H. R. 7776—1555 
product containing specimens, parts, or derivatives, of any spe-
cies of coral. 
‘‘(7) CORAL
REEF.—The term ‘coral reef’ means calcium 
carbonate structures in the form of a reef or shoal, composed 
in whole or in part by living coral, skeletal remains of coral, 
crustose coralline algae, and other associated sessile marine 
plants and animals. 
‘‘(8) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM.—The term ‘coral reef eco-
system’ means— 
‘‘(A) corals and other geographically and ecologically 
associated marine communities of other reef organisms 
(including reef plants and animals) associated with coral 
reef habitat; and 
‘‘(B) the biotic and abiotic factors and processes that 
control or significantly affect coral calcification rates, tissue 
growth, reproduction, recruitment, abundance, coral-algal 
symbiosis, and biodiversity in such habitat. 
‘‘(9) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.—The term ‘coral 
reef ecosystem services’ means the attributes and benefits pro-
vided by coral reef ecosystems including— 
‘‘(A) protection of coastal beaches, structures, and infra-
structure; 
‘‘(B) habitat for organisms of economic, ecological, bio-
medical, medicinal, and cultural value; 
‘‘(C) serving as centers for the promulgation, perform-
ance, and training of cultural practices representative of 
traditional ecological knowledge; and 
‘‘(D) aesthetic value. 
‘‘(10) COVERED NATIVE ENTITY.—The term ‘covered Native 
entity’ means a Native entity with interests in a coral reef 
ecosystem. 
‘‘(11) COVERED
REEF
MANAGER.—The term ‘covered reef 
manager’ means— 
‘‘(A) a management unit of a covered State with juris-
diction over a coral reef ecosystem; 
‘‘(B) a covered State; or 
‘‘(C) a coral reef stewardship partnership under section 
206. 
‘‘(12) COVERED
STATE.—The term ‘covered State’ means 
Florida, Hawaii, and the territories of American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto 
Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(13) FEDERAL REEF MANAGER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘Federal reef manager’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) a management unit of a Federal agency speci-
fied in subparagraph (B) with lead management juris-
diction over a coral reef ecosystem; or 
‘‘(ii) a coral reef stewardship partnership under 
section 206(c). 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL AGENCIES SPECIFIED.—A Federal agency 
specified in this subparagraph is one of the following: 
‘‘(i) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
‘‘(ii) The National Park Service. 
‘‘(iii) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
‘‘(iv) The Office of Insular Affairs.
H. R. 7776—1556 
‘‘(14) INSTITUTION
OF
HIGHER
EDUCATION.—The term 
‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001). 
‘‘(15) 
INTERESTED
STAKEHOLDER
GROUPS.—The 
term 
‘interested stakeholder groups’ means any of the following with 
interest in an applicable coral reef or ecologically significant 
unit of a coral reef: 
‘‘(A) A business. 
‘‘(B) A commercial or recreational fisherman. 
‘‘(C) A recreationalist. 
‘‘(D) A Federal, State, Tribal, or local government unit 
with related jurisdiction. 
‘‘(E) An institution of higher education (as such term 
is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
‘‘(F) A nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(16) NATIONAL CORAL REEF RESILIENCE STRATEGY.—The 
term ‘National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy’ means the 
National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy in effect under section 
204. 
‘‘(17) NATIVE ENTITY.—The term ‘Native entity’ means any 
of the following: 
‘‘(A) An Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304)). 
‘‘(B) An Alaska Native Corporation. 
‘‘(C) The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. 
‘‘(D) The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. 
‘‘(E) A Native Hawaiian organization (as defined in 
section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517)). 
‘‘(18) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘nonprofit 
organization’ means any corporation, trust, association, coopera-
tive, or other organization, not including an institution of higher 
education, that— 
‘‘(A) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, 
service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public 
interest; 
‘‘(B) is not organized primarily for profit; and 
‘‘(C) uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand 
the operations of the organization. 
‘‘(19) RESTORATION.—The term ‘restoration’ means the use 
of methods and procedures necessary to enhance, rehabilitate, 
recreate, or create a functioning coral reef or coral reef eco-
system, in whole or in part, within suitable waters of the 
historical geographic range of such ecosystems, to provide 
ecological, economic, cultural, or coastal resiliency services asso-
ciated with healthy coral reefs and benefit native populations 
of coral reef organisms. 
‘‘(20) RESILIENCE.—The term ‘resilience’ means the capacity 
for corals within their native range, coral reefs, or coral reef 
ecosystems to resist and recover from natural and human 
disturbances, and maintain structure and function to provide 
coral reef ecosystem services, as determined by clearly identifi-
able, measurable, and science-based standards.
H. R. 7776—1557 
‘‘(21) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Sec-
retary of Commerce. 
‘‘(22) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means— 
‘‘(A) any State of the United States that contains a 
coral reef ecosystem within its seaward boundaries; 
‘‘(B) American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the 
United States Virgin Islands; or 
‘‘(C) any other territory or possession of the United 
States or separate sovereign in free association with the 
United States that contains a coral reef ecosystem within 
its seaward boundaries. 
‘‘(23) STEWARDSHIP.—The term ‘stewardship’, with respect 
to a coral reef, includes conservation, restoration, and public 
outreach and education. 
‘‘(24) TASK
FORCE.—The term ‘Task Force’ means the 
United States Coral Reef Task Force established under section 
10011 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2023.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT
TO
NATIONAL
OCEANS
AND 
COASTAL SECURITY ACT.—Section 905(a) of the National Oceans 
and Coastal Security Act (16 U.S.C. 7504(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘and coastal infrastructure’’ and inserting ‘‘, coastal infrastructure, 
and ecosystem services provided by natural systems such as coral 
reefs’’. 
(c) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF CORAL REEF CONSERVA-
TION PROGRAMS
AT
THE NATIONAL OCEANIC
AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall, not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, submit to Congress and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration a report that— 
(1) examines the budget and accounting practices of the 
coral reef conservation programs of such Administration, 
including expenditure tracking across line and program offices; 
(2) examines the process for determining appropriate 
project goals and funding priorities; and 
(3) includes recommendations on policies or best practices 
that may improve the transparency and accountability of coral 
reef conservation programs. 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—None of the amendments made by or 
provisions of this title may be construed to enlarge the management 
authority of a Federal agency or coral reef stewardship partnership 
to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems outside the boundaries 
of such agency’s or partnership’s jurisdiction. 
Subtitle B—United States Coral Reef Task 
Force 
SEC. 10011. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a task force to lead, coordinate, and 
strengthen Federal Government actions to better preserve, conserve, 
and restore coral reef ecosystems, to be known as the ‘‘United 
States Coral Reef Task Force’’ (in this subtitle referred to as the 
‘‘Task Force’’).
H. R. 7776—1558 
SEC. 10012. DUTIES. 
The duties of the Task Force shall be— 
(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with covered States, cov-
ered Native entities, Federal reef managers, covered reef man-
agers, coral reef research centers designated under section 
212(b) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (as added 
by this division), and other nongovernmental and academic 
partners as appropriate, activities regarding the mapping, mon-
itoring, research, conservation, mitigation, and restoration of 
coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; 
(2) to monitor and advise regarding implementation of the 
policy and Federal agency responsibilities set forth in— 
(A) Executive Order 13089 (63 Fed. Reg. 32701; 
relating to coral reef protection); and 
(B) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; 
(3) to work in coordination with the other members of 
the Task Force— 
(A) to assess the United States role in international 
trade and protection of coral species; 
(B) to encourage implementation of appropriate strate-
gies and actions to promote conservation and sustainable 
use of coral reef resources worldwide; and 
(C) to collaborate with international communities 
successful in managing coral reefs; 
(4) to provide technical assistance for the development and 
implementation, as appropriate, of— 
(A) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; and 
(B) coral reef action plans under section 205 of that 
Act; and 
(5) to produce a report each year, for submission to the 
appropriate congressional committees and publication on the 
public website of the Task Force, highlighting the status of 
the coral reef resources of a covered State on a rotating basis, 
including— 
(A) a summary of recent coral reef management and 
restoration activities undertaken in that State; and 
(B) updated estimates of the direct and indirect eco-
nomic activity supported by, and other benefits associated 
with, those coral reef resources. 
SEC. 10013. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) VOTING MEMBERSHIP.—The voting members of the Task 
Force shall be— 
(1) the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
Atmosphere and the Secretary of Interior, who shall be co- 
chairpersons of the Task Force; 
(2) such representatives from other Federal agencies as 
the President, in consultation with the Under Secretary, deter-
mines appropriate; and 
(3) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of 
each covered State. 
(b) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The Task Force shall have the fol-
lowing nonvoting members: 
(1) A member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council who is designated by the Governor of Florida under 
section 302(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(1)).
H. R. 7776—1559 
(2) A member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management 
Council who is designated by the Governor of Florida under 
such section. 
(3) A member of the Western Pacific Fishery Management 
Council who is designated under such section and selected 
as follows: 
(A) For the period beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and ending on December 31 of the calendar 
year during which such date of enactment occurs, the 
member shall be selected jointly by the Governors of 
Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
(B) For each calendar year thereafter, the Governors 
of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Common-
wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall, on a rotating 
basis, take turns selecting the member. 
(4) A member of the Caribbean Fishery Management 
Council who is designated under such section and selected 
as follows: 
(A) For the period beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and ending on December 31 of the calendar 
year during which such date of enactment occurs, the 
member shall be selected jointly by the Governors of Puerto 
Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. 
(B) For each calendar year thereafter, the Governors 
of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands shall, 
on an alternating basis, take turns selecting the member. 
(5) A member appointed by the President of the Federated 
States of Micronesia. 
(6) A member appointed by the President of the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands. 
(7) A member appointed by the President of the Republic 
of Palau. 
SEC. 10014. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEMBERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Task Force described in 
section 10013(a) shall— 
(1) identify the actions of the agency that member rep-
resents that may affect coral reef ecosystems; 
(2) use the programs and authorities of that agency to 
protect and enhance the conditions of such ecosystems, 
including through the promotion of basic and applied scientific 
research; 
(3) collaborate with the Task Force to appropriately reflect 
budgetary needs for coral reef conservation and restoration 
activities in all agency budget planning and justification docu-
ments and processes; and 
(4) engage in any other coordinated efforts approved by 
the Task Force. 
(b) CO-CHAIRPERSONS.—In addition to their responsibilities 
under subsection (a), the co-chairpersons of the Task Force shall 
perform the administrative functions of the Task Force and facilitate 
the coordination of the members of the Task Force described in 
section 10013(a). 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not less than 30 days before each meeting of 
the Task Force, the program offices of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration responsible for implementing this title
H. R. 7776—1560 
shall provide a briefing to the relevant congressional committees 
on efforts and spending associated with such implementation. 
SEC. 10015. WORKING GROUPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The co-chairpersons of the Task Force may 
establish working groups as necessary to meet the goals and carry 
out the duties of the Task Force. 
(b) REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS.—The members of the Task Force 
may request that the co-chairpersons establish a working group 
under subsection (a). 
(c) PARTICIPATION
BY NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.— 
The co-chairpersons may allow nongovernmental organizations as 
appropriate, including academic institutions, conservation groups, 
and commercial and recreational fishing associations, to participate 
in a working group established under subsection (a). 
(d) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF
FEDERAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE 
ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall 
not apply to working groups established under this section. 
SEC. 10016. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
of the Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate; and 
(D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) CONSERVATION, CORAL, CORAL REEF, ETC.—The terms 
‘‘conservation’’, ‘‘coral’’, ‘‘coral reef’’, ‘‘coral reef ecosystem’’, ‘‘cov-
ered reef manager’’, ‘‘covered State’’, ‘‘Federal reef manager’’, 
‘‘National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy’’, ‘‘restoration’’, ‘‘resil-
ience’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the meanings given those terms in 
section 216 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as 
added by this division. 
Subtitle C—Department of the Interior 
Coral Reef Authorities 
SEC. 10021. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION ASSIST-
ANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior may provide 
scientific expertise and technical assistance, and subject to the 
availability of appropriations, financial assistance for the conserva-
tion and restoration of coral reefs consistent with all applicable 
laws governing resource management in Federal, State, and Tribal 
waters, including— 
(1) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; and 
(2) coral reef action plans in effect under section 205 of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as added by this 
division, as applicable. 
(b) CORAL REEF INITIATIVE.—The Secretary may establish a 
Coral Reef Initiative Program—
H. R. 7776—1561 
(1) to provide grant funding to support local management, 
conservation, and protection of coral reef ecosystems in— 
(A) coastal areas of covered States; and 
(B) Freely Associated States; 
(2) to enhance resource availability of National Park 
Service and National Wildlife Refuge System management units 
to implement coral reef conservation and restoration activities; 
(3) to complement the other conservation and assistance 
activities conducted under this Act or the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act of 2000, as amended by section 10001; and 
(4) to provide other technical, scientific, and financial 
assistance and conduct conservation and restoration activities 
that advance the purposes of this title and the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this division. 
(c) CONSULTATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT
OF COMMERCE.— 
(1) CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION ACTIVI-
TIES.—The Secretary of the Interior may consult with the Sec-
retary of Commerce regarding the conduct of any activities 
to conserve and restore coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems 
in waters managed under the jurisdiction of the Federal agen-
cies specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 203(c) of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as added by this 
division. 
(2) AWARD
OF
CORAL
REEF
MANAGEMENT
FELLOWSHIP.— 
The Secretary of the Interior shall consult with the Secretary 
of Commerce to award the Susan L. Williams Coral Reef 
Management Fellowship under subtitle D. 
(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior may enter into coopera-
tive agreements with covered reef managers to fund coral reef 
conservation and restoration activities in waters managed under 
the jurisdiction of such managers that— 
(1) are consistent with the National Coral Reef Resilience 
Strategy; and 
(2) support and enhance the success of coral reef action 
plans in effect under section 205 of the Coral Reef Conservation 
Act of 2000, as added by this division. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CONSERVATION, CORAL, CORAL REEF, ETC.—The terms 
‘‘conservation’’, ‘‘coral reef’’, ‘‘covered reef manager’’, ‘‘covered 
State’’, ‘‘National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy’’, ‘‘restoration’’, 
and ‘‘State’’ have the meanings given those terms in section 
216 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as added 
by this division. 
(2) TRIBE; TRIBAL.—The terms ‘‘Tribe’’ and ‘‘Tribal’’ refer 
to Indian Tribes (as defined in section 102 of the Federally 
Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5130)). 
Subtitle D—Susan L. Williams National 
Coral Reef Management Fellowship 
SEC. 10031. SUSAN L. WILLIAMS NATIONAL CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT 
FELLOWSHIP. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ALASKA
NATIVE
CORPORATION.—The term ‘‘Alaska 
Native Corporation’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Native
H. R. 7776—1562 
Corporation’’ in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settle-
ment Act (43 U.S.C. 1602). 
(2) FELLOW.—The term ‘‘fellow’’ means a National Coral 
Reef Management Fellow. 
(3) 
FELLOWSHIP.—The 
term 
‘‘fellowship’’ 
means 
the 
National Coral Reef Management Fellowship established in 
subsection (c). 
(4) COVERED NATIVE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘covered Native 
entity’’ has the meaning given the term in section 216 of the 
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as added by this division. 
(5) COVERED
STATE.—The term ‘‘covered State’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 216 of the Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000, as added by this division. 
(6) NATIVE
ENTITY.—The term ‘‘Native entity’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 216 of the Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000, as added by this division. 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Commerce. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a National Coral 
Reef Management Fellowship Program. 
(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the fellowship are— 
(A) to encourage future leaders of the United States 
to develop additional coral reef management capacity in 
States and local communities with coral reefs; 
(B) to provide management agencies of covered States 
and covered Native entities with highly qualified can-
didates whose education and work experience meet the 
specific needs of each covered State or covered Native 
entity; and 
(C) to provide fellows with professional experience in 
management of coastal and coral reef resources. 
(c) FELLOWSHIP AWARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of the Interior, shall award a fellowship in accordance 
with this subsection. 
(2) TERM
OF
FELLOWSHIP.—A fellowship awarded under 
this subsection shall be for a term of not more than 2 years. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Interior, shall award a fellowship to individ-
uals who have demonstrated— 
(A) an intent to pursue a career in marine services 
and outstanding potential for such a career; 
(B) leadership potential, actual leadership experience, 
or both; 
(C) possession of a college or graduate degree in 
biological science, a college or graduate degree in resource 
management with experience that correlates with aptitude 
and interest for marine management, or both; 
(D) proficient writing and speaking skills; and 
(E) such other attributes as the Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of the Interior, considers appro-
priate. 
(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
non-Federal share of the costs of a fellowship under this section 
shall be 25 percent of such costs.
H. R. 7776—1563 
(2) WAIVER
OF
MATCHING
REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary 
may waive the application of paragraph (1) to a fellowship 
if the Secretary finds that such waiver is necessary to support 
a project that the Secretary has identified as a high priority. 
TITLE 
CI—BOLSTERING 
LONG-TERM 
UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLORATION 
OF THE GREAT LAKES, OCEANS, BAYS, 
AND ESTUARIES 
SEC. 10101. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this title is to promote and support— 
(1) the monitoring, understanding, and exploration of the 
Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts; and 
(2) the collection, analysis, synthesis, and sharing of data 
related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts 
to facilitate scientific research and operational decisionmaking. 
SEC. 10102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administration’’ means 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in 
the capacity as Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. 
(3) INDIAN
TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
SEC. 10103. WORKFORCE STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 303(a) of the America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (33 U.S.C. 893c(a)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Secretary of Commerce’’ and inserting 
‘‘Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘, skillsets, or credentials’’ 
after ‘‘degrees’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or highly qualified tech-
nical professionals and tradespeople’’ after ‘‘atmospheric sci-
entists’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘, skillsets, or credentials’’ 
after ‘‘degrees’’; 
(5) in paragraph (5)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘scientist’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting ‘‘, observations, 
and monitoring;’’ 
(6) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘into Federal’’ and all 
that follows and inserting ‘‘, technical professionals, and 
tradespeople into Federal career positions;’’ 
(7) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as para-
graphs (3) through (7), respectively; 
(8) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
H. R. 7776—1564 
‘‘(2) whether there is a shortage in the number of individ-
uals with technical or trade-based degrees, skillsets, or creden-
tials suited to a career in oceanic and atmospheric data collec-
tion, processing, satellite production, or satellite operations;’’; 
and 
(9) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) workforce diversity and actions the Federal Govern-
ment can take to increase diversity in the scientific workforce; 
and 
‘‘(9) actions the Federal Government can take to shorten 
the hiring backlog for such workforce.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—Section 303(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
893c(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘Secretary of Commerce’’ and 
inserting 
‘‘Under 
Secretary 
of 
Commerce 
for 
Oceans 
and 
Atmosphere’’. 
(c) REPORT.—Section 303(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 893c(c)) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the date of enactment of this Act’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the date of the enactment of the James M. Inhofe 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘Secretary of Commerce’’ and inserting 
‘‘Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere’’; 
and 
(3) by striking ‘‘to each committee’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘section 302 of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives’’. 
(d) PROGRAM AND PLAN.—Section 303(d) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
893c(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration’’ and inserting ‘‘Under Secretary 
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘academic partners’’ and all that follows 
and inserting ‘‘academic partners.’’. 
SEC. 
10104. 
ACCELERATING 
INNOVATION 
AT 
COOPERATIVE 
INSTITUTES. 
(a) FOCUS ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.—The Administrator 
shall consider evaluating the goals of 1 or more Cooperative 
Institutes of the Administration to include focusing on advancing 
or applying emerging technologies, which may include— 
(1) applied uses and development of real-time and other 
advanced genetic technologies and applications, including such 
technologies and applications that derive genetic material 
directly from environmental samples without any obvious signs 
of biological source material; 
(2) deployment of, and improvements to the durability, 
maintenance, and other lifecycle concerns of, advanced 
unmanned vehicles, regional small research vessels, and other 
research vessels that support and launch unmanned vehicles 
and sensors; and 
(3) supercomputing and big data management, including 
data collected through model outputs, electronic monitoring, 
and remote sensing.
H. R. 7776—1565 
(b) COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.—The Cooperative 
Institutes shall work with the Interagency Ocean Observation Com-
mittee, the regional associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing 
System, and other ocean observing programs to coordinate tech-
nology needs and the transition of new technologies from research 
to operations. 
SEC. 10105. BLUE ECONOMY VALUATION. 
(a) MEASUREMENT OF INDUSTRIES.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies and 
subject to the availability of appropriations, shall establish a pro-
gram to improve the collection, aggregation, and analysis of data 
to measure the value and impact of industries related to the Great 
Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts on the economy of the 
United States, including military uses, living resources, marine 
construction, marine transportation, offshore energy development 
and siting including for renewable energy, offshore mineral produc-
tion, ship and boat building, tourism, recreation, subsistence, 
commercial, recreational, and charter fishing, seafood processing, 
and other fishery-related businesses, aquaculture such as kelp and 
shellfish, and other industries the Administrator determines appro-
priate. 
(b) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall— 
(1) work with the Director of the Bureau of Economic 
Analysis and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies 
to develop a Coastal and Ocean Economy Satellite Account 
that includes national, Tribal, and State-level statistics to 
measure the contribution of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, 
estuaries, and coasts to the overall economy of the United 
States; and 
(2) collaborate with national and international organiza-
tions and governments to promote consistency of methods, 
measurements, and definitions to ensure comparability of 
results between countries. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this section, and not less frequently than every 2 years 
thereafter until the date that is 20 years after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with 
the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall publish a report 
that— 
(1) defines the Blue Economy in consultation with Indian 
Tribes and with input from academia, the private sector, non-
governmental organizations, and other relevant experts; 
(2) makes recommendations for updating North American 
Industry Classification System reporting codes to reflect the 
Blue Economy; and 
(3) provides a comprehensive estimate of the value and 
impact of the Blue Economy with respect to each State and 
territory of the United States, including— 
(A) the value and impact of— 
(i) economic activities that are dependent upon 
the resources of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estu-
aries, and coasts; 
(ii) the population and demographic characteristics 
of the population along the coasts; 
(iii) port and shoreline infrastructure;
H. R. 7776—1566 
(iv) the volume and value of cargo shipped by 
sea or across the Great Lakes; 
(v) data collected from the Great Lakes, oceans, 
bays, estuaries, and coasts, including such data col-
lected by businesses that purchase and commodify the 
data, including weather prediction and seasonal agri-
cultural forecasting; and 
(vi) military uses; and 
(B) to the extent possible, the qualified value and 
impact of the natural capital of the Great Lakes, oceans, 
bays, estuaries, and coasts with respect to tourism, recre-
ation, natural resources, and cultural heritage, including 
other indirect values. 
(d) CENTRALIZED WEBSITE FOR RESILIENCY GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator, in coordina-
tion with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
create and regularly update a public website to improve edu-
cation, outreach, and public information regarding grants and 
other public funding opportunities of the Administration related 
to resiliency. 
(2) CONTENTS
OF
WEBSITE.—The website created under 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) Hyperlinks, descriptions, deadlines, and resources 
to support applicants including technical assistance and 
other information as the Administrator determines appro-
priate relating to resilience grants administered by— 
(i) the Administration; 
(ii) other relevant Federal agencies; or 
(iii) foundations in coordination with the Adminis-
tration. 
(B) Information described in subparagraph (A) that 
is specific to supporting Tribal Governments and Tribal 
Colleges and Universities, and, with respect to each such 
grant described in paragraph (1), the contact information 
for an individual of the Administration who can assist 
Tribal Governments and Tribal Colleges and Universities 
in applying for such grants. 
(C) Information described in subparagraph (A) that 
is specific to supporting Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, and, with respect to each such grant described 
in paragraph (1), the contact information for an individual 
of the Administration who can assist Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities in applying for such grants. 
(3) OUTREACH.—The Administrator shall conduct outreach 
activities to inform State, Tribal, and local governments of 
resiliency, adaptation, and mitigation grants that are available 
to such governments. 
(4) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(A) HISTORICALLY
BLACK
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVER-
SITIES.—The term ‘‘Historically Black Colleges and Univer-
sities’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘part B institution’’ 
in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1061). 
(B) TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.—The term ‘‘Tribal 
College or University’’ has the meaning given the term
H. R. 7776—1567 
in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1059c). 
SEC. 10106. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED. 
Funds to carry out this title may, as provided in advance 
in appropriations Acts, only come from within amounts authorized 
to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
TITLE CII—REGIONAL OCEAN 
PARTNERSHIPS 
SEC. 10201. FINDINGS; PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The ocean and coastal waters and the Great Lakes 
of the United States are foundational to the economy, security, 
global competitiveness, and well-being of the United States 
and continuously serve the people of the United States and 
other countries as an important source of food, energy, economic 
productivity, recreation, beauty, and enjoyment. 
(2) Over many years, the resource productivity and water 
quality of the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas of the 
United States have been diminished by pollution, increasing 
population demands, economic development, and natural and 
man-made hazard events, both acute and chronic. 
(3) The ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas of the United 
States are managed by State and Federal resource agencies 
and Indian Tribes and regulated on an interstate and regional 
scale by various overlapping Federal authorities, thereby cre-
ating a significant need for interstate coordination to enhance 
regional priorities, including the ecological and economic health 
of those areas. 
(4) Indian Tribes have unique expertise and knowledge 
important for the stewardship of the ocean and coastal waters 
and the Great Lakes of the United States. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this title are as follows: 
(1) To complement and expand cooperative voluntary efforts 
intended to manage, conserve, and restore ocean, coastal, and 
Great Lakes areas spanning across multiple State and Indian 
Tribe jurisdictions. 
(2) To expand Federal support for monitoring, data manage-
ment, restoration, research, and conservation activities in 
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas. 
(3) To commit the United States to a comprehensive 
cooperative program to achieve improved water quality in, and 
improvements in the productivity of living resources of, oceans, 
coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. 
(4) To authorize Regional Ocean Partnerships as intergov-
ernmental coordinators for shared regional priorities among 
States and Indian Tribes relating to the collaborative manage-
ment of the large marine ecosystems, thereby reducing duplica-
tion of efforts and maximizing opportunities to leverage support 
in the ocean and coastal regions. 
(5) To empower States to take a lead role in managing 
oceans, coastal, and Great Lakes areas.
H. R. 7776—1568 
(6) To incorporate rights of Indian Tribes in the manage-
ment of oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes resources and provide 
resources to support Indian Tribe participation in and engage-
ment with Regional Ocean Partnerships. 
(7) To enable Regional Ocean Partnerships, or designated 
fiscal management entities of such partnerships, to receive 
Federal funding to conduct the scientific research, conservation, 
and restoration activities, and priority coordination on shared 
regional priorities necessary to achieve the purposes described 
in paragraphs (1) through (6). 
SEC. 10202. REGIONAL OCEAN PARTNERSHIPS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
(2) COASTAL
STATE.—The term ‘‘coastal State’’ has the 
meaning given the term ‘‘Coastal state’’ in section 304 of the 
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453). 
(3) INDIAN
TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(4) REGIONAL
OCEAN
PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘‘Regional 
Ocean Partnership’’ means a Regional Ocean Partnership des-
ignated under subsection (b). 
(b) REGIONAL OCEAN PARTNERSHIPS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—A coastal State or Indian Tribe may 
form a partnership with— 
(A) a coastal State that shares a common ocean or 
coastal area with the coastal State, without regard to 
whether the coastal States are contiguous; and 
(B) States— 
(i) that share a common ocean, coastal area, or 
watershed with the coastal State, without regard to 
whether the coastal States are contiguous; or 
(ii) that would contribute to the priorities of the 
partnership; and 
(C) Indian Tribes. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A partnership formed under para-
graph (1) may apply for designation as a Regional Ocean Part-
nership in such time and manner as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary if the partnership— 
(A) is established to coordinate the management of 
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources among the mem-
bers of the partnership; 
(B) focuses on the environmental issues affecting the 
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas of the members 
participating in the partnership; 
(C) complements existing coastal and ocean manage-
ment efforts of States and Indian Tribes on an interstate 
scale, focusing on shared regional priorities; 
(D) does not have a regulatory function; and 
(E) is not duplicative of an existing Regional Ocean 
Partnership designated under paragraph (3), as determined 
by the Secretary.
H. R. 7776—1569 
(3) DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN ENTITIES AS REGIONAL OCEAN 
PARTNERSHIPS.—The following entities are designated as 
Regional Ocean Partnerships: 
(A) The Gulf of Mexico Alliance, comprised of the States 
of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. 
(B) The Northeast Regional Ocean Council, comprised 
of the States of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. 
(C) The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, 
comprised of the States of New York, New Jersey, Dela-
ware, Maryland, and Virginia. 
(D) The West Coast Ocean Alliance, comprised of the 
States of California, Oregon, and Washington and the 
coastal Indian Tribes therein. 
(4) GREAT LAKES.—A partnership established under this 
section for the purposes described in subsection (d) with respect 
to a Great Lake may be known as a ‘‘Regional Coastal Partner-
ship’’ or a ‘‘Regional Great Lakes Partnership’’. 
(c) GOVERNING BODIES OF REGIONAL OCEAN PARTNERSHIPS.— 
A Regional Ocean Partnership shall have a governing body that— 
(1) shall be comprised, at a minimum, of voting members 
from each coastal state participating in the Regional Ocean 
Partnership, designated by the Governor of the coastal state; 
and 
(2) may include such other members as the partnership 
considers appropriate. 
(d) FUNCTIONS.—A Regional Ocean Partnership may perform 
the following functions: 
(1) Promote coordination of the actions of the agencies 
of governments participating in the partnership with the actions 
of the appropriate officials of Federal agencies, State govern-
ments, and Indian Tribes in developing strategies— 
(A) to conserve living resources, increase valuable habi-
tats, enhance coastal resilience and ocean management, 
promote ecological and economic health, and address such 
other issues related to the shared ocean, coastal, or Great 
Lakes areas as are determined to be a shared, regional 
priority by those states; and 
(B) to manage regional data portals and develop associ-
ated data products for purposes that support the priorities 
of the partnership. 
(2) In cooperation with appropriate Federal and State agen-
cies, Indian Tribes, and local authorities, develop and imple-
ment specific action plans to carry out coordination goals. 
(3) Coordinate and implement priority plans and projects, 
and facilitate science, research, modeling, monitoring, data 
collection, and other activities that support the goals of the 
partnership through the provision of grants and contracts under 
subsection (f). 
(4) Engage, coordinate, and collaborate with relevant 
governmental entities and stakeholders to address ocean and 
coastal related matters that require interagency or intergovern-
mental solutions. 
(5) Implement outreach programs for public information, 
education, and participation to foster stewardship of the 
resources of the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas, as 
relevant.
H. R. 7776—1570 
(6) Develop and make available, through publications, tech-
nical assistance, and other appropriate means, information per-
taining to cross-jurisdictional issues being addressed through 
the coordinated activities of the partnership. 
(7) Serve as a liaison with, and provide information to, 
international counterparts, as appropriate on priority issues 
for the partnership. 
(e) COORDINATION, CONSULTATION, AND ENGAGEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Regional Ocean Partnership shall main-
tain mechanisms for coordination, consultation, and engage-
ment with the following: 
(A) The Federal Government. 
(B) Indian Tribes. 
(C) Nongovernmental entities, including academic 
organizations, nonprofit organizations, and private sector 
entities. 
(D) Other federally mandated regional entities, 
including the Regional Fishery Management Councils, the 
regional associations of the National Integrated Coastal 
and Ocean Observation System, and relevant Marine Fish-
eries Commissions. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in paragraph (1)(B) 
may be construed as affecting any requirement to consult with 
Indian Tribes under Executive Order 13175 (25 U.S.C. 5301 
note; relating to consultation and coordination with Indian 
Tribal Governments) or any other applicable law or policy. 
(f) GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Regional Ocean Partnership may, in 
coordination with existing Federal, State, and Tribal manage-
ment programs, from amounts made available to the partner-
ship by the Administrator or the head of another Federal 
agency, subject to appropriations for such purpose, provide 
grants and enter into contracts for the purposes described in 
paragraph (2). 
(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes described in this paragraph 
include any of the following: 
(A) Monitoring the water quality and living resources 
of multistate ocean and coastal ecosystems and coastal 
communities. 
(B) Researching and addressing the effects of natural 
and human-induced environmental changes on— 
(i) ocean and coastal ecosystems; and 
(ii) coastal communities. 
(C) Developing and executing cooperative strategies 
that— 
(i) address regional data issues identified by the 
partnership; and 
(ii) will result in more effective management of 
common ocean and coastal areas. 
(g) REPORT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination 
with the Regional Ocean Partnerships, shall submit to Congress 
a report on the partnerships. 
(2) REPORT REQUIREMENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include the following:
H. R. 7776—1571 
(A) An assessment of the overall status of the work 
of the Regional Ocean Partnerships. 
(B) An assessment of the effectiveness of the partner-
ships in supporting regional priorities relating to the 
management of common ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
areas. 
(C) An assessment of the effectiveness of the strategies 
that the partnerships are supporting or implementing and 
the extent to which the priority needs of the regions covered 
by the partnerships are being met through such strategies. 
(D) An assessment of how the efforts of the partner-
ships support or enhance Federal and State efforts con-
sistent with the purposes of this title. 
(E) Such recommendations as the Administrator may 
have for improving— 
(i) efforts of the partnerships to support the pur-
poses of this title; and 
(ii) collective strategies that support the purposes 
of this title in coordination with all relevant Federal 
and State entities and Indian Tribes. 
(F) The distribution of funds from each partnership 
for each fiscal year covered by the report. 
(h) AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS.—In addition to amounts 
made available to the Regional Ocean Partnerships by the Adminis-
trator under this section, the head of any other Federal agency 
may provide grants to, enter into contracts with, or otherwise 
provide funding to such partnerships, subject to availability of 
appropriations for such purposes. 
(i) AUTHORITIES.—Nothing in this section establishes any new 
legal or regulatory authority of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration or of the Regional Ocean Partnerships, 
other than— 
(1) the authority of the Administrator to provide amounts 
to the partnerships; and 
(2) the authority of the partnerships to provide grants 
and enter into contracts under subsection (f). 
(j) AUTHORIZATIONS.— 
(1) REGIONAL OCEAN PARTNERSHIPS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Administrator the following amounts 
to be made available to the Regional Ocean Partnerships or 
designated fiscal management entities of such partnerships 
to carry out activities of such partnerships under this title: 
(A) $10,100,000 for fiscal year 2023. 
(B) $10,202,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
(C) $10,306,040 for fiscal year 2025. 
(D) $10,412,160 for fiscal year 2026. 
(E) $10,520,404 for fiscal year 2027. 
(2) DISTRIBUTION OF AMOUNTS.—Amounts made available 
under this subsection shall be divided evenly among the 
Regional Ocean Partnerships. 
(3) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to the Administrator $1,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to be distributed to 
Indian Tribes for purposes of participation in or engagement 
with the Regional Ocean Partnerships.
H. R. 7776—1572 
TITLE CIII—NATIONAL OCEAN 
EXPLORATION 
SEC. 10301. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The health and resilience of the ocean are vital to 
the security and economy of the United States and to the 
lives of the people of the United States. 
(2) The United States depends on the ocean to regulate 
weather and climate, to sustain and protect the diversity of 
life, for maritime shipping, for national defense, and for food, 
energy, medicine, recreation, and other services essential to 
the people of the United States and all humankind. 
(3) The prosperity, security, and well-being of the United 
States depend on successful understanding and stewardship 
of the ocean. 
(4) Interdisciplinary cooperation and engagement among 
government agencies, research institutions, nongovernmental 
organizations, States, Indian Tribes, and the private sector 
are essential for successful stewardship of ocean and coastal 
environments, national economic growth, national security, and 
development of agile strategies that develop, promote, and use 
new technologies. 
(5) Ocean exploration can help the people of the United 
States understand how to be effective stewards of the ocean 
and serve as catalysts and enablers for other sectors of the 
economy. 
(6) Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the ocean 
provides basic, essential information to protect and restore 
the marine environment, stimulate economic activity, and pro-
vide security for the United States. 
(7) A robust national ocean exploration program engaging 
multiple Federal agencies, Indian Tribes, the private sector, 
nongovernmental organizations, and academia is— 
(A) essential to the interests of the United States and 
vital to its security and economy and the health and well- 
being of all people of the United States; and 
(B) critical to reestablish the United States at the 
forefront of global ocean exploration and stewardship. 
SEC. 10302. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) 
CHARACTERIZATION.—The 
term 
‘‘characterization’’ 
means 
activities 
that 
provide 
comprehensive 
data 
and 
interpretations for a specific area of interest of the sea floor, 
sub-bottom, water column, or hydrologic features, including 
water masses and currents, in direct support of specific 
research, environmental protection, resource management, 
policymaking, or applied mission objectives. 
(2) EXPLORATION.—The term ‘‘exploration’’ means activities 
that provide— 
(A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown or poorly 
understood area of the seafloor, sub-bottom, or water 
column; and
H. R. 7776—1573 
(B) an initial assessment of the physical, chemical, 
geological, biological, archeological, or other characteristics 
of such an area. 
(3) INDIAN
TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(4) MAPPING.—The term ‘‘mapping’’ means activities that 
provide comprehensive data and information needed to under-
stand seafloor characteristics, such as depth, topography, bot-
tom type, sediment composition and distribution, underlying 
geologic structure, and benthic flora and fauna. 
SEC. 10303. OCEAN POLICY COMMITTEE. 
(a) SUBCOMMITTEES.—Section 8932(c) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) SUBCOMMITTEES.—(1) The Committee shall include— 
‘‘(A) a subcommittee to be known as the ‘Ocean Science 
and Technology Subcommittee’; and 
‘‘(B) a subcommittee to be known as the ‘Ocean Resource 
Management Subcommittee’. 
‘‘(2) In discharging its responsibilities in support of agreed- 
upon scientific needs, and to assist in the execution of the respon-
sibilities described in subsection (b), the Committee may delegate 
responsibilities to the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee, 
the Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, or another sub-
committee of the Committee, as the Committee determines appro-
priate.’’. 
(b) INCREASED ACCESS TO GEOSPATIAL DATA FOR MORE EFFI-
CIENT AND INFORMED DECISIONMAKING.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF DOCUMENT SYSTEM.—Section 8932(b) 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (4)(F), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) for projects under the purview of the Committee, estab-
lish or designate one or more systems for ocean-related and 
ocean-mapping-related documents prepared under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
in accordance with subsection (h).’’. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—Section 8932 of such title is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); 
and 
(B) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new 
subsection (h): 
‘‘(h) ELEMENTS
OF DOCUMENT SYSTEM.—The systems estab-
lished or designated under subsection (b)(5) may include the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) A publicly accessible, centralized digital archive of 
documents described in subsection (b)(5) that are finalized after 
the date of the enactment of the James M. Inhofe National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, including— 
‘‘(A) environmental impact statements; 
‘‘(B) environmental assessments; 
‘‘(C) records of decision; and 
‘‘(D) other relevant documents as determined by the 
lead agency on a project.
H. R. 7776—1574 
‘‘(2) Geospatially referenced data, if any, contained in the 
documents under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) A mechanism to retrieve information through geo- 
information tools that can map and integrate relevant 
geospatial information, such as— 
‘‘(A) Ocean Report Tools; 
‘‘(B) the Environmental Studies Program Information 
System; 
‘‘(C) Regional Ocean Partnerships; and 
‘‘(D) the Integrated Ocean Observing System. 
‘‘(4) Appropriate safeguards on the public accessibility of 
data to protect national security equities.’’. 
SEC. 
10304. 
NATIONAL 
OCEAN 
MAPPING, 
EXPLORATION, 
AND 
CHARACTERIZATION COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish a council, 
to be known as the ‘‘National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
Characterization Council’’ (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Council’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The Council shall— 
(1) update national priorities for ocean mapping, explo-
ration, and characterization; and 
(2) coordinate and facilitate activities to advance those 
priorities. 
(c) REPORTING.—The Council shall report to the Ocean Science 
and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee estab-
lished under section 8932(c) of title 10, United States Code. 
(d) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council shall be composed of senior- 
level representatives from the appropriate Federal agencies. 
(e) CO-CHAIRS.—The Council shall be co-chaired by— 
(1) two senior-level representatives from the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration; and 
(2) one senior-level representative from the Department 
of the Interior. 
(f) DUTIES.—The Council shall— 
(1) set national ocean mapping, exploration, and character-
ization priorities and strategies; 
(2) cultivate and facilitate transparent and sustained part-
nerships among Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, 
private industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations 
to conduct ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
activities and related technology development; 
(3) coordinate improved processes for data compilation, 
management, access, synthesis, and visualization with respect 
to ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, with a 
focus on building on existing ocean data management systems 
and with appropriate safeguards on the public accessibility 
of data to protect national security equities, as appropriate; 
(4) encourage education, workforce training, and public 
engagement activities that— 
(A) advance interdisciplinary principles that contribute 
to ocean mapping, exploration, research, and characteriza-
tion; 
(B) improve public engagement with and under-
standing of ocean science; and 
(C) provide opportunities for underserved populations;
H. R. 7776—1575 
(5) coordinate activities as appropriate with domestic and 
international ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
initiatives or programs; and 
(6) establish and monitor metrics to track progress in 
achieving the priorities set under paragraph (1). 
(g) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON OCEAN EXPLORATION AND 
CHARACTERIZATION.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish a new 
interagency working group to be known as the ‘‘Interagency 
Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization’’. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Interagency Working Group on 
Ocean Exploration and Characterization shall be comprised 
of senior representatives from Federal agencies with ocean 
exploration and characterization responsibilities. 
(3) FUNCTIONS.—The Interagency Working Group on Ocean 
Exploration and Characterization shall support the Council 
and the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the 
Ocean Policy Committee established under section 8932(c) of 
title 10, United States Code, on ocean exploration and 
characterization activities and associated technology develop-
ment across the Federal Government, State governments, 
Indian Tribes, private industry, nongovernmental organiza-
tions, and academia. 
(h) OVERSIGHT.—The Council shall oversee— 
(1) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration 
and Characterization established under subsection (g)(1); and 
(2) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping under section 12203 of the Ocean and Coastal Map-
ping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3502). 
(i) PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Council shall develop or 
update and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
a plan for an integrated cross-sectoral ocean mapping, explo-
ration, and characterization initiative. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The plan required by paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) discuss the utility and benefits of ocean exploration 
and characterization; 
(B) identify and describe national ocean mapping, 
exploration, and characterization priorities; 
(C) identify and describe Federal and federally funded 
ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization pro-
grams; 
(D) facilitate and incorporate non-Federal input into 
national ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
priorities; 
(E) ensure effective coordination of ocean mapping, 
exploration, and characterization activities among pro-
grams described in subparagraph (C); 
(F) identify opportunities for combining overlapping 
or complementary needs, activities, and resources of Fed-
eral agencies and non-Federal organizations relating to 
ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization while not 
reducing benefits from existing mapping, explorations, and 
characterization activities; 
(G) promote new and existing partnerships among Fed-
eral and State agencies, Indian Tribes, private industry,
H. R. 7776—1576 
academia, and nongovernmental organizations to conduct 
or support ocean mapping, exploration, and characteriza-
tion activities and technology development needs, including 
through coordination under section 3 of the Commercial 
Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018 (33 
U.S.C. 4102) and the National Oceanographic Partnership 
Program under section 8931 of title 10, United States Code; 
(H) develop a transparent and sustained mechanism 
for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder engagement 
in strategic planning and mission execution to be imple-
mented not later than December 31, 2023, for coordinating 
such activities with— 
(i) institutions of higher education (as such term 
is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), the private sector, 
philanthropic organizations, and nonprofits; and 
(ii) international partners for activities relating 
to maritime areas (including the sea floor) beyond the 
jurisdiction of the Federal Government; 
(I) establish standardized collection and data manage-
ment protocols, including with respect to metadata, for 
ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization which— 
(i) are publicly accessible and locatable via appro-
priate Federal repositories; 
(ii) can facilitate the integration of ocean data 
into products and use innovations from non-Federal 
partners; and 
(iii) have appropriate safeguards on the public 
accessibility of data to protect national security; 
(J) encourage the development, testing, demonstration, 
and adoption of innovative ocean mapping, exploration, 
and characterization technologies and applications; 
(K) promote protocols for accepting data, equipment, 
approaches, or other resources that support national ocean 
mapping, exploration, and characterization priorities; 
(L) identify best practices for the protection of marine 
life during mapping, exploration, and characterization 
activities; 
(M) identify training, technology, and other resource 
requirements for enabling the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and other appropriate Federal 
agencies to support a coordinated national ocean mapping, 
exploration, and characterization effort; 
(N) identify and facilitate a centralized mechanism 
or office for coordinating data collection, compilation, proc-
essing, archiving, and dissemination activities relating to 
ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization that 
meets Federal mandates for data accuracy and accessibility; 
(O) designate repositories responsible for archiving and 
managing ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
data; 
(P) set forth a timetable and estimated costs for 
implementation and completion of the plan; 
(Q) to the extent practicable, align ocean exploration 
and characterization efforts with existing programs and 
identify key gaps; and
H. R. 7776—1577 
(R) identify criteria for determining the optimal fre-
quency of observations; and 
(S) provide recommendations, developed in coordina-
tion with the private sector, to improve incentives, access, 
and processes for the private sector to share ocean-related 
data with the public and Federal Government. 
(j) BRIEFINGS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 
2 years thereafter, the Council shall brief the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress on— 
(1) progress made toward meeting the national priorities 
described in subsection (i)(2)(B); and 
(2) recommendations for meeting such priorities, such as 
additional authorities that may be needed to develop a mecha-
nism for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder engagement 
described in subsection (i)(2)(H). 
(k) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; 
and 
(2) the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on 
Armed Services of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 10305. MODIFICATIONS TO THE OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM 
OF 
THE 
NATIONAL 
OCEANIC 
AND 
ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) PURPOSE.—Section 12001 of the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3401) is amended by striking 
‘‘and the national undersea research program’’. 
(b) PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.—Section 12002 of such Act (33 
U.S.C. 3402) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘and undersea’’; and 
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘and undersea 
research and exploration’’ and inserting ‘‘research and ocean 
exploration and characterization efforts’’. 
(c) POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 12003(a) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
3403(a)) is amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘, in consultation with the Ocean Policy Committee estab-
lished under section 8932 of title 10, United States Code,’’ 
after ‘‘Administration’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘voyages’’ and inserting ‘‘expedi-
tions’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Federal agencies’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘and survey’’ and inserting ‘‘Federal 
and State agencies, Tribal Governments, private 
industry, 
academia 
(including 
secondary 
schools, 
community colleges, and universities), and nongovern-
mental organizations, to map, explore, and charac-
terize’’; and 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘characterize,’’ after ‘‘observe,’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘of the exclusive 
economic zone’’ after ‘‘deep ocean regions’’;
H. R. 7776—1578 
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘voyages’’ and 
inserting ‘‘expeditions’’; 
(E) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘, in consultation 
with the National Science Foundation,’’; 
(F) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) support technological innovation of the United States 
marine science community by promoting the development and 
use of new and emerging technologies for research, communica-
tion, navigation, and data collection, such as sensors and auton-
omous vehicles;’’; 
(G) in paragraph (6), by inserting ‘‘, in consultation 
with the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
Characterization Council established under section 5405 
of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2023,’’ after ‘‘forum’’; 
(H) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) provide guidance, in consultation with the National 
Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council, to 
Federal and State agencies, Tribal Governments, private 
industry, academia (including secondary schools, community 
colleges, and universities), and nongovernmental organizations 
on data standards, protocols for accepting data, and coordina-
tion of data collection, compilation, processing, archiving, and 
dissemination for data relating to ocean exploration and 
characterization; and 
‘‘(8) coordinate with applicable ocean mapping, ocean moni-
toring, and ocean observation programs to maximize coordina-
tion and collaboration opportunities, prevent duplication of such 
activities and identify gaps in data.’’. 
(2) DONATIONS.—Section 12003(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
3403(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) DONATIONS.—For the purpose of mapping, exploring, and 
characterizing the oceans or increasing the knowledge of the oceans, 
the Administrator may— 
‘‘(1) accept monetary donations, which shall be credited 
as discretionary offsetting collections to the currently applicable 
appropriation, account, or fund of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and shall be made available for 
such purposes only to the extent and in the amounts provided 
in advance in appropriations Acts; 
‘‘(2) accept donations of property, data, and equipment; 
and 
‘‘(3) pay all necessary expenses in connection with the 
conveyance or transfer of a gift, devise, or bequest.’’. 
(3) DEFINITION
OF
EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC
ZONE.—Section 
12003 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3403) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITION OF EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘exclusive economic zone’ means the zone established 
by Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983 
(16 U.S.C. 1453 note).’’. 
(d) REPEAL OF OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA RESEARCH 
TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.—Section 12004 
of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3404) is repealed. 
(e) EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND OUTREACH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Such Act is further amended by inserting 
after section 12003 the following new section 12004: