I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5102 
To designate public colleges and universities that provide research, data, 
and recommendations on physical and biological science, social science, 
economic analysis, policy analysis, risk analysis, monitoring, predicting, 
and planning for sea-level rise and associated coastal flooding and shore-
line erosion as National Centers of Excellence in Coastal Resilience 
Research and Education, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 14, 2019 
Mr. PANETTA (for himself, Mr. WALTZ, Mr. ROUDA, Mr. PALAZZO, Mr. 
CARBAJAL, Mr. SUOZZI, Ms. ESHOO, and Mr. RICHMOND) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Re-
sources, and Armed Services, 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 committee concerned 
A BILL 
To designate public colleges and universities that provide 
research, data, and recommendations on physical and 
biological science, social science, economic analysis, policy 
analysis, risk analysis, monitoring, predicting, and plan-
ning for sea-level rise and associated coastal flooding 
and shoreline erosion as National Centers of Excellence 
in Coastal Resilience Research and Education, and for 
other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coastal Resilience Re-
search and Education Act’’. 
SEC. 2. NATIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN COASTAL 
RESILIENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall des-
ignate public institutions of higher education as National 
Centers of Excellence in Coastal Resilience Research and 
Education (in this section referred to as ‘‘National Cen-
ters of Excellence’’). The Administrator shall make the 
first such designation by not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of such designation 
are the following: 
(1) To recognize institutions of higher edu-
cation that have exhibited national leadership in re-
search and education in coastal climate change ad-
aptation and mitigation. 
(2) To identify such National Centers of Excel-
lence as sources of expert advice and guidance for 
Federal agencies engaged in research and education 
related to coastal climate change resilience. 
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(3) To formalize and enhance existing collabo-
rations and partnerships between public institutions 
of higher education and Federal agencies, with the 
goal of ensuring information and recommendations 
are communicated effectively between such entities. 
(c) CRITERIA
FOR DESIGNATION.—The Adminis-
trator shall designate as a National Center of Excellence 
only a public institution of higher education that— 
(1) has demonstrated proven expertise in the 
physical, engineering, and environmental sciences, 
particularly research and education focused on the 
impacts of sea-level rise, coastal flooding, or shore-
line erosion; 
(2) has demonstrated a commitment to under-
standing the socioeconomic impacts of climate 
change; 
(3) is located in a State that frequently experi-
ences coastal flooding or shoreline erosion in connec-
tion with sea-level rise, severe coastal storms, or sea-
water intrusion into groundwater supplies; 
(4) has previously partnered with, or is receiv-
ing funds from, Federal agencies for research on 
coastal flooding or shoreline erosion issues; 
(5) has collaborated with State agencies or 
State legislators as technical and scientific advisory 
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entities with respect to coastal flooding or shoreline 
erosion; 
(6) can demonstrate institutional collaboration 
in coastal flooding or shoreline erosion research and 
education with other public institutions of higher 
education, including minority-serving institutions, 
within the same State; and 
(7) can demonstrate a history of convening 
local, State, or Federal entities to develop plans for 
coastal flooding or shoreline erosion. 
SEC. 3. INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION; 
REVIEWS AND ADDITIONAL DESIGNS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administrator shall an-
nually submit to Congress and the President a report de-
scribing the activities, partnership and collaborations, 
Federal policy recommendations, previous and continuing 
budgets, and findings of, and any other applicable infor-
mation from, the National Centers of Excellence, and 
make such reports available to the public in an easily ac-
cessible format on the website of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. 
(b) REVIEW OF REPORTS FROM NATIONAL CENTERS 
OF EXCELLENCE.—The Administrator shall review re-
ports from National Centers of Excellence to ensure that 
recommendations and guidance of such Centers regarding 
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sea-level rise, coastal flooding, shoreline erosion, and re-
lated issues are communicated to relevant Federal agen-
cies. 
(c) REVIEW
OF NATIONAL CENTERS
OF EXCEL-
LENCE AND POTENTIAL DESIGNEES.—The Administrator 
shall periodically review each National Center of Excel-
lence and potential new designees as such Centers, to— 
(1) ensure that each National Center of Excel-
lence continues to meet the criteria for designation 
under this Act; and 
(2) designate additional National Centers of 
Excellence in accordance with this Act. 
(d) REVOCATION.—If the Secretary determines under 
subsection (c) that a National Center for Excellence does 
not meet the criteria for such designation, the Secretary 
shall revoke such designation by such process as the Sec-
retary determines appropriate. 
SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES. 
In carrying out this Act, the Administrator may 
use— 
(1) the National Oceanographic Partnership 
Program established by section 8931 of title 10, 
United States Code, as a venue for collaboration and 
coordination to leverage partnerships between public 
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