(P) The Chair of the National Research 
Council Governing Board. 
(2) STATE GOVERNOR MEMBERS.—
(A) TERMS.—Of the members appointed 
under paragraph (1)(N)—
(i) except as provided in clause (iii), 
their term as a member shall be 3 years; 
(ii) one member shall be appointed to 
an initial 3-year term that begins in a Fed-
eral election year in which there occurs an 
election of the President; 
(iii) one member shall be appointed to 
an initial 3-year term that begins in a Fed-
eral election year in which there does not 
occur an election of the President; and 
(iv) at least 2 shall be governors of 
coastal States. 
(B) LIMITATION
ON
APPOINTMENT.—A 
governor of a State may not be appointed under 
paragraph (1)(K) to a term on the Council that 
begins before the end of the 3-year period that 
begins upon the expiration of a prior term on 
the Council served by a governor of the State. 
(c) STAFF.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chair, without regard 
to the civil service laws and regulations, may employ 
and terminate such employees as may be necessary 
to carry out its function under this Act. 
(2) VOLUNTARY AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV-
ICES.—The Chair may accept, employ, and termi-
nate voluntary and uncompensated services in fur-
therance of the purposes of the Council. 
SEC. 503. LIMITATIONS ON VOTING. 
(a) ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administrator may not 
participate in any vote of the National Oceans Council on 
any matter concerning resolution of an interagency dis-
pute regarding marine ecosystem health. 
(b) HEAD OF AGENCY.—A member of the National 
Oceans Council may not participate in any vote of the Na-
tional Oceans Council on any matter concerning resolution 
of an interagency dispute regarding a covered action by 
a Federal agency that is under the administrative jurisdic-
tion of the member. 
TITLE VI—COUNCIL OF 
ADVISORS ON OCEANS POLICY 
SEC. 601. ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL. 
There is established the Council of Advisors on 
Oceans Policy.
SEC. 602. DUTIES. 
The Council shall advise the President, the National 
Oceans Advisor, and the National Oceans Council on poli-
cies to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine 
ecosystems on a regional and national basis. 
SEC. 603. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall have not less 
than 13 members and not more than 17 members (as de-
termined by the President) appointed by the President. 
(b) INCLUDED MEMBERS.—The members of the 
Council shall include at least 1 representative of each of 
the following: 
(1) State, tribal, and local governments. 
(2) The marine science research community. 
(3) The marine science education community. 
(4) Fisheries. 
(5) Non-fishing marine activities. 
(6) Agriculture, which may include timber. 
(7) Watershed organizations (other than organi-
zations represented under paragraph (8)), which 
may include resource conservation districts. 
(8) Non-governmental organizations (other than 
organizations represented under paragraph (7)), in-
cluding groups interested in marine conservation. 
(c) TERMS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the term of a member of the Council shall 
be 3 years. 
(2) INITIAL APPOINTEES.—Of the members ini-
tially appointed to the Council—
(A) one-half shall be appointed to a 3-year 
term that ends in a Federal election year in 
which there occurs an election of the President; 
and 
(B) one-half shall be appointed to a 3-year 
term that ends in a Federal election year in 
which there does not occur an election of the 
President; 
(d) QUALIFICATION.—Members of the Council shall 
be appointed based on their knowledge and experience in 
coastal, ocean, and atmospheric science, policy, and other 
related areas. 
(e) VACANCIES.—Any member appointed to fill a va-
cancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which 
the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be ap-
pointed only for the remainder of that term. 
(f) LIMITATION.—An individual may not serve more 
than 2 terms as a member of the Council. 
(g) COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.—A member of 
the Council shall not receive compensation for service on
the Council, but upon request by the member may be al-
lowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of sub-
sistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 604. MEETINGS. 
The Council shall meet at least 2 times each year and 
more often at the President’s discretion. 
TITLE VII—REGIONAL 
PLANNING 
SEC. 701. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) Ecosystem-based management of United 
States ocean waters—
(A) is needed to protect, maintain, and re-
store the health of marine ecosystems; 
(B) may occur at scales larger or smaller 
than the ocean regions designated by this title; 
(C) will coordinate among management of 
terrestrial, atmospheric, and ocean resources; 
(D) requires partnerships among State, 
local, tribal, and Federal governments that pro-
mote coordination of such governments; and 
(E) will be greatly enhanced by regional 
ocean observing systems.