I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4546
To provide for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to 
authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 14, 2004
Mr. EHLERS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration, to authorize appropriations for the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other 
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Table of contents. 
TITLE I—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION 
Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Definitions. 
Sec. 103. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
Sec. 104. Administration leadership. 
Sec. 105. National Weather Service. 
Sec. 106. Operations and services. 
Sec. 107. Research and education. 
Sec. 108. Science Advisory Board. 
Sec. 109. Reports. 
Sec. 110. Effect of Reorganization Plan. 
TITLE II—AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
Sec. 201. Short title. 
Sec. 202. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE III—COASTAL OCEAN SCIENCE PROGRAM 
Sec. 301. Short title. 
Sec. 302. Coastal Ocean Science Program. 
TITLE IV—MARINE RESEARCH 
Sec. 401. Short title. 
Sec. 402. Purposes. 
Sec. 403. Interagency marine research program. 
Sec. 404. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Research 
Initiative. 
Sec. 405. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE V—OCEAN AND COASTAL OBSERVATION SYSTEMS 
Sec. 501. Short title. 
Sec. 502. Purposes. 
Sec. 503. Integrated ocean and coastal observing system. 
Sec. 504. Interagency financing. 
Sec. 505. Great Lakes. 
Sec. 506. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE VI—ABRUPT CLIMATE CHANGE 
Sec. 601. Short title. 
Sec. 602. Abrupt climate change research program. 
Sec. 603. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE VII—UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM 
Sec. 701. Short title. 
Sec. 702. Program focus. 
Sec. 703. Program research priorities. 
Sec. 704. Interagency planning and process. 
Sec. 705. Reporting requirements. 
Sec. 706. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE 
I—NATIONAL 
OCEANIC 
AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINIS-
TRATION 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Act’’. 
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) The term ‘‘Administration’’ means the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Commerce. 
(3) The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Ad-
ministrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration. 
SEC. 103. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN-
ISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Department 
of Commerce an agency known as the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
(b) MISSION.—The mission of the Administration is 
to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s ocean 
and atmosphere and the effects of such changes on the 
land environment, to conserve and manage coastal, ocean, 
and Great Lakes ecosystems to meet national economic,
scientists in bilateral and multilateral research, de-
velopment, conservation, and service programs re-
lated to coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes issues; and 
(12) any other function assigned to the Admin-
istration by law. 
SEC. 104. ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP. 
(a) ADMINISTRATOR.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be, as the Ad-
ministrator of the Administration, an Under Sec-
retary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
The Administrator shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent, by and with the advice and consent of the Sen-
ate. The Administrator shall be paid at the rate of 
basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Administrator shall per-
form such functions and exercise such powers with 
respect to the Administration as the Secretary may 
prescribe, including—
(A) general management; 
(B) policy development and guidance; 
(C) budget formulation, guidance, and exe-
cution; and 
(D) serving as the Department of Com-
merce official for all ocean and atmosphere 
issues with other elements of the Department of
Commerce and with other Federal agencies, 
State, tribal, and local governments, and the 
public. 
(3) DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY.—The Admin-
istrator may, except as otherwise prohibited by 
law—
(A) delegate any functions, powers, or du-
ties of the Administrator to such officers and 
employees of the Administration as the Admin-
istrator may designate; and 
(B) authorize such successive redelegations 
of such functions, powers, or duties within the 
Administration as the Administrator considers 
necessary or appropriate. 
(b) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR OCEANS AND AT-
MOSPHERE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be, as Deputy 
Administrator of the Administration, an Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
The Assistant Secretary shall be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate. The Assistant Secretary shall be the Admin-
istrator’s first assistant for purposes of subchapter 
III of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code. The
Assistant Secretary shall be paid at the rate of basic 
pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Assistant Secretary shall 
perform such functions and exercise such powers as 
the Secretary or Administrator may prescribe and 
shall act as Administrator during the absence or dis-
ability of the Administrator or in the event of a va-
cancy in the office of Administrator. 
(c) DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY FOR OCEANS AND 
ATMOSPHERE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Admin-
istration a Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and 
Atmosphere. The Deputy Under Secretary shall be 
appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy 
Under Secretary shall be a Senior Executive Service 
position authorized under section 3133 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Deputy Under Sec-
retary—
(A) shall serve as an advisor to the Admin-
istrator on all program and policy issues; 
(B) shall ensure the timely and effective 
implementation of Administration policies and 
objectives;
(C) in the absence or disability of the As-
sistant Secretary, or in the event of a vacancy 
in such position, shall act in that position; and 
(D) shall perform such other duties as the 
Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe. 
(d) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR OCEANS 
AND ATMOSPHERE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Admin-
istration a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans 
and Atmosphere. The Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Oceans and Atmosphere shall be appointed by 
the Secretary. The position of Deputy Assistant Sec-
retary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall be a Senior 
Executive Service position authorized under section 
3133 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Deputy Assistant Sec-
retary for Oceans and Atmosphere—
(A) shall serve as an advisor to the Admin-
istrator on program and policy issues related to 
environmental policy, strategic planning, and 
program analysis; 
(B) shall ensure the timely and effective 
implementation of Administration policies and 
objectives related to environmental policy, stra-
tegic planning, and program analysis; and
(C) shall perform such other duties as the 
Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe. 
(e) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR INTER-
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Admin-
istration a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Inter-
national Affairs. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
International Affairs shall be appointed by the Sec-
retary. The position of Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for International Affairs shall be a Senior Executive 
Service position authorized under section 3133 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Deputy Assistant Sec-
retary for International Affairs—
(A) shall serve as an advisor to the Admin-
istrator on program and policy issues related to 
coordination of United States policy with re-
spect to international oceanic and atmospheric 
matters, and shall focus on international envi-
ronmental issues critical to the United States; 
(B) shall participate in international nego-
tiations concerning oceanic and atmospheric 
matters; and 
(C) shall perform such other duties as the 
Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe.
(f) DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE 
AND TECHNOLOGY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Admin-
istration a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science 
and Technology, who shall coordinate and oversee 
the science and technology activities of the Adminis-
tration and ensure that Administration decisions are 
informed by the results of appropriate and relevant 
research. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Science and Technology shall be appointed by the 
Secretary. The position of Deputy Assistant Sec-
retary for Science and Technology shall be a Senior 
Executive Service career reserved position as defined 
in section 3132(a)(8) of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The Deputy Assistant Sec-
retary for Science and Technology shall—
(A) coordinate research and development 
activities across the Administration, including 
coordination of research and development budg-
ets; 
(B) advise the Administrator on how pro-
grams can be transitioned from research to 
operational use; 
(C) provide advice to the Administrator re-
garding science and technology issues and their
relationship to Administration policies, proce-
dures, and decisions; 
(D) participate in developing the Adminis-
tration’s strategic plans and policies and review 
the science and technology aspects of those 
plans and policies; 
(E) develop and oversee guidelines for the 
dissemination of research and development re-
sults conducted, sponsored, or cited by the Ad-
ministration to the public; 
(F) develop and oversee guidelines for peer 
review of science and technology research spon-
sored by the Administration; 
(G) oversee implementation of the strategic 
plan for science and technology research, devel-
opment, and demonstration required under sec-
tion 109(b); 
(H) oversee management of research lab-
oratories in the Administration; and 
(I) perform such other duties as the Sec-
retary or Administrator shall prescribe. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—An individual appointed 
under paragraph (1) shall be a person who has an 
outstanding science and technology background, in-
cluding research accomplishments, scientific reputa-
tion, and public policy experience. 
(4) CONSULTATION.—Before appointing an in-
dividual under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
consult with the National Academy of Sciences, the 
Science Advisory Board of the Administration, and 
other appropriate scientific organizations. 
(g) GENERAL COUNSEL.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Admin-
istration a General Counsel. The General Counsel 
shall be appointed by the Secretary. The General 
Counsel shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for 
level V of the Executive Schedule. 
(2) FUNCTIONS.—The General Counsel—
(A) shall serve as the chief legal officer of 
the Administration for all legal matters that 
arise in connection with the conduct of the 
functions of the Administration; and 
(B) shall perform such other functions and 
exercise such powers as the Secretary or Ad-
ministrator may prescribe. 
(h) CONTINUATION
OF SERVICE.—Any individual 
serving on the date of enactment of this Act in a position 
provided for in this Act may continue to serve in that posi-
tion until a successor is appointed under this Act. Nothing
in this title shall be construed to require the appointment 
of a successor under this Act sooner than would have been 
required under law as in effect before the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 105. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall maintain 
within the Administration a National Weather Service. 
(b) MISSION.—The mission of the National Weather 
Service is to provide weather, water, and climate forecasts 
and warnings for the United States, its territories, adja-
cent waters, and ocean areas for the protection of life and 
property and the enhancement of the national economy. 
(c) GOALS.—The goals of the National Weather Serv-
ice shall include—
(1) to provide timely and accurate weather, 
water, climate, and space weather forecasts; and 
(2) to provide timely and accurate warnings of 
weather, water, and climate natural hazards, and of 
space weather hazards. 
(d) FUNCTIONS.—The functions of the National 
Weather Service shall include—
(1) maintaining a network of regional and local 
weather forecast offices; 
(2) maintaining a network of observation sys-
tems to collect weather and climate data;
(3) operating national centers to deliver guid-
ance, forecasts, warnings, and analysis about weath-
er, water, climate, and space weather phenomena for 
the Administration and the public; 
(4) conducting and supporting applied research 
to facilitate the rapid incorporation of weather and 
climate science advances into operational tools; and 
(5) such other functions to serve the mission of 
the National Weather Service as the Administrator 
may prescribe. 
(e) PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.—Not less than 
once every 5 years, the Secretary shall develop and submit 
to Congress a policy the defines processes for making deci-
sions about the roles of the National Weather Service and 
the private sector in providing weather and climate related 
products, technologies, and services. The first such policy 
shall be completed not less than 12 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act. At least 90 days before submit-
ting the policy to Congress, the Secretary shall publish the 
policy in the Federal Register for a public comment peri-
ods of not less than 60 days. 
SEC. 106. OPERATIONS AND SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall maintain 
within the Administration operational and service pro-
grams to support routine data collection and direct serv-