IB 
Union Calendar No. 262 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2405 
[Report No. 116–323] 
To reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 30, 2019 
Mr. HUFFMAN (for himself, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. KILMER, Mr. KATKO, Mr. 
BEYER, Mr. ZELDIN, Mr. SUOZZI, Mr. PANETTA, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. 
RASKIN, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. COURTNEY, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. CASE, Ms. 
GABBARD, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. SIRES, Mr. PAPPAS, and Mr. 
KEATING) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources 
DECEMBER 5, 2019 
Additional sponsors: Mrs. LURIA, Mr. HIGGINS
of New York, Mrs. 
RADEWAGEN, Miss GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N of Puerto Rico, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. 
HASTINGS, Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. MOORE, Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. LARSON of 
Connecticut, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Mr. WELCH, Mr. 
GOLDEN, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. PINGREE, Mr. POSEY, Mr. WITTMAN, Mr. 
MALINOWSKI, Mr. HECK, Mr. SARBANES, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, Mr. 
CUNNINGHAM, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. BYRNE, Mr. TRONE, Ms. 
CASTOR of Florida, Mr. KIND, Mr. CICILLINE, Mrs. DINGELL, and Mr. 
STAUBER 
DECEMBER 5, 2019 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 30, 2019] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Sea Grant Col-
lege Program Amendments Act of 2019’’. 
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COL-
LEGE PROGRAM ACT. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of 
an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, 
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
other provision of the National Sea Grant College Program 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.). 
SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF DEAN JOHN A. KNAUSS MARINE 
POLICY FELLOWSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 208(b) (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting ‘‘shall’’. 
(b) PLACEMENTS IN CONGRESS.—Such section is fur-
ther amended— 
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (1), as designated by para-
graph (1) of this section, in the second sentence, by 
striking ‘‘A fellowship’’ and inserting the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(2) PLACEMENT PRIORITIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In each year in which 
the Secretary awards a legislative fellowship 
under this subsection, when considering the 
placement 
of 
fellows, 
the 
Secretary 
shall 
prioritize placement of fellows in the following: 
‘‘(i) Positions in offices of committees 
of Congress that have jurisdiction over the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration. 
‘‘(ii) Positions in offices of Members of 
Congress who are on such committees. 
‘‘(iii) Positions in offices of Members of 
Congress that have a demonstrated interest 
in ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources. 
‘‘(B) EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.— 
‘‘(i) FINDING
AND
RECOGNITION.— 
Congress— 
‘‘(I) finds that both host offices 
and fellows benefit when fellows have 
the opportunity to choose from a range 
of host offices from different States and 
regions, both chambers of Congress, 
and both political parties; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(II) recognizes the steps taken by 
the National Sea Grant College Pro-
gram to facilitate an equitable dis-
tribution of fellows among the political 
parties. 
‘‘(ii) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
shall ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, that fellows have the opportunity to 
choose from offices that are described in 
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph 
(A) and that are equitably distributed 
among— 
‘‘(I) the political parties; and 
‘‘(II) the Senate and the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(iii) POLITICAL
AND
CAMERAL
EQ-
UITY.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
placements are equitably distributed be-
tween— 
‘‘(I) the political parties; and 
‘‘(II) the Senate and the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(3) DURATION.—A fellowship’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by sub-
section (b) shall apply with respect to the first calendar 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act 
and each fiscal year thereafter. 
(d) SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING FEDERAL HIR-
ING OF FORMER FELLOWS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
in recognition of the competitive nature of the fellowship 
under section 208(b) of the National Sea Grant College Pro-
gram Act (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)), and of the exceptional quali-
fications of fellowship awardees— 
(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and At-
mosphere, should encourage participating Federal 
agencies to consider opportunities for fellowship 
awardees at the conclusion of their fellowships for 
workforce positions appropriate for their education 
and experience; and 
(2) Members and committees of Congress should 
consider opportunities for such awardees for such po-
sitions. 
SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF 
COMMERCE TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FOR NA-
TIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 204(c)(4)(E) (33 U.S.C. 
1123(c)(4)(E)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(E) accept donations of money and, not-
withstanding section 1342 of title 31, United 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
States Code, of voluntary and uncompensated 
services;’’. 
(b) PRIORITIES.—The Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
Atmosphere, shall establish priorities for the use of dona-
tions accepted under section 204(c)(4)(E) of the National 
Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(c)(4)(E)), 
and shall consider among those priorities the possibility of 
expanding the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow-
ship’s placement of additional fellows in relevant legislative 
offices under section 208(b) of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)), 
in accordance with the recommendations under subsection 
(c) of this section. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National 
Sea Grant College Program, in consultation with the Na-
tional Sea Grant Advisory Board and the Sea Grant Asso-
ciation, shall— 
(1) develop recommendations for the optimal use 
of any donations accepted under section 204(c)(4)(E) 
of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 
U.S.C. 1123(c)(4)(E)); and 
(2) submit to Congress a report on the rec-
ommendations developed under paragraph (1). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(d) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit or otherwise affect any other amounts 
available for marine policy fellowships under section 208(b) 
of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 
1127(b)), including amounts— 
(1) accepted under section 204(c)(4)(F) of that 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1123(c)(4)(F)); or 
(2) appropriated under section 212 of that Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1131). 
SEC. 5. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON CO-
ORDINATION OF OCEANS AND COASTAL RE-
SEARCH ACTIVITIES. 
Section 9 of the National Sea Grant College Program 
Act Amendments of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 857–20) is repealed. 
SEC. 6. REDUCTION IN FREQUENCY REQUIRED FOR NA-
TIONAL SEA GRANT ADVISORY BOARD RE-
PORT. 
Section 209(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)(2)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘BIENNIAL’’ and 
inserting ‘‘PERIODIC’’; and 
(2) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The Board 
shall report to the Congress every two years’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Not less frequently than once every 4 years, 
the Board shall submit to Congress a report’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
SEC. 7. MODIFICATION OF ELEMENTS OF NATIONAL SEA 
GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM. 
Section 204(b) (33 U.S.C. 1123(b)) is amended, in the 
matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘for research, 
education, extension, training, technology transfer, public 
service,’’ after ‘‘financial assistance’’. 
SEC. 8. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY; DEAN JOHN A. KNAUSS 
MARINE POLICY FELLOWSHIP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—During fiscal year 2019 and any 
fiscal year thereafter, the head of any Federal agency may 
appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I 
of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sec-
tions 3303 and 3328 of that title, a qualified candidate de-
scribed in subsection (b) directly to a position with the Fed-
eral agency for which the candidate meets Office of Per-
sonnel Management qualification standards. 
(b) QUALIFIED CANDIDATE.—Subsection (a) applies 
with respect to a former recipient of a Dean John A. 
Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship under section 208(b) of 
the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 
1127(b)) who— 
(1) earned a graduate or post-graduate degree in 
a field related to ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes re-
sources or policy from an institution of higher edu-
cation accredited by an agency or association recog-
nized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to sec-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
tion 496(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1099b(a)); 
(2) received a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Pol-
icy Fellowship under section 208(b) of the National 
Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)) 
within 5 years before the date the individual is ap-
pointed under this section; and 
(3) successfully fulfilled the requirements of the 
fellowship within the executive or legislative branch of 
the United States Government. 
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NA-
TIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 212(a) (33 U.S.C. 1131(a)) 
is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this title— 
‘‘(A) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(B) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(C) $96,500,000 for fiscal year 2022; 
‘‘(D) $101,325,000 for fiscal year 2023; 
‘‘(E) $106,380,000 for fiscal year 2024; and 
‘‘(F) $111,710,813 for fiscal year 2025.’’; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY
ACTIVITIES
FOR
FISCAL
YEARS 
2020 THROUGH 2025.—In addition to the amounts au-
thorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), 
there are authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025 for competitive 
grants for the following: 
‘‘(A) University research on the biology, 
prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative spe-
cies. 
‘‘(B) University research on oyster diseases, 
oyster restoration, and oyster-related human 
health risks. 
‘‘(C) University research on the biology, 
prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal 
blooms. 
‘‘(D) University research, education, train-
ing, and extension services and activities focused 
on coastal resilience and United States working 
waterfronts and other regional or national pri-
ority issues identified in the strategic plan under 
section 204(c)(1). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(E) University research and extension on 
sustainable aquaculture techniques and tech-
nologies. 
‘‘(F) Fishery research and extension activi-
ties conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant 
institutes to enhance, and not supplant, existing 
core program funding.’’. 
(b) MODIFICATION OF LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS FOR 
ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraph (1) of section 212(b) (33 
U.S.C. 1131(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There may not be used 
for administration of programs under this title 
in a fiscal year more than 5.5 percent of the less-
er of— 
‘‘(i) the amount authorized to be ap-
propriated under this title for the fiscal 
year; or 
‘‘(ii) the amount appropriated under 
this title for the fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) CRITICAL STAFFING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall 
use the authority under subchapter VI of 
chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, to 
meet any critical staffing requirement while 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
carrying out the activities authorized under 
this title. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION FROM CAP.—For pur-
poses of subparagraph (A), any costs in-
curred as a result of an exercise of authority 
described in clause (i) shall not be consid-
ered an amount used for administration of 
programs under this title in a fiscal year.’’. 
(c) ALLOCATION OF FUNDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 204(d)(3) (33 U.S.C. 
1123(d)(3)) is amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘With respect to sea grant col-
leges and sea grant institutes’’ and inserting 
‘‘With respect to sea grant colleges, sea grant in-
stitutes, sea grant programs, and sea grant 
projects’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), in the matter pre-
ceding clause (i), by striking ‘‘funding among 
sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes’’ and 
inserting ‘‘funding among sea grant colleges, sea 
grant institutes, sea grant programs, and sea 
grant projects’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(2) REPEAL
OF
REQUIREMENTS
CONCERNING 
DISTRIBUTION
OF
EXCESS
AMOUNTS.—Section 212 
(33 U.S.C. 1131) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (c); and 
(B) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) 
as subsections (c) and (d), respectively. 
SEC. 10. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
The National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 
U.S.C. 1121 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) 
in 
section 
204(d)(3)(B) 
(33 
U.S.C. 
1123(d)(3)(B)), by moving clause (vi) 2 ems to the 
right; and 
(2) in section 209(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)(2)), 
as amended by section 6 of this Act, in the third sen-
tence, by striking ‘‘The Secretary shall’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES OF DEPART-
MENT OF COMMERCE.—The Secretary shall’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 262 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2405 
[Report No. 116–323] 
A BILL 
To reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant 
College Program Act, and for other purposes. 
DECEMBER 5, 2019 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:20 Dec 05, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H2405.RH
H2405
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS