1914 
other property, legal or other licensed serv-
ices, or any other ancillary service, relating 
to cannabis; and 
(B) does not include a business, organiza-
tion, or other person that participates in any 
business or organized activity that involves han-
dling cannabis or cannabis products, including 
cultivating, producing, manufacturing, selling, 
transporting, displaying, dispensing, distrib-
uting, or purchasing cannabis or cannabis prod-
ucts. 
(14) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or 
possession of the United States. 
SEC. 61415. DISCRETIONARY SURPLUS FUNDS. 
Section 7(a)(3)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 
U.S.C. 289(a)(3)(A)) is amended by reducing the dollar 
figure by $6,000,000. 
DIVISION H—COMMITTEE ON 
NATURAL RESOURCES 
TITLE I—ILLEGAL FISHING AND 
FORCED LABOR PREVENTION 
SEC. 70101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply:
1915 
(1) OPPRESSIVE CHILD LABOR.—The term ‘‘op-
pressive child labor’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act 
of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203). 
(2) FORCED LABOR.—The term ‘‘forced labor’’ 
means any labor or service provided for or obtained 
by any means described in section 1589(a) of title 
18, United States Code. 
(3) HUMAN TRAFFICKING.—The term ‘‘human 
trafficking’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘severe 
forms of trafficking in persons’’ in section 103 of 
the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
U.S.C. 7102). 
(4) ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UNREGULATED 
FISHING.—The term ‘‘illegal, unreported, or unregu-
lated fishing’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 609 of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Mora-
torium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(e)), as 
amended by this title. 
(5) SEAFOOD.—The term ‘‘seafood’’ means fish 
meal, and all marine animal and plant life meant for 
consumption as food other than marine mammals 
and birds, including fish, shellfish, shellfish prod-
ucts, and processed fish.
1916 
(6) SEAFOOD IMPORT MONITORING PROGRAM.— 
The term ‘‘Seafood Import Monitoring Program’’ 
means the Seafood Traceability Program established 
under section 300.324 of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Ad-
ministrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration. 
SEC. 70102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
2027 to carry out subtitle A, subtitle B, and the amend-
ments made by those subtitles. 
Subtitle 
A—Combating 
Human 
Trafficking 
Through 
Seafood 
Import Monitoring 
SEC. 70111. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle, the following additional definitions 
apply: 
(1) COMPETENT AUTHORITY.—The term ‘‘com-
petent authority’’ means government and any third 
party that meets certain governing criteria. Such cri-
teria shall be established by regulation, after out-
reach to key environmental and labor stakeholders.
1917 
(2) UNIQUE
VESSEL
IDENTIFIER.—The term 
‘‘unique vessel identifier’’ means a unique number 
that stays with a vessel for the duration of the ves-
sel’s life, regardless of changes in flag, ownership, 
name, or other changes to the vessel. 
SEC. 70112. EXPANSION OF SEAFOOD IMPORT MONITORING 
PROGRAM TO ALL SPECIES. 
The Secretary shall, not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, expand the Seafood Import 
Monitoring Program to apply to all seafood and seafood 
products imported into the United States. 
SEC. 70113. ENHANCEMENT OF SEAFOOD IMPORT MONI-
TORING PROGRAM AUTOMATED COMMER-
CIAL ENVIRONMENT MESSAGE SET. 
The Secretary, in coordination with the Commis-
sioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shall, not 
later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, develop a strategy to improve the quality and 
verifiability of already collected Seafood Import Moni-
toring Program Message Set data elements in the Auto-
mated Commercial Environment system that prioritizes 
the use of enumerated data types, such as checkboxes, 
dropdown menus, or radio buttons, and any additional ele-
ments the Agency finds necessary, among other options, 
rather than open text fields, for—
1918 
(1) authorization to fish; 
(2) unique vessel identifier (if available); 
(3) catch document identifier; 
(4) location of wild-capture harvest and landing 
or aquaculture location; 
(5) type of fishing gear used to harvest the fish; 
(6) name of farm or aquaculture facility, if ap-
plicable; and 
(7) location of aquaculture facility, if applicable. 
SEC. 70114. ADDITIONAL DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR SEA-
FOOD IMPORT MONITORING PROGRAM DATA 
COLLECTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise section 
300.324 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to— 
(1) require at the time of entry for imported 
seafood and seafood products— 
(A) location of catch or cultivation, includ-
ing— 
(i) geographic location at a resolution 
of not less than 1 degree latitude by 1 de-
gree longitude; 
(ii) the country code of the Inter-
national Organization for Standardization 
if the catch was within the exclusive eco-
1919 
nomic zone or territorial waters of a coun-
try; 
(iii) if appropriate, the regional fish-
eries management organization or organi-
zations having jurisdiction over the catch, 
if it occurs within the jurisdiction of any 
regional fisheries management organiza-
tion; and 
(iv) the Food and Agriculture Organi-
zation major fishing area codes; 
(B) electronic reports of chain-of-custody 
records that identify, including with unique ves-
sel identifiers when applicable, each custodian 
of the seafood, including transshippers, proc-
essors, storage facilities, and distributors and 
the physical address of such facilities; 
(C) maritime mobile service identity num-
ber of harvesting and transshipment vessels; 
and 
(D) beneficial owner of each harvesting 
and transshipment vessel or aquaculture facil-
ity, when applicable; 
(2) require all importers submitting seafood im-
port data to require prior notification and submis-
1920 
sion of seafood import data at least 72 hours and no 
more than 15 days prior to entry; and 
(3) require verification and certification of har-
vest information by competent authorities at all 
major transfer points in the supply chain, including 
harvest, landing, processing, and transshipment at 
the time of entry. 
(b) FORCED LABOR.—The Secretary, working in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of State, shall, not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
complete a regulatory process to establish additional key 
data elements for the Seafood Import Monitoring Pro-
gram, that collect information about labor conditions in 
the harvest, transshipment, and processing of imported 
fish and fish products. 
(c) INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES TRADE PERMIT.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall— 
(1) publish and maintain on the website of the 
National Marine Fisheries Service a list of all cur-
rent International Fisheries Trade Permit holders, 
including the name of the permit holder and expira-
tion date of the permit;
1921 
(2) begin to revoke, modify, or deny issuance of 
an International Fisheries Trade Permit with re-
spect to a permit holder or applicant that has vio-
lated any requirement of section 300.322, 300.323, 
300.324, or 300.325 of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations; and 
(3) require an International Fisheries Trade 
Permit for importers. 
SEC. 70115. IMPORT AUDITS. 
(a) AUDIT PROCEDURES.—The Secretary shall, not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
implement procedures to audit information and supporting 
records of sufficient numbers of imports of seafood and 
seafood products subject to the Seafood Import Moni-
toring Program to support statistically robust conclusions 
that the samples audited are representative of all seafood 
imports with respect to a given year. 
(b) ANNUAL REVISION.—In developing the proce-
dures required in subsection (a), the Secretary shall, not 
less frequently than once each year, revise such procedures 
to prioritize for audit those imports originating from coun-
tries— 
(1) identified pursuant to sections 609(b) or 
610(a) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Morato-
rium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(b) or
1922 
1826k(a)) that have not yet received a subsequent 
positive certification pursuant to sections 609(d) or 
610(c) of such Act, respectively; 
(2) identified by an appropriate regional fishery 
management organization as being the flag state or 
landing location of vessels identified by other coun-
tries or regional fisheries management organizations 
as engaging in illegal, unreported, or unregulated 
fishing; 
(3) identified as having human trafficking, in-
cluding forced labor, in any part of the seafood sup-
ply chain, including on vessels flagged in such coun-
try and including feed for cultured production, in 
the most recent Trafficking in Persons Report 
issued by the Department of State in accordance 
with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 
(22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.); 
(4) identified as producing goods that contain 
seafood using forced labor or oppressive child labor 
in the most recent List of Goods Produced by Child 
Labor or Forced Labor in accordance with the Traf-
ficking Victims Protection Act (22 U.S.C. 7101 et 
seq.); and 
(5) identified as at risk for human trafficking, 
including forced labor, in their seafood catching and
1923 
processing industries by the report required in sec-
tion 3563 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92). 
SEC. 70116. AVAILABILITY OF FISHERIES INFORMATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 402(b)(1) of the Magnu-
son-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1881a(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘or’’ after 
the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (G), by striking 
the period at the end of subparagraph (H) and inserting 
‘‘; or’’, and by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(I) to Federal agencies responsible for 
screening of imported seafood and for the pur-
pose of carrying out the duties under or with 
respect to— 
‘‘(i) the Seafood Import Monitoring 
Program; 
‘‘(ii) the Antarctic Marine Living Re-
sources Program; 
‘‘(iii) 
the 
Tuna 
Tracking 
and 
Verification Program; 
‘‘(iv) the Atlantic Highly Migratory 
Species International Trade Program; 
‘‘(v) the List of Goods Produced by 
Child Labor or Forced Labor in accord-
1924 
ance with the Trafficking Victims Protec-
tion Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.); 
‘‘(vi) the Trafficking in Persons Re-
port required by section 110 of the Traf-
ficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
U.S.C. 7107); 
‘‘(vii) enforcement activities and regu-
lations authorized under section 307 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307); and 
‘‘(viii) the taking and related acts in 
commercial fishing operations under sec-
tion 216.24 of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations; 
‘‘(J) to Federal, State and local agencies 
for the purposes of verification and enforcement 
of title II of this Act; or 
‘‘(K) information that pertains to catch 
documentation and legality of catch, if disclo-
sure of that information would not materially 
damage the value of catch or business.’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall issue regulations implementing the amendments in 
this section.
1925 
SEC. 70117. AUTHORITY TO HOLD FISH PRODUCTS. 
Section 311(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861(b)) 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), striking the period 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following a new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) detain, for a period of up to 14 days, any 
shipment of fish or fish product imported into, land-
ed on, introduced into, exported from, or transported 
within the jurisdiction of the United States, or, if 
such fish or fish product is deemed to be perishable, 
sell and retain the proceeds therefrom for a period 
of up to 21 days.’’. 
SEC. 70118. REPORT ON SEAFOOD IMPORT MONITORING. 
(a) REPORT
TO CONGRESS
AND PUBLIC AVAIL-
ABILITY OF REPORTS.—The Secretary shall, not later 
than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, submit 
to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
summarizes the National Marine Fisheries Service’s ef-
forts to prevent the importation of seafood harvested
1926 
through illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing, par-
ticularly with respect to seafood harvested, produced, 
processed, or manufactured by forced labor. Each such re-
port shall be made publicly available on the public website 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) the volume and value of seafood species sub-
ject to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, de-
scribed in section 300.324 of title 50, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, reported by 10-digit Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States codes, imported 
during the previous fiscal year; 
(2) the enforcement activities and priorities of 
the National Marine Fisheries Service with respect 
to implementing the requirements under the Seafood 
Import Monitoring Program; 
(3) the percentage of import shipments subject 
to this program selected for inspection or the infor-
mation or records supporting entry selected for 
audit, as described in section 300.324(d) of title 50, 
Code of Federal Regulations; 
(4) the number and types of instances of non-
compliance with the requirements of the Seafood Im-
port Monitoring Program;
1927 
(5) the number and types of instances of viola-
tions of State or Federal law discovered through the 
Seafood Import Monitoring Program; 
(6) the seafood species with respect to which 
violations described in paragraphs (4) and (5) were 
most prevalent; 
(7) the location of catch or harvest with respect 
to which violations described in paragraphs (4) and 
(5) were most prevalent; and 
(8) such other information as the Secretary 
considers appropriate with respect to monitoring and 
enforcing compliance with the Seafood Import Moni-
toring Program. 
SEC. 70119. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Com-
missioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to carry 
out enforcement actions pursuant to section 307 of the 
Tariff Act $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026.
1928 
Subtitle 
B—Strengthening 
Inter-
national Fisheries Management 
to Combat Human Trafficking 
SEC. 70121. DENIAL OF PORT PRIVILEGES. 
Section 101(a)(2) of the High Seas Driftnet Fish-
eries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 1826a(a)(2)) is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) DENIAL OF PORT PRIVILEGES.—The Sec-
retary of Homeland Security shall, in accordance 
with international law— 
‘‘(A) withhold or revoke the clearance re-
quired by section 60105 of title 46, United 
States Code, for any large-scale driftnet fishing 
vessels of a nation that receives a negative cer-
tification under sections 609(d) or 610(c) of the 
High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protec-
tion Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(d) or 1826k(c)), or 
fishing vessels of a nation that has been listed 
pursuant to sections 609(b) or 610(a) of such 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(b) or 1826k(a)) in 2 or 
more consecutive reports as described under 
section 607 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1826h), 
until a positive certification has been received; 
‘‘(B) withhold or revoke the clearance re-
quired by section 60105 of title 46, United
1929 
States Code, for fishing vessels of a nation that 
has been listed pursuant to sections 609(b) or 
610(a) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(b) or 
1826k(a)) in 2 or more consecutive reports as 
described under section 607 of such Act (16 
U.S.C. 1826h); and 
‘‘(C) deny entry of that vessel to any place 
in the United States and to the navigable 
waters of the United States, except for the pur-
poses of inspecting such vessel, conducting an 
investigation, or taking other appropriate en-
forcement action.’’. 
SEC. 70122. IDENTIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION CRI-
TERIA. 
(a) DENIAL OF PORT PRIVILEGES.—Section 609 of 
the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and 
(2) by inserting before subsection (c) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) INFORMATION
COLLECTION.—The Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, 
shall engage with each flag, coastal, port, and mar-
ket nation that exports seafood to the United States
1930 
to collect information sufficient to evaluate the effec-
tiveness of such nation’s management of fisheries 
and control systems to prevent illegal, unreported, or 
unregulated fishing. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Secretary of State, shall pro-
vide recommendations to such nations to resolve 
compliance gaps and improve fisheries management 
and control systems in order to assist such nations 
in preventing illegal, unreported, or unregulated 
fishing. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION AND WARNING.— 
‘‘(1) FOR ACTIONS OF A FISHING VESSEL.—The 
Secretary shall identify and list in the report re-
quired by section 607 a nation if a fishing vessel of 
such nation is engaged or has, in the preceding 3 
years, engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated 
fishing. The Secretary shall include all nations that 
qualify for identification, regardless of whether the 
Secretary has engaged in the process described in 
this subsection or under subsection (a). Any of the 
following relevant information is sufficient to form 
the basis of an identification: 
‘‘(A) Compliance reports.
1931 
‘‘(B) Data or information from inter-
national fishery management organizations, a 
foreign government, or an organization or 
stakeholder group. 
‘‘(C) Information submitted by the public. 
‘‘(D) Information submitted to the Sec-
retary under section 402(a) of the Magnuson- 
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1881a(a)). 
‘‘(E) Import data collected by the Sec-
retary pursuant to part 300.324 of title 50, 
Code of Federal Regulations. 
‘‘(F) Information compiled from a Federal 
agency, including, the Coast Guard and agen-
cies within the Interagency Working Group on 
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing. 
‘‘(2) FOR ACTIONS OF A NATION.—The Sec-
retary shall identify, and list in such report, a nation 
engaging in or endorsing illegal, unreported, or un-
regulated fishing, including the following: 
‘‘(A) Any nation that is failing, or has 
failed in the preceding 3-year period, to cooper-
ate with the United States Government in pro-
viding information about such nation’s fisheries
1932 
management and control systems described in 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(B) Any nation that is violating, or has 
violated at any point during the preceding 3 
years, conservation and management measures, 
including catch and other data reporting obliga-
tions and requirements, required under an 
international fishery management agreement. 
‘‘(C) Any nation that is failing, or has 
failed in the preceding 3-year period, to effec-
tively address or regulate illegal, unreported, or 
unregulated fishing within its fleets in any 
areas where its vessels are fishing. 
‘‘(D) Any nation that fails to discharge du-
ties incumbent upon it under international law 
or practice as a flag, port, or coastal state to 
take action to prevent, deter, and eliminate ille-
gal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. 
‘‘(E) Any nation that provides subsidies 
that— 
‘‘(i) contribute to illegal, unreported, 
or unregulated fishing or increased capac-
ity and overfishing at proportionally higher 
rates than subsidies that promote fishery 
resource conservation and management; or
1933 
‘‘(ii) that otherwise undermine the ef-
fectiveness of any international fishery con-
servation program. 
‘‘(F) Any nation that has been identified 
as having human trafficking, including forced 
labor, in any part of the seafood supply chain 
in the most recent Trafficking in Persons Re-
port issued by the Department of State in ac-
cordance with the Trafficking Victims Protec-
tion Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.). 
‘‘(G) Any nation that has been identified 
as producing seafood-related goods through 
forced labor or oppressive child labor in the 
most recent List of Goods Produced by Child 
Labor or Forced Labor in accordance with the 
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
U.S.C. 7101 et seq.). 
‘‘(H) Any nation that has been identified 
as at risk for human trafficking, including 
forced labor, in their seafood catching and proc-
essing industries in the report required in sec-
tion 3563 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 
116–92).
1934 
‘‘(3) WARNING.—The Secretary shall issue a 
warning to each nation identified under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(4) TIMING.—The Secretary shall make an 
identification under paragraph (1) or (2) at any 
time that the Secretary has sufficient information to 
make such identification.’’. 
(b) ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UNREGULATED CER-
TIFICATION DETERMINATION.—Section 609(d) of the 
High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1826j(d)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) IUU CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE.— 
‘‘(1) CERTIFICATION DETERMINATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
establish a procedure for certifying whether a 
nation identified under subsection (b) has taken 
appropriate corrective action with respect to the 
offending activities identified under section (b) 
that has led to measurable improvements in the 
reduction of illegal, unreported, or unregulated 
fishing and any underlying regulatory, policy, or 
practice failings or gaps that may have contrib-
uted to such identification. 
‘‘(B) OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT.—The 
Secretary shall ensure that the procedure estab-
1935 
lished under subparagraph (A) provides for no-
tice and an opportunity for comment by the 
identified nation. 
‘‘(C) 
DETERMINATION.—The 
Secretary 
shall, consistent with such procedure, determine 
and certify to the Congress not later than 90 
days after the date on which the Secretary 
issues a final rule containing the procedure, and 
biennially thereafter— 
‘‘(i) whether the government of each 
nation identified under subsection (b) has 
provided documentary evidence that such 
nation has taken corrective action with re-
spect to such identification; or 
‘‘(ii) whether the relevant inter-
national fishery management organization 
has taken corrective action that has ended 
the illegal, unreported, or unregulated fish-
ing activity by vessels of that nation. 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATIVE
PROCEDURE.—The Sec-
retary may establish a procedure to authorize, on a 
shipment-by-shipment, shipper-by-shipper, or other 
basis the importation of fish or fish products from 
a fishery within a nation issued a negative certifi-
cation under paragraph (1) if the Secretary—
1936 
‘‘(A) determines the fishery has not en-
gaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated 
fishing under an international fishery manage-
ment agreement to which the United States is 
a party; 
‘‘(B) determines the fishery is not identi-
fied by an international fishery management or-
ganization as participating in illegal, unre-
ported, or unregulated fishing activities; and 
‘‘(C) ensures that any such seafood or sea-
food products authorized for entry under this 
section are imported consistent with the report-
ing and the recordkeeping requirements of Sea-
food Import Monitoring Program described in 
part 300.324(b) of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or any successor regulation). 
‘‘(3) EFFECT OF CERTIFICATION DETERMINA-
TION.— 
‘‘(A) EFFECT
OF
NEGATIVE
CERTIFI-
CATION.—The provisions of subsections (a) and 
(b)(3) and (4) of section 101 of the High Seas 
Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 
1826a(a) and (b)(3) and (4)) shall apply to any 
nation that, after being identified and warned 
under subsection (b) has failed to take the ap-
1937 
propriate corrective actions for which the Sec-
retary has issued a negative certification under 
this subsection. 
‘‘(B) EFFECT
OF
POSITIVE
CERTIFI-
CATION.—The provisions of subsections (a) and 
(b)(3) and (4) of section 101 of the High Seas 
Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 
1826a(a) and (b)(3) and (4)) shall not apply to 
any nation identified under subsection (a) for 
which the Secretary has issued a positive cer-
tification under this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 70123. ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UNREGULATED 
FISHING DEFINED. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UN-
REGULATED FISHING
IN
THE HIGH SEAS DRIFTNET 
FISHING
MORATORIUM
PROTECTION
ACT.—Section 
609(e) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium 
Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826j(e)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(e) ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UNREGULATED 
FISHING DEFINED.—In this title, the term ‘illegal, unre-
ported, or unregulated fishing’ means any activity set out 
in paragraph 3 of the 2001 Food and Agriculture Organi-
zation International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and 
Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.’’.
1938 
(b) DEFINITION OF ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, OR UN-
REGULATED FISHING IN THE MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISH-
ERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT.—Section 3 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Man-
agement Act (16 U.S.C. 1802) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(51) The term ‘illegal, unreported, or unregu-
lated fishing’ means any activity set out in para-
graph 3 of the 2001 Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter 
and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated 
Fishing.’’. 
(c) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.—In construing the 
term ‘‘illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing’’ for pur-
poses of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Pro-
tection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conserva-
tion and Management Act, the Secretary shall follow inter-
nationally recognized labor rights stated in the Inter-
national Labour Organization Declaration on Funda-
mental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-Up 
(1998), including— 
(1) freedom of association and the effective rec-
ognition of the right to collective bargaining; 
(2) the elimination of all forms of forced or 
compulsory labor;
1939 
(3) the effective abolition of oppressive child 
labor, a prohibition on the worst forms of child 
labor, and other labor protections for children and 
minors; 
(4) the elimination of discrimination in respect 
of employment and occupation; and 
(5) acceptable conditions of work with respect 
to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational 
safety and health. 
SEC. 70124. EQUIVALENT CONSERVATION MEASURES. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION.—Section 610(a) of the High 
Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 
U.S.C. 1826k(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IDENTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall iden-
tify and list in the report under section 607— 
‘‘(A) a nation if— 
‘‘(i) any fishing vessel of that country 
is engaged, or has been engaged during the 
preceding 3 years in fishing activities or 
practices on the high seas or within the ex-
clusive economic zone of any country, that 
have resulted in bycatch of a protected liv-
ing marine resource; and
1940 
‘‘(ii) the vessel’s flag state has not 
adopted, implemented, and enforced a reg-
ulatory program governing such fishing de-
signed to end or reduce such bycatch that 
is comparable to the regulatory program of 
the United States; and 
‘‘(B) a nation if— 
‘‘(i) any fishing vessel of that country 
is engaged, or has engaged during the pre-
ceding 3 years, in fishing activities on the 
high sees or within the exclusive economic 
zone of another country that target or inci-
dentally catch sharks; and 
‘‘(ii) the vessel’s flag state has not 
adopted, implemented, and enforced a reg-
ulatory program to provide for the con-
servation of sharks, including measures to 
prohibit removal of any of the fins of a 
shark, including the tail, before landing the 
shark in port that is comparable to that of 
the United States. 
‘‘(2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall make an 
identification under paragraph (1) at any time that 
the Secretary has sufficient information to make 
such identification.’’.
1941 
(b) CONSULTATION
AND
NEGOTIATION.—Section 
610(b) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium 
Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826k(b)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(b) CONSULTATION AND NEGOTIATION.—The Sec-
retary of State, acting in conjunction with the Secretary, 
shall— 
‘‘(1) notify, as soon as possible, the President, 
nations that have been identified under subsection 
(a), and other nations whose vessels engage in fish-
ing activities or practices described in subsection (a), 
about the provisions of this Act; 
‘‘(2) initiate discussions as soon as possible 
with all foreign countries which are engaged in, or 
a fishing vessel of which has engaged in, fishing ac-
tivities described in subsection (a), for the purpose 
of entering into bilateral and multilateral treaties 
with such countries to protect such species and to 
address any underlying failings or gaps that may 
have contributed to identification under this Act; 
‘‘(3) seek agreements calling for international 
restrictions on fishing activities or practices de-
scribed in subsection (a) through the United Na-
tions, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Com-
1942 
mittee on Fisheries, and appropriate international 
fishery management bodies; and 
‘‘(4) initiate the amendment of any existing 
international treaty for the protection and conserva-
tion of such species to which the United States is a 
party in order to make such treaty consistent with 
the purposes and policies of this section.’’. 
(c) CONSERVATION CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE.— 
Section 610(c) of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Morato-
rium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826k(c)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘, taking into account different conditions,’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘the public 
and’’ after ‘‘comment by’’; 
(3) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘, 
taking into account different conditions’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) ensures that any such fish or fish 
products authorized for entry under this section 
are imported consistent with the reporting and 
the recordkeeping requirements of the Seafood 
Import Monitoring Program established by part
1943 
300.324(b) of title 50, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or any successor regulations).’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘(except to 
the extent that such provisions apply to sport fishing 
equipment or fish or fish products not caught by the 
vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated 
fishing)’’. 
(d) DEFINITION OF PROTECTED LIVING MARINE RE-
SOURCE.—Section 610(e) of the High Seas Driftnet Fish-
ing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826k(e)) is 
amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), 
means nontarget fish, sea turtles, seabirds, or ma-
rine mammals that are protected under United 
States law or international agreement, including— 
‘‘(A) the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(C) the Shark Finning Prohibition Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1822 note), including amendments 
made by that Act; and 
‘‘(D) the Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
1944 
and Flora, done at Washington March 3, 1973 
(27 UST 1087, TIAS 8249); but’’. 
SEC. 70125. REGULATIONS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations im-
plementing this title. 
Subtitle C—Maritime Awareness 
SEC. 70131. AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM RE-
QUIREMENTS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT FOR FISHING VESSELS TO HAVE 
AUTOMATIC
IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEMS.—Section 
70114(a)(1) of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘, while operating on the navi-
gable waters of the United States,’’ 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through 
(D) as clauses (i) through (iv); 
(3) by inserting before clauses (i) through (iv), 
as redesignated by paragraph (2), the following: 
‘‘(A) While operating on the navigable waters of 
the United States:’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) A vessel of the United States that is more 
than 65 feet overall in length, while engaged in fish-
ing, fish processing, or fish tendering operations on
1945 
the navigable waters of the United States or in the 
United States exclusive economic zone.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Com-
merce for fiscal year 2022, $5,000,000, to remain avail-
able until expended, to purchase automatic identification 
systems for fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, fish 
tender vessels more than 50 feet in length, as described 
under this title and the amendments made by this title. 
TITLE 
II—DRIFTNET 
MOD-
ERNIZATION AND BYCATCH 
REDUCTION 
SEC. 70201. DEFINITION. 
Section 3(25) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con-
servation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802(25)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, or with a mesh size of 14 inches 
or greater,’’ after ‘‘more’’. 
SEC. 70202. FINDINGS AND POLICY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Section 206(b) of the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1826(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
1946 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) within the exclusive economic zone, large- 
scale driftnet fishing that deploys nets with large 
mesh sizes causes significant entanglement and mor-
tality of living marine resources, including myriad 
protected species, despite limitations on the lengths 
of such nets.’’. 
(b) POLICY.—Section 206(c) of the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1826(c)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) prioritize the phase-out of large-scale 
driftnet fishing in the exclusive economic zone and 
promote the development and adoption of alternative 
fishing methods and gear types that minimize the in-
cidental catch of living marine resources.’’. 
SEC. 70203. TRANSITION PROGRAM. 
Section 206 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Con-
servation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1826) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) FISHING GEAR TRANSITION PROGRAM.—
1947 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—During the 5-year period 
beginning on the date of enactment of the America 
COMPETES Act of 2022, the Secretary shall con-
duct a transition program to facilitate the phase-out 
of large-scale driftnet fishing and adoption of alter-
native fishing practices that minimize the incidental 
catch of living marine resources, and shall award 
grants to eligible permit holders who participate in 
the program. 
‘‘(2) PERMISSIBLE USES.—Any permit holder 
receiving a grant under paragraph (1) may use such 
funds only for the purpose of covering— 
‘‘(A) any fee originally associated with a 
permit authorizing participation in a large-scale 
driftnet fishery, if such permit is surrendered 
for permanent revocation, and such permit 
holder relinquishes any claim associated with 
the permit; 
‘‘(B) a forfeiture of fishing gear associated 
with a permit described in subparagraph (A); or 
‘‘(C) the purchase of alternative gear with 
minimal incidental catch of living marine re-
sources, if the fishery participant is authorized 
to continue fishing using such alternative gears.
1948 
‘‘(3) CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall cer-
tify that, with respect to each participant in the pro-
gram under this subsection, any permit authorizing 
participation in a large-scale driftnet fishery has 
been permanently revoked and that no new permits 
will be issued to authorize such fishing.’’. 
SEC. 70204. EXCEPTION. 
Section 307(1)(M) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation 
and 
Management 
Act 
(16 
U.S.C. 
1857(1)(M)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon 
the following: ‘‘, unless such large-scale driftnet fishing— 
‘‘(i) deploys, within the exclusive eco-
nomic zone, a net with a total length of 
less than 21⁄2 kilometers and a mesh size 
of 14 inches or greater; and 
‘‘(ii) is conducted not later than 5 
years after the date of enactment of the 
America COMPETES Act of 2022.’’.
1949 
SEC. 70205. FEES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The North Pacific Fishery Man-
agement Council may recommend, and the Secretary of 
Commerce may approve, regulations necessary for the col-
lection of fees from charter vessel operators who guide rec-
reational anglers who harvest Pacific halibut in Inter-
national Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory areas 2C 
and 3A as those terms are defined in part 300 of title 
50, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regula-
tions). 
(b) USE OF FEES.—Any fees collected under this sec-
tion shall be available for the purposes of— 
(1) financing administrative costs of the Rec-
reational Quota Entity program; 
(2) the purchase of halibut quota shares in 
International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory 
areas 2C and 3A by the recreational quota entity 
authorized in part 679 of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or any successor regulations); 
(3) halibut conservation and research; and 
(4) promotion of the halibut resource by the 
recreational quota entity authorized in part 679 of 
title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or any suc-
cessor regulations). 
(c) LIMITATION
ON
COLLECTION
AND
AVAIL-
ABILITY.—Fees shall be collected and available pursuant
1950 
to this section only to the extent and in such amounts 
as provided in advance in appropriations Acts, subject to 
subsection (d). 
(d) FEE COLLECTED DURING START-UP PERIOD.— 
Notwithstanding subsection (c), fees may be collected 
through the date of enactment of an Act making appro-
priations for the activities authorized under this title 
through September 30, 2022, and shall be available for 
obligation and remain available until expended. 
TITLE III—MARINE MAMMAL 
RESEARCH AND RESPONSE 
SEC. 70301. DATA COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION. 
Section 402 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘or 
entangled’’ after ‘‘stranded’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘strandings,’’ and in-
serting ‘‘strandings and entanglements, in-
cluding unusual mortality events,’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘stranding’’ before 
‘‘region’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘marine mammals; 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘marine mammals and
1952 
‘‘(A) data on the stranding event, includ-
ing NOAA Form 89–864 (OMB #0648–0178), 
NOAA Form 89–878 (OMB #0648–0178), 
similar successor forms, or similar information 
in an appropriate format required by the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service for spe-
cies under its management authority; 
‘‘(B) supplemental data to the data de-
scribed in subparagraph (A), which may in-
clude, 
as 
available, 
relevant 
information 
about— 
‘‘(i) weather and tide conditions; 
‘‘(ii) offshore human, predator, or 
prey activity; 
‘‘(iii) morphometrics; 
‘‘(iv) behavior; 
‘‘(v) health assessments; 
‘‘(vi) life history samples; or 
‘‘(vii) stomach and intestinal contents; 
and 
‘‘(C) data and results from laboratory 
analysis of tissues, which may include, as ap-
propriate and available— 
‘‘(i) histopathology; 
‘‘(ii) toxicology;
1953 
‘‘(iii) microbiology; 
‘‘(iv) virology; or 
‘‘(v) parasitology. 
‘‘(2) TIMELINE.—A stranding network partici-
pant shall submit— 
‘‘(A) the data described in paragraph 
(1)(A) not later than 30 days after the date of 
a response to a stranding or entanglement 
event; 
‘‘(B) the compiled data described in para-
graph (1)(B) not later than 30 days after the 
date on which the data is available to the 
stranding network participant; and 
‘‘(C) the compiled data described in para-
graph (1)(C) not later than 30 days after the 
date on which the laboratory analysis has been 
reported to the stranding network participant. 
‘‘(d) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop 
a program to make information, including any data 
and metadata collected under paragraphs (3) or (4) 
of subsection (b) or subsection (c), available to re-
searchers, stranding network participants, and the 
public—
1954 
‘‘(A) to improve real-time coordination of 
response to stranding and entanglement events 
across geographic areas and between stranding 
coordinators; 
‘‘(B) to identify and quickly disseminate 
information on potential public health risks; 
‘‘(C) to facilitate integrated interdiscipli-
nary research; 
‘‘(D) to facilitate peer-reviewed publica-
tions; 
‘‘(E) to archive regional data into 1 na-
tional database for future analyses; and 
‘‘(F) for education and outreach activities. 
‘‘(2) ACCESS
TO
DATA.—The Secretary shall 
ensure that any data or metadata collected under 
subsection (c)— 
‘‘(A) by staff of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration that responded di-
rectly to a stranding or entanglement event is 
available to the public through the Health MAP 
and the Observation System not later than 30 
days after that data or metadata is collected by, 
available to, or reported to the Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) by a stranding network participant 
that responded directly to a stranding or entan-
1955 
glement event is made available to the public 
through the Health MAP and the Observation 
System not later than 2 years after the date on 
which that data is submitted to the Secretary 
under subsection (c). 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) WRITTEN
RELEASE.—Notwithstand-
ing paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may make 
data described in paragraph (2)(B) publicly 
available earlier than 2 years after the date on 
which that data is submitted to the Secretary 
under subsection (c), if the stranding network 
participant has completed a written release 
stating that such data may be made publicly 
available. 
‘‘(B) LAW ENFORCEMENT.—Notwithstand-
ing paragraph (2), the Secretary may withhold 
data for a longer period than the period of time 
described in paragraph (2) in the event of a law 
enforcement action or legal action that may be 
related to that data. 
‘‘(e) STANDARDS.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with the marine mammal stranding community, shall— 
‘‘(1) make publicly available guidance about 
uniform data and metadata standards to ensure that
1956 
data collected in accordance with this section can be 
archived in a form that is readily accessible and un-
derstandable to the public through the Health MAP 
and the Observation System; and 
‘‘(2) periodically update such guidance. 
‘‘(f) MANAGEMENT POLICY.—In collaboration with 
the regional stranding networks, the Secretary shall de-
velop, and periodically update, a data management and 
public outreach collaboration policy for stranding or en-
tanglement events.’’. 
SEC. 70302. STRANDING OR ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE 
AGREEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 403 of the Marine Mam-
mal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421b) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the section heading by inserting ‘‘OR EN-
TANGLEMENT’’ before ‘‘RESPONSE’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘or entanglement.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following:
1957 
‘‘(3) include a description of the data manage-
ment and public outreach policy established under 
section 402(f).’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table 
of contents in the first section of the Marine Mammal Pro-
tection Act of 1972 (Public Law 92–522; 86 Stat. 1027) 
is amended by striking the item related to section 403 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 403. Stranding or entanglement response agreements.’’. 
SEC. 70303. UNUSUAL MORTALITY EVENT ACTIVITY FUND-
ING. 
Section 405 the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421d) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(b) USES.—Amounts in the Fund— 
‘‘(1) shall be available only for use by the Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Secretary of the In-
terior, and dispersed among claimants based on 
budgets approved by the Secretary prior to expendi-
ture— 
‘‘(A) to make advance, partial, or progress 
payments under contracts or other funding 
mechanisms for property, supplies, salaries, 
services, and travel costs incurred in acting in 
accordance with the contingency plan issued
1958 
under section 404(b) or under the direction of 
an Onsite Coordinator for an unusual mortality 
event 
designated 
under 
section 
404(a)(2)(B)(iii); 
‘‘(B) for reimbursing any stranding net-
work participant for costs incurred in the collec-
tion, preparation, analysis, and transportation 
of marine mammal tissues and samples col-
lected with respect to an unusual mortality 
event for the Tissue Bank; and 
‘‘(C) for the care and maintenance of a 
marine 
mammal 
seized 
under 
section 
104(c)(2)(D); and 
‘‘(2) shall remain available until expended.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) not more than $250,000 per year, as de-
termined by the Secretary of Commerce, from sums 
collected as fines, penalties, or forfeitures of prop-
1959 
erty by the Secretary of Commerce for violations of 
any provision of this Act; and 
‘‘(5) sums received from emergency declaration 
grants for marine mammal conservation.’’. 
SEC. 70304. LIABILITY. 
Section 406(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421e(a)) is amended, in the matter 
preceding paragraph (1)— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘or entanglement’’ after ‘‘to a 
stranding’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘government’’ and inserting 
‘‘Government’’. 
SEC. 70305. NATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL TISSUE BANK AND 
TISSUE ANALYSIS. 
Section 407 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421f) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘the 
health of marine mammals and’’ and inserting ‘‘ma-
rine mammal health and mortality and the health 
of’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘public’’ before ‘‘ac-
cess’’.
1960 
SEC. 70306. MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE AND RESPONSE 
GRANT PROGRAM AND RAPID RESPONSE 
FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408 of the Marine Mam-
mal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421f–1) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and insert-
ing ‘‘MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE AND RESPONSE 
GRANT
PROGRAM
AND
RAPID
RESPONSE 
FUND’’; 
(2) by striking subsections (a) through (d) and 
subsections (f) through (h); 
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (f); and 
(4) by inserting before subsection (f), as redes-
ignated by paragraph (3), the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘emergency 
assistance’ means— 
‘‘(i) financial assistance provided to 
respond to, or that results from, a strand-
ing event or entanglement event that— 
‘‘(I) causes an immediate in-
crease in the cost of a response, recov-
ery, or rehabilitation that is greater
1961 
than the usual cost of a response, re-
covery, or rehabilitation; 
‘‘(II) is cyclical or endemic; or 
‘‘(III) involves a marine mammal 
that is out of the normal range for 
that marine mammal; or 
‘‘(ii) financial assistance provided to 
respond to, or that results from, a strand-
ing event or an entanglement event that 
the appropriate Secretary or State or Trib-
al government considers to be an emer-
gency. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘emergency 
assistance’ does not include financial assistance 
to respond to an unusual mortality event. 
‘‘(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 3(12)(A). 
‘‘(3) STRANDING REGION.—The term ‘strand-
ing region’ means a geographic region designated by 
the applicable Secretary for purposes of administra-
tion of this title. 
‘‘(b) JOHN H. PRESCOTT MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE 
AND RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability 
of appropriations or other funding, the applicable
1962 
Secretary shall carry out a grant program, to be 
known as the ‘John H. Prescott Marine Mammal 
Rescue and Response Grant Program’ (referred to 
in this section as the ‘grant program’), to award 
grants to eligible stranding network participants or 
stranding network collaborators, as described in this 
subsection. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the grant 
program are to provide for— 
‘‘(A) the recovery, care, or treatment of 
sick, injured, or entangled marine mammals; 
‘‘(B) responses to marine mammal strand-
ing events that require emergency assistance; 
‘‘(C) the collection of data and samples 
from living or dead stranded marine mammals 
for scientific research or assessments regarding 
marine mammal health; 
‘‘(D) facility operating costs that are di-
rectly related to activities described in subpara-
graph (A), (B), or (C); and 
‘‘(E) development of stranding network ca-
pacity, including training for emergency re-
sponse, where facilities do not exist or are 
sparse.
1963 
‘‘(3) CONTRACT, GRANT, AND
COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENT AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The applicable Sec-
retary may enter into a contract, grant, or co-
operative agreement with any eligible stranding 
network participant or stranding network col-
laborator, as the Secretary determines to be ap-
propriate, for the purposes described in para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(B) EMERGENCY AWARD FLEXIBILITY.— 
Following a request for emergency award flexi-
bility and analysis of the merits of and neces-
sity for such a request, the applicable Secretary 
may— 
‘‘(i) amend any contract, grant, or co-
operative agreement entered into under 
this paragraph, including provisions con-
cerning the period of performance; or 
‘‘(ii) waive the requirements under 
subsection (f) for grant applications sub-
mitted during the provision of emergency 
assistance. 
‘‘(4) EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
ensure, to the extent practicable, that funds
1964 
awarded under the grant program are distrib-
uted equitably among the stranding regions. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In determining 
priorities among the stranding regions under 
this paragraph, the Secretary may consider— 
‘‘(i) equitable distribution within the 
stranding regions, including the subregions 
(including the Gulf of Mexico); 
‘‘(ii) any episodic stranding, entangle-
ment, or mortality events, except for un-
usual mortality events, that occurred in 
any stranding region in the preceding year; 
‘‘(iii) any data with respect to average 
annual stranding, entanglements, and mor-
tality events per stranding region; 
‘‘(iv) the size of the marine mammal 
populations inhabiting a stranding region; 
‘‘(v) the importance of the region’s 
marine mammal populations to the well- 
being of indigenous communities; and 
‘‘(vi) the conservation of protected, 
depleted, threatened, or endangered marine 
mammal species. 
‘‘(C) STRANDINGS.—For the purposes of 
the grant program, priority is to be given to ap-
1965 
plications 
focusing 
on 
marine 
mammal 
strandings. 
‘‘(5) APPLICATION.—To be eligible for a grant 
under the grant program, a stranding network par-
ticipant shall— 
‘‘(A) submit an application in such form 
and manner as the applicable Secretary pre-
scribes; and 
‘‘(B) be in compliance with the data re-
porting requirements under section 402(d) and 
any applicable reporting requirements of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service for spe-
cies under its management jurisdiction. 
‘‘(6) GRANT CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall, in 
consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission, 
a representative from each of the stranding regions, 
and other individuals who represent public and pri-
vate organizations that are actively involved in res-
cue, rehabilitation, release, scientific research, ma-
rine conservation, and forensic science with respect 
to stranded marine mammals under that Depart-
ment’s jurisdiction, develop criteria for awarding 
grants under their respective grant programs. 
‘‘(7) LIMITATIONS.—
1966 
‘‘(A) 
MAXIMUM
GRANT
AMOUNT.—No 
grant made under the grant program for a sin-
gle award may exceed $150,000 in any 12- 
month period. 
‘‘(B) UNEXPENDED
FUNDS.—Any funds 
that have been awarded under the grant pro-
gram but that are unexpended at the end of the 
12-month period described in subparagraph (A) 
shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(8) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND EXPENSES.— 
The Secretary’s administrative costs and expenses 
related to reviewing and awarding grants under the 
grant program, in any fiscal year may not exceed 
the greater of— 
‘‘(A) 6 percent of the amounts made avail-
able each fiscal year to carry out the grant pro-
gram; or 
‘‘(B) $80,000. 
‘‘(9) TRANSPARENCY.—The Secretary shall 
make publicly available a list of grant proposals for 
the upcoming fiscal year, funded grants, and re-
quests for grant flexibility under this subsection. 
‘‘(c) JOSEPH R. GERACI MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE 
AND RAPID RESPONSE FUND.—
1967 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the 
Treasury of the United States an interest-bearing 
fund, to be known as the ‘Joseph R. Geraci Marine 
Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund’ (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘Rapid Response 
Fund’). 
‘‘(2) USE OF FUNDS.—Amounts in the Rapid 
Response Fund shall be available only for use by the 
Secretary to provide emergency assistance. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out the grant program $7,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2026, to re-
main available until expended, of which for each 
fiscal year— 
‘‘(i) $6,000,000 is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Com-
merce; and 
‘‘(ii) $1,000,000 is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of the Inte-
rior. 
‘‘(B) DERIVATION OF FUNDS.—Funds to 
carry out the activities under this section shall
1968 
be derived from amounts authorized to be ap-
propriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) that 
are enacted after the date of enactment of the 
America COMPETES Act of 2022. 
‘‘(2) JOSEPH R. GERACI MARINE MAMMAL RES-
CUE AND RAPID RESPONSE FUND.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to the Rapid Response Fund 
$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
2026. 
‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS.—For the pur-
poses of carrying out this section, the Secretary may so-
licit, accept, receive, hold, administer, and use gifts, de-
vises, and bequests without any further approval or ad-
ministrative action.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table 
of contents in the first section of the Marine Mammal Pro-
tection Act of 1972 (Public Law 92–522) is further 
amended by striking the item related to section 408 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 408. Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program and Rapid 
Response Fund.’’. 
SEC. 70307. HEALTH MAP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.) is amend-
ed by inserting after section 408 the following:
1969 
‘‘SEC. 408A. MARINE MAMMAL HEALTH MONITORING AND 
ANALYSIS PLATFORM (HEALTH MAP). 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the America COMPETES Act of 
2022, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Marine Mammal Commission, shall— 
‘‘(1) establish a marine mammal health moni-
toring and analysis platform (referred to in this Act 
as the ‘Health MAP’); 
‘‘(2) incorporate the Health MAP into the Ob-
servation System; and 
‘‘(3) make the Health MAP— 
‘‘(A) publicly accessible through the web 
portal of the Observation System; and 
‘‘(B) interoperable with other national data 
systems or other data systems for management 
or research purposes, as practicable. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Health MAP 
are— 
‘‘(1) to promote— 
‘‘(A) interdisciplinary research among indi-
viduals with knowledge and experience in ma-
rine mammal science, marine mammal veteri-
nary and husbandry practices, medical science,
1970 
and oceanography, and with other marine sci-
entists; 
‘‘(B) timely and sustained dissemination 
and availability of marine mammal health, 
stranding, entanglement, and mortality data; 
‘‘(C) identification of spatial and temporal 
patterns of marine mammal mortality, disease, 
and stranding; 
‘‘(D) evaluation of marine mammal health 
in terms of mortality, as well as sublethal ma-
rine mammal health impacts; 
‘‘(E) improved collaboration and fore-
casting of marine mammal and larger eco-
system health events; 
‘‘(F) rapid communication and dissemina-
tion of information regarding marine mammal 
strandings that may have implications for 
human health, such as those caused by harmful 
algal blooms; and 
‘‘(G) increased accessibility of data in a 
user friendly visual interface for public edu-
cation and outreach; and 
‘‘(2) to contribute to an ocean health index that 
incorporates marine mammal health data. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The Health MAP shall—
1971 
‘‘(1) integrate in situ, remote, and other marine 
mammal health, stranding, and mortality data, in-
cluding visualizations and metadata, collected by 
marine mammal stranding networks, Federal, State, 
local, territorial, and Tribal governments, private 
partners, and academia; and 
‘‘(2) be designed— 
‘‘(A) to enhance data and information 
availability, including data sharing among 
stranding network participants, scientists, and 
the public within and across stranding network 
regions; 
‘‘(B) to facilitate data and information ac-
cess across scientific disciplines, scientists, and 
managers; 
‘‘(C) to facilitate public access to national 
and regional marine mammal health, stranding, 
entanglement, and mortality data, including vis-
ualizations and metadata, through the national 
and regional data portals of the Observation 
System; and 
‘‘(D) in collaboration with, and with input 
from, States and stranding network partici-
pants.
1972 
‘‘(d) PROCEDURES
AND GUIDELINES.—The Sec-
retary shall establish and implement policies, protocols, 
and standards for— 
‘‘(1) reporting marine mammal health data col-
lected by stranding networks consistent with sub-
sections (c) and (d) of section 402; 
‘‘(2) promptly transmitting health data from 
the stranding networks and other appropriate data 
providers to the Health MAP; 
‘‘(3) disseminating and making publicly avail-
able data on marine mammal health, stranding, en-
tanglement, and mortality data in a timely and sus-
tained manner; and 
‘‘(4) integrating additional marine mammal 
health, stranding, or other relevant data as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(e) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall 
maintain and update the Health MAP in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Interior and the Marine Mammal 
Commission. 
‘‘(f) CONTRIBUTIONS.—For purposes of carrying out 
this section, the Secretary may solicit, accept, receive, 
hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and bequests with-
out any further approval or administrative action.’’.
1973 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table 
of contents in the first section of the Marine Mammal Pro-
tection Act of 1972 (Public Law 92–522) is further 
amended by inserting after the item related to section 408 
the following: 
‘‘Sec. 408A. Marine Mammal Health Monitoring and Analysis Platform 
(Health MAP).’’. 
SEC. 70308. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.) is further 
amended by inserting after section 408A the following: 
‘‘SEC. 408B. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF 
CONGRESS.—In this section, the term ‘appropriate com-
mittees of Congress’ means— 
‘‘(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; and 
‘‘(2) the Committee on Natural Resources of 
the House of Representatives. 
‘‘(b) HEALTH MAP STATUS REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 year after 
the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
Act of 2022, the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, in consulta-
tion with the Marine Mammal Commission, the Sec-
retary of the Interior, and the National Ocean Re-
1974 
search Leadership Council, shall submit to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress a report describing 
the status of the Health MAP. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a detailed evaluation of the data 
made publicly available through the Health 
MAP; 
‘‘(B) a detailed list of any gaps in data col-
lected pursuant to the Health MAP, a descrip-
tion of the reasons for those gaps, and rec-
ommended actions to close those gaps; 
‘‘(C) an analysis of the effectiveness of 
using the website of the Observation System as 
the platform to collect, organize, visualize, ar-
chive, and disseminate marine mammal strand-
ing and health data; 
‘‘(D) a list of publications, presentations, 
or other relevant work product resulting from, 
or produced in collaboration with, the Health 
MAP; 
‘‘(E) a description of emerging marine 
mammal health concerns and the applicability 
of those concerns to human health;
1975 
‘‘(F) an analysis of the feasibility of the 
Observation System being used as an alert sys-
tem during stranding events, entanglement 
events, and unusual mortality events for the 
stranding network, Observation System part-
ners, Health MAP partners, Federal and State 
agencies, and local, territorial, and Tribal gov-
ernments; 
‘‘(G) an evaluation of the use of Health 
MAP data to predict broader ecosystem events 
and changes that may impact marine mammal 
or human health and specific examples of prov-
en or potential uses of Observation System data 
for those purposes; and 
‘‘(H) recommendations for the Health 
MAP with respect to— 
‘‘(i) filling any identified data gaps; 
‘‘(ii) standards that could be used to 
improve data quality, accessibility, trans-
mission, interoperability, and sharing; 
‘‘(iii) any other strategies that would 
contribute to the effectiveness and useful-
ness of the Health MAP; and 
‘‘(iv) the funding levels needed to 
maintain and improve the Health MAP.
1976 
‘‘(c) DATA GAP ANALYSIS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years 
after the date on which the report required under 
subsection (b)(1) is submitted, and every 10 years 
thereafter, the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, in consulta-
tion with the Marine Mammal Commission and the 
Secretary of Commerce, shall— 
‘‘(A) make publicly available a report on 
the data gap analysis described in paragraph 
(2); and 
‘‘(B) provide a briefing to the appropriate 
committees of Congress concerning that data 
gap analysis. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The data gap analysis 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) an overview of existing participants 
within a marine mammal stranding network; 
‘‘(B) an identification of coverage needs 
and participant gaps within a network; 
‘‘(C) an identification of data and report-
ing gaps from members of a network; and 
‘‘(D) an analysis of how stranding and 
health data are shared and made available to
1977 
scientists, academics, State, local, territorial, 
and Tribal governments, and the public. 
‘‘(d) MARINE MAMMAL RESPONSE CAPABILITIES IN 
THE ARCTIC.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the America COMPETES 
Act of 2022, the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, the Director 
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
the Director of the United States Geologic Survey, 
in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commis-
sion and the Secretary of the Interior, shall— 
‘‘(A) make publicly available a report de-
scribing the response capabilities for sick and 
injured marine mammals in the Arctic regions 
of the United States; and 
‘‘(B) provide a briefing to the appropriate 
committees of Congress on that report. 
‘‘(2) ARCTIC.—The term ‘Arctic’ has the mean-
ing given the term in section 112 of the Arctic Re-
search and Policy Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 4111). 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a description, developed in consulta-
tion with the Director of the United States Fish
1978 
and Wildlife Service, of all marine mammal 
stranding agreements in place for the Arctic re-
gion of the United States, including species cov-
ered, response capabilities, facilities and equip-
ment, and data collection and analysis capabili-
ties; 
‘‘(B) a list of State and local government 
agencies that have personnel trained to respond 
to marine mammal strandings in the Arctic re-
gion of the United States; 
‘‘(C) an assessment of potential response 
and data collection partners and sources of 
local information and knowledge, including 
Alaska Native people and villages; 
‘‘(D) an analysis of spatial and temporal 
trends in marine mammal strandings and un-
usual mortality events that are correlated with 
changing environmental conditions in the Arctic 
region of the United States; 
‘‘(E) a description of training and other 
resource needs to meet emerging response re-
quirements in the Arctic region of the United 
States; 
‘‘(F) an analysis of oiled marine mammal 
response and rehabilitation capabilities in the
1979 
Arctic region of the United States, including 
personnel, equipment, facilities, training, and 
husbandry capabilities, and an assessment of 
factors that affect response and rehabilitation 
success rates; and 
‘‘(G) recommendations to address future 
stranding response needs for marine mammals 
in the Arctic region of the United States.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table 
of contents in the first section of the Marine Mammal Pro-
tection Act of 1972 (Public Law 92–522) is further 
amended by inserting after the item related to section 
408A the following: 
‘‘Sec. 408B. Reports to Congress.’’. 
SEC. 70309. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 409 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421g) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘1993 and 
1994;’’ and inserting ‘‘2022 through 2026;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘1993 and 
1994;’’ and inserting ‘‘2022 through 2026;’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘fiscal year 
1993.’’ and inserting ‘‘for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026.’’.
1980 
SEC. 70310. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 410 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1421h) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
(6) as paragraphs (2), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9), re-
spectively; 
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so re-
designated) the following: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘entangle’ or ‘entanglement’ 
means an event in the wild in which a living or dead 
marine mammal has gear, rope, line, net, or other 
material wrapped around or attached to the marine 
mammal and is— 
‘‘(A) on lands under the jurisdiction of the 
United States, including beaches and shorelines; 
or 
‘‘(B) in waters under the jurisdiction of 
the United States, including any navigable 
waters.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) by 
striking ‘‘The term’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as used 
in section 408, the term’’; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so re-
designated) the following:
1981 
‘‘(3) The term ‘Health MAP’ means the Marine 
Mammal Health Monitoring and Analysis Platform 
established under section 408A(a)(1). 
‘‘(4) The term ‘Observation System’ means the 
National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System established under section 12304 of the Inte-
grated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act 
of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603).’’. 
SEC. 70311. STUDY ON MARINE MAMMAL MORTALITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Undersecretary of 
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of the Interior and the Marine 
Mammal Commission, conduct a study evaluating the con-
nections among marine heat waves, frequency and inten-
sity of harmful algal blooms, prey availability, and habitat 
degradation, and the impacts of these conditions on ma-
rine mammal mortality. 
(b) REPORT.—The Undersecretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of the Interior and the Marine Mammal Commis-
sion, shall prepare, post to a publicly available website, 
and brief the appropriate committees of Congress on, a 
report containing the results of the study described in sub-
section (a). The report shall identify priority research ac-
1982 
tivities, opportunities for collaboration, and current gaps 
in effort and resource limitations related to advancing sci-
entific understanding of how ocean heat waves, harmful 
algae blooms, availability of prey, and habitat degradation 
impact marine mammal mortality. The report shall include 
recommendations for policies needed to mitigate and re-
spond to mortality events. 
TITLE 
IV—REAUTHORIZATION 
OF CORAL REEF CONSERVA-
TION ACT OF 2000 
SEC. 70401. REAUTHORIZATION OF CORAL REEF CON-
SERVATION ACT OF 2000. 
(a) PURPOSES; FEDERAL CORAL REEF MANAGE-
MENT AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.—The Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is 
amended by striking sections 202 and 203 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 202. PURPOSES. 
‘‘The purposes of this title are— 
‘‘(1) to conserve and restore the condition of 
United States coral reef ecosystems challenged by 
natural and human-accelerated changes, including 
increasing ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, 
coral bleaching, coral diseases, water quality deg-
1983 
radation, invasive species, and illegal, unreported, 
and unregulated fishing; 
‘‘(2) to promote the science-based management 
and sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems to ben-
efit local communities and the Nation, including 
through 
improved 
integration 
and 
cooperation 
among Federal, State, and locally managed jurisdic-
tions with coral reef equities; 
‘‘(3) to develop sound scientific information on 
the condition of coral reef ecosystems, continuing 
and emerging threats to such ecosystems, and the 
efficacy of innovative tools, technologies, and strate-
gies to mitigate stressors and restore such eco-
systems, including evaluation criteria to determine 
the effectiveness of management interventions, and 
accurate mapping for coral reef restoration; 
‘‘(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reefs 
by supporting science-based, consensus-driven State, 
Tribal, Pacific Islander, territorial, and community- 
based coral reef management, including monitoring, 
conservation, and restoration projects that empower 
local communities, small businesses, and nongovern-
mental organizations; 
‘‘(5) to provide financial resources, technical as-
sistance, and scientific expertise to supplement and
1984 
strengthen State, Tribal, Indigenous, and commu-
nity-based management programs and conservation 
and restoration projects; 
‘‘(6) to establish a formal mechanism for col-
lecting and allocating monetary donations from the 
private sector to be used for coral reef conservation 
and restoration projects; 
‘‘(7) to support the rapid and effective, science- 
based assessment and response to emergencies that 
imminently threaten coral reefs, such as coral dis-
ease outbreaks, invasive species, hurricanes, marine 
heat waves, coral bleaching, and other natural disas-
ters, vessel groundings or chemical spills, and other 
exigent circumstances; and 
‘‘(8) to serve as a model for advancing similar 
international efforts to monitor, conserve, and re-
store coral reef ecosystems in the jurisdictions of 
United States allies and trading partners. 
‘‘SEC. 203. FEDERAL CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND RES-
TORATION ACTIVITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator or the Sec-
retary of the Interior may conduct activities described in 
subsection (b) to conserve and restore coral reefs and coral 
reef ecosystems that are consistent with—
1985 
‘‘(1) all applicable laws governing resource 
management in Federal and State waters, including 
this Act; 
‘‘(2) the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect under section 204A; 
‘‘(3) coral reef action plans in effect under sec-
tion 205, as applicable; and 
‘‘(4) coral reef emergency plans in effect under 
section 209, as applicable. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—Activities described 
in this subsection are activities to conserve, research, mon-
itor, assess, and restore coral reefs and coral reef eco-
systems in waters managed under the jurisdiction of a 
Federal agency specified in subsection (c) or in coordina-
tion with a State in waters managed under the jurisdiction 
of such State, including— 
‘‘(1) developing, including through the collection 
of requisite data, high-quality and digitized maps re-
flecting— 
‘‘(A) current and historical live coral cover 
data; 
‘‘(B) coral reef habitat quality data; 
‘‘(C) priority areas for coral reef conserva-
tion to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem 
structure and function, including the reef ma-
1986 
trix itself, that benefit coastal communities and 
living marine resources; 
‘‘(D) priority areas for coral reef restora-
tion to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem 
structure and function, including the reef ma-
trix itself, to benefit coastal communities and 
living marine resources; and 
‘‘(E) areas of concern that may require en-
hanced monitoring of coral health and cover; 
‘‘(2) enhancing compliance with Federal laws 
that prohibit or regulate— 
‘‘(A) the taking of coral products or spe-
cies associated with coral reefs; or 
‘‘(B) the use and management of coral reef 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(3) long-term ecological monitoring of coral 
reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(4) 
implementing 
species-specific 
recovery 
plans for listed coral species consistent with the En-
dangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); 
‘‘(5) restoring degraded coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(6) promoting ecologically sound navigation 
and anchorages, including mooring buoy systems to
1987 
promote enhanced recreational access, near coral 
reefs; 
‘‘(7) monitoring and responding to severe 
bleaching or mortality events, disease outbreaks, 
invasive species outbreaks, and significant maritime 
accidents, including chemical spill cleanup and the 
removal of grounded vessels; 
‘‘(8) conducting scientific research that contrib-
utes to the understanding, sustainable use, and long- 
term conservation of coral reefs; 
‘‘(9) 
enhancing 
public 
awareness, 
under-
standing, and appreciation of coral reefs and coral 
reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(10) preventing or minimizing the likelihood of 
vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral 
reefs through navigational aids and expansion of 
reef-safe anchorages; and 
‘‘(11) centrally archiving, managing, and dis-
tributing data sets and coral reef ecosystem assess-
ments and publishing such information on publicly 
available internet websites of— 
‘‘(A) the Coral Reef Conservation Program 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration; and 
‘‘(B) the Task Force.
1988 
‘‘(c) FEDERAL AGENCIES SPECIFIED.—A Federal 
agency specified in this subsection is one of the following: 
‘‘(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
‘‘(2) The National Park Service. 
‘‘(3) The United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice. 
‘‘(4) The Office of Insular Affairs.’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.—The Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is amended 
by striking sections 205 through 210 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 204A. NATIONAL CORAL REEF RESILIENCE STRAT-
EGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) develop a national coral reef resilience 
strategy; and 
‘‘(2) periodically, but not less frequently than 
every 15 years, review and revise the strategy. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required by sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) A discussion addressing— 
‘‘(A) continuing and emerging threats to 
the resilience of United States coral reef eco-
systems;
1989 
‘‘(B) remaining gaps in coral reef eco-
system research, monitoring, and assessment; 
‘‘(C) the status of management coopera-
tion and integration among Federal, State, 
Tribal, and locally managed jurisdictions with 
coral reef equities; 
‘‘(D) the status of efforts to manage and 
disseminate critical information, and enhance 
interjurisdictional data sharing, related to re-
search, reports, datasets, and maps; 
‘‘(E) areas of special focus, which may in-
clude— 
‘‘(i) improving natural coral recruit-
ment; 
‘‘(ii) preventing avoidable losses of 
corals and their habitat; 
‘‘(iii) enhancing the resilience of coral 
populations; 
‘‘(iv) supporting a resilience-based 
management approach; 
‘‘(v) developing, coordinating, and im-
plementing watershed management plans; 
‘‘(vi) building and sustaining water-
shed management capacity at the local 
level;
1990 
‘‘(vii) providing data essential for 
coral reef fisheries management; 
‘‘(viii) building capacity for coral reef 
fisheries management; 
‘‘(ix) 
increasing 
understanding 
of 
coral reef ecosystem services; 
‘‘(x) educating the public on the im-
portance of coral reefs, threats to coral 
reefs, and solutions to such threats; and 
‘‘(xi) evaluating intervention efficacy; 
‘‘(F) the status of conservation efforts, in-
cluding the use of marine protected areas to 
serve as replenishment zones developed con-
sistent with local practices and traditions and 
in cooperation with, and with respect for the 
scientific, technical, and management expertise 
and responsibilities of, State fish and wildlife 
management agencies; and 
‘‘(G) science-based adaptive management 
and restoration efforts. 
‘‘(2) A statement of national goals and objec-
tives designed to guide— 
‘‘(A) future Federal coral reef management 
and restoration activities authorized under sec-
tion 203;
1992 
‘‘(1) submit the strategy required by subsection 
(a) and any revisions to the strategy to the appro-
priate congressional committees; and 
‘‘(2) publish the strategy and any such revisions 
on publicly available internet websites of— 
‘‘(A) the Coral Reef Conservation Program 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration; and 
‘‘(B) the Task Force. 
‘‘(e) TRANSITION RULE.—On and after the date of 
the enactment of the America COMPETES Act of 2022, 
the 2018 Coral Reef Conservation Program Strategic Plan 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
shall be considered to be the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect under this section until the earlier of— 
‘‘(1) September 30, 2033; or 
‘‘(2) the date on which the Administrator devel-
ops a national coral reef resilience strategy under 
this section. 
‘‘SEC. 205. CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS.—Except as pro-
vided in subsection (h), not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of the America COMPETES Act 
of 2022, and not later than 2 years after the publication 
of a revised national coral reef resilience strategy under
1993 
section 204A, each covered reef manager shall prepare and 
submit to the Task Force a coral reef action plan to guide 
management and restoration activities to be undertaken 
within the responsibilities and jurisdiction of the manager. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—A covered reef manager pre-
paring a coral reef action plan under subsection (a) 
shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that the plan is consistent with all 
elements of the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect; and 
‘‘(2) revise the plan not less frequently than 
once every 5 years. 
‘‘(c) PLAN ELEMENTS.—A coral reef action plan 
under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of the fol-
lowing elements: 
‘‘(1) Short- and mid-term coral reef conserva-
tion and restoration objectives within the applicable 
jurisdiction. 
‘‘(2) An updated adaptive management frame-
work to inform research, monitoring, and assessment 
needs. 
‘‘(3) The status of any coral reef emergency 
plans in effect under section 209 covering coral reef 
ecosystems within the applicable jurisdiction.
1994 
‘‘(4) Tools, strategies, and partnerships nec-
essary to identify, monitor, and redress the impacts 
of pollution, diminished water quality, temperature 
fluctuations, acidification, overfishing, disease, and 
other disturbances to coral reef ecosystems within 
the applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(5) The status of efforts to improve coral reef 
ecosystem management cooperation and integration 
among neighboring Federal, State, Tribal, or locally 
managed jurisdictions, including the identification of 
existing research and monitoring activities that can 
be leveraged for coral reef status and trends assess-
ments within the applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(6) An accounting of annual expenditures on 
coral reef management and restoration activities 
within the applicable jurisdiction while the preceding 
action plan, if any, was in effect. 
‘‘(7) Estimated budgetary and resource consid-
erations necessary to carry out the proposed action 
plan. 
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator 
and the Task Force shall make all reasonable efforts to 
provide technical assistance upon request by a covered reef 
manager developing a coral reef action plan under sub-
section (a).
1995 
‘‘(e) ADOPTION OF CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS.— 
A covered reef manager may adopt a coral reef action plan 
developed by another covered reef manager, in full or in 
part, as relevant to the adopting manager’s applicable ju-
risdiction. 
‘‘(f) PUBLIC REVIEW.—The development of a coral 
reef action plan by a covered reef manager under sub-
section (a), and the adoption of a plan under subsection 
(e), shall be subject to public review and comment. 
‘‘(g) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall publish 
each coral reef action plan prepared and submitted to the 
Task Force under this section on publicly available inter-
net websites of— 
‘‘(1) the Coral Reef Conservation Program of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion; and 
‘‘(2) the Task Force. 
‘‘(h) APPLICABILITY
TO COVERED STATES
AND 
CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS.—A covered 
State or non-Federal coral reef stewardship partnership 
is not required to develop a coral reef action plan under 
subsection (a), but may do so in its own discretion. In 
developing a coral reef action plan, a covered State or non- 
Federal coral reef stewardship partnership is encouraged,
1996 
but not mandated, to comply with the requirements of this 
section. 
‘‘(i) PLAN IN EFFECT.—A coral reef action plan shall 
be deemed to be in effect if the plan was submitted to 
the Task Force under this section during the preceding 
6 years. 
‘‘SEC. 206. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS.— 
The Administrator shall establish standards for the identi-
fication of coral reefs and the formation of partnerships 
among government and community members for the stew-
ardship of coral reefs (in this title referred to as ‘coral 
reef stewardship partnerships’) in accordance with this 
section, including guidance for preparation and submis-
sion of coral reef action plans under section 205 for review 
and approval by the Administrator. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION OF CORAL REEFS.—Each coral 
reef stewardship partnership shall identify with particu-
larity the coral reef or ecologically significant component 
of a coral reef that will be the subject of its stewardship 
activities. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP FOR FEDERAL CORAL REEFS.— 
A coral reef stewardship partnership that has identified, 
as the subject of its stewardship activities, a coral reef 
or ecologically significant component of a coral reef that
1997 
is fully or partially under the management jurisdiction of 
any Federal agency specified in section 203(c) shall, at 
a minimum, include the following: 
‘‘(1) That Federal agency, a representative of 
which shall serve as chair of the coral reef steward-
ship partnership. 
‘‘(2) A State, county, or Tribal organization’s 
resource management agency. 
‘‘(3) A coral reef research center described in 
section 215(c)(4) or another institution of higher 
education. 
‘‘(4) A nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(5) Such other members as the partnership 
considers appropriate, such as interested stakeholder 
groups. 
‘‘(d) MEMBERSHIP
FOR
NON-FEDERAL
CORAL 
REEFS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A coral reef stewardship 
partnership that has identified, as the subject of its 
stewardship activities, a coral reef or ecologically sig-
nificant component of a coral reef that is not under 
the management jurisdiction of any Federal agency 
specified in section 203(c) shall, at a minimum, in-
clude the following:
1998 
‘‘(A) A State, county, or Tribal organiza-
tion’s resource management agency, a rep-
resentative of which shall serve as the chair of 
the coral reef stewardship partnership. 
‘‘(B) A coral reef research center described 
in section 215(c)(4) or another institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(C) A nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(D) Such other members as the partner-
ship considers appropriate, such as interested 
stakeholder groups. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), a coral reef stewardship partnership 
described in paragraph (1) may also include 
representatives of one or more Federal agencies 
that have management responsibility in the 
coral reef that is the subject of the partner-
ship’s stewardship activities. 
‘‘(B) REQUESTS; APPROVAL.—A represent-
ative of a Federal agency described in subpara-
graph (A) may become a member of a coral reef 
stewardship partnership described in paragraph 
(1) if—
1999 
‘‘(i) the representative submits a re-
quest to become a member to the chair of 
the partnership referred to in paragraph 
(1)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) the chair consents to the request. 
‘‘(e) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to coral reef stewardship 
partnerships. 
‘‘SEC. 207. BLOCK GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREE-
MENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall provide 
block grants of financial assistance to covered States to 
support management and restoration activities and fur-
ther the implementation of coral reef action plans in effect 
under section 205 by covered States and non-Federal coral 
reef stewardship partnerships. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A covered State shall qual-
ify for and receive additional grant amounts beyond 
the base award specified in subsection (c)(1) if there 
is at least one coral reef action plan in effect within 
the jurisdiction of the covered State developed by 
that covered State or a non-Federal coral reef stew-
ardship partnership.
2000 
‘‘(2) WAIVER.—In any fiscal year before fiscal 
year 2025, the Administrator shall waive the re-
quirement to qualify for and receive additional grant 
amounts described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(c) FUNDING FORMULA.—The amount of each block 
grant awarded to a covered State under this section shall 
be the sum of— 
‘‘(1) a base award of $100,000; and 
‘‘(2) if the State is eligible under subsection 
(b)— 
‘‘(A) an amount that is equal to non-Fed-
eral expenditures of up to $3,000,000 on coral 
reef management and restoration activities 
within the jurisdiction of the State during the 
previous fiscal year, and 
‘‘(B) an additional amount, from any 
funds appropriated for activities under this sec-
tion that remain after distribution under sub-
paragraph (A), paragraph (1), and subsection 
(g)based on the proportion of the State’s share 
of total non-Federal expenditures on coral reef 
management and restoration activities, as re-
ported within the previous fiscal year, in excess 
of $3,000,000, relative to other covered States.
2001 
‘‘(d) EXCLUSIONS.—For the purposes of calculating 
block grant amounts under subsection (c), Federal funds 
provided to a covered State or non-Federal coral reef stew-
ardship partnership shall not be considered as qualifying 
non-Federal expenditures, but non-Federal matching 
funds used to leverage Federal awards may be considered 
as qualifying non-Federal expenditures. 
‘‘(e) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.— 
The Administrator is responsible for— 
‘‘(1) providing guidance on qualifying non-Fed-
eral expenditures and the proper documentation of 
such expenditures; 
‘‘(2) issuing annual solicitations to covered 
States for additional awards under this section; and 
‘‘(3) determining the appropriate allocation of 
additional amounts among covered States in accord-
ance with this section. 
‘‘(f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF COVERED STATES.—Each 
covered State is responsible for documenting non-Federal 
expenditures within the jurisdiction of the State and for-
mally reporting those expenditures for review in response 
to annual solicitations by the Administrator under sub-
section (e). 
‘‘(g) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Adminis-
trator may enter into cooperative agreements with States
2002 
to fund coral reef conservation and restoration activities 
in waters managed under the jurisdiction of such States 
that are consistent with the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect under section 204A. 
‘‘SEC. 208. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP FUND. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS.— 
The Administrator may enter into an agreement with the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘Foundation’), authorizing the Foundation 
to receive, hold, and administer funds received under this 
section. 
‘‘(b) FUND.—The Foundation shall invest, reinvest, 
and otherwise administer the funds received under this 
section and maintain such funds and any interest or reve-
nues earned in a separate interest-bearing account, to be 
known as the ‘Coral Reef Stewardship Fund’ (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘Fund’, and known before the date 
of the enactment of the America COMPETES Act of 2022 
as the Coral Reef Conservation Fund administered 
through a public-private partnership with the Founda-
tion), established by the Foundation solely to support 
coral reef stewardship partnership activities that— 
‘‘(1) further the purposes of this title; and 
‘‘(2) are consistent with—
2003 
‘‘(A) the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect under section 204A; and 
‘‘(B) coral reef action plans in effect, if 
any, under section 205 covering a coral reef or 
ecologically significant component of a coral 
reef to be impacted by such activities, if appli-
cable. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to an agreement 
entered into under subsection (a), the Foundation 
may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
any gift (including, notwithstanding section 1342 of 
title 31, United States Code, donations of services) 
to further the purposes of this title. 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS
IN
FUND.—Notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, any 
funds received as a gift shall be deposited and main-
tained in the Fund. 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Not later than 
30 days after funds are deposited in the Fund under 
paragraph (2), the Foundation shall notify the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives of the source and amount of such funds.
2004 
‘‘(d) REVIEW
OF PERFORMANCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall conduct a continuing review of all deposits 
into, and disbursements from, the Fund. Each review shall 
include a written assessment concerning the extent to 
which the Foundation has implemented the goals and re-
quirements of— 
‘‘(1) this section; and 
‘‘(2) the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect under section 204A. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—Under an agreement en-
tered into pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator 
may transfer funds appropriated to carry out this title to 
the Foundation. Amounts received by the Foundation 
under this subsection may be used for matching, in whole 
or in part, contributions (whether in money, services, or 
property) made to the Foundation by private persons, 
State or local government agencies, or Tribal organiza-
tions. 
‘‘SEC. 209. CORAL REEF EMERGENCY PLANS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A covered reef manager may de-
velop and periodically update a plan (in this title referred 
to as a ‘coral reef emergency plan’) consistent with the 
template described in section 204A(b)(3) to guide the 
rapid and effective response to circumstances that pose 
an urgent and immediate threat to the coral reef eco-
2005 
systems within the manager’s responsibilities and jurisdic-
tions, and consistent with any applicable coral reef action 
plan. 
‘‘(b) CORAL REEF EMERGENCIES.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop a list of, and criteria for, cir-
cumstances that pose an urgent and immediate threat to 
coral reefs (in this title referred to as ‘coral reef emer-
gencies’), including— 
‘‘(1) new and ongoing outbreaks of disease; 
‘‘(2) new and ongoing outbreaks of invasive or 
nuisance species; 
‘‘(3) new and ongoing coral bleaching events; 
‘‘(4) natural disasters; 
‘‘(5) man-made disasters, including vessel 
groundings, hazardous spills, or coastal construction 
accidents; and 
‘‘(6) other exigent circumstances. 
‘‘(c) BEST RESPONSE PRACTICES.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop guidance on best practices to respond 
to coral reef emergencies that can be adopted within coral 
reef emergency plans. Such best practices shall be— 
‘‘(1) based on the best available science and in-
tegrated with evolving innovative technologies; and 
‘‘(2) revised not less frequently than once every 
5 years.
2006 
‘‘(d) PLAN ELEMENTS.—A coral reef emergency plan 
shall include the following elements: 
‘‘(1) A description of particular threats, and the 
proposed responses, consistent with the best prac-
tices developed under subsection (d). 
‘‘(2) A delineation of roles and responsibilities 
for executing the plan. 
‘‘(3) Evidence of engagement with interested 
stakeholder groups, as applicable, in the develop-
ment of the plan. 
‘‘(4) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for the plan. 
‘‘(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator 
and the Task Force shall make all reasonable efforts to 
provide technical assistance upon request by a covered reef 
manager developing a coral reef emergency plan under 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(f) ADOPTION
OF
CORAL
REEF
EMERGENCY 
PLANS.—A covered reef manager may adopt a coral reef 
emergency plan developed by another covered reef man-
ager, in full or in part, as relevant to the adopting man-
ager’s applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(g) PUBLIC REVIEW.—The development of a coral 
reef action plan by a covered reef manager under sub-
2007 
section (a), and the adoption of a plan under subsection 
(f), shall be subject to public review and comment. 
‘‘(h) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall publish 
each coral reef emergency plan prepared and submitted 
to the Task Force under this section on publicly available 
internet websites of— 
‘‘(1) the Coral Reef Conservation Program of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion; and 
‘‘(2) the Task Force. 
‘‘(i) PLAN IN EFFECT.—A coral reef emergency plan 
shall be deemed to be in effect if the plan was submitted 
to the Task Force under this section during the preceding 
6 years. 
‘‘SEC. 210. CORAL REEF EMERGENCY FUND. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF FUND.—There is estab-
lished in the Treasury an interest-bearing fund to be 
known as the ‘Coral Reef Emergency Fund’, consisting of 
such amounts as are appropriated to the Fund. 
‘‘(b) USES.—Amounts in the Fund— 
‘‘(1) shall be available only for use by the Ad-
ministrator to compensate covered coral reef man-
gers to implement a coral reef emergency plan in ef-
fect under sections 210 and 212; and 
‘‘(2) shall remain available until expended.
2008 
‘‘(c) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of carrying 
out this title, the Administrator may accept, receive, 
solicit, hold, administer, and use any gift (including, 
notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United 
States Code, donations of services). 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS
IN
FUND.—Notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, any 
funds received as a gift shall be deposited and main-
tained in the Fund. 
‘‘SEC. 211. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) SUA SPONTE DECLARATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may determine and declare a coral reef emer-
gency, including at the recommendation of the 
Secretary of the Interior. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—In declaring a 
coral reef emergency under subparagraph (A), 
the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(i) certify that an emergency has oc-
curred that is ecologically significant and 
harmful to coral reefs; and
2009 
‘‘(ii) submit to the appropriate con-
gressional committees findings and anal-
ysis to justify the declaration. 
‘‘(2) PETITIONS.—If a covered State or non- 
Federal coral reef stewardship partnership believes 
that a coral reef emergency has occurred, and is im-
pacting coral reefs or ecologically significant compo-
nents of coral reefs subject to the responsibilities or 
jurisdiction of the State or partnership, the State or 
partnership may petition the Administrator for a 
declaration of a coral reef emergency. 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION AND ACTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 
days after receiving a petition under paragraph 
(2) (except as provided in subparagraph (B)), 
the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(i) evaluate the petition to determine 
whether a coral reef emergency has oc-
curred; and 
‘‘(ii) declare a coral reef emergency or 
deny the petition. 
‘‘(B) 
EXTENSION.—The 
Administrator 
may extend the deadline provided for under 
subparagraph (A) by not more than 15 days.
2010 
‘‘(4) APPEAL.—If the Administrator denies a 
petition for an emergency declaration submitted 
under paragraph (2), the State or partnership that 
submitted the petition may, not later than 15 days 
after receiving notice of the denial, appeal the denial 
to the Administrator. Not later than 15 days after 
receiving an appeal under this paragraph, the Ad-
ministrator shall grant or deny the appeal. 
‘‘(5) REVOCATION.—The Administrator may re-
voke any declaration of a coral reef emergency in 
whole or in part after determining that cir-
cumstances no longer require an emergency re-
sponse. 
‘‘(6) RECOVERY
OF
EMERGENCY
FUNDING.— 
The Administrator may seek compensation from 
negligent parties to recover emergency funds ex-
pended in excess of $500,000 under this section as 
a result of an emergency declaration arising from di-
rect impacts to coral reefs from man-made disasters 
or accidents. 
‘‘(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the declaration of a 
coral reef emergency under subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall provide grants to carry out pro-
posals that meet the requirements of paragraph (2)
2011 
to implement coral reef emergency plans in effect 
under section 209. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A proposal for a grant 
under this subsection to implement a coral reef 
emergency plan in effect under section 209 shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) the name of the entity submitting the 
proposal; 
‘‘(B) a copy of the coral reef emergency 
plan; 
‘‘(C) a description of the qualifications of 
the individuals and entities who will implement 
the plan; 
‘‘(D) an estimate of the funds and time re-
quired to complete the implementation of the 
plan; and 
‘‘(E) any other information the Adminis-
trator considers to be necessary for evaluating 
the eligibility of the proposal for a grant under 
this subsection. 
‘‘(3) REVIEW.—Not later than 30 days after re-
ceiving a proposal for a grant under this subsection, 
the Administrator shall review the proposal and de-
termine if the proposal meets the requirements of 
paragraph (2).
2012 
‘‘(4) CONCURRENT REVIEW.—An entity seeking 
a grant under this subsection may submit a proposal 
under paragraph (2) to the Administrator at any 
time following the submission of a petition for an 
emergency declaration under subsection (a)(2) that 
is applicable to coral reefs or ecologically significant 
components of coral reefs subject to the responsibil-
ities or jurisdiction of the entity. 
‘‘SEC. 212. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY. 
‘‘The Administrator, in coordination with the heads 
of other Federal agencies, shall establish and maintain an 
inventory of all vessel grounding incidents involving 
United States coral reefs, including a description of— 
‘‘(1) the impacts of each such incident to coral 
reefs and related natural resources; 
‘‘(2) vessel and ownership information relating 
to each such incident, if available; 
‘‘(3) the estimated cost of removal of the vessel, 
remediation, or restoration relating to each such in-
cident; 
‘‘(4) the response actions taken by the owner of 
the vessel, the Administrator, the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard, or representatives of other Federal 
or State agencies;
2013 
‘‘(5) the status of the response actions, includ-
ing the dates of— 
‘‘(A) vessel removal; 
‘‘(B) remediation or restoration activities, 
including whether a coral reef emergency plan 
was implemented; and 
‘‘(C) any actions taken to prevent future 
grounding incidents; and 
‘‘(6) recommendations for additional naviga-
tional aids or other mechanisms for preventing fu-
ture grounding incidents. 
‘‘SEC. 213. RUTH D. GATES CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—The Administrator shall establish a 
program (to be known as the ‘Ruth D. Gates Coral Reef 
Conservation Grant Program’) to provide grants for 
projects for the conservation and restoration of coral reef 
ecosystems (in this section referred to as ‘coral reef 
projects’) pursuant to proposals approved by the Adminis-
trator in accordance with this section. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—An entity described in 
paragraph (2) may submit to the Administrator a 
proposal for a coral reef project.
2014 
‘‘(2) ENTITIES
DESCRIBED.—An entity de-
scribed in this paragraph is— 
‘‘(A) a natural resource management au-
thority of a State or local government or Tribal 
organization— 
‘‘(i) with responsibility for coral reef 
management; or 
‘‘(ii) the activities of which directly or 
indirectly affect coral reefs or coral reef 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(B) a regional fishery management coun-
cil established under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); 
‘‘(C) a coral reef stewardship partnership 
seeking to implement a coral reef action plan in 
effect under section 205; 
‘‘(D) a coral reef research center des-
ignated under section 215(c)(4); or 
‘‘(E) another nongovernmental organiza-
tion or research institution with demonstrated 
expertise in the conservation or restoration of 
coral reefs in practice or through significant 
contributions to the body of existing scientific 
research on coral reefs.
2015 
‘‘(c) PROJECT PROPOSALS.—Each proposal for a 
grant under this section for a coral reef project shall in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(1) The name of the individual or entity re-
sponsible for conducting the project. 
‘‘(2) A description of the qualifications of the 
individual or entity. 
‘‘(3) A succinct statement of the purposes of 
the project. 
‘‘(4) An estimate of the funds and time re-
quired to complete the project. 
‘‘(5) Evidence of support for the project by ap-
propriate representatives of States or other govern-
ment jurisdictions in which the project will be con-
ducted. 
‘‘(6) Information regarding the source and 
amount of matching funding available to the appli-
cant. 
‘‘(7) A description of how the project meets one 
or more of the criteria under subsection (e)(2). 
‘‘(8) In the case of a proposal submitted by a 
coral reef stewardship partnership, a description of 
how the project aligns with the applicable coral reef 
action plan in effect under section 205.
2016 
‘‘(9) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligi-
bility of the project for a grant under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(d) PROJECT REVIEW AND APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall re-
view each coral reef project proposal submitted 
under this section to determine if the project meets 
the criteria set forth in subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
CONSERVATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
awarding of grants for projects that meet the cri-
teria for approval under subparagraphs (A) through 
(G) of subsection (e)(2) that are proposed to be con-
ducted within priority areas identified for coral reef 
conservation by the Administrator and consistent 
with the national coral reef resilience strategy in ef-
fect under section 204A. 
‘‘(3) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
RESTORATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
awarding of grants for projects that meet the cri-
teria for approval under subparagraphs (E) through 
(L) of subsection (e)(2) that are proposed to be con-
ducted within priority areas identified for coral reef 
restoration by the Administrator and consistent with
2017 
the national coral reef resilience strategy in effect 
under section 204A. 
‘‘(4) REVIEW; APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.— 
Not later than 180 days after receiving a proposal 
for a coral reef project under this section, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
‘‘(A) request and consider written com-
ments on the proposal from each Federal agen-
cy, State government, Tribal organization, or 
other government jurisdiction, including the rel-
evant regional fishery management councils es-
tablished under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), or any National Marine Sanc-
tuary or Marine National Monument, with ju-
risdiction or management authority over coral 
reef ecosystems in the area where the project is 
to be conducted, including the extent to which 
the project is consistent with locally established 
priorities, unless such entities were directly in-
volved in the development of the project pro-
posal; 
‘‘(B) provide for the merit-based peer re-
view of the proposal and require standardized 
documentation of that peer review;
2018 
‘‘(C) after considering any written com-
ments and recommendations based on the re-
views under subparagraphs (A) and (B), ap-
prove or disapprove the proposal; and 
‘‘(D) provide written notification of that 
approval or disapproval, with summaries of all 
written comments, recommendations, and peer- 
reviews, to the entity that submitted the pro-
posal, and each of those States, Tribal organi-
zations, and other government jurisdictions that 
provided comments under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(e) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Administrator 
may not approve a proposal for a coral reef project under 
this section unless the project— 
‘‘(1) is consistent with— 
‘‘(A) the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect under section 204A; and 
‘‘(B) any Federal or non-Federal coral reef 
action plans in effect under section 205 cov-
ering a coral reef or ecologically significant 
component of a coral reef to be affected by the 
project; and 
‘‘(2) will enhance the conservation and restora-
tion of coral reefs by—
2019 
‘‘(A) addressing conflicts arising from the 
use of environments near coral reefs or from 
the use of corals, species associated with coral 
reefs, and coral products, including supporting 
consensus-driven, 
community-based 
planning 
and management initiatives for the protection 
of coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(B) improving compliance with laws that 
prohibit or regulate the taking of coral products 
or species associated with coral reefs or regulate 
the use and management of coral reef eco-
systems; 
‘‘(C) designing and implementing networks 
of real-time water quality monitoring along 
coral reefs, including data collection related to 
turbidity, nutrient availability, harmful algal 
blooms, and plankton assemblages, with an em-
phasis on coral reefs impacted by agriculture 
and urban development; 
‘‘(D) promoting ecologically sound naviga-
tion and anchorages, including mooring buoy 
systems to promote enhanced recreational ac-
cess, near coral reefs; 
‘‘(E) furthering the goals and objectives of 
coral reef action plans in effect under section
2020 
205 and coral reef emergency plans in effect 
under section 209; 
‘‘(F) mapping the location and distribution 
of coral reefs and potential coral reef habitat; 
‘‘(G) stimulating innovation to advance the 
ability of the United States to understand, re-
search, or monitor coral reef ecosystems, or to 
develop management or adaptation options to 
preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef eco-
systems; 
‘‘(H) implementing research to ensure the 
population viability of listed coral species in 
United States waters as detailed in the popu-
lation-based recovery criteria included in spe-
cies-specific recovery plans consistent with the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(I) developing and implementing cost-ef-
fective methods to restore degraded coral reef 
ecosystems or to create geographically appro-
priate coral reef ecosystems in suitable waters, 
including by improving habitat or promoting 
success of keystone species, with an emphasis 
on novel restoration strategies and techniques 
to advance coral reef recovery and growth near
2021 
population centers threatened by rising sea lev-
els and storm surge; 
‘‘(J) translating and applying coral genet-
ics research to coral reef ecosystem restoration, 
including research related to traits that pro-
mote resilience to increasing ocean tempera-
tures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, coral 
diseases, and invasive species; 
‘‘(K) developing and maintaining in situ 
native coral propagation sites; 
‘‘(L) developing and maintaining ex situ 
coral propagation nurseries and land-based 
coral gene banks to— 
‘‘(i) conserve or augment genetic di-
versity of native coral populations; 
‘‘(ii) support captive breeding of rare 
coral species; or 
‘‘(iii) enhance resilience of native coral 
populations to increasing ocean tempera-
tures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, 
and coral diseases through selective breed-
ing, conditioning, or other approaches that 
target genes, gene expression, phenotypic 
traits, or phenotypic plasticity; or
2022 
‘‘(M) maintaining the structure and func-
tion of coral reefs, including the reef matrix 
itself. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.—To the extent prac-
ticable based upon proposals for coral reef projects sub-
mitted to the Administrator, the Administrator shall en-
sure that funding for grants awarded under this section 
during a fiscal year is distributed as follows: 
‘‘(1) Not less than 40 percent of funds available 
shall be awarded for projects in the Pacific Ocean 
within the maritime areas and zones subject to the 
jurisdiction or control of the United States. 
‘‘(2) Not less than 40 percent of the funds 
available shall be awarded for projects in the Atlan-
tic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea 
within the maritime areas and zones subject to the 
jurisdiction or control of the United States. 
‘‘(g) PROJECT REPORTING.—Each entity receiving a 
grant under this section shall submit to the Administrator 
such reports at such times and containing such informa-
tion for evaluating project performance as the Adminis-
trator may require. 
‘‘(h) TASK FORCE.—The Administrator may consult 
with the Secretary of the Interior and the Task Force to
2023 
obtain guidance in establishing priorities and evaluating 
proposals for coral reef projects under this section. 
‘‘SEC. 214. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of the America COMPETES Act 
of 2022, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator 
shall submit to the committees specified in subsection (b) 
a report on the administration of this title during the 2- 
year period preceding submission of the report, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(1) a description of all activities undertaken to 
implement the most recent national coral reef resil-
ience strategy under section 204A; 
‘‘(2) a statement of all funds obligated under 
the authorities of this title; and 
‘‘(3) a summary, disaggregated by State, of 
Federal and non-Federal contributions toward the 
costs of each project or activity funded, in full or in 
part, under the authorities of this title. 
‘‘(b) COMMITTEES
SPECIFIED.—The committees 
specified in this subsection are— 
‘‘(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate; and
2024 
‘‘(2) the Committee on Natural Resources and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘SEC. 215. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may enter 
into and perform such contracts, leases, grants, or cooper-
ative agreements as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this title. 
‘‘(b) COOPERATIVE INSTITUTES.— 
‘‘(1) DESIGNATION.—The Administrator shall 
designate 2 cooperative institutes for the purpose of 
advancing and sustaining essential capabilities in 
coral reef research, to be known as the ‘Atlantic 
Coral Reef Institute’ and the ‘Pacific Coral Reef In-
stitute’. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—Each institute established 
under paragraph (1) shall be housed within a single 
coral reef research center designated by the Admin-
istrator under paragraph (4) in the Atlantic and Pa-
cific basins, respectively, and may contract with 
other coral reef research centers within the same 
basin to support each institute’s capacity and reach. 
‘‘(3) FUNCTIONS.—The institutes established 
under paragraph (1) shall—
2026 
‘‘(II) coral reef action plans 
under section 205; and 
‘‘(III) coral reef emergency plans 
under section 209; 
‘‘(iii) build capacity within govern-
mental resource management agencies to 
establish research priorities and translate 
and apply research findings to manage-
ment and restoration practices; and 
‘‘(iv) conduct public education and 
awareness programs for policymakers, re-
source managers, and the general public 
on— 
‘‘(I) coral reefs and coral reef 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(II) best practices for coral reef 
ecosystem management and restora-
tion; 
‘‘(III) the value of coral reefs; 
and 
‘‘(IV) the threats to the sustain-
ability of coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(4) CORAL REEF RESEARCH CENTERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall periodically solicit applications and des-
2027 
ignate all qualifying institutions in a covered 
State as coral reef research centers. 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA.—An institution qualifies 
for designation as a coral reef research center 
under subparagraph (A) if the Administrator 
determines that the institution— 
‘‘(i) is operated by an institution of 
higher education; 
‘‘(ii) has established management- 
driven national or regional coral reef re-
search or restoration programs; 
‘‘(iii) has demonstrated abilities to co-
ordinate closely with appropriate Federal 
and State agencies, as well as other aca-
demic and nonprofit organizations; and 
‘‘(iv) maintains significant local com-
munity engagement and outreach pro-
grams related to coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(c) USE OF RESOURCES OF OTHER AGENCIES.— 
The Administrator may use, with consent and with or 
without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, per-
sonnel, and facilities of any agency or instrumentality of— 
‘‘(1) the United States; 
‘‘(2) any State or local government; 
‘‘(3) any Indian Tribe; or
2028 
‘‘(4) any foreign government not subject to eco-
nomic sanctions imposed by the United States. 
‘‘SEC. 216. CORAL REEF PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The head of any Federal agency 
with a representative serving on the U.S. Coral Reef Task 
Force established by Executive Order No. 13089 (16 
U.S.C. 6401 note; relating to coral reef protection), may, 
individually or in cooperation with one or more agencies, 
carry out a program to award prizes competitively under 
section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation 
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719). 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—Any program carried out under 
this section shall be for the purpose of stimulating innova-
tion to advance the ability of the United States to under-
stand, research, or monitor coral reef ecosystems, or to 
develop management or adaptation options to preserve, 
sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY PROGRAMS.—Priority shall be given to 
establishing programs under this section that address 
communities, environments, or industries that are in dis-
tress as a result of the decline or degradation of coral reef 
ecosystems, including— 
‘‘(1) scientific research and monitoring that 
furthers the understanding of causes behind coral
2029 
reef decline and degradation and the generally slow 
recovery following disturbances; 
‘‘(2) the development of monitoring or manage-
ment options for communities or industries that are 
experiencing significant financial hardship; 
‘‘(3) the development of adaptation options to 
alleviate economic harm and job loss caused by dam-
age to coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(4) the development of measures to help vul-
nerable communities or industries, with an emphasis 
on rural communities and businesses; and 
‘‘(5) the development of adaptation and man-
agement options for impacted tourism industries. 
‘‘SEC. 217. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Administrator $38,000,000 for each of fis-
cal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out this title, which 
shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Of the amounts authorized 
to be appropriated under subsection (a), not more than 
the lesser of $1,500,000 or 10 percent of such amounts 
is authorized to be appropriated for program administra-
tion or for overhead costs incurred by the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department 
of Commerce and assessed as an administrative charge.
2030 
‘‘(c) FEDERALLY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND CORAL 
REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM GRANTS.—From the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a), not less than $8,000,000 is authorized to be appro-
priated for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to sup-
port purposes consistent with this title, of which— 
‘‘(1) not less than $3,500,000 is authorized to 
be appropriated for each such fiscal year for author-
ized activities under section 213; and 
‘‘(2) not less than $4,500,000 is authorized to 
be appropriated for each such fiscal year through co-
operative agreements with the cooperative institutes 
designated under section 215(c). 
‘‘(d) BLOCK GRANTS
AND COOPERATIVE AGREE-
MENTS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administrator, $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026, which shall remain available until ex-
pended, to carry out section 207. 
‘‘SEC. 218. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘appropriate congressional com-
2031 
mittees’ means the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(3) CONSERVATION.—The term ‘conservation’ 
means the use of methods and procedures necessary 
to preserve or sustain geographically appropriate 
corals and associated species as diverse, viable, and 
self-perpetuating coral reef ecosystems with minimal 
impacts from invasive species, including— 
‘‘(A) all activities associated with resource 
management, such as monitoring, assessment, 
protection, restoration, sustainable use, man-
agement of habitat, and maintenance or aug-
mentation of genetic diversity; 
‘‘(B) mapping; 
‘‘(C) scientific expertise and technical as-
sistance in the development and implementation 
of management strategies for marine protected 
areas and marine resources consistent with the 
National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 
1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fish-
ery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) law enforcement;
2032 
‘‘(E) conflict resolution initiatives; 
‘‘(F) community outreach and education; 
and 
‘‘(G) promotion of safe and ecologically 
sound navigation and anchoring. 
‘‘(4) CORAL.—The term ‘coral’ means species 
of the phylum Cnidaria, including— 
‘‘(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia 
(black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), 
Alcyonacea (soft corals, organ pipe corals, 
gorgonians), and Helioporacea (blue coral), of 
the class Anthozoa; and 
‘‘(B) all species of the order Anthoathecata 
(fire corals and other hydrocorals) of the class 
Hydrozoa. 
‘‘(5) CORAL PRODUCTS.—The term ‘coral prod-
ucts’ means any living or dead specimens, parts, or 
derivatives, or any product containing specimens, 
parts, or derivatives, of any species referred to in 
paragraph (4). 
‘‘(6) 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 liv-
ing coral, skeletal remains of coral, crustose coralline
2033 
algae, and other associated sessile marine plants and 
animals. 
‘‘(7) CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM.—The term 
‘coral reef ecosystem’ 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 affect coral physiology, coral- 
algal symbiosis, and biodiversity in such habi-
tat. 
‘‘(8) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.—The 
term ‘coral reef ecosystem services’ means the at-
tributes and benefits provided by coral reef eco-
systems including— 
‘‘(A) protection of coastal beaches, struc-
tures, and infrastructure; 
‘‘(B) habitat for organisms of economic, 
ecological, biomedical, medicinal, and cultural 
value; 
‘‘(C) serving as centers for the promulga-
tion, performance, and training of cultural 
practices representative of traditional ecological 
knowledge; and
2034 
‘‘(D) aesthetic value. 
‘‘(9) COVERED REEF MANAGER.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘covered 
reef manager’ means a management unit of a 
Federal agency specified in subparagraph (B) 
with jurisdiction over a coral reef ecosystem, 
covered State, or coral reef stewardship part-
nership. 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL AGENCIES SPECIFIED.—A 
Federal agency specified in this subparagraph 
is one of the following: 
‘‘(i) The National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration. 
‘‘(ii) The National Park Service. 
‘‘(iii) The United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service. 
‘‘(iv) The Office of Insular Affairs. 
‘‘(10) COVERED
STATE.—The term ‘covered 
State’ means Florida, Hawaii, and the territories of 
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the North-
ern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the 
United States Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(11) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the
2035 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(12) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
‘‘(13) INTERESTED STAKEHOLDER GROUPS.— 
The term ‘interested stakeholder groups’ includes 
community members such as businesses, commercial 
and recreational fishermen, other recreationalists, 
Federal, State, Tribal, and local government units 
with related jurisdiction, institutions of higher edu-
cation, and nongovernmental organizations. 
‘‘(14) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization that 
is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under sec-
tion 501(a) of such Code. 
‘‘(15) RESTORATION.—The term ‘restoration’ 
means the use of methods and procedures necessary 
to enhance, rehabilitate, recreate, or create a func-
tioning coral reef or coral reef ecosystem, in whole 
or in part, within suitable waters of the historical 
geographic range of such ecosystems, to provide eco-
logical, economic, cultural, or coastal resiliency serv-
2036 
ices associated with healthy coral reefs and benefit 
native populations of coral reef organisms. 
‘‘(16) 
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 
identifiable, measurable, and science-based stand-
ards. 
‘‘(17) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means— 
‘‘(A) any State of the United States that 
contains a coral reef ecosystem within its sea-
ward 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 of the United 
States or separate sovereign in free association 
with the United States that contains a coral 
reef ecosystem within its seaward boundaries. 
‘‘(18) STEWARDSHIP.—The term ‘stewardship’, 
with respect to a coral reef, includes conservation, 
restoration, and public outreach and education.
2037 
‘‘(19) TASK FORCE.—The term ‘Task Force’ 
means the United States Coral Reef Task Force es-
tablished under section 70501 of the America COM-
PETES Act of 2022. 
‘‘(20) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Trib-
al organization’ has the meaning given the term 
‘tribal organization’ in section 3765 of title 38, 
United States Code.’’. 
(c) 
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 in-
frastructure’’ and inserting ‘‘, coastal infrastructure, and 
ecosystem services provided by natural systems such as 
coral reefs’’. 
SEC. 70402. MODIFICATION TO SECTION 204 OF THE CORAL 
REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000. 
Section 204 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘this section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 213’’; and 
(2) by striking subsections (c) through (j).
2038 
TITLE V—UNITED STATES 
CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
SEC. 70501. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a task force to lead, coordinate, 
and strengthen Federal Government actions to better pre-
serve, conserve, and restore coral reef ecosystems, to be 
known as the ‘‘United States Coral Reef Task Force’’ (in 
this title referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
SEC. 70502. DUTIES. 
The duties of the Task Force shall be— 
(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State, 
Tribal, and local government partners, coral reef re-
search centers designated under section 215(c) of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (as amend-
ed by this Act), and other nongovernmental and aca-
demic partners as appropriate, activities regarding 
the mapping, monitoring, research, conservation, 
mitigation, and restoration of coral reefs and coral 
reef ecosystems; 
(2) to monitor and advise regarding implemen-
tation of the policy and Federal agency responsibil-
ities set forth in— 
(A) Executive Order No. 13089 (63 Fed. 
Reg. 32701; relating to coral reef protection); 
and
2039 
(B) the national coral reef resilience strat-
egy developed under section 204A of the Coral 
Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by 
this Act; 
(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development, and in coordination with 
the other members of the Task Force— 
(A) to assess the United States role in 
international trade and protection of coral spe-
cies; 
(B) to encourage implementation of appro-
priate strategies and actions to promote con-
servation and sustainable use of coral reef re-
sources worldwide; and 
(C) to collaborate with international com-
munities successful in managing coral reefs; 
(4) to provide technical assistance for the devel-
opment and implementation, as appropriate, of— 
(A) the national coral reef resilience strat-
egy under section 204A of the Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act; 
(B) coral reef action plans under section 
205 of that Act; and
2040 
(C) coral reef emergency plans under sec-
tion 209 of that Act; and 
(5) to produce a report each year, for submis-
sion to the appropriate congressional committees 
and publication on a publicly available internet 
website of the Task Force, highlighting the status of 
the coral reef equities of a covered State on a rotat-
ing basis, including— 
(A) a summary of recent coral reef man-
agement and restoration activities undertaken 
in that State; and 
(B) updated estimates of the direct and in-
direct economic activity supported by, and other 
benefits associated with, those coral reef equi-
ties. 
SEC. 70503. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) VOTING MEMBERSHIP.—The Task Force shall 
have the following voting members: 
(1) The Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, and the Secretary of the 
Interior, who shall be co-chairs of the Task Force. 
(2) The Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development. 
(3) The Secretary of Agriculture.
2041 
(4) The Secretary of Defense. 
(5) The Secretary of the Army, acting through 
the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. 
(6) The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting 
through the Administrator of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency. 
(7) The Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
(8) The Attorney General. 
(9) The Secretary of State. 
(10) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(11) The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
(12) The Ambassador of the United States 
Trade Representative. 
(13) The Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration. 
(14) The Director of the National Science 
Foundation. 
(15) The Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of each covered State. 
(b) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The Task Force shall 
have the following nonvoting members: 
(1) A member appointed by the President of 
the Federated States of Micronesia.
2042 
(2) A member appointed by the President of 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands. 
(3) A member appointed by the President of 
the Republic of Palau. 
SEC. 70504. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEM-
BERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Task Force 
specified in paragraphs (1) through (15) of section 
70503(a) shall— 
(1) identify the actions of the agency that mem-
ber represents that may affect coral reef ecosystems; 
(2) utilize 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 appro-
priately reflect budgetary needs for coral reef con-
servation and restoration activities in all agency 
budget planning and justification documents and 
processes; and 
(4) engage in any other coordinated efforts ap-
proved by the Task Force. 
(b) CO-CHAIRS.—In addition to their responsibilities 
under subsection (a), the co-chairs of the Task Force shall 
administer performance of the functions of the Task Force
2043 
and facilitate the coordination of the members of the Task 
Force specified in paragraphs (1) through (15) of section 
70503(a). 
SEC. 70505. WORKING GROUPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The co-chairs 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-chairs establish 
a working group under subsection (a). 
(c) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANI-
ZATIONS.—The co-chairs may allow nongovernmental or-
ganizations as appropriate, including academic institu-
tions, conservation groups, and commercial and rec-
reational 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 estab-
lished under this section. 
SEC. 70506. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means the Committee on Commerce,
2044 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 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’’, ‘‘covered State’’, ‘‘res-
toration’’, ‘‘resilience’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the mean-
ing given those terms in section 218 of the Coral 
Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this 
Act. 
TITLE VI—DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR CORAL REEF AU-
THORITIES 
SEC. 70601. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND RESTORA-
TION ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior, in 
addition to activities authorized under section 203 of the 
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this 
Act, may provide scientific expertise, technical assistance, 
and financial assistance for the conservation and restora-
tion of coral reefs consistent with all applicable laws gov-
erning resource management in Federal, State, and Tribal 
waters, including—
2045 
(1) the national coral reef resilience strategy in 
effect under section 204A of the Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act; 
(2) coral reef action plans in effect under sec-
tion 205 of that Act, as applicable; and 
(3) coral reef emergency plans in effect under 
section 209 of that Act, as applicable. 
(b) OFFICE OF INSULAR AFFAIRS CORAL REEF INI-
TIATIVE.—The Secretary may establish within the Office 
of Insular Affairs a Coral Reef Initiative Program— 
(1) to provide grant funding to support local 
management, conservation, and protection of coral 
reef ecosystems in— 
(A) insular areas of covered States; and 
(B) Freely Associated States; 
(2) to complement the other conservation and 
assistance activities conducted under this title; and 
(3) to provide other technical, scientific, and fi-
nancial assistance and conduct conservation activi-
ties that advance the purpose of this title. 
(c) CONSULTATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT
OF 
COMMERCE.—The Secretary of the Interior may consult 
with the Secretary of Commerce regarding the conduct of 
any activities to conserve and restore coral reefs and coral 
reef ecosystems in waters managed under the jurisdiction
2046 
of the Federal agencies specified in paragraphs (2) and 
(3) of section 203(c) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act 
of 2000, as amended by this Act. 
(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary of 
the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with 
covered reef managers to fund coral reef conservation and 
restoration activities in waters managed under the juris-
diction of such managers that— 
(1) are consistent with the national coral reef 
resilience strategy in effect under section 204A of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amend-
ed by this Act; and 
(2) support and enhance the success of— 
(A) coral reef action plans in effect under 
section 205 of that Act; and 
(B) coral reef emergency plans in effect 
under section 209 of that Act. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘‘con-
servation’’, ‘‘coral reef’’, ‘‘covered reef manager’’, ‘‘covered 
State’’, ‘‘restoration’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the meaning 
given those terms in section 218 of the Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
2047 
out this title for each of fiscal years 2022 to 2026, 
$4,000,000. 
TITLE VII—SUSAN L. WILLIAMS 
NATIONAL CORAL REEF MAN-
AGEMENT FELLOWSHIP 
SEC. 70701. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) FELLOW.—The term ‘‘fellow’’ means a Na-
tional Coral Reef Management Fellow. 
(3) 
FELLOWSHIP.—The 
term 
‘‘fellowship’’ 
means the National Coral Reef Management Fellow-
ship established in section 70702. 
(4) INDIAN
TRIBE; TRIBAL
ORGANIZATION.— 
The terms ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ and ‘‘Tribal organiza-
tion’’ have the meanings given those terms in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
SEC. 70702. ESTABLISHMENT OF FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a National 
Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the fellowship 
are—
2048 
(1) to encourage future leaders of the United 
States to develop additional coral reef management 
capacity in States and local communities with coral 
reefs; 
(2) to provide management agencies of States, 
Tribal organizations, and Freely Associated States 
with highly qualified candidates whose education and 
work experience meet the specific needs of each 
State, Indian Tribe, and Freely Associated State; 
and 
(3) to provide fellows with professional experi-
ence in management of coastal and coral reef re-
sources. 
SEC. 70703. FELLOWSHIP AWARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in coordina-
tion with the Secretary of the Interior, shall award the 
fellowship in accordance with this section. 
(b) TERM OF FELLOWSHIP.—A fellowship awarded 
under this section shall be for a term of not more than 
24 months. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Administrator, in coordi-
nation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall award the 
fellowship to individuals who have demonstrated— 
(1) an intent to pursue a career in marine serv-
ices and outstanding potential for such a career;
2049 
(2) leadership potential, actual leadership expe-
rience, or both; 
(3) a college or graduate degree in biological 
science, experience that correlates with aptitude and 
interest for marine management, or both; 
(4) proficient writing and speaking skills; and 
(5) such other attributes as the Administrator, 
in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, 
consider appropriate. 
SEC. 70704. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Ad-
ministrator to carry out this title for each of fiscal years 
2022–2026, $1,500,000, to remain available until ex-
pended. 
TITLE VIII—BUY AMERICAN 
SEAFOOD 
SEC. 70801. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) American wild-caught seafood is integral to 
the Nation’s food supply and to American food secu-
rity; 
(2) the seafood supply chain is often long and 
complex; 
(3) American caught and American-processed 
seafood especially from small-scale fishery oper-
2050 
ations, can be a sustainable healthy source of pro-
tein and micronutrients; 
(4) fresh, frozen, dried, and canned domestic 
seafood can be produced, processed, packaged, and 
transported in a manner that has a low carbon foot-
print; 
(5) marine species that are small, at lower 
trophic levels, and pelagic typically have the smallest 
carbon footprint; and 
(6) therefore, any executive agency that pur-
chases seafood products should, to the extent prac-
ticable, buy local American-caught or American-har-
vested and American-processed seafood products 
from fisheries that are not overfished or experi-
encing overfishing, in order to support sustainable 
local seafood businesses, reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions associated with the seafood product supply 
chain, and reduce dependence on imported seafood 
products. 
SEC. 70802. CAUGHT IN THE USA. 
Section 2(c)(1) of the Act of August 11, 1939 (15 
U.S.C. 713c–3(c)(1)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) The Secretary shall make grants from the 
fund established under subsection (b) to—
2051 
‘‘(A) assist persons in carrying out re-
search and development projects addressed to 
any aspect of United States marine fisheries, 
including harvesting, processing, packaging, 
marketing, and associated infrastructures; or 
‘‘(B) assist persons to market and promote 
the consumption of— 
‘‘(i) local or domestic marine fishery 
products; 
‘‘(ii) environmentally and climate- 
friendly marine fishery products that mini-
mize and employ efforts to avoid bycatch 
and impacts on marine mammals; 
‘‘(iii) invasive species; or 
‘‘(iv) well-managed but less known 
species.’’. 
TITLE IX—INSULAR AFFAIRS 
SEC. 70901. OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING INTEGRATION 
ACT. 
Section 12204 of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping In-
tegration Act (33 U.S.C. 3503) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (12) by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(2) in paragraph (13) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following:
2052 
‘‘(14) the study of insular areas and the effects 
of climate change.’’. 
TITLE X—STUDIES AND 
REPORTS 
SEC. 71001. DEEP SEA MINING. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engi-
neering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive assess-
ment of the environmental impacts of deep seabed mining, 
including— 
(1) characterization of deep seabed ecosystems; 
(2) assessment of potential impacts to deep sea-
bed habitat and species from exploratory or extrac-
tive activities; 
(3) assessment of the potential impacts of sedi-
ment plumes from disturbance of the deep seabed on 
the pelagic food chain; and 
(4) approximate quantification of the green-
house gas emissions associated with deep seabed 
mining, including emissions possibly from the release 
of greenhouse gases sequestered in the seabed.
2053 
SEC. 71002. NATIONAL ACADEMIES ASSESSMENT OF OCE-
ANIC BLUE CARBON. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engi-
neering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive assess-
ment of oceanic blue carbon, including— 
(1) the impacts of marine species decline on 
carbon sequestration potential in ocean ecosystems, 
an estimate of the global carbon dioxide mitigation 
potential of protecting or recovering populations of 
fish and marine mammals, and the ecological consid-
erations of such conservation strategies; 
(2) an analysis of the geologic stores of carbon 
and deep sea storage of dissolved carbon in the deep 
seafloor environment, including current and poten-
tial natural long-term carbon storage, identification 
of gaps in scientific understanding, observations, 
and data regarding such geologic and deep sea car-
bon storage; and 
(3) the potential impacts to oceanic blue carbon 
storage by human activities including energy devel-
opment activities, deep sea mining, deep sea carbon 
capture technology, and other disturbances to the
2054 
sea floor and gas hydrate disruption atop the sea-
bed. 
SEC. 71003. NATIONAL ACADEMIES ASSESSMENT OF OIL 
SPILLS AND PLASTIC INGESTION ON SEA 
LIFE. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engi-
neering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive assess-
ment of the environmental impacts of plastic ingestion and 
oil and other fossil fuel spills on sea life, including— 
(1) assessment of the potential health and eco-
logical impacts of plastic ingestion on marine life; 
(2) assessment of the types of plastics most 
commonly ingested by marine life and the types that 
have the most damaging health and ecosystem im-
pacts, and recommendations for preventing and 
eliminating these plastics from the environment; 
(3) quantification of the economic impacts of 
plastic pollution including the costs of cleanup, im-
pacts on lost tourism, impacts on aquaculture and 
fishing, and other economic impacts identified by the 
Academy;
2055 
(4) assessment and quantification of the health 
and ecological impacts oil and other fossil fuel spills, 
flares, pipeline leaks, and extraction, including 
greenhouse gas emissions, have on marine life; 
(5) quantification of the cost and effectiveness 
of cleaning up oil and other fossil fuel spills, flares, 
and pipeline leaks, and repairing damage to marine 
life, coasts, and businesses; 
(6) quantification of the number of people em-
ployed in fossil fuel extraction on Federal waters 
with breakdown by State; 
(7) quantification of the number of people em-
ployed in marine tourism and the blue economy, in-
cluding the fishing and seafood industries, impacted 
by plastic, oil, and other fossil fuel pollution; and 
(8) assessment and quantification of riverine 
sources of coastal plastic pollution in the United 
States, including a breakdown by sources that in-
cludes but is not limited to the Mississippi River. 
SEC. 71004. OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE. 
Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce acting through the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration shall enter into an agreement with the 
Board of Ocean Studies and Board Science, Technology,
2056 
and Economic Policy of the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a com-
prehensive assessment on the development of offshore 
aquaculture in the exclusive economic zone including— 
(1) assessment of the potential environmental 
impacts of offshore aquaculture operations, including 
an evaluation on the risks of siting, water pollution, 
habitat impact, escape of farmed species on wild 
population stocks, waste treatment and disposal, 
feed operations, and the cumulative risks of multiple 
aquaculture operations in shared ecosystems; 
(2) evaluation of the potential for offshore 
aquaculture to serve as a tool for environmental 
management, including connections to water quality, 
watershed management, and fishery conservation 
and management; 
(3) identification of existing control tech-
nologies, management practices and regulatory strat-
egies to minimize the environmental impact of off-
shore aquaculture operations, including from tradi-
tional aquaculture methods and practices of Native 
Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; 
(4) recommending best management practices 
related to sustainable feed for the offshore aqua-
culture industry, including best practices for
2057 
sourcing from sustainably managed fisheries and 
traceability of source fish meal ingredients; 
(5) evaluation of the potential impact of off-
shore aquaculture on the economies of coastal com-
munities, particularly those dependent on traditional 
fishery resources; and 
(6) assessment of the impacts of growing inter-
national offshore aquaculture operations on the 
United States seafood market and domestic seafood 
producers, including dependence of the United 
States on foreign-sourced seafood. 
SEC. 71005. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE THE 
DIVERSITY, 
EQUITY, 
AND 
INCLUSION 
OF 
HIGHLY SKILLED SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, 
ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (‘‘STEM’’) 
PROFESSIONALS IN OCEAN RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce shall 
expand opportunities to increase the number and the di-
versity, equity, and inclusion of highly skilled science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (‘‘STEM’’) pro-
fessionals working in National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration mission-relevant disciplines and broaden 
the recruitment pool to increase diversity, including ex-
panded partnerships with minority-serving institutions,
2058 
historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges 
and universities, non-research universities, two-year tech-
nical degrees, and scientific societies. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF INDEPENDENT ORGANIZA-
TION.—The Secretary shall authorize a nonpartisan and 
independent 501(c)(3) organization to build the public-pri-
vate partnerships necessary to achieve these priorities. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) 
MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘‘minority-serving institution’’ includes the en-
tities described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of sec-
tion 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
(2) HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNI-
VERSITIES.—The term ‘‘Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities’’ has the meaning given the term 
‘‘part B institution’’ in section 322 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). 
(3) TRIBAL
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVERSITIES.— 
The term ‘‘Tribal College or University’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 316 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c). 
SEC. 71006. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF 6PPD-QUINONE. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting
2059 
through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall seek to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engi-
neering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the effects 
of 6PPD-quinone on salmonids, aquatic species, and wa-
tersheds, including an economic analysis of declining salm-
on populations in the United States and the effect of such 
declining populations have on importation of salmon from 
other countries. 
TITLE XI—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 71101. LAW ENFORCEMENT ATTACHE DEPLOYMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the 
Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of State, shall require the Chief 
of Law Enforcement of the United States Fish and Wild-
life Service to hire, train, and deploy not fewer than 50 
new United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforce-
ment attaches, and appropriate additional support staff, 
at one or more United States embassies, consulates, com-
mands, or other facilities— 
(1) in one or more countries designated as a 
focus country or a country of concern in the most 
recent report submitted under section 201 of the
2060 
Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Traf-
ficking Act of 2016 (16 U.S.C. 7621); and 
(2) in such additional countries or regions, as 
determined by the Secretary of Interior, that are 
known or suspected to be a source of illegal trade of 
species listed— 
(A) as threatened species or endangered 
species under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or 
(B) under appendix I of the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of 
Wild Fauna and Flora, done at Washington 
March 3, 1973 (27 UST 1087; TIAS 8249). 
(b) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this section $150,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2022 through 2031. 
SEC. 71102. LACEY ACT AMENDMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 42 of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or any interstate trans-
port within the United States,’’ after ‘‘or any 
possession of the United States,’’ the first place 
it appears;
2061 
(B) by inserting after the first sentence 
the following: ‘‘Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, the Secretary of the Interior may 
prescribe by regulation an emergency designa-
tion prohibiting the importation of any species 
of wild mammals, wild birds, fish (including 
mollusks and crustacea), amphibians, or rep-
tiles, or the offspring or eggs of any such spe-
cies, as injurious to human beings, to the inter-
ests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to 
wildlife or the wildlife resources of the United 
States, for not more than 3 years, under this 
subsection, if the Secretary of the Interior de-
termines that such regulation is necessary to 
address an imminent threat to human beings, 
to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, for-
estry, or to wildlife or the wildlife resources of 
the United States. An emergency designation 
prescribed under this subsection shall take ef-
fect immediately upon publication in the Fed-
eral Register, unless the Secretary of the Inte-
rior prescribes an effective date that is not later 
than 60 days after the date of publication. Dur-
ing the period during which an emergency des-
ignation prescribed under this subsection for a
2062 
species is in effect, the Secretary of the Interior 
shall evaluate whether the species should be 
designated as an injurious wildlife species under 
the first sentence of this paragraph.’’; and 
(C) in subsection (b), inserting ‘‘know-
ingly’’ before ‘‘violates’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PRESUMPTIVE
PROHIBITION
ON
IMPORTA-
TION.— 
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—Importation 
into 
the 
United States of any species of wild mammals, wild 
birds, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), am-
phibians, or reptiles, or the offspring or eggs of any 
such species, that is not native to the United States 
and, as of the date of enactment of the America 
COMPETES Act of 2022, is not prohibited under 
subsection (a)(1), is prohibited, unless— 
‘‘(A) during the 1-year period preceding 
the date of enactment of the America COM-
PETES Act of 2022, the species was, in more 
than minimal quantities— 
‘‘(i) imported into the United States; 
or 
‘‘(ii) transported between the States, 
any territory of the United States, the Dis-
2063 
trict of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any ter-
ritory of the United States; or 
‘‘(B) the Secretary of the Interior deter-
mines, after an opportunity for public comment, 
that the species does not pose a significant risk 
of invasiveness to the United States and pub-
lishes a notice in the Federal Register of the 
determination. 
‘‘(2) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
paragraph (1) shall be construed to limit the author-
ity of the Secretary of the Interior under subsection 
(a)(1).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 42(a) of 
title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and sub-
section (d)’’ after ‘‘this subsection’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the foregoing’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘paragraph (1) or subsection (d)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ each place the 
term appears and inserting ‘‘this section’’; 
(3) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘or sub-
section (d)’’ after ‘‘this subsection’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (5)—
2064 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and subsection (d)’’ after 
‘‘this subsection’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘hereunder’’ and inserting 
‘‘under such provisions’’. 
(c) REGULATIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
the Interior shall promulgate regulations to define 
the term ‘‘minimal quantities’’ for purposes of sub-
section (d)(1)(A) of section 42 of title 18, United 
States Code, as added by subsection (a)(2). 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (d) of sec-
tion 42 of title 18, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a)(2), shall take effect on the date that 
is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 71103. SHARK FIN SALES ELIMINATION. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON SALE OF SHARK FINS.— 
(1) PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in sub-
section (c), no person shall possess, acquire, receive, 
transport, offer for sale, sell, or purchase shark fins 
or products containing shark fins. 
(2) PENALTY.—A violation of paragraph (1) 
shall be treated as an act prohibited by section 307 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1857) and shall be pe-
2065 
nalized pursuant to section 308 of that Act (16 
U.S.C. 1858). 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.—A person may possess a shark fin 
that was taken lawfully under a State, territorial, or Fed-
eral license or permit to take or land sharks, if the shark 
fin was separated after the first point of landing in a man-
ner consistent with the license or permit and is— 
(1) destroyed or disposed of immediately upon 
separation from the carcass; 
(2) used for noncommercial subsistence pur-
poses in accordance with State or territorial law; or 
(3) used solely for display or research purposes 
by a museum, college, or university, or other person 
under a State or Federal permit to conduct non-
commercial scientific research. 
(c) DOGFISH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—It shall not be a violation of 
subsection (b) for any person to possess, acquire, re-
ceive, transport, offer for sale, sell, or purchase any 
fresh or frozen unprocessed fin or tail from any 
stock of the species Mustelus canis (smooth dogfish) 
or Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish). 
(2) REPORT.—By not later than January 1, 
2027, the Secretary of Commerce shall review the 
exemption contained in paragraph (1) and shall pre-
2066 
pare and submit to Congress a report that includes 
a recommendation on whether the exemption con-
tained in paragraph (1) should continue or be termi-
nated. In preparing such report and making such 
recommendation, the Secretary shall analyze factors 
including— 
(A) the economic viability of dogfish fish-
eries with and without the continuation of the 
exemption; 
(B) the impact to ocean ecosystems of con-
tinuing or terminating the exemption; 
(C) the impact on enforcement of the ban 
contained in subsection (b) caused by the ex-
emption; and 
(D) the impact of the exemption on shark 
conservation. 
(d) DEFINITION OF SHARK FIN.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘shark fin’’ means— 
(1) the unprocessed or dried or otherwise proc-
essed detached fin of a shark; or 
(2) the unprocessed or dried or otherwise proc-
essed detached tail of a shark. 
(e) ENFORCEMENT.—The provisions of this section, 
and any regulations issued pursuant thereto, shall be en-
forced by the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary may
2067 
use by agreement, with or without reimbursement, the per-
sonnel, services, equipment, and facilities of any other 
Federal agency or any State agency or Indian Tribe for 
purposes of enforcing this section. 
(f) STATE AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this section may 
be construed to preclude, deny, or limit any right of a 
State or territory to adopt or enforce any regulation or 
standard that is more stringent than a regulation or 
standard in effect under this section. 
(g) SEVERABILITY.—If any provision of this section 
or its application to any person or circumstance is held 
invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or 
applications of this section which can be given effect with-
out the invalid provision or application, and to this end 
the provisions of this section are severable. 
SEC. 71104. OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY DEPLOYMENT. 
The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of En-
ergy, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Com-
merce, and all other Federal agencies the Secretary of the 
Interior determines are necessary in the authorization of 
offshore wind energy projects shall collectively seek to de-
ploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy on the Outer 
Continental Shelf of the United States by 2030, while pro-
tecting the biodiversity of the ocean and promoting ocean 
co-use.
2068 
SEC. 71105. SHOVEL-READY RESTORATION GRANTS FOR 
COASTLINES AND FISHERIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a grant program to provide funding and technical 
assistance to eligible entities for purposes of carrying out 
a project described in subsection (d). 
(b) PROJECT PROPOSAL.—To be considered for a 
grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit 
a grant proposal to the Administrator in a time, place, 
and manner determined by the Administrator. Such pro-
posal shall include monitoring, data collection, and meas-
urable performance criteria with respect to the project. 
(c) DEVELOPMENT
OF CRITERIA.—The Adminis-
trator shall select eligible entities to receive grants under 
this section based on criteria developed by the Adminis-
trator, in consultation with relevant offices of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, such as the Of-
fice of Habitat Conservation and the Office for Coastal 
Management. 
(d) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—A proposal is eligible for 
a grant under this section if— 
(1) the purpose of the project is to restore a 
marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lake habitat, 
including— 
(A) restoration of habitat to protect or re-
cover a species that is threatened, endangered,
2069 
or a species of concern under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
(B) through the removal or remediation of 
marine debris, including derelict vessels and 
abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear, in 
coastal and marine habitats; or 
(C) for the benefit of— 
(i) shellfish; 
(ii) fish, including diadromous fish; 
(iii) coral reef systems; 
(iv) marine wildlife; or 
(v) blue carbon ecosystems such as 
coastal wetlands, beaches, dunes, marshes, 
coastal forests, oyster beds, kelp forests, 
and submerged aquatic vegetation; or 
(2) provides adaptation to climate change, in-
cluding sequestering and storing carbon or by con-
structing, restoring, or protecting ecological features 
or nature-based infrastructure that protects coastal 
communities from sea level rise, coastal storms, or 
flooding. 
(e) PRIORITY.—In determining which projects to 
fund under this section, the Administrator shall give pri-
ority to a proposed project— 
(1) that would stimulate the economy;
2070 
(2) for which the applicant can demonstrate 
that the grant will fund work that will begin not 
more than 90 days after the date of award; 
(3) for which the applicant can demonstrate 
that the grant will fund work that will employ fish-
ermen who have been negatively impacted by the 
COVID–19 pandemic or pay a fisherman for the use 
of a fishing vessel; 
(4) for which the applicant can demonstrate 
that any preliminary study or permit required before 
the project can begin has been completed or can be 
completed shortly after an award is made; or 
(5) that includes communities that may not 
have adequate resources including low income com-
munities, communities of color, Tribal communities, 
Indigenous communities, and rural communities. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$10,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 to carry out this sec-
tion, to remain available until expended. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
2071 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a nonprofit, a for-profit business, an in-
stitution of higher education, or a State, local, Trib-
al, or Territorial government. 
(3) 
FISHERMEN.—The 
term 
‘‘fishermen’’ 
means commercial or for-hire fishermen or oyster 
farmers. 
SEC. 71106. LEASING ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF. 
(a) LEASING AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of the 
Interior is authorized to grant leases pursuant to section 
8(p)(1)(C) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1337(p)(1)(C)) in the areas withdrawn by the 
Presidential Memorandum entitled ‘‘Memorandum on the 
Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer 
Continental Shelf from Leasing Disposition’’ (issued Sep-
tember 8, 2020) and the Presidential Memorandum enti-
tled ‘‘Presidential Determination on the Withdrawal of 
Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental 
Shelf from Leasing Disposition’’ (issued September 25, 
2020). 
(b) WITHDRAWALS.—Any Presidential withdrawal of 
an area of the Outer Continental Shelf from leasing under 
section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1341(a)) issued after the date of enactment 
of this section shall apply only to leasing authorized under
2072 
subsections (a) and (i) of section 8 of the Outer Conti-
nental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(a) and 1337(i)), 
unless otherwise specified. 
SEC. 71107. TROPICAL FOREST AND CORAL REEF CON-
SERVATION REAUTHORIZATION. 
Section 806(d) of the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 2431d(d)) is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(9) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. 
‘‘(10) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2023. 
‘‘(11) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
‘‘(12) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. 
‘‘(13) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.’’. 
SEC. 71108. PROHIBITION ON SALE OF AMERICAN MINK. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—No person may possess, acquire, 
receive, transport, offer for sale, sell, or purchase any 
American mink (Neovison vison) raised in captivity for fur 
production. 
(b) PENALTY.—A violation of subsection (a) shall be 
treated as an act prohibited by section 3 of the Lacey Act 
Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372) and is subject to 
penalty pursuant to section 4 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
3373). 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on December 31, 2022.
2073 
TITLE XII—BOLSTERING LONG- 
TERM UNDERSTANDING AND 
EXPLORATION OF THE GREAT 
LAKES, OCEANS, BAYS, AND 
ESTUARIES 
SEC. 71201. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this title is to promote and support— 
(1) the monitoring, understanding, and explo-
ration of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, 
and coasts; and 
(2) the collection, analysis, synthesis, and shar-
ing of data related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, 
estuaries, and coasts to facilitate science and oper-
ational decision making. 
SEC. 71202. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) agencies should optimize data collection, 
management, and dissemination, to the extent prac-
ticable, to maximize their impact for research, com-
mercial, regulatory, and educational benefits and to 
foster innovation, scientific discoveries, the develop-
ment of commercial products, and the development 
of sound policy with respect to the Great Lakes, 
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts;
2074 
(2) agencies should consider current and future 
needs relating to supercomputing capacity, data 
storage capacity, and public access, address gaps in 
those areas, and coordinate across agencies as need-
ed; 
(3) the United States is a leading member of 
the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of 
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul-
tural Organization, a founding member of the Atlan-
tic Ocean Research Alliance, and a key partner in 
developing the United Nations Decade of Ocean 
Science for Sustainable Development; 
(4) the Integrated Ocean Observing System and 
the Global Ocean Observing System are key assets 
and networks that bolster understanding of the ma-
rine environment; 
(5) the National Oceanographic Partnership 
Program is a meaningful venue for collaboration and 
coordination among Federal agencies, scientists, and 
ocean users; 
(6) the National Centers for Environmental In-
formation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration should be looked to by other Federal 
agencies as a primary, centralized repository for 
Federal ocean data;
2075 
(7) the Marine Cadastre, a joint effort of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, pro-
vides access to data and information for specific 
issues and activities in ocean resources management 
to meet the needs of offshore energy and planning 
efforts; 
(8) the regional associations of the Integrated 
Ocean Observing System, certified by the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the 
quality and reliability of their data, are important 
sources of observation information for the Great 
Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts; and 
(9) the Regional Ocean Partnerships and re-
gional data portals, which provide publicly available 
tools such as maps, data, and other information to 
inform decisions and enhance marine development, 
should be supported by and viewed as collaborators 
with Federal agencies and ocean users. 
SEC. 71203. DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR. 
In this title, the term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere 
in the Under Secretary’s capacity as Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
2076 
SEC. 71204. INCREASED COORDINATION AMONG AGENCIES 
WITH RESPECT TO DATA AND MONITORING. 
(a) INTERAGENCY
OCEAN
OBSERVATION
COM-
MITTEE.—In addition to its responsibilities as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and in consultation with the 
associated advisory committee authorized by section 
12304(d) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observa-
tion System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(d)), the Inter-
agency Ocean Observation Committee shall— 
(1) work with international coordinating bodies, 
as necessary, to ensure robust, direct measurements 
of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and 
coasts, including oceanographic data; and 
(2) support cross-agency and multi-platform 
synergy, by coordinating overlapping data collection 
by satellites, buoys, submarines, gliders, vessels, and 
other data collection vehicles and technologies. 
(b) FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE.—In 
addition to its responsibilities as of the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and in consultation with the National 
Geospatial Advisory Committee, the Federal Geographic 
Data Committee shall— 
(1) work with international coordinating bodies, 
as necessary, to ensure robust, continuous measure-
ments of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries,
2077 
and coasts, including satellite and geospatial data; 
and 
(2) support new and old data and metadata cer-
tification, quality assurance, quality control, integra-
tion, and archiving. 
(c) INTERAGENCY
COMMITTEE
ON
OCEAN
AND 
COASTAL MAPPING.—In addition to its responsibilities as 
of the date of the enactment of this Act, and in consulta-
tion with its associated advisory panel authorized by sec-
tion 12203(g) of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integra-
tion Act (33 U.S.C. 3502(g)), the Interagency Committee 
on Ocean and Coastal Mapping shall— 
(1) work with international coordinating bodies, 
as necessary, to ensure robust, continuous satellite 
and direct measurements of the Great Lakes, 
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, including bathy-
metric data; and 
(2) make recommendations on how to make 
data, metadata, and model output accessible to a 
broader public audience, including through geo-
graphic information system layers, graphics, and 
other visuals.
2078 
SEC. 71205. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION TO COMBAT ILLE-
GAL, 
UNREPORTED, 
AND 
UNREGULATED 
FISHING. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 3532 of the Maritime Se-
curity and Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 8001) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through 
(13) as paragraphs (7) through (14), respectively; 
and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(6) INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGIES.—The term 
‘innovative technologies’ includes the following: 
‘‘(A) Improved satellite imagery and track-
ing. 
‘‘(B) 
Advanced 
electronic 
monitoring 
equipment. 
‘‘(C) Vessel location data. 
‘‘(D) Improved genetic, molecular, or other 
biological methods of tracking sources of sea-
food. 
‘‘(E) Electronic catch documentation and 
traceability. 
‘‘(F) Such other technologies as the Ad-
ministrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration considers appropriate.’’.
2079 
(b) TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.—Section 3546 of the 
Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 
U.S.C. 8016) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) coordinating the application of existing in-
novative technologies and the development of emerg-
ing innovative technologies.’’. 
SEC. 71206. 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) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘Secretary of Commerce’’ and inserting 
‘‘Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and At-
mosphere’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘, skillsets, 
or credentials’’ after ‘‘degrees’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or highly 
qualified technical professionals and tradespeople’’ 
after ‘‘atmospheric scientists’’;
2080 
(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 profes-
sionals, and tradespeople into Federal career posi-
tions;’’ 
(7) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through 
(6) as paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively; 
(8) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) whether there is a shortage in the number 
of individuals with technical or trade-based skillsets 
or credentials suited to a career in oceanic and at-
mospheric data collection, processing, satellite pro-
duction, or satellite operations;’’; and 
(9) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) workforce diversity and actions the Fed-
eral Government 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.’’.
2081 
(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 
America COMPETES Act of 2022’’; 
(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 Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives’’. 
(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 in-
serting ‘‘Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
and Atmosphere’’; and
2082 
(2) by striking ‘‘academic partners’’ and all 
that follows and inserting ‘‘academic partners.’’. 
SEC. 71207. ACCELERATING INNOVATION AT COOPERATIVE 
INSTITUTES. 
(a) FOCUS ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.—The Ad-
ministrator shall ensure that the goals of the Cooperative 
Institutes of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration 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 applica-
tions, including such technologies and applications 
that derive genetic material directly from environ-
mental samples without any obvious signs of biologi-
cal source material; 
(2) deployment of, and improvements to, the 
durability, maintenance, and other lifecycle concerns 
of advanced unmanned vehicles, regional small re-
search vessels, and other research vessels that sup-
port and launch unmanned vehicles and sensors; and 
(3) supercomputing and big data management, 
including data collected through electronic moni-
toring and remote sensing. 
(b) DATA SHARING.—Each Cooperative Institute 
shall ensure that data collected from the work of the insti-
2083 
tute, other than classified, confidential, or proprietary 
data, are archived and made publicly accessible. 
(c) COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS.—The 
Cooperative Institutes shall work with the Interagency 
Ocean Observation Committee, the regional associations 
of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, and other 
ocean observing programs to coordinate technology needs 
and the transition of new technologies from research to 
operations. 
SEC. 
71208. 
OCEAN 
INNOVATION 
PRIZE 
AND 
PRIORITIZATION. 
(a) OCEAN INNOVATIVE PRIZES.—Not later than 4 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
under the authority provided by section 24 of the Steven-
son-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3719), the Administrator, in consultation with the heads 
of relevant Federal agencies, including the Secretary of 
Defense, and in conjunction with nongovernmental part-
ners, as appropriate and at the discretion of the Adminis-
trator, shall establish at least one Ocean Innovation Prize 
to catalyze the rapid development and deployment of data 
collection and monitoring technology related to the Great 
Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts in at least one 
of the areas specified in subsection (b).
2084 
(b) AREAS.—The areas specified in this subsection 
are the following: 
(1) Improved eDNA analytics and deployment 
with autonomous vehicles. 
(2) Plastic pollution detection, quantification, 
and mitigation, including with respect to used fish-
ing gear and tracking technologies to reduce or 
eliminate bycatch. 
(3) Advanced satellite data and other advanced 
technology for improving scientific assessment. 
(4) New stock assessment methods using sat-
ellite data or other advanced technologies. 
(5) Advanced electronic fisheries monitoring 
equipment and data analysis tools, including im-
proved fish species recognition software, confidential 
data management, data analysis and visualization, 
and storage of electronic reports, imagery, location 
information, and other data. 
(6) Autonomous and other advanced surface ve-
hicles, underwater vehicles, or airborne platforms for 
data collection and monitoring. 
(7) Artificial intelligence and machine learning 
applications for data collection and monitoring re-
lated to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, 
and coasts.
2085 
(8) Coral reef ecosystem monitoring. 
(9) Electronic equipment, chemical or biological 
sensors, data analysis tools, and platforms to iden-
tify and fill gaps in robust and shared continuous 
data related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estu-
aries, and coasts to inform global earth system mod-
els. 
(10) Means for protecting aquatic life from in-
jury or other ill effects caused, in whole or in part, 
by monitoring or exploration activities. 
(11) Discovery and dissemination of data re-
lated to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, 
and coasts. 
(12) Water quality monitoring, including im-
proved detection and prediction of harmful algal 
blooms and pollution. 
(13) Enhancing blue carbon sequestration and 
other ocean acidification mitigation opportunities. 
(14) Such other areas as may be identified by 
the Administrator. 
(c) PRIORITIZATION OF PROPOSALS.—In selecting re-
cipients of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 
and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) solicita-
tions and interagency grants for ocean innovation, includ-
ing the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, the
2086 
Administrator shall prioritize proposals for fiscal years 
2023 and 2024 that address at least one of the areas spec-
ified in subsection (b). 
SEC. 71209. REAUTHORIZATION OF NOAA PROGRAMS. 
Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improve-
ment Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$70,814,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$71,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2026’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$25,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$34,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2026’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘$29,932,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$38,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2026’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘$26,800,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2026’’; and 
(5) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘$30,564,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’ and in-
2087 
serting ‘‘$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2026’’. 
SEC. 71210. BLUE ECONOMY VALUATION. 
(a) MEASUREMENT
OF BLUE ECONOMY INDUS-
TRIES.—The Administrator, the Director of the Bureau 
of Economic Analysis, the Commissioner of the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics, the Secretary of the Treasury, and 
the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
prioritize 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 living re-
sources, marine construction, marine transportation, off-
shore mineral extraction, ship and boat building, tourism, 
recreation, subsistence, and such other industries the Ad-
ministrator considers appropriate (known as ‘‘Blue Econ-
omy’’ industries). 
(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 
and State-level statistics to measure the contribution 
of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and
2088 
coasts to the overall economy of the United States; 
and 
(2) collaborate with national and international 
organizations and governments to promote consist-
ency of methods, measurements, and definitions to 
ensure comparability of results between countries. 
(c) REPORT.—Not less frequently than once every 2 
years, the Administrator, in consultation with the Director 
of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Commissioner 
of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, and the heads of other relevant Federal agen-
cies, shall publish a report that— 
(1) defines the Blue Economy, in coordination 
with Tribal governments, academia, industry, non-
governmental organizations, and other relevant ex-
perts; 
(2) makes recommendations for updating North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 
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, in-
cluding— 
(A) the value and impact of—
2089 
(i) economic activities that are de-
pendent upon the resources of the Great 
Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts; 
(ii) the population and demographic 
characteristics of the population along the 
coasts; 
(iii) port and shoreline infrastructure; 
(iv) the volume and value of cargo 
shipped by sea or across the Great Lakes; 
and 
(v) data collected from the Great 
Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, 
including such data collected by businesses 
that purchase and commodify the data, in-
cluding weather prediction and seasonal 
agricultural forecasting; 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, recreation, natural re-
sources, and cultural heritage, including other 
indirect values.
2090 
SEC. 71211. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY– 
OCEANS. 
(a) AGREEMENT.—Not later than 45 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
seek to enter into an agreement with the National Acad-
emy of Sciences to conduct the comprehensive assessment 
under subsection (b). 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Under an agreement be-
tween the Administrator and the National Academy 
of Sciences under this section, the National Acad-
emy of Sciences shall conduct a comprehensive as-
sessment of the need for and feasibility of estab-
lishing an Advanced Research Projects Agency– 
Oceans (ARPA–O) that operates in coordination 
with and with nonduplication of existing Federal 
oceanic research programs, including programs of 
the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The comprehensive assess-
ment carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) shall in-
clude— 
(A) an assessment of how an ARPA–O 
could help overcome the long-term and high-risk 
technological barriers in the development of
2091 
ocean technologies, with the goal of enhancing 
the economic, ecological, and national security 
of the United States through the rapid develop-
ment of technologies that result in— 
(i) improved data collection, moni-
toring, and prediction of the ocean environ-
ment, including sea ice conditions; 
(ii) overcoming barriers to the appli-
cation of new and improved technologies, 
such as high costs and scale of operational 
missions; 
(iii) improved management practices 
for protecting ecological sustainability; 
(iv) improved national security capac-
ity; 
(v) improved technology for fishery 
population assessments; 
(vi) expedited processes between and 
among Federal agencies to successfully 
identify, transition, and coordinate re-
search and development output to oper-
ations, applications, commercialization, and 
other uses; and 
(vii) ensuring that the United States 
maintains a technological lead in devel-
2092 
oping and deploying advanced ocean tech-
nologies; 
(B) an evaluation of the organizational 
structures under which an ARPA–O could be 
organized, which takes into account— 
(i) best practices for new research 
programs; 
(ii) consolidation and reorganization 
of existing Federal oceanic programs to ef-
fectuate coordination and nonduplication of 
such programs; 
(iii) metrics and approaches for peri-
odic program evaluation; 
(iv) capacity to fund and manage ex-
ternal research awards; and 
(v) options for oversight of the activ-
ity through a Federal agency, an inter-
agency organization, nongovernmental or-
ganization, or other institutional arrange-
ment; and 
(C) an estimation of the scale of invest-
ment necessary to pursue high priority ocean 
technology projects. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
2093 
submit to Congress a report on the comprehensive assess-
ment conducted under subsection (b). 
TITLE XIII—CLIMATE CHANGE 
EDUCATION 
SEC. 71301. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The evidence for human-induced climate 
change is overwhelming and undeniable. 
(2) Atmospheric carbon can be significantly re-
duced through conservation, by shifting to renewable 
energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal, and geo-
thermal, and by increasing the efficiency of build-
ings, including domiciles, and transportation. 
(3) Providing clear information about climate 
change, in a variety of forms, can remove the fear 
and the sense of helplessness, and encourage individ-
uals and communities to take action. 
(4) Implementation of measures that promote 
energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable en-
ergy will greatly reduce human impact on the envi-
ronment. 
(5) Informing people of new technologies and 
programs as they become available will ensure max-
imum understanding and maximum effect of those 
measures.
2094 
(6) More than 3,000,000 students graduate 
from high schools and colleges in the United States 
each year, armed with attitudes, skills, and knowl-
edge about the climate that inform their actions. 
(7) The effect on the climate, positive or nega-
tive, of each of those 3,000,000 students lasts be-
yond a lifetime. 
(8) Those students need to be prepared to im-
plement changes in professional and personal prac-
tices, to support and help develop new technology 
and policy, and to address the coming social and 
economic challenges and opportunities arising from a 
changing climate. 
(9) It has been demonstrated that the people of 
the United States overwhelmingly support teaching 
students about the causes, consequences, and poten-
tial solutions to climate change in all 50 States and 
more than 3,000 counties across the United States. 
(10) Only 30 percent of middle school and 45 
percent of high school science teachers understand 
the extent of the scientific consensus on climate 
change. 
SEC. 71302. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title:
2095 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION.—The term 
‘‘climate change education’’ means nonformal and 
formal interdisciplinary learning at all age levels 
about— 
(A) climate change, climate adaptation and 
mitigation, climate resilience, and climate jus-
tice; and 
(B) the effects of climate change, climate 
adaptation and mitigation, climate resilience, 
and climate justice on the environmental, en-
ergy, social, and economic systems of the 
United States. 
(3) CLIMATE
LITERACY.—The term ‘‘climate 
literacy’’ means competence or knowledge of climate 
change, its causes and impacts, and the technical, 
scientific, economic, and social dynamics of prom-
ising solutions. 
(4) CLIMATE JUSTICE.—The term ‘‘climate jus-
tice’’ means the fair treatment and meaningful in-
volvement of all people, regardless of race, color, cul-
ture, national origin, or income, with respect to the 
development, implementation, and enforcement of
2096 
policies and projects to ensure that each person en-
joys the same degree of protection from the adverse 
effects of climate change. 
(5) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.—The term ‘‘en-
vironmental justice’’ means the fair treatment and 
meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of 
race, color, culture, national origin, or income, with 
respect to the development, implementation, and en-
forcement of environmental laws, regulations, and 
policies to ensure that each person enjoys— 
(A) the same degree of protection from en-
vironmental and health hazards; and 
(B) equal access to any Federal agency ac-
tion on environmental justice issues in order to 
have a healthy environment in which to live, 
learn, work, and recreate. 
(6) ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE
COMMUNITY.— 
The term ‘‘environmental justice community’’ means 
a community with significant representation of com-
munities of color, low-income communities, or Tribal 
and indigenous communities that experiences, or is 
at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse 
human health or environmental effects as compared 
to other communities.
2097 
(7) GREEN ECONOMY.—The term ‘‘green econ-
omy’’ means an economy that results in improved 
human and economic well-being and social equity by 
significantly reducing environmental risks and eco-
logical scarcities. 
(8) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(9) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY; STATE EDU-
CATIONAL AGENCY.—The terms ‘‘local educational 
agency’’ and ‘‘State educational agency’’ have the 
meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(10) NONFORMAL.—The term ‘‘nonformal’’ 
means, with respect to learning, out-of-school edu-
cational programming carried out by nonprofit orga-
nizations and public agencies. 
(11) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘‘nonprofit organization’’ means an organization de-
scribed in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 
501(a) of that Code.
2098 
SEC. 71303. CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
The Administrator shall establish a Climate Change 
Education Program to— 
(1) increase the climate literacy of the United 
States by broadening the understanding of climate 
change, including possible long-term and short-term 
consequences, disproportionate impacts of those con-
sequences, and potential solutions; 
(2) apply the latest scientific and technological 
discoveries, including through the use of the sci-
entific assets of the Administration, to provide for-
mal and nonformal learning opportunities to individ-
uals of all ages, including individuals of diverse cul-
tural and linguistic backgrounds; and 
(3) emphasize actionable information to help 
people understand and promote implementation of 
new technologies, programs, and incentives related 
to climate change, climate adaptation and mitiga-
tion, climate resilience, climate justice, and environ-
mental justice. 
SEC. 71304. GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the Climate Change 
Education Program established under section 71303, the 
Administrator shall establish a program to make grants 
to the following:
2099 
(1) State educational agencies, in partnership 
with local educational agencies and local nonprofit 
organizations, for the implementation of aspects of 
State climate literacy plans for grades 4 through 12 
formal and informal climate change education 
that— 
(A) are aligned with State education 
standards; 
(B) ensure that students graduate from 
high school with climate literacy; and 
(C) include at least 1 of the following: 
(i) Relevant teacher training and pro-
fessional development. 
(ii) Creation of applied learning 
project-based models, such as models mak-
ing optimum use of green features im-
provements to school facilities, such as en-
ergy systems, lighting systems, water man-
agement, waste management, and school 
grounds improvements. 
(iii) Incorporation of climate change 
mitigation and green technologies into new 
and existing career and technical education 
career tracks and work-based learning ex-
periences, including development of part-
2100 
nerships with labor organizations, trade or-
ganizations, and apprenticeship programs. 
(2) Institutions of higher education and net-
works or partnerships of such institutions to engage 
teams of faculty and students to develop applied cli-
mate research and deliver to local communities di-
rect services related to local climate mitigation and 
adaptation issues, with priority given to projects 
that— 
(A) foster long-term campus-community 
partnerships; 
(B) show potential to scale work beyond 
the grant term; 
(C) are inclusive for all segments of the 
population; and 
(D) promote equitable and just outcomes. 
(3) Professional associations and academic dis-
ciplinary societies for projects that build capacity at 
the State and national levels for continuing edu-
cation by practicing professionals and the general 
public in green economy fields. 
(4) Youth corps organizations to engage in 
community-based climate mitigation and adaptation 
work that includes a substantive educational compo-
nent.
2101 
(b) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator shall annu-
ally consult with other relevant agencies of the Federal 
Government to determine ways in which grant making 
under subsection (a) can enhance and support other na-
tional climate education and training and environmental 
justice goals. 
(c) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES.—The 
Administrator shall ensure that 40 percent of all funds 
appropriated for grants under paragraphs (2) and (4) of 
subsection (a) are directed into environmental justice com-
munities. 
(d) COMMUNITIES
OF PRACTICE.—The Adminis-
trator shall establish communities of practice with respect 
to each of paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) 
in order to accelerate learning. 
SEC. 71305. REPORT. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Adminis-
trator shall submit to Congress a report that evaluates the 
scientific merits, educational effectiveness, and broader ef-
fects of activities carried out under this title. 
SEC. 71306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
2102 
tration to carry out this title $50,000,000 for each of fis-
cal years 2022 through 2027. 
(b) ALLOCATION
OF AMOUNTS
FOR GRANT PRO-
GRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Amounts appropriated to 
carry out the grant program required by section 
71304(a) shall be allocated as follows: 
(A) Not less than 40 percent and not more 
than 60 percent for grants made under para-
graph (1) of such section. 
(B) Not less than 20 percent and not more 
than 40 percent for grants made under para-
graph (2) of such section. 
(C) Not less than 5 percent and not more 
than 20 percent for grants made under para-
graph (3) of such section. 
(D) Not less than 5 percent and not more 
than 20 percent for grants made under para-
graph (4) of such section. 
(E) Such amount as the Administrator de-
termines appropriate for the administration of 
this title. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—If amounts appropriated to 
carry out the grant program required by section 
71304(a) do not exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal
2103 
year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration may prioritize grants made under subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of section 
71304(a). 
TITLE 
XIV—OFFICE 
OF 
EDU-
CATION 
TECHNOLOGY 
TO 
SUPPORT THE BUREAU OF IN-
DIAN EDUCATION 
SEC. 71401. UPDATING BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS PRO-
GRAMS. 
Part B of title XI of the Education Amendments of 
1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021 et seq.) is amended by striking ‘‘Of-
fice of Indian Education Programs’’ each place it appears 
(in any font) and inserting ‘‘Bureau of Indian Education’’ 
(in the corresponding font). 
SEC. 71402. ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE OFFICE OF EDU-
CATION TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT THE BU-
REAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION. 
Section 1133 of the Education Amendments of 1978 
(25 U.S.C. 2013) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(c) BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION OFFICE OF 
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—