(1) The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Com-
mission on Ocean Policy.
(2) The term ‘‘marine environment’’ includes—
(A) the oceans, including coastal and off-
shore waters and the adjacent shore lands;
(B) the continental shelf; and
(C) the Great Lakes.
(3) The term ‘‘ocean and coastal activities’’ in-
cludes activities consisting of, affecting, or otherwise
related to oceanography, fisheries, or the manage-
ment or use of any ocean and coastal resource.
(4) The term ‘‘ocean and coastal resource’’
means any living or nonliving natural, historic, or
cultural resource found in the marine environment.
(5) The term ‘‘oceanography’’ means scientific
exploration, including marine scientific research, en-
gineering, mapping, surveying, monitoring, assess-
ment, and information management of the oceans,
coasts, and Great Lakes.
SEC. 4. EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) NATIONAL OCEAN AND COASTAL POLICY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President, after receiv-
ing the report of the Commission under section 5,
shall develop and maintain a coordinated, com-
prehensive, and long-range national policy with re-
spect to ocean and coastal activities, including a
plan to meet the infrastructure requirements of Fed-
eral ocean and coastal programs.
(2) CONTENT
AND
OBJECTIVES.—The policy
shall take into account the findings and rec-
ommendations contained in the report of the Com-
mission under section 5, and shall be designed to
achieve the following objectives:
(A) The expansion of human knowledge of
the marine environment and ocean and coastal
resources.
(B) The responsible and economically ben-
eficial use and stewardship of ocean and coastal
resources.
(C) The protection of ocean and coastal re-
sources and the marine environment and the
prevention of marine pollution.
(D) The protection of life and property
against natural and manmade hazards.
(E) The development and improvement of
technologies for use in ocean and coastal activi-
ties.
(F) Consistency and cooperation between
Federal departments and agencies and State
and local governments involved in ocean and
coastal activities.
(G) The preservation of the role of the
United States as a leader in ocean and coastal
activities, and, when it is in the national inter-
est, the cooperation by the United States with
other nations and international organizations in
ocean and coastal activities.
(b) BUDGET COORDINATION.—
(1) BIENNIAL REPORT.—Beginning in January
1999, the President shall transmit to the Congress
biennially a report on the relationship between Fed-
eral programs and the achievement of the objectives
set forth in subsection (a)(2). The report shall in-
clude the following:
(A) A detailed listing of all existing Fed-
eral programs relating to ocean and coastal ac-
tivities, including a description of each pro-
gram, the current funding for the program, and
a projection of the funding level for the pro-
gram for each of the following 5 fiscal years.
(B) An evaluation of whether or not each
of those programs is contributing to the
achievement of the objectives set forth in sub-
section (a)(2).
(2) BUDGET COORDINATION.—Each agency or
department involved in ocean and coastal activities
shall include with its annual request for appropria-
tions a report that—
(A) identifies significant elements of the
proposed agency or department budget relating
to ocean and coastal activities; and
(B) specifies how each such element con-
tributes to the implementation of the national
ocean and coastal policy maintained under sub-
section (a).
(c) COOPERATION AND CONSULTATION.—In carrying
out responsibilities under this Act, the President may use
such staff, interagency, and advisory arrangements as the
President finds necessary and appropriate and shall con-
sult with non-Federal organizations and individuals in-
volved in ocean and coastal activities.
SEC. 5. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall, within
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
establish a Commission on Ocean Policy. The Com-
mission shall be composed of 16 members who are
knowledgeable in ocean and coastal activities, includ-
ing individuals drawn from State and local govern-
ments, industry, academic and technical institutions,
and public interest organizations involved with ocean
and coastal activities. Members shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission as follows:
(A) 4 shall be appointed by the President
of the United States.
(B) 4 shall be appointed by the President
chosen from a list of 8 proposed members sub-
mitted by the Majority Leader of the Senate in
consultation with the Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation.
(C) 4 shall be appointed by the President
chosen from a list of 8 proposed members sub-
mitted by the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives in consultation with the Chairman
of each of the Committee on Resources, the
Committee on Science, and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives.
(D) 2 shall be appointed by the President
chosen from a list of 4 proposed members sub-
mitted by the Minority Leader of the Senate in
consultation with the Ranking Member of the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
(E) 2 shall be appointed by the President
chosen from a list of 4 proposed members sub-
mitted by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives in consultation with the Rank-
ing Member of each of the Committee on Re-
sources, the Committee on Science, and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives.
(2) FIRST
MEETING.—The Commission shall
hold its first meeting within 30 days after it is es-
tablished.
(3) CHAIRMAN.—The Commission shall elect
one of its members as Chairman.
(4) ADVISORY MEMBERS.—(A) In addition to
the members of the Commission appointed under
paragraph (1), the Commission shall have advisory
members who are Members of Congress. Of the advi-
sory members—
(i) one shall be appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives;
(ii) one shall be appointed by the Minority
Leader of the House of Representatives;
(iii) one shall be appointed by the Majority
Leader of the Senate; and
(iv) one shall be appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate.
(B) The advisory members shall not par-
ticipate, except in an advisory capacity, in the
formulation of the findings and recommenda-
tions of the Commission.
(b) REPORT.—The Commission shall submit to the
President and the Congress, by not later than 18 months
after the date of the establishment of the Commission, a
final report of its findings and recommendations. The re-
port shall include the following:
(1) Recommendations for a national ocean and
coastal policy to achieve the objectives set forth in
section 4(a)(2).
(2) Recommendations for any modifications to
United States laws and regulations necessary to de-
fine and implement such policy.
(3) An assessment of the condition and ade-
quacy of existing and planned facilities associated
with ocean and coastal activities, including human
resources, vessels, computers, satellites, and other
appropriate platforms and technologies, and rec-
ommendations for investments and improvements in
facilities necessary to carry out such policy.
(4) A review of existing and planned ocean and
coastal activities of Federal entities, and rec-
ommendations for changes in such activities nec-
essary to reduce duplication of Federal efforts and
achieve the objectives set forth in section 4(a)(2).
(5) A review of the cumulative effect of Federal
laws and regulations on achievement of the objec-
tives set forth in section 4(a)(2), an examination of
those laws and regulations for inconsistencies and
contradictions that might adversely affect achieve-
ment of those objectives, and recommendations for
resolving any such inconsistencies. In particular, this
portion of the report shall include an examination of
the relationship between the fisheries development
and fisheries conservation responsibilities of the Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service.
(6) A review of the known and anticipated sup-
ply of and demand for ocean and coastal resources
of the United States.
(7) A review of the relationship between Fed-
eral, State, and local governments and the private
sector in planning and carrying out ocean and coast-
al activities, and recommendations for the most ap-
propriate division of responsibility for such activities.
(8) A review of opportunities for the develop-
ment of or investment in new products, technologies,
or markets that could contribute to achievement of
the objectives set forth in section 4(a)(2).
(9) Any other matters relating to the marine
environment, ocean and coastal resources, or ocean
and coastal activities that the Commission considers
appropriate.
(c) DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN.—In carrying out the pro-
visions of this section, the Chairman of the Commission
shall be responsible for—
(1) the assignment of duties and responsibilities
among staff personnel and their continuing super-
vision; and
(2) the use and expenditures of funds available
to the Commission.
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission
appointed from outside the Government shall, when en-
gaged in the actual performance of duties of the Commis-
sion, receive reimbursement of travel expenses, including
per diem in lieu of subsistence as authorized for persons
employed intermittently in the Government service under
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code. Members of
the Commission appointed from within the Government
shall serve without additional compensation to that re-
ceived for their services to the Government, but shall be
reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence.
(e) STAFF.—
(1) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The Chairman of
the Commission may, without regard to the civil
service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate
an executive director who is knowledgeable in admin-
istrative management and ocean and coastal policy
and such other additional personnel as may be nec-
essary to enable the Commission to perform its du-
ties.
(2) COMPENSATION.—The executive director
shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate
payable for Level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. The
Chairman may fix the compensation of other person-
nel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United
States Code, relating to classification of positions
and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate
of pay for such personnel may not exceed the rate
payable for GS–15, step 7, of the General Schedule
under section 5332 of such title.
(3) DETAILEES.—Upon a request of the Chair-
man of the Commission made after consulting with
the head of the Federal agency concerned, the head
of any Federal agency shall detail appropriate per-
sonnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the
Commission in carrying out its functions under this
Act. Federal Government employees detailed to the
Commission shall serve without reimbursement from
the Commission, and such detailee shall retain the
rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular
employment without interruption.
(4) VOLUNTEERS.—The Commission may ac-
cept and use the services of volunteers serving with-
out compensation, and may reimburse volunteers for
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsist-
ence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5,
United States Code. Except for the purposes of
chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating
to compensation for work injuries, and chapter 171
of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort
claims, a volunteer under this section may not be
considered to be an employee of the United States
for any purpose.
(5) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—To the ex-
tent that funds are available, and subject to such
rules as may be prescribed by the Commission, the
executive director of the Commission may procure
the temporary and intermittent services of experts
and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of
title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to ex-
ceed the daily rate payable for GS–15, step 7, of the
General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5,
United States Code.
(f) ADMINISTRATION.—
(1) MEETINGS.—All meetings of the Commis-
sion shall be open to the public, except that a meet-
ing or any portion of it may be closed to the public
if it concerns matters or information described in
section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. Inter-
ested persons shall be permitted to appear at open
meetings and present oral or written statements on
the subject matter of the meeting. The Commission
may administer oaths or affirmations to any person
appearing before it.
(2) NOTICE OF MEETINGS.—All open meetings
of the Commission shall be preceded by timely public
notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and
subject of the meeting.
(3) MINUTES AND OTHER RECORDS.—Minutes
of each meeting shall be kept and shall contain a
record of the people present, a description of the dis-
cussion that occurred, and copies of all statements
filed. Subject to section 552 of title 5, United States
Code, the minutes and records of all meetings and
other documents that were made available to or pre-
pared for the Commission shall be available for pub-
lic inspection and copying at a single location in the
offices of the Commission.
(4) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.—The Fed-
eral Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does
not apply to the Commission.
(g) COOPERATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL ENTI-
TIES.—
(1) OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND DEPART-
MENTS.—The Commission may secure directly from
any Federal agency or department any information
it considers necessary to carry out its functions
under this Act. Each such agency or department
may cooperate with the Commission and, to the ex-
tent permitted by law, to furnish such information
to the Commission, upon the request of the Chair-
man of the Commission.
(2) MAILS.—The Commission may use the
United States mails in the same manner and under
the same conditions as other departments and agen-
cies of the United States.
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—The
Administrator of General Services shall provide to
the Commission on a reimbursable basis any admin-
istrative support services that the Commission re-
quests.
(4) 
ACQUISITIONS.—The 
Commission 
may
enter into contracts with Federal and State agen-
cies, private firms, institutions, and individuals to
assist the Commission in carrying out its duties. The
Commission may purchase and contract without re-
gard to sections 303 of the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C.
253), section 18 of the Office of Federal Procure-
ment Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416), and section 8 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637), pertaining
to competition and publication requirements, and
may arrange for printing without regard to the pro-
visions of title 44, United States Code. The contract-
ing authority of the Commission under this Act is
effective only to the extent that appropriations are
available for contracting purposes.
(h) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall cease to
exist 30 days after the date on which it submits its final
report.
(i) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to support the activities
of the Commission a total of $1,000,000 for fiscal year
1998, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and $1,000,000
for fiscal year 2000. Any sums appropriated may remain
available without fiscal year limitation until the Commis-
sion ceases to exist.
SEC. 6. REPEAL.
The Act entitled ‘‘An Act to provide for a comprehen-
sive, long-range, and coordinated national program in ma-
rine science, to establish a National Council on Marine
Resources and Engineering Development, and a Commis-
sion on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources, and
for other purposes’’ (Public Law 89–454; 80 Stat. 203)
is amended—
(1) by striking sections 1 through 9 (33 U.S.C.
1101–1108); and
(2) by striking the heading for title I.
Æ