I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3835 
To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 
Mr. SAXTON (for himself, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. FARR, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. 
SIMMONS, Mr. WICKER, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, and Mr. FOLEY) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, 
and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration pro-
gram within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—NATIONAL OCEAN 
EXPLORATION PROGRAM 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Ocean Explo-
ration Program Act’’.
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT. 
The Secretary of Commerce, through the Adminis-
trator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration, shall, in consultation with the National Science 
Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies, es-
tablish a coordinated national ocean exploration program 
within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion that promotes collaboration with existing programs 
of the Administration, including those authorized in title 
II. 
SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES. 
In carrying out the program established under section 
102, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration shall— 
(1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voy-
ages or other scientific activities in conjunction with 
other Federal agencies or academic or educational 
institutions, to survey little known areas of the ma-
rine environment, inventory, observe, and assess liv-
ing and nonliving marine resources, and report such 
findings; 
(2) give priority attention to deep ocean re-
gions, with a focus on surveying deep water marine 
systems that hold potential for important scientific 
discoveries, such as hydrothermal vent communities 
and seamounts;
(3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, 
and document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, 
and other ocean exploration activities that combine 
archaeology and oceanographic sciences; 
(4) develop, in consultation with the National 
Science Foundation, a transparent process for re-
viewing and approving proposals for activities to be 
conducted under this program; 
(5) enhance the technical capability of the 
United States marine science community by pro-
moting the development of improved oceanographic 
research, communication, navigation, and data col-
lection systems, as well as underwater platforms and 
sensors; 
(6) accept donations of property, data, and 
equipment to be applied for the purpose of exploring 
the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans; 
and 
(7) establish an ocean exploration forum to en-
courage partnerships and promote communication 
among experts and other stakeholders in order to 
enhance the scientific and technical expertise and 
relevance of the national program.
SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFRA-
STRUCTURE TASK FORCE. 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion, in coordination with the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, the United States Geological Sur-
vey, Office of Naval Research, and relevant governmental, 
non-governmental, academic, and other experts, shall con-
vene an ocean exploration technology and infrastructure 
task force to develop and implement a strategy— 
(1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration 
technology to the program established under section 
102; 
(2) to improve availability of communications 
infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to the 
program; 
(3) to develop an integrated, workable, and 
comprehensive data management information proc-
essing system that will make information on unique 
and significant features obtained by the program 
available for research and management purposes; 
(4) to conduct public outreach activities that 
improve the public understanding of ocean science, 
resources, and processes, in conjunction with rel-
evant programs of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration, the National Science Founda-
tion, and other agencies; and
(5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with 
governmental and non-governmental entities that 
will assist in transferring exploration technology and 
technical expertise to the program. 
SEC. 105. INTERAGENCY FINANCING. 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion, the National Science Foundation, and other Federal 
agencies involved in the program established under section 
102, are authorized to participate in interagency financing 
and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds appropriated 
to any Federal participant in the program for the purposes 
of carrying out any administrative or programmatic 
project or activity under the program. Funds may be 
transferred among such departments and agencies 
through an appropriate instrument that specifies the 
goods, services, or space being acquired from another Fed-
eral participant and the costs of the same. 
SEC. 106. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
LANDS ACT. 
Nothing in this title or title II supersedes, or limits 
the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under, the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et 
seq.).