult with the external advisory panel; 
and 
(4) evaluate projects implemented under the 
National Disaster Resilience Competition adminis-
tered by the Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment. 
(g) CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGIC RELOCATION PRO-
GRAM PILOT PROJECTS.—Within 2 years after the date 
of the submission of the report under subsection (e), the 
Chair shall establish and carry out pilot projects based 
upon the recommendations included in such report. 
(h) SUBSEQUENT
PERIODIC
REPORTS
TO
CON-
GRESS.—Within three years after the date of the submis-
sion of the report under subsection (e), and every three 
years thereafter, the Chair shall submit to Congress a re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00216
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
217 
port evaluating progress in the implementation of the Cli-
mate Change Relocation Program and making rec-
ommendations for needed changes to the Program. 
TITLE 
XI—OCEAN 
HEALTH: 
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND 
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS 
Subtitle A—Coastal Communities 
Ocean Acidification Act 
SEC. 1101. STATE AND UNITED STATES DEFINED. 
Section 12403 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3702) is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (4); 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each 
State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American 
Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United 
States, and any other territory or possession of the 
United States.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00217
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
218 
‘‘(5) UNITED
STATES.—The term ‘United 
States’ means the States, collectively.’’. 
SEC. 1102. COASTAL COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESS-
MENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 12406 of the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 
(33 U.S.C. 3705) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘(referred to 
in this section as the ‘Program’)’’ after ‘‘acidifica-
tion program’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as sub-
section (d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of the Ocean-Based Cli-
mate Solutions Act of 2020 and every 7 years subse-
quent, the Secretary, through the ‘Program’, shall 
conduct an ocean acidification coastal community 
vulnerability assessment, and issue a corresponding 
public report. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The assessment con-
ducted under paragraph (1) shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00218
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
219 
‘‘(A) identify the United States coastal 
communities, including island communities, low- 
population rural communities, and subsistence 
communities, that are most dependent on coast-
al and ocean resources that may be impacted by 
ocean acidification; 
‘‘(B) assess the nature of the social and 
economic vulnerabilities of those communities, 
including the economic effect on local or re-
gional commercial fisheries and recreational op-
portunities and over what timescales such ef-
fects will be felt; 
‘‘(C) identify the ocean acidification im-
pacts that might harm those communities, both 
in isolation and in conjunction with other 
changing ocean conditions, including effects 
from changes in ocean and coastal marine re-
sources that are not managed by the Federal 
Government; 
‘‘(D) identify key knowledge gaps where 
research could be devoted to better understand 
the possible impacts of ocean acidification on 
those communities, the risks and threats facing 
those communities, and possible adaptation 
strategies for those communities; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00219
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
220 
‘‘(E) be conducted in collaboration with ex-
perts, traditional knowledge experts, and indi-
viduals who are familiar with the unique eco-
nomic, social, ecological, geographic, and re-
source concerns of coastal communities in the 
United States, including representatives from— 
‘‘(i) the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and the Office for Coastal Manage-
ment of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; 
‘‘(ii) National Integrated Coastal and 
Ocean Observation System regional infor-
mation coordination entities established 
under section 12304(c)(4) of the Inte-
grated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System 
Act 
of 
2009 
(33 
U.S.C. 
3603(c)(4)); 
‘‘(iii) regional ocean acidification net-
works; and 
‘‘(iv) State sea grant programs (as de-
fined in section 203 of the National Sea 
Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 
1122)). 
‘‘(c) SUPPORT
FOR STATE
AND LOCAL VULNER-
ABILITY
ASSESSMENTS
AND
STRATEGIC
RESEARCH 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00220
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
221 
PLANNING.—In carrying out the Program, the Secretary 
shall collaborate with State, local, and Tribal government 
entities that are conducting or have completed vulner-
ability assessments, strategic research planning, or other 
similar activities related to ocean acidification and its im-
pacts on coastal communities, for the purpose of— 
‘‘(1) determining whether such activities can be 
used as a model for other communities; and 
‘‘(2) identifying opportunities for the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other 
relevant Federal agencies to support such activi-
ties.’’. 
(b) 
ONGOING
INPUT
MECHANISM.—Section 
12404(b)(5) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research 
And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(b)(5)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘including information’’ and in-
serting the following: ‘‘including— 
‘‘(A) information’’; 
(2) by striking the period at the end and insert-
ing ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) an ongoing mechanism that allows af-
fected industry members, coastal stakeholders, 
non-Federal resource managers, community 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00221
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
222 
acidification networks, Indigenous knowledge 
groups, and scientific experts not employed by 
the Federal Government to provide input on re-
search, data, and monitoring that is necessary 
to support on-the-ground management, decision 
making, and adaptation related to ocean acidifi-
cation and the effects of such acidification.’’. 
(c) STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.—Section 12405 of 
the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring 
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) make recommendations to conduct re-
search in areas, including the social sciences and ec-
onomics, to address the key knowledge gaps identi-
fied in the community vulnerability assessment re-
port conducted under section 12406(b).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by inserting ‘‘, Tribal gov-
ernments, Indigenous and traditional knowledge ex-
perts,’’ after ‘‘industry’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:43 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00222
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
223 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
12409(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research 
And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3708(a)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN-
ISTRATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
carry out the purposes of this subtitle $2,700,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.’’. 
(e) REPORT ON SUPPORT FOR STATE AND LOCAL 
VULNERABILITY
ASSESSMENTS
AND
STRATEGIC
RE-
SEARCH PLANNING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to Congress a report detailing the efforts of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to sup-
port State, local, and Tribal community vulnerability as-
sessments, strategic research and planning, and moni-
toring needs, pursuant to section 12406(c) of the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 
(as added by subsection (a)). 
Subtitle B—Ocean Acidification Act 
SEC. 1111. PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
Section 12404 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00223
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
224 
‘‘(d) PRIZE COMPETITIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any Federal agency with a 
representative serving on the interagency working 
group established under this section may, either in-
dividually or in cooperation with 1 or more agencies, 
carry out a program to award prizes competitively 
under section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Tech-
nology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719). An 
agency seeking to carry out such a program shall 
carry out such program in coordination with the 
chair of such interagency working group. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSES.—Any prize competition carried 
out under this subsection shall be for the purpose of 
stimulating innovation to advance our Nation’s abil-
ity to understand, research, or monitor ocean acidifi-
cation or its impacts, or to develop management or 
adaptation options for responding to ocean acidifica-
tion. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY
PROGRAMS.—Priority shall be 
given to establishing programs under this section 
that address communities, environments, or indus-
tries that are in distress due to the impacts of ocean 
acidification, including— 
‘‘(A) the development of monitoring or 
management options for communities or indus-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00224
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
225 
tries that are experiencing significant financial 
hardship; 
‘‘(B) the development of adaptation op-
tions to alleviate economic harm and job loss 
caused by ocean acidification; 
‘‘(C) the development of measures to help 
vulnerable communities or industries, with an 
emphasis on rural communities and businesses; 
and 
‘‘(D) the development of adaptation and 
management options for impacted shellfish in-
dustries.’’. 
Subtitle C—COAST Research Act 
SEC. 1121. PURPOSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 12402(a) of the Federal 
Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 
(33 U.S.C. 3701(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘development and coordina-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘coordination and imple-
mentation’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘acidification on marine organisms’’ and insert-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:43 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00225
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
226 
ing ‘‘acidification and coastal acidification on 
marine organisms’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘es-
tablish’’ and all that follows through the semi-
colon and inserting ‘‘maintain and advise an 
interagency research, monitoring, and public 
outreach program on ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘establish-
ment’’ and inserting ‘‘maintenance’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘and coastal 
acidification’’ after ‘‘ocean acidification’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘and coastal 
acidification that take into account other environ-
mental and anthropogenic stressors’’ after ‘‘ocean 
acidification’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— 
Section 12402 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search and Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3701(a)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—’’. 
SEC. 1122. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 12403 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search and Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3702) is 
amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00226
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
227 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘of the 
Earth’s oceans’’ and all that follows before the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘and changes in the 
water chemistry of the Earth’s oceans, coastal estu-
aries, and waterways caused by carbon dioxide from 
the atmosphere and the breakdown of organic mat-
ter’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘Joint Sub-
committee on Ocean Science and Technology of the 
National Science and Technology Council’’ and in-
serting ‘‘National Science and Technology Council 
Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and 
(3) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively; 
(4) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so re-
designated, the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) 
COASTAL
ACIDIFICATION.—The 
term 
‘coastal acidification’ means the combined decrease 
in pH and changes in the water chemistry of coastal 
oceans, estuaries, and other bodies of water from 
chemical inputs (including carbon dioxide from the 
atmosphere), freshwater inputs, and excess nutrient 
run-off from land and coastal atmospheric pollution 
that result in processes that release carbon dioxide, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00227
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
228 
acidic nitrogen, and sulfur compounds as byproducts 
which end up in coastal waters.’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(5) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each 
State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American 
Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United 
States, and any other territory or possession of the 
United States.’’. 
SEC. 1123. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP. 
Section 12404 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703) is 
amended— 
(1) 
in 
the 
heading, 
by 
striking 
‘‘SUB-
COMMITTEE’’ and inserting ‘‘WORKING GROUP’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Joint 
Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Tech-
nology of the National Science and Technology 
Council shall coordinate Federal activities on 
ocean acidification and’’ and insert ‘‘Sub-
committee shall’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:43 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00228
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
229 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Wildlife 
Service,’’ and inserting ‘‘Wildlife Service, the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the En-
vironmental Protection Agency, the Department 
of Agriculture, the Department of State, the 
Department of Energy, the Department of the 
Navy, the National Park Service, the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology, the Smithsonian Institu-
tion,’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3), in the heading, by 
striking ‘‘CHAIRMAN’’ and inserting ‘‘CHAIR’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, in-
cluding the efforts of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to facilitate such 
implementation’’ after ‘‘of the plan’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
‘‘and coastal acidification’’ after ‘‘ocean 
acidification’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
‘‘and coastal acidification’’ after ‘‘ocean 
acidification’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00229
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
230 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(D) in paragraph (5)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘developed’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘and coastal acidification developed’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘and coastal acidification; 
and’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(6) ensure that each of the Federal agencies 
represented on the interagency working group— 
‘‘(A) participates in the Ocean Acidifica-
tion Information Exchange established under 
paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(B) delivers data and information to sup-
port the data archive system established under 
section 12406(d).’’; 
(4) in subsection (c), in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, and to the Office of 
Management and Budget,’’ after ‘‘House of 
Representatives’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00230
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
231 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘the 
interagency research’’ and inserting ‘‘inter-
agency strategic research’’; 
(5) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(6) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) ADVISORY BOARD.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Chair of the Sub-
committee shall establish an Ocean Acidification Ad-
visory Board. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The Advisory Board shall— 
‘‘(A) not later than 180 days before the 
Subcommittee submits the most recent report 
under subsection (d)(2)— 
‘‘(i) review such report; 
‘‘(ii) submit an analysis of such report 
to the Subcommittee for consideration in 
the final report submitted under subsection 
(d)(2); and 
‘‘(iii) concurrently with the Sub-
committee’s final submission of the report 
under subsection (d)(2), the Advisory 
Board shall submit a copy of the analysis 
provided to the Subcommittee to the Com-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00231
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
233 
tives, and the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives; 
‘‘(C) provide ongoing advice to the Sub-
committee and the interagency working group 
on matters related to Federal activities on 
ocean acidification and coastal acidification; 
‘‘(D) advise the Subcommittee and the 
interagency working group on— 
‘‘(i) efforts to coordinate research and 
monitoring activities related to ocean acidi-
fication and coastal acidification; and 
‘‘(ii) the best practices for the stand-
ards developed for data archiving under 
section 12406(e); 
‘‘(E) publish in the Federal Register a 
charter; 
‘‘(F) provide the Library of Congress 
with— 
‘‘(i) the charter described in subpara-
graph (E); 
‘‘(ii) any schedules and minutes for 
meetings of the Advisory Board; 
‘‘(iii) any documents that are ap-
proved by the Advisory Board; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00233
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
234 
‘‘(iv) any reports and analysis pre-
pared by the Advisory Board; and 
‘‘(G) establish a publicly accessible web 
page on the website of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, that contains 
the information described in clauses (i) through 
(iv) of subparagraph (F). 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Board shall 
consist of 24 members as follows: 
‘‘(A) Two representatives of the shellfish 
and crab industry. 
‘‘(B) One representative of the finfish in-
dustry. 
‘‘(C) One representative of seafood proc-
essors. 
‘‘(D) Three representatives from academia, 
including both natural and social sciences. 
‘‘(E) One representative of recreational 
fishing. 
‘‘(F) One representative of relevant non-
governmental organizations. 
‘‘(G) Six representatives from relevant 
State, local, and Tribal governments. 
‘‘(H) One representative from the Alaska 
Ocean Acidification Network. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:10 Nov 25, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00234
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
235 
‘‘(I) One representative from the California 
Current Acidification Network. 
‘‘(J) One representative from the North-
east Coastal Acidification Network. 
‘‘(K) One representative from the South-
east Coastal Acidification Network. 
‘‘(L) One representative from the Gulf of 
Mexico Coastal Acidification Network. 
‘‘(M) One representative from the Mid-At-
lantic Coastal Acidification Network. 
‘‘(N) One representative from the Pacific 
Islands Ocean Observing System or similar en-
tity representing the island Territories and pos-
sessions of the United States in the Pacific 
Ocean, and the State of Hawaii. 
‘‘(O) One representative from the Carib-
bean Regional Association for Coastal Ocean 
Observing or a similar entity representing Puer-
to Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(P) One representative from the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall 
serve as an ex-officio member of the Advisory 
Board without a vote. 
‘‘(4) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.—The Chair 
of the Subcommittee shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:10 Nov 25, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00235
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
236 
‘‘(A) appoint members to the Advisory 
Board (taking into account the geographical in-
terests of each individual to be appointed as a 
member of the Advisory Board to ensure that 
an appropriate balance of geographical interests 
are represented by the members of the Advisory 
Board) who— 
‘‘(i) represent the interest group for 
which each seat is designated; 
‘‘(ii) demonstrate expertise on ocean 
acidification or coastal acidification and its 
scientific, economic, industry, cultural, and 
community impacts; and 
‘‘(iii) have a record of distinguished 
service with respect to ocean acidification 
or coastal acidification, and such impacts; 
‘‘(B) give consideration to nominations and 
recommendations from the members of the 
interagency working group and the public for 
such appointments; and 
‘‘(C) ensure that an appropriate balance of 
scientific, industry, and geographical interests 
are represented by the members of the Advisory 
Board. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00236
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
237 
‘‘(5) TERM OF MEMBERSHIP.—Each member of 
the Advisory Board— 
‘‘(A) shall be appointed for a 5-year term; 
and 
‘‘(B) may be appointed to more than 1 
term. 
‘‘(6) CHAIR.—The Chair of the Subcommittee 
shall appoint 1 member of the Advisory Board to 
serve as the Chair of the Advisory Board. 
‘‘(7) MEETINGS.—Not less than once each cal-
endar year, the Advisory Board shall meet at such 
times and places as may be designated by the Chair 
of the Advisory Board, in consultation with the 
Chair of the Subcommittee and the Chair of the 
interagency working group. 
‘‘(8) BRIEFING.—The Chair of the Advisory 
Board shall brief the Subcommittee and the inter-
agency working group on the progress of the Advi-
sory Board as necessary. 
‘‘(9) FEDERAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
ACT.— 
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
shall not apply to the Advisory Board.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00237
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
238 
SEC. 1124. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN. 
Section 12405 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘acidification’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘acidification and coastal 
acidification’’; 
(B) in the first sentence— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, and not later than 
every 5 years thereafter’’ after ‘‘the date of 
enactment of this Act’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘address the socio-
economic impacts of ocean acidification 
and coastal acidification and to’’ after 
‘‘mitigation strategies to’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘marine ecosystems’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘eco-
systems’’; and 
(C) in the second sentence, by inserting 
‘‘and recommendations made by the Advisory 
Board in the review of the plan required under 
section 12404(c)(2)(B)(i)’’ after ‘‘subsection 
(d)’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:10 Nov 25, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00238
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
239 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘and so-
cial sciences’’ after ‘‘among the ocean sciences’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘impacts’’ and inserting ‘‘impacts, includ-
ing trends of changes in ocean chemistry,’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘improve the abil-
ity to assess the’’ and inserting ‘‘as-
sess the short-term and long-term’’; 
and 
(II) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; 
(iii) by amending subparagraph (C) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(C) provide information for the— 
‘‘(i) development of adaptation and 
mitigation strategies to address the socio-
economic impacts of ocean acidification 
and coastal acidification; 
‘‘(ii) conservation of marine organisms 
and ecosystems; 
‘‘(iii) assessment of the effectiveness 
of such adaptation and mitigation strate-
gies; and’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00239
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
240 
(iv) by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) improve research on— 
‘‘(i) ocean acidification and coastal 
acidification; 
‘‘(ii) the interactions between and ef-
fects of multiple combined stressors includ-
ing changes in water chemistry, changes in 
sediment delivery, hypoxia, and harmful 
algal blooms, on ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification; and 
‘‘(iii) the effect of environmental 
stressors on marine resources and eco-
systems;’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking 
‘‘database 
development’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘data management’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (H) by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(J) assessment of adaptation and mitiga-
tion strategies; and 
‘‘(K) education and outreach activities;’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00240
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
242 
(J) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(10) describe monitoring needs necessary to 
support potentially affected industry members, 
coastal stakeholders, fishery management councils 
and commissions, non-Federal resource managers, 
and scientific experts on decision making and adap-
tation related to ocean acidification and coastal 
acidification.’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ‘‘sur-
face’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and 
coastal acidification’’ after ‘‘ocean acidification’’ 
each place it appears; 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘input, and’’ and in-
serting ‘‘inputs,’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, marine food webs,’’ 
after ‘‘marine ecosystems’’; and 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘, and modeling that 
supports 
fisheries 
management’’ 
after 
‘‘marine organisms’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:43 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00242
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
243 
(D) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘and 
coastal acidification’’ after ‘‘ocean acidifica-
tion’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(6) Research to understand related and cumu-
lative stressors and other biogeochemical processes 
occurring in conjunction with ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification.’’; and 
(4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(e) ADVISORY BOARD EVALUATION.—Not later 
than 180 days before a plan is submitted to Congress, the 
Subcommittee shall provide the Advisory Board estab-
lished under section 12404(c) a copy of the plan for pur-
poses of review under paragraph (2)(B)(i) of such section. 
‘‘(f) PUBLICATION
AND PUBLIC COMMENT.—Not 
later than 90 days before the strategic research plan, or 
any revision thereof, is submitted to Congress, the Sub-
committee shall publish the plan in the Federal Register 
and provide an opportunity for submission of public com-
ments for a period of not less than 60 days.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00243
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
244 
SEC. 1125. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN-
ISTRATION OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTIVI-
TIES. 
Section 12406 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by inserting ‘‘coordination,’’ after ‘‘research, 
monitoring,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘including the 
Integrated Ocean Observing System 
and the ocean observing assets of 
other Federal and State agencies,’’ 
after ‘‘ocean observing assets,’’; and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘and agency 
and department missions, prioritizing 
the location of monitoring instru-
ments, assets, and projects to maxi-
mize the efficiency of resources and to 
optimize 
understanding 
of 
socio-
economic 
impacts 
and 
ecosystem 
health’’ after ‘‘research program’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:43 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00244
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
245 
(I) by striking ‘‘adaptation’’ and 
inserting ‘‘adaptation and mitigation’’; 
and 
(II) by inserting ‘‘and supporting 
socioeconomically vulnerable commu-
nities and industries’’ after ‘‘marine 
ecosystems’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
‘‘its impacts’’ and inserting ‘‘their respec-
tive impacts’’; 
(iv) in subparagraph (F), by striking 
‘‘monitoring and impacts research’’ and in-
serting ‘‘research, monitoring, and adapta-
tion and mitigation strategies’’; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(G) research to improve understanding of 
the effect of— 
‘‘(i) other environmental stressors on 
ocean acidification and coastal acidifica-
tion; 
‘‘(ii) multiple environmental stressors 
on living marine resources and coastal eco-
systems; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00245
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
246 
‘‘(iii) adaptation and mitigation strat-
egies to address the socioeconomic impacts 
of ocean acidification and coastal acidifica-
tion.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘critical 
research projects that explore’’ and inserting 
‘‘critical research and education projects that 
explore and communicate’’; and 
(D) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking 
‘‘acidification’’ each place it appears and insert-
ing ‘‘acidification and coastal acidification’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(c) RELATIONSHIP
TO INTERAGENCY WORKING 
GROUP.—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration shall serve as the lead Federal agency responsible 
for coordinating the Federal response to ocean acidifica-
tion and coastal acidification, by— 
‘‘(1) leading the interagency working group in 
implementing the strategic research plan under sec-
tion 12405; 
‘‘(2) coordinating monitoring and research ef-
forts among Federal agencies in cooperation with 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00246
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
247 
State, local, and Tribal government and inter-
national partners; 
‘‘(3) maintaining an Ocean Acidification Infor-
mation 
Exchange 
described 
under 
section 
12404(b)(5) to allow for information to be electroni-
cally accessible, including information— 
‘‘(A) on ocean acidification developed 
through or used by the ocean acidification pro-
gram described under section 12406(a); or 
‘‘(B) that would be useful to State govern-
ments, local governments, Tribal governments, 
resource managers, policymakers, researchers, 
and other stakeholders in mitigating or adapt-
ing to the impacts of ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification; and 
‘‘(4) establishing and maintaining the data ar-
chive system under subsection (d). 
‘‘(d) DATA ARCHIVE SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(1) MANAGEMENT.—The Secretary, in coordi-
nation with members of the interagency working 
group, shall provide for the long-term stewardship 
of, and access to, data relating to ocean acidification 
and coastal acidification by establishing and main-
taining a data archive system that the National Cen-
ter for Environmental Information uses to process, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00247
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
248 
store, archive, provide access to, and incorporate to 
the extent possible, such data collected— 
‘‘(A) through relevant federally funded re-
search; and 
‘‘(B) by a Federal agency, State agency, 
local agency, Tribe, academic scientist, volun-
teer scientist, or industry organization. 
‘‘(2) EXISTING GLOBAL OR NATIONAL DATA AS-
SETS.—In establishing and maintaining the data ar-
chive system under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall ensure that existing global or national data as-
sets (including the data assets maintained by the 
National Centers for Environmental Information, 
the Integrated Ocean Observing System, and other 
existing data systems within Federal agencies) are 
incorporated to the greatest extent possible. 
‘‘(e) STANDARDS, PROTOCOLS, AND PROCEDURES.— 
With respect to the data described in subsection (d), the 
Secretary, in coordination with members of the inter-
agency working group, shall establish and revise as nec-
essary the standards, protocols, or procedures for— 
‘‘(1) processing, storing, archiving, and pro-
viding access to such data; 
‘‘(2) the interoperability and intercalibration of 
such data; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:45 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00248
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
249 
‘‘(3) the collection of any metadata underlying 
such data; and 
‘‘(4) sharing such data with State, local, and 
Tribal government programs, potentially affected in-
dustry members, coastal stakeholders, fishery man-
agement councils and commissions, non-Federal re-
source managers, and academia. 
‘‘(f) DISSEMINATION
OF
OCEAN
ACIDIFICATION 
DATA AND COASTAL ACIDIFICATION DATA.—The Sec-
retary, in coordination with members of the interagency 
working group, shall disseminate the data described under 
subsection (d) to the greatest extent practicable by sharing 
such data on full and open access exchanges, including 
the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange described 
in section 12404(b)(5). 
‘‘(g) REQUIREMENT.—Recipients of grants from the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under 
this subtitle that collect data described under subsection 
(d) shall— 
‘‘(1) collect such data in accordance with the 
standards, protocols, or procedures established pur-
suant to subsection (e); and 
‘‘(2) submit such data to the data archive sys-
tem under subsection (d), in accordance with any 
rules promulgated by the Secretary.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00249
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
250 
SEC. 1126. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION OCEAN ACIDI-
FICATION ACTIVITIES. 
Section 12407 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘ocean acidification’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘continue’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘which shall’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘proposals for re-
search’’ and inserting ‘‘proposals for the 
researching’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘its impacts’’ and in-
serting ‘‘their respective impacts’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘marine 
ecosystems’’ and inserting ‘‘ecosystems’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
(D) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and its impacts’’ and 
inserting ‘‘and their respective impacts’’; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:45 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00250
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
251 
(ii) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) adaptation and mitigation strategies to ad-
dress socioeconomic effects of ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) REQUIREMENT.—Recipients of grants from the 
National Science Foundation under this subtitle that col-
lect data described under section 12406(d) shall— 
‘‘(1) collect data in accordance with the stand-
ards, protocols, or procedures established pursuant 
to section 12406(e); and 
‘‘(2) submit such data to the Director and the 
Secretary, in accordance with any rules promulgated 
by the Director or the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 1127. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINIS-
TRATION OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES. 
Section 12408 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3707) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘ocean acidification’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘ocean acidification and 
coastal acidification’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:45 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00251
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
252 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘its impacts’’ 
and inserting ‘‘their respective impacts’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) REQUIREMENT.—Researchers from the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration under this subtitle 
that collect data described under section 12406(d) shall— 
‘‘(1) collect such data in accordance with the 
standards, protocols, or procedures established pur-
suant to section 12406(e); and 
‘‘(2) submit such data to the Administrator and 
the Secretary, in accordance with any rules promul-
gated by the Administrator or the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 1128. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 12409 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Re-
search And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3708) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘subtitle—’’ 
and all that follows through paragraph (4) and in-
serting the following: ‘‘subtitle $30.5 million for 
each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘subtitle—’’ 
and all that follows through paragraph (4) and in-
serting the following: ‘‘subtitle $20 million for each 
of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:45 Nov 24, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00252
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
253 
Subtitle D—South Florida Clean 
Coastal Waters 
SEC. 1131. SOUTH FLORIDA HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND 
HYPOXIA ASSESSMENT AND ACTION PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Harmful Algal Bloom and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 
4001 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 605 (33 U.S.C. 
4005) through 609 (33 U.S.C. 4009) as sections 
606 through 610, respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after section 604 (33 U.S.C. 
4004) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 605. SOUTH FLORIDA HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND 
HYPOXIA. 
‘‘(a) SOUTH FLORIDA.—In this section, the term 
‘South Florida’ means— 
‘‘(1) all lands and waters within the administra-
tive boundaries of the South Florida Water Manage-
ment District; 
‘‘(2) regional coastal waters, including Biscayne 
Bay, the Caloosahatchee Estuary, St. Lucie Estuary, 
Florida Bay, and Indian River Lagoon; and 
‘‘(3) the Florida Reef Tract. 
‘‘(b) INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00253
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
255 
‘‘(E) private industry; 
‘‘(F) nongovernmental organizations; and 
‘‘(G) Indian Tribes (as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)). 
‘‘(c) ACTION PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years and 
6 months after the date of the enactment of the 
Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act of 2020, the 
Task Force shall develop and submit to Congress an 
action plan, based on the integrated assessment 
under subsection (b), for reducing, mitigating, and 
controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in 
South Florida. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The action plan submitted 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) address the monitoring needs identi-
fied in the integrated assessment under sub-
section (b); 
‘‘(B) include a timeline and budgetary re-
quirements for deployment of future assets; 
‘‘(C) identify requirements for the develop-
ment and verification of South Florida harmful 
algal bloom and hypoxia models, including— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00255
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
256 
‘‘(i) all assumptions built into the 
models; and 
‘‘(ii) data quality methods used to en-
sure the best available data are utilized; 
and 
‘‘(D) include a plan to implement a remote 
monitoring network and early warning system 
for alerting local communities in the region to 
harmful algal bloom risks that may impact 
human health. 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS.—In developing the action 
plan submitted under paragraph (1), the Task Force 
shall— 
‘‘(A) consult with the State of Florida, and 
affected local and Tribal governments; 
‘‘(B) consult with representatives from re-
gional academic, agricultural, industry, and 
other stakeholder groups; 
‘‘(C) ensure that such plan complements 
and does not duplicate activities conducted by 
other Federal or State agencies, including the 
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task 
Force; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00256
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
257 
‘‘(D) identify critical research for reducing, 
mitigating, and controlling harmful algal bloom 
events and their effects; 
‘‘(E) 
evaluate 
cost-effective, 
incentive- 
based partnership approaches; 
‘‘(F) ensure that such plan is technically 
sound and cost-effective; 
‘‘(G) use existing research, assessments, 
reports, and program activities; and 
‘‘(H) publish a draft summary of the ac-
tion plan required by paragraph (1) in the Fed-
eral Register not less than 180 days before sub-
mitting such plan to Congress. 
‘‘(4) The Task Force shall submit, beginning 2 
years after the date on which the action plan re-
quired by paragraph (1) is submitted to Congress, 
biennial progress reports on steps taken to meet the 
objectives of such action plan to Congress.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT AND CORRECTION.—The 
table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Author-
ization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383) is amended by 
striking the items relating to title VI and inserting the 
following new items: 
‘‘TITLE VI—HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA 
‘‘Sec. 601. Short title. 
‘‘Sec. 602. Findings. 
‘‘Sec. 603. Assessments. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00257
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
258 
‘‘Sec. 603A. National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program. 
‘‘Sec. 603B. Comprehensive research plan and action strategy. 
‘‘Sec. 604. Northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxia. 
‘‘Sec. 605. South Florida harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. 
‘‘Sec. 606. Great Lakes hypoxia and harmful algal blooms. 
‘‘Sec. 607. Protection of States’ Rights. 
‘‘Sec. 608. Effect on other Federal authority. 
‘‘Sec. 609. Definitions. 
‘‘Sec. 610. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
Subtitle E—Protecting Local Com-
munities From Harmful Algal 
Blooms 
SEC. 1141. ALGAL BLOOMS. 
Section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) 
is amended by striking ‘‘or drought’’ and inserting 
‘‘drought, or algal blooms’’. 
Subtitle F—Harmful Algal Bloom 
Essential Forecasting 
SEC. 
1151. 
DESIGNATING 
CERTAIN 
HARMFUL 
ALGAL 
BLOOM SERVICES AS EXCEPTED SERVICES 
UNDER THE ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 603A of the Harmful 
Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 
1998 (33 U.S.C. 4002) is amended by adding at the end 
the following subsection: 
‘‘(j) ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT APPLIED TO HARMFUL 
ALGAL BLOOM SERVICES.—Any services by an officer or 
employee under this chapter, including web services and 
server processing, for the Harmful Algal Bloom forecast 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00258
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
259 
system of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration shall be deemed, for purposes of section 1342 of 
title 31, United States Code, services for emergencies in-
volving the safety of human life or the protection of prop-
erty.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall apply to any lapse in appropriations be-
ginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 1152. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN HARMFUL ALGAL 
BLOOM RESEARCH, PREVENTION, RESPONSE, 
AND MITIGATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall des-
ignate organizations as National Centers of Excellence in 
Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Prevention, Response, 
and Mitigation. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Centers is— 
(1) to further understanding of harmful algal 
blooms; 
(2) to further understanding of the impacts of 
harmful algal blooms on public health, including the 
health of at-risk populations; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:26 Nov 17, 2020
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00259
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8632.IH
H8632
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS