(8) protecting, restoring, and managing the use 
of, the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes through eco-
system-based research, development, demonstration, 
and management; 
(9) administering public outreach and education 
programs and services to increase scientific and en-
vironmental literacy about weather and climate, 
solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the 
space environment, and the coasts, oceans, Great 
Lakes, upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic 
systems; 
(10) providing, as appropriate and in coopera-
tion with the Secretary of State, representation at 
all international meetings and conferences relating 
to the mission of the Administration, including mete-
orological, climate, and Earth and ocean observing 
issues; 
(11) any other function assigned to the Admin-
istration by law; and 
(12) such other functions as are necessary to 
accomplish the mission described in subsection (b). 
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP. 
(a) ADMINISTRATOR.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be, as the Ad-
ministrator of the Administration, an Under Sec-
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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 be 
responsible for— 
(A) general management; 
(B) policy development and guidance; 
(C) budget formulation, guidance, and exe-
cution; 
(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; and 
(E) such other duties with respect to the 
Administration as the Secretary may prescribe. 
(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 
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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. 
(4) AUTHORITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—As may be necessary or 
proper to carry out the Administration’s func-
tions under this Act or as otherwise provided by 
law, the Administrator may— 
(i) promulgate rules and regulations; 
(ii) enter into and perform contracts, 
leases, grants, and cooperative agreements 
with Federal agencies, State and local gov-
ernments, Indian tribes, international or-
ganizations, foreign governments, edu-
cational institutions, nonprofit organiza-
tions, and commercial organizations; 
(iii) use, with their consent, and with 
or without reimbursement, the services, 
equipment, personnel, and facilities of 
other departments, agencies, and instru-
mentalities of the Federal Government; 
and 
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(iv) conduct education and outreach 
in direct support of the mission described 
in section 3(b). 
(B) EXCEPTION.—The authorities con-
ferred on the Administrator by this paragraph 
do not include the authority to contract for 
services that are an inherently governmental 
function as defined in section 5 of the Federal 
Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998 (31 
U.S.C. 501 note). 
(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 Administrator may prescribe and shall act as 
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