I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 984
To improve the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources 
by reenacting and clarifying provisions of a reorganization plan author-
izing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Mr. GILCHREST introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, 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 improve the conservation and management of coastal 
and ocean resources by reenacting and clarifying provi-
sions of a reorganization plan authorizing the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act:
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The term ‘‘Administra-
tion’’ means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
(2) FUNCTION.—The term ‘‘function’’ includes 
any duty, obligation, power, authority, responsibility, 
right, privilege, activity, or program. 
(3) OFFICE.—The term ‘‘office’’ includes any 
office, institute, council, unit, organizational entity, 
or component thereof. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
(5) UNDER
SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Under 
Secretary’’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Oceans and Atmosphere appointed under section 
102. 
SEC. 3. ORGANIZATION OF ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Department 
of Commerce an agency known as the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
(b) PRIMARY MISSIONS.—The primary missions of 
the Administration are the following: 
(1) The provision and certification of hydro-
graphic and geodetic products and data. 
(2) The conservation and management of the 
Nation’s coastal and marine resources.
(3) The exploration of the oceans and the Great 
Lakes. 
(4) To further human understanding of—
(A) the oceans and the Great Lakes; 
(B) the earth’s atmosphere; and 
(C) the functional relationship of the 
oceans and the atmosphere. 
(5) Forecasting the Nation’s weather and cli-
mate. 
(c) COMPONENTS.—The Secretary shall maintain 
within the Administration the following components: 
(1) The National Coast and Ocean Service. 
(2) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Re-
search Service. 
(3) The National Marine Fisheries Service. 
(4) The National Weather Service. 
(5) The National Environmental Satellite and 
Data Information Service. 
(6) The Office of Marine and Aviation Oper-
ations. 
(7) Such other components as the Secretary 
considers necessary. 
(d) FUNCTIONS.—The Administration shall perform 
such functions as were vested in the Administration or any 
officer, employee, or office of the Administration imme-
diately before the enactment of this Act, except as may 
be provided otherwise by law or by a redelegation of au-
thority after that date by the President, the Secretary of 
Commerce, or any other officer of the United States who 
delegated such function to the Administration before that 
date or who is otherwise authorized to make such a redele-
gation. 
SEC. 4. UNDER SECRETARY FOR OCEANS AND ATMOS-
PHERE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be at the head of the 
Administration the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere. The Under Secretary shall be ap-
pointed by the President, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate. The Under Secretary shall be paid at 
the rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Sched-
ule. 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—Subject to the authority, direction, 
and control of the Secretary, the Under Secretary shall 
perform such functions and exercise such powers with re-
spect to the Administration as the Secretary may pre-
scribe, including the following: 
(1) Serve as the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) General management. 
(3) Policy development and guidance.
(4) Budget formulation, guidance, and execu-
tion, and other financial matters. 
(5) Resource requirements determination and 
allocation. 
(6) Program management and direction. 
(7) Environment, safety, and health operations. 
(8) Administration of contracts, real property, 
and facilities. 
(9) Personnel, including the selection, appoint-
ment, distribution, supervision, compensation, and 
separation of personnel. 
(10) Procurement of services of experts and 
consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 
5, United States Code. 
(11) External affairs, including legal, legisla-
tive, and public affairs, and serving as liaison with 
other elements of the Department of Commerce and 
with other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local 
governments, and the public.
SEC. 5. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR OCEANS AND ATMOS-
PHERE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Administra-
tion 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 paid at the 
rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule. 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Assistant Secretary—
(1) shall perform such functions and exercise 
such powers as the Secretary or Under Secretary 
may prescribe; and 
(2) shall act as Under Secretary during the ab-
sence or disability of the Under Secretary or in the 
event of a vacancy in the office of Under Secretary. 
SEC. 6. DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Administra-
tion a Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmos-
phere. The Deputy Under Secretary shall be appointed by 
the Secretary. The position of Deputy Under Secretary 
shall be a Senior Executive Service general position as de-
fined in section 3132(a)(9) of title 5, United States Code, 
(for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 31 of title 5, 
United States Code).
(b) FUNCTIONS.—Subject to the authority, direction, 
and control of the Secretary and the Under Secretary, the 
Deputy Under Secretary—
(1) shall serve as an advisor to the Under Sec-
retary and to the Assistant Secretary on all program 
and policy issues;
(2) shall be responsible for ensuring the timely 
and effective implementation of the Administration 
policies and objectives; and 
(3) in the absence or disability of the Under 
Secretary or Assistant Secretary, or in the event of 
a vacancy in either such position, shall act in that 
position. 
SEC. 7. GENERAL COUNSEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Administra-
tion a General Counsel. The General Counsel shall be ap-
pointed by the Secretary. The position of General Counsel 
shall be a Senior Executive Service general position as de-
fined in section 3132(a)(9) of title 5, United States Code, 
(for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 31 of title 5, 
United States Code). 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—Subject to the authority, direction, 
and control of the Secretary and the Under Secretary, the 
General Counsel—
(1) 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 
(2) shall perform such other functions and exer-
cise such powers as the Secretary or Under Sec-
retary may prescribe.
SEC. 8. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be in the Administra-
tion the following: 
(1) An Assistant Administrator for Coastal and 
Ocean Services. 
(2) An Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research. 
(3) An Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. 
(4) An Assistant Administrator for Weather. 
(5) An Assistant Administrator for Environ-
mental Satellite Data and Information. 
(6) An Assistant Administrator for Program 
Planning and Integration. 
(7) A Director of Marine and Aviation Oper-
ations and the Commissioned Officer Corps. 
(b) APPOINTMENT.—Each Assistant Administrator 
and the Director referred to in subsection (a) shall be ap-
pointed by the Secretary. Each Assistant Administrator 
position shall be a Senior Executive Service general posi-
tion as defined in section 3132(a)(9) of title 5, United 
States Code (for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 31 
of title 5, United States Code). 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—Each Assistant Administrator 
and the Director referred to in subsection (a) shall be an 
individual who is qualified by reason of background and