of $500,000 under this section as a result of an emer-
gency declaration arising from direct 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 Admin-
istrator shall provide grants to carry out proposals 
that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) to imple-
ment coral reef emergency plans in effect under sec-
tion 209. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A proposal for a grant 
under this subsection to implement a coral reef emer-
gency plan in effect under section 209 shall include— 
‘‘(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 
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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). 
‘‘(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 responsibilities 
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; 
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‘‘(3) the estimated cost of removal of the vessel, 
remediation, or restoration relating to each such inci-
dent; 
‘‘(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; 
‘‘(5) the status of the response actions, including 
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 future 
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’) 
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pursuant to proposals approved by the Administrator in 
accordance with this section. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An entity described in para-
graph (2) may submit to the Administrator a pro-
posal for a coral reef project. 
‘‘(2) ENTITIES DESCRIBED.—An entity described 
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 eco-
systems; 
‘‘(B) a regional fishery management council 
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 designated 
under section 215(c)(4); or 
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‘‘(E) another nongovernmental organization 
or research institution with demonstrated exper-
tise in the conservation or restoration of coral 
reefs in practice or through significant contribu-
tions to the body of existing scientific research on 
coral reefs. 
‘‘(c) PROJECT PROPOSALS.—Each proposal for a 
grant under this section for a coral reef project shall include 
the following: 
‘‘(1) The name of the individual or entity re-
sponsible for conducting the project. 
‘‘(2) A description of the qualifications of the in-
dividual or entity. 
‘‘(3) A succinct statement of the purposes of the 
project. 
‘‘(4) An estimate of the funds and time required 
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. 
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‘‘(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. 
‘‘(9) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligibility 
of the project for a grant under this subsection. 
‘‘(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 cri-
teria set forth in subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
CONSERVATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
awarding of grants for projects that meet the criteria 
for approval under subparagraphs (A) through (G) of 
subsection (e)(2) that are proposed to be conducted 
within priority areas identified for coral reef con-
servation by the Administrator and consistent with 
the national coral reef resilience strategy in effect 
under section 204A. 
‘‘(3) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
RESTORATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
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awarding of grants for projects that meet the criteria 
for approval under subparagraphs (E) through (L) of 
subsection (e)(2) that are proposed to be conducted 
within priority areas identified for coral reef restora-
tion by the Administrator and consistent with the na-
tional coral reef resilience strategy in effect under sec-
tion 204A. 
‘‘(4) REVIEW; APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.—Not 
later than 180 days after receiving a proposal for a 
coral reef project under this section, the Adminis-
trator shall— 
‘‘(A) request and consider written comments 
on the proposal from each Federal agency, State 
government, Tribal organization, or other gov-
ernment jurisdiction, including the relevant re-
gional fishery management councils established 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conserva-
tion and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
seq.), or any National Marine Sanctuary or Ma-
rine National Monument, with jurisdiction 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 con-
sistent with locally established priorities, unless 
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such entities were directly involved in the devel-
opment of the project proposal; 
‘‘(B) provide for the merit-based peer review 
of the proposal and require standardized docu-
mentation of that peer review; 
‘‘(C) after considering any written com-
ments and recommendations based on the reviews 
under subparagraphs (A) and (B), approve 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 organiza-
tions, 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 strat-
egy in effect under section 204A; and 
‘‘(B) any Federal or non-Federal coral reef 
action plans in effect under section 205 covering 
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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— 
‘‘(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 con-
sensus-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 ecosystems; 
‘‘(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 
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systems to promote enhanced recreational access, 
near coral reefs; 
‘‘(E) furthering the goals and objectives of 
coral reef action plans in effect under section 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 de-
velop management or adaptation options to pre-
serve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(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 species- 
specific recovery plans consistent with the En-
dangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); 
‘‘(I) developing and implementing cost-effec-
tive methods to restore degraded coral reef eco-
systems or to create geographically appropriate 
coral reef ecosystems in suitable waters, includ-
ing by improving habitat or promoting success of 
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keystone species, with an emphasis on novel res-
toration strategies and techniques to advance 
coral reef recovery and growth near population 
centers threatened by rising sea levels and storm 
surge; 
‘‘(J) translating and applying coral genet-
ics research to coral reef ecosystem restoration, 
including research related to traits that promote 
resilience to increasing ocean temperatures, 
ocean acidification, coral bleaching, coral dis-
eases, 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 diver-
sity 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 
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target genes, gene expression, phenotypic 
traits, or phenotypic plasticity; or 
‘‘(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 ensure 
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 ju-
risdiction or control of the United States. 
‘‘(2) Not less than 40 percent of the funds avail-
able shall be awarded for projects in the Atlantic 
Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea with-
in the maritime areas and zones subject to the juris-
diction 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 information 
for evaluating project performance as the Administrator 
may require. 
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‘‘(h) TASK FORCE.—The Administrator may consult 
with the Secretary of the Interior and the Task Force to 
obtain guidance in establishing priorities and evaluating 
proposals for coral reef projects under this section. 
‘‘(i) UNEXPENDED AMOUNTS.—Any amounts available 
for grants under this section that are not expended shall 
be transferred to the Coral Reef Stewardship Fund under 
section 208(b). 
‘‘SEC. 214. REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act 
of 2021, 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, including— 
‘‘(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 Fed-
eral and non-Federal contributions toward the costs of 
each project or activity funded, in full or in part, 
under the authorities of this title. 
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‘‘(b) COMMITTEES SPECIFIED.—The committees speci-
fied in this subsection are— 
‘‘(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the Senate; and 
‘‘(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 cooperative 
agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes 
of this title. 
‘‘(b) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under an agreement entered 
into under subsection (a), the Administrator may re-
imburse or provide funds authorized to be appro-
priated by section 216 to, and may receive funds or 
reimbursements from, individuals and entities de-
scribed in paragraph (2) to carry out activities au-
thorized by this title. 
‘‘(2) INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES DESCRIBED.— 
Individuals and entities described in this paragraph 
are the following: 
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‘‘(A) Federal agencies, instrumentalities, 
and laboratories. 
‘‘(B) State and local governments. 
‘‘(C) Indian Tribes and Tribal organiza-
tions. 
‘‘(D) International organizations. 
‘‘(E) Foreign governments not subject to 
economic sanctions imposed by the United 
States. 
‘‘(F) Institutions of higher education, re-
search centers, and other educational institu-
tions. 
‘‘(G) Nonprofit organizations. 
‘‘(H) Commercial organizations. 
‘‘(I) Other public or private individuals or 
entities. 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE INSTITUTES.— 
‘‘(1) DESIGNATION.—The Administrator shall 
designate two 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 Institute’. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—Each institute established 
under paragraph (1) shall be housed within a single 
coral reef research center designated by the Adminis-
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trator 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— 
‘‘(A) conduct federally directed research to 
fill national and regional coral reef ecosystem re-
search gaps and improve understanding of, and 
responses to, continuing and emerging threats to 
the resilience of United States coral reef eco-
systems consistent with the national coral reef 
resilience strategy in effect under section 204A; 
‘‘(B) support ecological research and moni-
toring to study the effects of conservation and 
restoration activities funded by this title on pro-
moting more effective coral reef management and 
restoration; and 
‘‘(C) through agreements— 
‘‘(i) collaborate directly with govern-
mental resource management agencies, coral 
reef stewardship partnerships, nonprofit or-
ganizations, and other coral reef research 
centers designated under paragraph (4); 
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‘‘(ii) assist in the development and im-
plementation of— 
‘‘(I) the national coral reef resil-
ience strategy under section 204A; 
‘‘(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 es-
tablish research priorities and translate and 
apply research findings to management 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 eco-
systems; 
‘‘(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. 
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‘‘(4) CORAL REEF RESEARCH CENTERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
shall periodically solicit applications and des-
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 de-
termines that the institution— 
‘‘(i) is operated by an institution of 
higher education; 
‘‘(ii) has established management-driv-
en national or regional coral reef research 
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 programs 
related to coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(d) USE OF RESOURCES OF OTHER AGENCIES.—The 
Administrator may use, with consent and with or without 
reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, personnel, 
and facilities of any agency or instrumentality of— 
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‘‘(1) the United States; 
‘‘(2) any State or local government; 
‘‘(3) any Indian Tribe; or 
‘‘(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 13089 (16 U.S.C. 
6401 note; relating to coral reef protection), may, individ-
ually 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 innovation 
to advance the ability of the United States to understand, 
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 com-
munities, environments, or industries that are in distress 
as a result of the decline or degradation of coral reef eco-
systems, including— 
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‘‘(1) scientific research and monitoring that fur-
thers the understanding of causes behind coral reef de-
cline 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 al-
leviate economic harm and job loss caused by damage 
to coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(4) the development of measures to help vulner-
able communities or industries, with an emphasis on 
rural communities and businesses; and 
‘‘(5) the development of adaptation and manage-
ment 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 fiscal 
years 2022 through 2026 to carry out this title, which shall 
remain available until expended. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Of the amounts appropriated 
pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under sub-
section (a), not more than the lesser of $1,500,000 or 10 
percent may be used for program administration or for 
overhead costs incurred by the National Oceanic and At-
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mospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce 
and assessed as an administrative charge. 
‘‘(c) FEDERALLY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND CORAL 
REEF
CONSERVATION
PROGRAM
GRANTS.—From the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a), there shall be made available to the Administrator not 
less than $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
2026 to support purposes consistent with this title, of 
which— 
‘‘(1) not less than $3,500,000 shall be made 
available for each such fiscal year for authorized ac-
tivities under section 213; and 
‘‘(2) not less than $4,500,000 shall be made 
available for each such fiscal year through cooperative 
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 Ad-
ministrator, $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
through 2026, which shall remain available until expended, 
to carry out section 207. 
‘‘SEC. 218. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
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‘‘(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘appropriate congressional commit-
tees’ 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-per-
petuating 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, manage-
ment of habitat, and maintenance or augmenta-
tion 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. 
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1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) law enforcement; 
‘‘(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). 
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‘‘(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 living coral, 
skeletal remains of coral, crustose coralline 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 proc-
esses that affect coral physiology, coral-algal 
symbiosis, and biodiversity in such habitat. 
‘‘(8) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.—The 
term ‘coral reef ecosystem services’ means the at-
tributes and benefits provided by coral reef ecosystems 
including— 
‘‘(A) protection of coastal beaches, struc-
tures, and infrastructure; 
‘‘(B) habitat for organisms of economic, eco-
logical, biomedical, medicinal, and cultural 
value; 
‘‘(C) serving as centers for the promulga-
tion, performance, and training of cultural prac-
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tices representative of traditional ecological 
knowledge; and 
‘‘(D) aesthetic value. 
‘‘(9) COVERED REEF MANAGER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘covered reef 
manager’ means a management unit of a Fed-
eral agency specified in subparagraph (B) with 
jurisdiction over a coral reef ecosystem, covered 
State, or coral reef stewardship partnership. 
‘‘(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 Northern 
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 
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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 Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
‘‘(13) INTERESTED
STAKEHOLDER
GROUPS.— 
The term ‘interested stakeholder groups’ includes com-
munity members such as businesses, commercial and 
recreational fishermen, other recreationalists, Federal, 
State, Tribal, and local government units with related 
jurisdiction, institutions of higher education, and 
nongovernmental organizations. 
‘‘(14) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization that 
is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 
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 functioning 
coral reef or coral reef ecosystem, in whole or in part, 
within suitable waters of the historical geographic 
range of such ecosystems, to provide ecological, eco-
nomic, cultural, or coastal resiliency services associ-
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ated with healthy coral reefs and benefit native popu-
lations 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 re-
cover from natural and human disturbances, and 
maintain structure and function to provide coral reef 
ecosystem services as determined by clearly identifi-
able, measurable, and science-based standards. 
‘‘(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 or possession of the 
United States or separate sovereign in free asso-
ciation with the United States that contains a 
coral reef ecosystem within its seaward bound-
aries. 
‘‘(18) STEWARDSHIP.—The term ‘stewardship’, 
with respect to a coral reef, includes conservation, res-
toration, and public outreach and education. 
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‘‘(19) TASK
FORCE.—The term ‘Task Force’ 
means the United States Coral Reef Task Force estab-
lished under section 201 of the Restoring Resilient 
Reefs Act of 2021. 
‘‘(20) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Tribal 
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 Na-
tional Oceans and Coastal Security Act (16 U.S.C. 
7504(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘and coastal infrastruc-
ture’’ and inserting ‘‘, coastal infrastructure, and ecosystem 
services provided by natural systems such as coral reefs’’. 
SEC. 102. MODIFICATION TO SECTION 204 OF THE CORAL 
REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
6403). 
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). 
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TITLE II—UNITED STATES 
CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
SEC. 201. 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. 202. 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 amended by 
section 101), 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 13089 (63 Fed. Reg. 
32701; relating to coral reef protection); and 
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(B) the national coral reef resilience strat-
egy developed under section 204A of the Coral 
Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by 
section 101; 
(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development, and in coordination with the 
other members of the Task Force— 
(A) to assess the United States role in inter-
national trade and protection of coral species; 
(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 section 
101; 
(B) coral reef action plans under section 
205 of that Act; and 
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(C) coral reef emergency plans under section 
209 of that Act; and 
(5) to produce a report each year, for submission 
to the appropriate congressional committees and pub-
lication on a publicly available internet website of the 
Task Force, highlighting the status of the coral reef 
equities of a covered State on a rotating basis, includ-
ing— 
(A) a summary of recent coral reef manage-
ment 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 equities. 
SEC. 203. 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. 
(4) The Secretary of Defense. 
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(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 Emergency 
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 Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration. 
(13) The Director of the National Science Foun-
dation. 
(14) 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. 
(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. 
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SEC. 204. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEM-
BERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Task Force speci-
fied in paragraphs (1) through (14) of section 203(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 
and facilitate the coordination of the members of the Task 
Force specified in paragraphs (1) through (14) of section 
203(a). 
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SEC. 205. 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 work-
ing group under subsection (a). 
(c) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—The co-chairs may allow nongovernmental organi-
zations as appropriate, including academic institutions, 
conservation groups, and commercial and recreational fish-
ing associations, to participate in a working group estab-
lished under subsection (a). 
(d) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to working groups established 
under this section. 
SEC. 206. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) 
APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional commit-
tees’’ means the Committee on Commerce, 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’’, 
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‘‘coral reef ecosystem’’, ‘‘covered State’’, ‘‘restoration’’, 
‘‘resilience’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the meaning given 
those terms in section 218 of the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act of 2000, as amended by section 101. 
TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR CORAL REEF AU-
THORITIES 
SEC. 301. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION 
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 section 
101, 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— 
(1) the national coral reef resilience strategy in 
effect under section 204A of the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act of 2000, as amended by section 101; 
(2) coral reef action plans in effect under section 
205 of that Act, as applicable; and 
(3) coral reef emergency plans in effect under 
section 209 of that Act, as applicable. 
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(b) OFFICE OF INSULAR AFFAIRS CORAL REEF INITIA-
TIVE.—The Secretary may establish within the Office of In-
sular 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 as-
sistance activities conducted under this Act; and 
(3) to provide other technical, scientific, and fi-
nancial assistance and conduct conservation activities 
that advance the purpose of this Act. 
(c) CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COM-
MERCE.—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 of the 
Federal agencies specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) of sec-
tion 203(c) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as 
amended by section 101. 
(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary of 
the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with 
covered reef managers to fund coral reef conservation and 
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restoration activities in waters managed under the jurisdic-
tion of such managers that— 
(1) are consistent with the national coral reef re-
silience strategy in effect under section 204A of the 
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by 
section 101; 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 Conservation 
Act of 2000, as amended by section 101. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this title for each of fiscal years 2022 to 2026, $4,000,000. 
TITLE IV—SUSAN L. WILLIAMS 
NATIONAL CORAL REEF MAN-
AGEMENT FELLOWSHIP 
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Susan L. Williams Na-
tional Coral Reef Management Fellowship Act of 2021’’. 
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SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic 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 Fellowship es-
tablished in section 403. 
(4) INDIAN TRIBE; TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The 
terms ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ and ‘‘Tribal organization’’ have 
the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the In-
dian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
SEC. 403. 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— 
(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 
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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. 404. FELLOWSHIP AWARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in coordination 
with the Secretary of the Interior, shall award the fellow-
ship 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; 
(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 
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(5) such other attributes as the Administrator, in 
coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, con-
sider appropriate. 
SEC. 405. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Admin-
istrator to carry out this title for each of fiscal years 2022- 
2026, $1,500,000, to remain available until expended. 
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Union Calendar No. 450 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 160 
[Report No. 117–626] 
A BILL 
To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000 and to establish the United States Coral 
Reef Task Force, and for other purposes. 
DECEMBER 14, 2022 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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