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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
title— 
‘‘(A) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(B) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(C) $96,500,000 for fiscal year 2022; 
‘‘(D) $101,325,000 for fiscal year 2023; 
‘‘(E) $106,380,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
and 
‘‘(F) $111,710,813 for fiscal year 2025.’’; 
and 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR FISCAL YEARS 
2020 THROUGH 2025.—In addition to the amounts 
authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), 
there are authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025 for com-
petitive grants for the following: 
‘‘(A) University research on the biology, 
prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative 
species. 
‘‘(B) University research on oyster dis-
eases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related 
human health risks. 
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‘‘(C) University research on the biology, 
prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal 
blooms. 
‘‘(D) University research, education, train-
ing, and extension services and activities fo-
cused on coastal resilience and United States 
working waterfronts and other regional or na-
tional priority issues identified in the strategic 
plan under section 204(c)(1). 
‘‘(E) University research and extension on 
sustainable aquaculture techniques and tech-
nologies. 
‘‘(F) Fishery research and extension activi-
ties conducted by sea grant colleges or sea 
grant institutes to enhance, and not supplant, 
existing core program funding.’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS 
FOR ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraph (1) of section 212(b) 
(33 U.S.C. 1131(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—There may not be 
used for administration of programs under this 
title in a fiscal year more than 5.5 percent of 
the lesser of— 
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‘‘(i) the amount authorized to be ap-
propriated under this title for the fiscal 
year; or 
‘‘(ii) the amount appropriated under 
this title for the fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) 
CRITICAL
STAFFING
REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall 
use the authority under subchapter VI of 
chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, 
to meet any critical staffing requirement 
while carrying out the activities authorized 
under this title. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION
FROM
CAP.—For 
purposes of subparagraph (A), any costs 
incurred as a result of an exercise of au-
thority described in clause (i) shall not be 
considered an amount used for administra-
tion of programs under this title in a fiscal 
year.’’. 
(c) ALLOCATION OF FUNDING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 
204(d)(3) 
(33 
U.S.C. 1123(d)(3)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘With respect to sea grant 
colleges and sea grant institutes’’ and inserting 
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‘‘With respect to sea grant colleges, sea grant 
institutes, sea grant programs, and sea grant 
projects’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘funding among sea grant colleges and sea 
grant institutes’’ and inserting ‘‘funding among 
sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, sea 
grant programs, and sea grant projects’’. 
(2) REPEAL OF REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING 
DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS AMOUNTS.—Section 212 
(33 U.S.C. 1131) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (c); and 
(B) by redesignating subsections (d) and 
(e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively. 
SEC. 409. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) Section 204(d)(3)(B) (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)(3)(B)) 
is amended by moving clause (vi) 2 ems to the right. 
(b) Section 209(b) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)), as amended 
by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary shall’’ and all that follows; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES OF DEPART-
MENT OF COMMERCE.—The Secretary shall’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives December 10, 
2019. 
Attest: 
CHERYL L. JOHNSON, 
Clerk. 
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