I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 160 
To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and to establish 
the United States Coral Reef Task Force, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 4, 2021 
Mr. SOTO (for himself, Mr. CASE, Mrs. RADEWAGEN, Mr. MAST, and Miss 
GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Natural Resources 
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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—REAUTHORIZATION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
ACT OF 2000 
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Sec. 101. Reauthorization of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. 
Sec. 102. Modification to section 204 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403). 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
Sec. 201. Establishment. 
Sec. 202. Duties. 
Sec. 203. Membership. 
Sec. 204. Responsibilities of Federal agency members. 
Sec. 205. Working groups. 
Sec. 206. Definitions. 
TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CORAL REEF 
AUTHORITIES 
Sec. 301. Coral reef conservation and restoration assistance. 
TITLE IV—SUSAN L. WILLIAMS NATIONAL CORAL REEF 
MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP 
Sec. 401. Short title. 
Sec. 402. Definitions. 
Sec. 403. Establishment of fellowship program. 
Sec. 404. Fellowship awards. 
Sec. 405. Matching requirement. 
TITLE I—REAUTHORIZATION OF 
CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
ACT OF 2000 
SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVA-
TION ACT OF 2000. 
(a) PURPOSES; FEDERAL CORAL REEF MANAGE-
MENT AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.—The Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is 
amended by striking sections 202 and 203 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 202. PURPOSES. 
‘‘The purposes of this title are— 
‘‘(1) to preserve, sustain, and restore the condi-
tion of United States coral reef ecosystems chal-
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lenged by natural and human-accelerated changes, 
including increasing ocean temperatures, ocean 
acidification, coral bleaching, coral diseases, water 
quality degradation, invasive species, and illegal, un-
reported, and unregulated fishing; 
‘‘(2) to promote the science-based management 
and sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems to ben-
efit local communities and the Nation, including 
through 
improved 
integration 
and 
cooperation 
among Federal, State, and locally managed jurisdic-
tions with coral reef equities; 
‘‘(3) to develop sound scientific information on 
the condition of coral reef ecosystems, continuing 
and emerging threats to such ecosystems, and the 
efficacy of innovative tools, technologies, and strate-
gies to mitigate stressors and restore such eco-
systems, including evaluation criteria to determine 
the effectiveness of management interventions, and 
accurate mapping for coral reef restoration; 
‘‘(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reefs 
by supporting science-based, consensus-driven State, 
Tribal, and community-based coral reef manage-
ment, 
including 
conservation 
and 
restoration 
projects that empower local communities, small busi-
nesses, and nongovernmental organizations; 
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‘‘(5) to provide financial resources, technical as-
sistance, and scientific expertise to supplement and 
strengthen State and community-based management 
programs and conservation and restoration projects; 
‘‘(6) to establish a formal mechanism for col-
lecting and allocating monetary donations from the 
private sector to be used for coral reef conservation 
and restoration projects; 
‘‘(7) to support the rapid and effective, science- 
based assessment and response to emergencies that 
imminently threaten coral reefs, such as coral dis-
ease outbreaks, invasive species, hurricanes, marine 
heat waves, coral bleaching, and other natural disas-
ters, vessel groundings or chemical spills, and other 
exigent circumstances; and 
‘‘(8) to serve as a model for advancing similar 
international efforts to preserve, sustain, and restore 
coral reef ecosystems in the jurisdictions of United 
States allies and trading partners. 
‘‘SEC. 203. FEDERAL CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND RES-
TORATION ACTIVITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator or the Sec-
retary of the Interior may conduct activities described in 
subsection (b) to conserve and restore coral reefs and coral 
reef ecosystems that are consistent with— 
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‘‘(1) all applicable laws governing resource 
management in Federal and State waters, including 
this Act; 
‘‘(2) the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect under section 204A; 
‘‘(3) coral reef action plans in effect under sec-
tion 205, as applicable; and 
‘‘(4) coral reef emergency plans in effect under 
section 209, as applicable. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—Activities described 
in this subsection are activities to conserve, research, mon-
itor, assess, and restore coral reefs and coral reef eco-
systems in waters managed under the jurisdiction of a 
Federal agency specified in subsection (c) or in coordina-
tion with a State in waters managed under the jurisdiction 
of such State, including— 
‘‘(1) developing, including through the collection 
of requisite data, high-quality and digitized maps re-
flecting— 
‘‘(A) current and historical live coral cover 
data; 
‘‘(B) coral reef habitat quality data; 
‘‘(C) priority areas for coral reef conserva-
tion to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem 
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structure and function that benefit coastal com-
munities and living marine resources; 
‘‘(D) priority areas for coral reef restora-
tion to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem 
structure and function to benefit coastal com-
munities and living marine resources; and 
‘‘(E) areas of concern that may require en-
hanced monitoring of coral health and cover; 
‘‘(2) enhancing compliance with Federal laws 
that prohibit or regulate— 
‘‘(A) the taking of coral products or spe-
cies associated with coral reefs; or 
‘‘(B) the use and management of coral reef 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(3) long-term ecological monitoring of coral 
reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(4) 
implementing 
species-specific 
recovery 
plans for listed coral species consistent with the En-
dangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); 
‘‘(5) restoring degraded coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(6) promoting ecologically sound navigation 
and anchorages, including mooring buoy systems to 
promote enhanced recreational access, near coral 
reefs; 
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‘‘(7) monitoring and responding to severe 
bleaching or mortality events, disease outbreaks, 
invasive species outbreaks, and significant maritime 
accidents, including chemical spill cleanup and the 
removal of grounded vessels; 
‘‘(8) conducting scientific research that contrib-
utes to the understanding, sustainable use, and long- 
term conservation of coral reefs; 
‘‘(9) 
enhancing 
public 
awareness, 
under-
standing, and appreciation of coral reefs and coral 
reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(10) preventing or minimizing the likelihood of 
vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral 
reefs through navigational aids and expansion of 
reef-safe anchorages; and 
‘‘(11) centrally archiving, managing, and dis-
tributing data sets and coral reef ecosystem assess-
ments and publishing such information on publicly 
available internet websites of— 
‘‘(A) the Coral Reef Conservation Program 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration; and 
‘‘(B) the Task Force. 
‘‘(c) FEDERAL AGENCIES SPECIFIED.—A Federal 
agency specified in this subsection is one of the following: 
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‘‘(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
‘‘(2) The National Park Service. 
‘‘(3) The United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice. 
‘‘(4) The Office of Insular Affairs. 
‘‘(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability 
of appropriations and at the discretion of the Sec-
retary of Commerce, the Administrator may enter 
into cooperative agreements with States to fund 
coral reef conservation and restoration activities in 
waters managed under the jurisdiction of such 
States that are consistent with the national coral 
reef resilience strategy in effect under section 204A. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The Administrator may not 
provide more than $500,000 in total funding under 
paragraph (1) to any one State in any fiscal year.’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.—The Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is amended 
by striking sections 205 through 210 and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 204A. NATIONAL CORAL REEF RESILIENCE STRAT-
EGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
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‘‘(1) develop a national coral reef resilience 
strategy; and 
‘‘(2) periodically, but not less frequently than 
every 15 years, review and revise the strategy. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required by sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) A discussion addressing— 
‘‘(A) continuing and emerging threats to 
the resilience of United States coral reef eco-
systems; 
‘‘(B) remaining gaps in coral reef eco-
system research, monitoring, and assessment; 
‘‘(C) the status of management coopera-
tion and integration among Federal, State, 
Tribal, and locally managed jurisdictions with 
coral reef equities; 
‘‘(D) the status of efforts to manage and 
disseminate critical information, and enhance 
interjurisdictional data sharing, related to re-
search, reports, datasets, and maps; 
‘‘(E) areas of special focus, which may in-
clude— 
‘‘(i) improving natural coral recruit-
ment; 
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‘‘(ii) preventing avoidable losses of 
corals and their habitat; 
‘‘(iii) enhancing the resilience of coral 
populations; 
‘‘(iv) supporting a resilience-based 
management approach; 
‘‘(v) developing, coordinating, and im-
plementing watershed management plans; 
‘‘(vi) building and sustaining water-
shed management capacity at the local 
level; 
‘‘(vii) providing data essential for 
coral reef fisheries management; 
‘‘(viii) building capacity for coral reef 
fisheries management; 
‘‘(ix) 
increasing 
understanding 
of 
coral reef ecosystem services; 
‘‘(x) educating the public on the im-
portance of coral reefs, threats and solu-
tions; and 
‘‘(xi) evaluating intervention efficacy; 
‘‘(F) the status of conservation efforts, in-
cluding the use of marine protected areas to 
serve as replenishment zones developed con-
sistent with local practices and traditions and 
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in cooperation with, and with respect for the 
scientific, technical, and management expertise 
and responsibilities of, State fish and wildlife 
management agencies; and 
‘‘(G) science-based adaptive management 
and restoration efforts. 
‘‘(2) A statement of national goals and objec-
tives designed to guide— 
‘‘(A) future Federal coral reef management 
and restoration activities authorized under sec-
tion 203; 
‘‘(B) conservation and restoration prior-
ities for grants awarded under section 213; and 
‘‘(C) research priorities for the cooperative 
institutes established under section 215(c). 
‘‘(3) General templates for use by covered reef 
managers to guide the development of— 
‘‘(A) coral reef action plans under section 
205; and 
‘‘(B) coral reef emergency plans under sec-
tion 209. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATIONS.—In developing all elements of 
the strategy required by subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall— 
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‘‘(1) consult with the Secretary of the Interior, 
the Task Force, covered States, and Tribal organiza-
tions; 
‘‘(2) engage stakeholders, including coral reef 
stewardship partnerships, coral reef institutes and 
research centers described in section 215(c), and 
coral reef conservation grant awardees; and 
‘‘(3) solicit public review and comment regard-
ing scoping and the draft strategy. 
‘‘(d) SUBMISSION
TO CONGRESS; PUBLICATION.— 
The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) submit the strategy required by subsection 
(a) and any revisions to the strategy to the appro-
priate congressional committees; and 
‘‘(2) publish the strategy and any such revisions 
on publicly available internet websites of— 
‘‘(A) the Coral Reef Conservation Program 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration; and 
‘‘(B) the Task Force. 
‘‘(e) TRANSITION RULE.—On and after the date of 
the enactment of the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 
2021, the 2018 Coral Reef Conservation Program Stra-
tegic Plan of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration shall be considered to be the national coral 
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reef resilience strategy in effect under this section until 
the earlier of— 
‘‘(1) September 30, 2033; or 
‘‘(2) the date on which the Administrator devel-
ops a national coral reef resilience strategy under 
this section. 
‘‘SEC. 205. CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS.—Except as pro-
vided in subsection (h), not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act 
of 2021, and not later than 2 years after the publication 
of a revised national coral reef resilience strategy under 
section 204A, each covered reef manager shall prepare and 
submit to the Task Force a coral reef action plan to guide 
management and restoration activities to be undertaken 
within the responsibilities and jurisdiction of the manager. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.—A covered reef manager pre-
paring a coral reef action plan under subsection (a) 
shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that the plan is consistent with all 
elements of the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect; and 
‘‘(2) revise the plan not less frequently than 
once every 5 years. 
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‘‘(c) PLAN ELEMENTS.—A coral reef action plan 
under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of the fol-
lowing elements: 
‘‘(1) Short- and mid-term coral reef conserva-
tion and restoration objectives within the applicable 
jurisdiction. 
‘‘(2) An updated adaptive management frame-
work to inform research, monitoring, and assessment 
needs. 
‘‘(3) The status of any coral reef emergency 
plans in effect under section 209 covering coral reef 
ecosystems within the applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(4) Tools, strategies, and partnerships nec-
essary to identify, monitor, and redress pollution 
and water quality impacts to coral reef ecosystems 
within the applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(5) The status of efforts to improve coral reef 
ecosystem management cooperation and integration 
among neighboring Federal, State, Tribal, or locally 
managed jurisdictions, including the identification of 
existing research and monitoring activities that can 
be leveraged for coral reef status and trends assess-
ments within the applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(6) An accounting of annual expenditures on 
coral reef management and restoration activities 
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within the applicable jurisdiction while the preceding 
action plan, if any, was in effect. 
‘‘(7) Estimated budgetary and resource consid-
erations necessary to carry out the proposed action 
plan. 
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator 
and the Task Force shall make all reasonable efforts to 
provide technical assistance upon request by a covered reef 
manager developing a coral reef action plan under sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(e) ADOPTION OF CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS.— 
A covered reef manager may adopt a coral reef action plan 
developed by another covered reef manager, in full or in 
part, as relevant to the adopting manager’s applicable ju-
risdiction. 
‘‘(f) PUBLIC REVIEW.—The development of a coral 
reef action plan by a covered reef manager under sub-
section (a), and the adoption of a plan under subsection 
(e), shall be subject to public review and comment. 
‘‘(g) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall publish 
each coral reef action plan prepared and submitted to the 
Task Force under this section on publicly available inter-
net websites of— 
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‘‘(1) the Coral Reef Conservation Program of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion; and 
‘‘(2) the Task Force. 
‘‘(h) APPLICABILITY
TO COVERED STATES
AND 
CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS.—A covered 
State or non-Federal coral reef stewardship partnership 
is not required to develop a coral reef action plan under 
subsection (a), but may do so in its own discretion. In 
developing a coral reef action plan, a covered State or non- 
Federal coral reef stewardship partnership is encouraged, 
but not mandated, to comply with the requirements of this 
section. 
‘‘(i) PLAN IN EFFECT.—A coral reef action plan shall 
be deemed to be in effect if the plan was submitted to 
the Task Force under this section during the preceding 
6 years. 
‘‘SEC. 206. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS.— 
The Administrator shall establish standards for the forma-
tion of partnerships among government and community 
members for the stewardship of coral reefs (in this title 
referred to as ‘coral reef stewardship partnerships’) in ac-
cordance with this section, including guidance for prepara-
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tion and submission of coral reef action plans under sec-
tion 205. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION OF REEFS.—Each coral reef 
stewardship partnership shall identify with particularity 
the coral reef or ecologically significant component of a 
coral reef that will be the subject of its stewardship activi-
ties. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP FOR FEDERAL REEFS.—A coral 
reef stewardship partnership that has identified, as the 
subject of its stewardship activities, a coral reef or eco-
logically significant component of a coral reef that is fully 
or partially under the management jurisdiction of any 
Federal agency specified in section 203(c) shall, at a min-
imum, include the following: 
‘‘(1) That Federal agency, a representative of 
which shall serve as chair of the coral reef steward-
ship partnership. 
‘‘(2) A State, county, or Tribal organization’s 
resource management agency. 
‘‘(3) A coral reef research center described in 
section 215(c)(4) or another institution of higher 
education. 
‘‘(4) A nongovernmental organization. 
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‘‘(5) Such other members as the partnership 
considers appropriate, such as interested stakeholder 
groups. 
‘‘(d) MEMBERSHIP FOR NON-FEDERAL REEFS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A coral reef stewardship 
partnership that has identified, as the subject of its 
stewardship activities, a coral reef or ecologically sig-
nificant component of a coral reef that is not under 
the management jurisdiction of any Federal agency 
specified in section 203(c) shall, at a minimum, in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(A) A State, county, or Tribal organiza-
tion’s resource management agency, a rep-
resentative of which shall serve as the chair of 
the coral reef stewardship partnership. 
‘‘(B) A coral reef research center described 
in section 215(c)(4) or another institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(C) A nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(D) Such other members as the partner-
ship considers appropriate, such as interested 
stakeholder groups. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), a coral reef stewardship partnership 
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described in paragraph (1) may also include 
representatives of one or more Federal agencies 
that have management responsibility in the reef 
that is the subject of the partnership’s steward-
ship activities. 
‘‘(B) REQUESTS; APPROVAL.—A represent-
ative of a Federal agency described in subpara-
graph (A) may become a member of a coral reef 
stewardship partnership described in paragraph 
(1) if— 
‘‘(i) the representative submits a re-
quest to become a member to the chair of 
the partnership referred to in paragraph 
(1)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) the chair consents to the request. 
‘‘(e) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to coral reef stewardship 
partnerships. 
‘‘SEC. 207. STATE BLOCK GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall provide 
block grants of financial assistance to covered States to 
support management and restoration activities and fur-
ther the implementation of coral reef action plans in effect 
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under section 205 by covered States and non-Federal coral 
reef stewardship partnerships. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.—A 
covered State shall qualify for and receive additional grant 
amounts beyond the base award specified in subsection 
(c)(1) if there is at least one coral reef action plan in effect 
within the jurisdiction of the covered State developed by 
that covered State or a non-Federal coral reef stewardship 
partnership. 
‘‘(c) FUNDING FORMULA.—Subject to the availability 
of appropriations, the amount of each block grant awarded 
to a covered State under this section shall be the sum of— 
‘‘(1) a base award of $100,000; and 
‘‘(2) if the State is eligible under subsection 
(b)— 
‘‘(A) an amount that is equal to non-Fed-
eral expenditures of up to $3,000,000 on coral 
reef management and restoration activities 
within the jurisdiction of the State, as reported 
within the previous fiscal year; and 
‘‘(B) an additional amount, from any 
funds appropriated for block grants under this 
section that remain after distribution under 
subparagraph (A) and paragraph (1), based on 
the proportion of the State’s share of total non- 
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Federal expenditures on coral reef management 
and restoration activities, as reported within the 
previous fiscal year, in excess of $3,000,000, 
relative to other covered States. 
‘‘(d) EXCLUSIONS.—For the purposes of calculating 
block grant amounts under subsection (c), Federal funds 
provided to a covered State or non-Federal coral reef stew-
ardship partnership shall not be considered as qualifying 
non-Federal expenditures, but non-Federal matching 
funds used to leverage Federal awards may be considered 
as qualifying non-Federal expenditures. 
‘‘(e) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.— 
The Administrator is responsible for— 
‘‘(1) providing guidance on qualifying non-Fed-
eral expenditures and the proper documentation of 
such expenditures; 
‘‘(2) issuing annual solicitations to covered 
States for additional awards under this section; and 
‘‘(3) determining the appropriate allocation of 
additional amounts among covered States in accord-
ance with this section. 
‘‘(f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF COVERED STATES.—Each 
covered State is responsible for documenting non-Federal 
expenditures within the jurisdiction of the State and for-
mally reporting those expenditures for review in response 
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to annual solicitations by the Administrator under sub-
section (e). 
‘‘(g) UNEXPENDED AMOUNTS.—Any amounts avail-
able for block grants under this section that are not ex-
pended shall be transferred to the Coral Reef Stewardship 
Fund under section 208(b). 
‘‘(h) WAIVERS OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.—The 
Administrator may waive the eligibility requirements 
under subsection (b) through fiscal year 2023. 
‘‘SEC. 208. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP FUND. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS.— 
The Administrator may enter into an agreement with the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘Foundation’), authorizing the Foundation 
to receive, hold, and administer funds received under this 
section. 
‘‘(b) FUND.—The Foundation shall invest, reinvest, 
and otherwise administer the funds received under this 
section and maintain such funds and any interest or reve-
nues earned in a separate interest-bearing account, to be 
known as the ‘Coral Reef Stewardship Fund’ (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘Fund’, and known before the date 
of the enactment of the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 
2021 as the Coral Reef Conservation Fund administered 
through a public-private partnership with the Founda-
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tion), established by the Foundation solely to support 
coral reef stewardship partnership activities that— 
‘‘(1) further the purposes of this title; and 
‘‘(2) are consistent with— 
‘‘(A) the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect under section 204A; and 
‘‘(B) coral reef action plans in effect, if 
any, under section 205 covering a coral reef or 
ecologically significant component of a coral 
reef to be impacted by such activities, if appli-
cable. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to an agreement 
entered into under subsection (a), the Foundation 
may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
any gift (including, notwithstanding section 1342 of 
title 31, United States Code, donations of services) 
to further the purposes of this title. 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS
IN
FUND.—Notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, any 
funds received as a gift shall be deposited and main-
tained in the Fund. 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Not later than 
30 days after funds are deposited in the Fund under 
paragraph (2), the Foundation shall notify the Com-
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mittee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives of the source and amount of such funds. 
‘‘(d) REVIEW
OF PERFORMANCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall conduct a continuing review of all deposits 
into, and disbursements from, the Fund. Each review shall 
include a written assessment concerning the extent to 
which the Foundation has implemented the goals and re-
quirements of— 
‘‘(1) this section; and 
‘‘(2) the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect under section 204A. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—Under an agreement en-
tered into pursuant to subsection (a), and subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Administrator may 
transfer funds appropriated to carry out this title to the 
Foundation. Amounts received by the Foundation under 
this subsection may be used for matching, in whole or in 
part, contributions (whether in money, services, or prop-
erty) made to the Foundation by private persons, State 
or local government agencies, or Tribal organizations. 
‘‘SEC. 209. CORAL REEF EMERGENCY PLANS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A covered reef manager may de-
velop and periodically update a plan (in this title referred 
to as a ‘coral reef emergency plan’) consistent with the 
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template described in section 204A(b)(3) to guide the 
rapid and effective response to circumstances that pose 
an urgent and immediate threat to the coral reef eco-
systems within the manager’s responsibilities and jurisdic-
tions, and consistent with any applicable coral reef action 
plan. 
‘‘(b) CORAL REEF EMERGENCIES.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop a list of, and criteria for, cir-
cumstances that pose an urgent and immediate threat to 
coral reefs (in this title referred to as ‘coral reef emer-
gencies’), including— 
‘‘(1) new and ongoing outbreaks of disease; 
‘‘(2) new and ongoing outbreaks of invasive or 
nuisance species; 
‘‘(3) new and ongoing coral bleaching events; 
‘‘(4) natural disasters; 
‘‘(5) man-made disasters, including vessel 
groundings, hazardous spills, or coastal construction 
accidents; and 
‘‘(6) other exigent circumstances. 
‘‘(c) BEST RESPONSE PRACTICES.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop guidance on best practices to respond 
to coral reef emergencies that can be adopted within coral 
reef emergency plans. Such best practices shall be— 
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‘‘(1) based on the best available science and in-
tegrated with evolving innovative technologies; and 
‘‘(2) revised not less frequently than once every 
5 years. 
‘‘(d) PLAN ELEMENTS.—A coral reef emergency plan 
shall include the following elements: 
‘‘(1) A description of particular threats, and the 
proposed responses, consistent with the best prac-
tices developed under subsection (d). 
‘‘(2) A delineation of roles and responsibilities 
for executing the plan. 
‘‘(3) Evidence of engagement with interested 
stakeholder groups, as applicable, in the develop-
ment of the plan. 
‘‘(4) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for the plan. 
‘‘(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator 
and the Task Force shall make all reasonable efforts to 
provide technical assistance upon request by a covered reef 
manager developing a coral reef emergency plan under 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(f) ADOPTION
OF
CORAL
REEF
EMERGENCY 
PLANS.—A covered reef manager may adopt a coral reef 
emergency plan developed by another covered reef man-
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ager, in full or in part, as relevant to the adopting man-
ager’s applicable jurisdiction. 
‘‘(g) PUBLIC REVIEW.—The development of a coral 
reef action plan by a covered reef manager under sub-
section (a), and the adoption of a plan under subsection 
(f), shall be subject to public review and comment. 
‘‘(h) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall publish 
each coral reef emergency plan prepared and submitted 
to the Task Force under this section on publicly available 
internet websites of— 
‘‘(1) the Coral Reef Conservation Program of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion; and 
‘‘(2) the Task Force. 
‘‘(i) PLAN IN EFFECT.—A coral reef emergency plan 
shall be deemed to be in effect if the plan was submitted 
to the Task Force under this section during the preceding 
6 years. 
‘‘SEC. 210. CORAL REEF EMERGENCY FUND. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF FUND.—There is estab-
lished in the Treasury an interest-bearing fund to be 
known as the ‘Coral Reef Emergency Fund’, which shall 
consist of amounts deposited into the Fund under sub-
section (c). 
‘‘(b) USES.—Amounts in the Fund— 
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‘‘(1) shall be available only for use by the Sec-
retary to compensate covered coral reef mangers to 
implement a coral reef emergency plan in effect 
under sections 210 and 212; and 
‘‘(2) shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(c) DEPOSITS INTO THE FUND.—Subject to the 
availability of appropriations, there shall be deposited into 
the Fund— 
‘‘(1) amounts appropriated for the Fund; and 
‘‘(2) other amounts appropriated to the Sec-
retary for use with respect to coral reef emergencies. 
‘‘(d) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of carrying 
out this title, the Secretary may accept, receive, so-
licit, hold, administer, and use any gift (including, 
notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United 
States Code, donations of services). 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS
IN
FUND.—Notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, any 
funds received as a gift shall be deposited and main-
tained in the Fund. 
‘‘SEC. 211. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) SUA SPONTE DECLARATION.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
determine and declare a coral reef emergency, 
including at the recommendation of the Sec-
retary of the Interior. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—In declaring a 
coral reef emergency under subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) certify that an emergency has oc-
curred that is ecologically significant and 
harmful to coral reefs; and 
‘‘(ii) submit to the appropriate con-
gressional committees findings and anal-
ysis to justify the declaration. 
‘‘(2) PETITIONS.—If a covered State or non- 
Federal coral reef stewardship partnership believes 
that a coral reef emergency has occurred, and is im-
pacting coral reefs or ecologically significant compo-
nents of coral reefs subject to the responsibilities or 
jurisdiction of the State or partnership, the State or 
partnership may petition the Secretary for a declara-
tion of a coral reef emergency. 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION AND ACTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 
days after receiving a petition under paragraph 
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(2) (except as provided in subparagraph (B)), 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) evaluate the petition to determine 
whether a coral reef emergency has oc-
curred; and 
‘‘(ii) declare a coral reef emergency or 
deny the petition. 
‘‘(B) EXTENSION.—The Secretary may ex-
tend the deadline provided for under subpara-
graph (A) by not more than 15 days. 
‘‘(4) APPEAL.—If the Secretary denies a peti-
tion for an emergency declaration submitted under 
paragraph (2), the State or partnership that sub-
mitted the petition may, not later than 15 days after 
receiving notice of the denial, appeal the denial to 
the Secretary. Not later than 15 days after receiving 
an appeal under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
grant or deny the appeal. 
‘‘(5) REVOCATION.—The Secretary may revoke 
any declaration of a coral reef emergency in whole 
or in part after determining that circumstances no 
longer require an emergency response. 
‘‘(6) RECOVERY
OF
EMERGENCY
FUNDING.— 
The Administrator may seek compensation from 
negligent parties to recover emergency funds ex-
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pended in excess of $500,000 under this section as 
a result of an emergency declaration arising from di-
rect impacts to coral reefs from man-made disasters 
or accidents. 
‘‘(b) GRANT AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability 
of appropriations, upon the declaration of a coral 
reef emergency under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall provide grants to carry out proposals that meet 
the requirements of paragraph (2) to implement 
coral reef emergency plans in effect under section 
209. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A proposal for a grant 
under this subsection to implement a coral reef 
emergency plan in effect under section 209 shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(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; 
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‘‘(D) an estimate of the funds and time re-
quired to complete the implementation of the 
plan; and 
‘‘(E) any other information the Secretary 
considers to be necessary for evaluating the eli-
gibility 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 Secretary shall review the proposal and deter-
mine if the proposal meets the requirements of para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(4) CONCURRENT REVIEW.—An entity seeking 
a grant under this subsection may submit a proposal 
under paragraph (2) to the Secretary at any time 
following the submission of a petition for an emer-
gency declaration under subsection (a)(2) that is ap-
plicable to coral reefs or ecologically significant com-
ponents 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— 
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‘‘(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; 
‘‘(3) the estimated cost of removal of the vessel, 
mitigation, 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, includ-
ing the dates of— 
‘‘(A) vessel removal; 
‘‘(B) mitigation 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 fu-
ture grounding incidents. 
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‘‘SEC. 213. RUTH D. GATES CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations, 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’) pursuant 
to proposals approved by the Administrator in accordance 
with this section. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—An entity described in 
paragraph (2) may submit to the Administrator a 
proposal for a coral reef project. 
‘‘(2) ENTITIES
DESCRIBED.—An entity de-
scribed 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 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(B) a regional fishery management coun-
cil established under the Magnuson-Stevens 
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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 des-
ignated under section 215(c)(4); or 
‘‘(E) another nongovernmental organiza-
tion or research institution with demonstrated 
expertise in the conservation or restoration of 
coral reefs in practice or through significant 
contributions 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 in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(1) The name of the individual or entity re-
sponsible for conducting the project. 
‘‘(2) A description of the qualifications of the 
individual or entity. 
‘‘(3) A succinct statement of the purposes of 
the project. 
‘‘(4) An estimate of the funds and time re-
quired to complete the project. 
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‘‘(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. 
‘‘(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 eligi-
bility of the project for a grant under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(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 criteria set forth in subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
CONSERVATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
awarding of grants for projects that meet the cri-
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teria for approval under subparagraphs (A) through 
(G) of subsection (e)(2) that are proposed to be con-
ducted within priority areas identified for coral reef 
conservation by the Administrator and consistent 
with the national coral reef resilience strategy in ef-
fect under section 204A. 
‘‘(3) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
RESTORATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
awarding of grants for projects that meet the cri-
teria for approval under subparagraphs (E) through 
(L) of subsection (e)(2) that are proposed to be con-
ducted within priority areas identified for coral reef 
restoration by the Administrator and consistent with 
the national coral reef resilience strategy in effect 
under section 204A. 
‘‘(4) REVIEW; APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.— 
Not later than 180 days after receiving a proposal 
for a coral reef project under this section, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
‘‘(A) request and consider written com-
ments on the proposal from each Federal agen-
cy, State government, Tribal organization, or 
other government jurisdiction, including the rel-
evant regional fishery management councils es-
tablished under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
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Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), or any National Marine Sanc-
tuary or Marine National Monument, with ju-
risdiction 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 consistent with locally established 
priorities, unless such entities were directly in-
volved in the development of the project pro-
posal; 
‘‘(B) provide for the merit-based peer re-
view of the proposal and require standardized 
documentation of that peer review; 
‘‘(C) after considering any written com-
ments and recommendations based on the re-
views under subparagraphs (A) and (B), ap-
prove 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 organi-
zations, and other government jurisdictions that 
provided comments under subparagraph (A). 
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‘‘(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 
strategy in effect under section 204A; and 
‘‘(B) any Federal or non-Federal coral reef 
action plans in effect under section 205 cov-
ering 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 
consensus-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 eco-
systems; 
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‘‘(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 
systems to promote enhanced recreational ac-
cess, 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 
develop management or adaptation options to 
preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef eco-
systems; 
‘‘(H) implementing research to ensure the 
population viability of listed coral species in 
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United States waters as detailed in the popu-
lation-based recovery criteria included in spe-
cies-specific recovery plans consistent with the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(I) developing and implementing cost-ef-
fective methods to restore degraded coral reef 
ecosystems or to create geographically appro-
priate coral reef ecosystems in suitable waters, 
including by improving habitat or promoting 
success of keystone species, with an emphasis 
on novel restoration strategies and techniques 
to advance coral reef recovery and growth near 
population centers threatened by rising sea lev-
els and storm surge; 
‘‘(J) translating and applying coral genet-
ics research to coral reef ecosystem restoration, 
including research related to traits that pro-
mote resilience to increasing ocean tempera-
tures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, coral 
diseases, and invasive species; 
‘‘(K) developing and maintaining in situ 
native coral propagation sites; or 
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‘‘(L) developing and maintaining ex situ 
coral propagation nurseries and land-based 
coral gene banks to— 
‘‘(i) conserve or augment genetic di-
versity 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 
target genes, gene expression, phenotypic 
traits, or phenotypic plasticity. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.—To the extent prac-
ticable based upon proposals for coral reef projects sub-
mitted to the Administrator, the Administrator shall en-
sure 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 
jurisdiction or control of the United States. 
‘‘(2) Not less than 40 percent of the funds 
available shall be awarded for projects in the Atlan-
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tic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea 
within the maritime areas and zones subject to the 
jurisdiction or control of the United States. 
‘‘(3) Not more than 67 percent of funds distrib-
uted in each region in accordance with paragraphs 
(1) and (2) shall be made exclusively available to 
projects that are— 
‘‘(A) submitted by a coral reef stewardship 
partnership; and 
‘‘(B) consistent with the coral reef action 
plan in effect under section 205 by such a part-
nership. 
‘‘(4) Of the funds distributed to support 
projects in accordance with paragraph (3), not less 
than 20 percent and not more than 33 percent shall 
be awarded for projects submitted by a Federal coral 
reef stewardship partnership. 
‘‘(g) PROJECT REPORTING.—Each entity receiving a 
grant under this section shall submit to the Administrator 
such reports at such times and containing such informa-
tion for evaluating project performance as the Adminis-
trator may require. 
‘‘(h) TASK FORCE.—The Administrator may consult 
with the Secretary of the Interior and the Task Force to 
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obtain guidance in establishing priorities and evaluating 
proposals for coral reef projects under this section. 
‘‘(i) UNEXPENDED AMOUNTS.—Any amounts avail-
able 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, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(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 
Federal and non-Federal contributions toward the 
costs of each project or activity funded, in full or in 
part, under the authorities of this title. 
‘‘(b) COMMITTEES
SPECIFIED.—The committees 
specified in this subsection are— 
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‘‘(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropria-
tions 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 cooper-
ative agreements as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this title. 
‘‘(b) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under an agreement en-
tered into under subsection (a), the Administrator 
may reimburse or provide funds authorized to be ap-
propriated 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
DE-
SCRIBED.—Individuals and entities described in this 
paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Federal agencies, instrumentalities, 
and laboratories. 
‘‘(B) State and local governments. 
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‘‘(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) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish 2 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 In-
stitute’. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—Each institute established 
under paragraph (1) shall be housed within a single 
coral reef research center designated by the Admin-
istrator under paragraph (4) in the Atlantic and Pa-
cific basins, respectively, and may contract with 
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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 
research gaps and improve understanding of, 
and responses to, continuing and emerging 
threats to the resilience of United States coral 
reef ecosystems consistent with the national 
coral reef resilience strategy in effect under sec-
tion 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, non-
profit organizations, and other coral reef 
research centers designated under para-
graph (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 
establish research priorities and translate 
and apply research findings to manage-
ment 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 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(II) best practices for coral reef 
ecosystem management and restora-
tion; 
‘‘(III) the value of coral reefs; 
and 
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‘‘(IV) the threats to the sustain-
ability of coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(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 
determines that the institution— 
‘‘(i) is operated by an institution of 
higher education or nonprofit marine re-
search organization; 
‘‘(ii) has established management- 
driven national or regional coral reef re-
search 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 pro-
grams related to coral reef ecosystems. 
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‘‘(d) MULTIYEAR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The 
Administrator may enter into multiyear cooperative agree-
ments with the heads of other Federal agencies, States, 
Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, local governments, 
the coral reef cooperative institutes established under sub-
section (c), and other institutions of higher education, 
nonprofit research organizations, and nongovernmental 
organizations to carry out activities authorized under this 
title. 
‘‘(e) USE OF RESOURCES OF OTHER AGENCIES.— 
The Administrator may use, with consent and with or 
without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, per-
sonnel, and facilities of any agency or instrumentality of— 
‘‘(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 
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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 innova-
tion to advance the ability of the United States to under-
stand, 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 
communities, environments, or industries that are in dis-
tress as a result of the decline or degradation of coral reef 
ecosystems, including— 
‘‘(1) scientific research and monitoring that 
furthers the understanding of causes behind coral 
reef decline and degradation and the generally slow 
recovery following disturbances, including ocean 
acidification and its impacts on coral reproduction; 
‘‘(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 
alleviate economic harm and job loss caused by dam-
age to coral reef ecosystems; 
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‘‘(4) the development of measures to help vul-
nerable communities or industries, with an emphasis 
on rural communities and businesses; and 
‘‘(5) the development of adaptation and man-
agement options for impacted tourism industries. 
‘‘SEC. 217. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary to carry out this title the fol-
lowing amounts, which shall remain available until ex-
pended: 
‘‘(1) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
‘‘(2) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2022. 
‘‘(3) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2023. 
‘‘(4) $35,500,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
‘‘(5) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Of the amounts appro-
priated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
under subsection (a), not more than the lesser of 
$1,500,000 or 10 percent may be used for program ad-
ministration or for overhead costs incurred by the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the De-
partment of Commerce and assessed as an administrative 
charge. 
‘‘(c) CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION 
ACTIVITIES.—From the amounts authorized to be appro-
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priated under subsection (a), there shall be made available 
to the Secretary not less than the following amounts for 
authorized activities under sections 203 and 207: 
‘‘(1) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which 
not less than $8,000,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 207. 
‘‘(2) $24,500,000 for fiscal year 2022, of which 
not less than $8,500,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 207. 
‘‘(3) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, of which 
not less than $9,000,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 207. 
‘‘(4) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2024, of which 
not less than $10,000,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 207. 
‘‘(5) $29,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, of which 
not less than $11,000,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 207. 
‘‘(d) FEDERALLY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND CORAL 
REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM GRANTS.—From the 
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amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a), there shall be made available to the Secretary not less 
than $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 
2025 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 coopera-
tive agreements with the cooperative institutes estab-
lished under section 215(c). 
‘‘SEC. 218. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’ 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 
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to preserve or sustain native corals and associated 
species as diverse, viable, and self-perpetuating 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, man-
agement of habitat, and maintenance or aug-
mentation 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. 
1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fish-
ery 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. 
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‘‘(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
REEF.—The term ‘coral reef’ 
means limestone 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 ani-
mals. 
‘‘(6) 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 
processes that control coral calcification rates, 
tissue growth, reproduction, recruitment, abun-
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dance, coral-algal symbiosis, and biodiversity in 
such habitat. 
‘‘(7) 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). 
‘‘(8) COVERED REEF MANAGER.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘covered 
reef manager’ means a management unit of a 
Federal agency specified in subparagraph (B) 
with jurisdiction over a coral reef ecosystem, 
covered State, or coral reef stewardship part-
nership. 
‘‘(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. 
‘‘(9) COVERED
STATE.—The term ‘covered 
State’ means Florida, Hawaii, and the territories of 
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American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the North-
ern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the 
United States Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(10) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(11) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
‘‘(12) INTERESTED STAKEHOLDER GROUPS.— 
The term ‘interested stakeholder groups’ includes 
community members such as businesses, commercial 
and recreational fishermen, other recreationalists, 
Federal, State, Tribal, and local government units 
with related jurisdiction, institutions of higher edu-
cation, and nongovernmental organizations. 
‘‘(13) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization that 
is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under sec-
tion 501(a) of such Code. 
‘‘(14) RESTORATION.—The term ‘restoration’ 
means the use of methods and procedures necessary 
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to enhance, rehabilitate, recreate, or create a func-
tioning coral reef or coral reef ecosystem, in whole 
or in part, within suitable waters of the historical 
geographic range of such ecosystems, to provide eco-
logical, economic, cultural, or coastal resiliency serv-
ices associated with healthy coral reefs and benefit 
native populations of coral reef organisms. 
‘‘(15) 
RESILIENCE.—The 
term 
‘resilience’ 
means the capacity for corals within their native 
range, coral reefs, or coral reef ecosystems to recover 
from natural and human disturbances as determined 
by clearly identifiable, measurable, and science-based 
standards. 
‘‘(16) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘Secretary’ 
means the Secretary of Commerce. 
‘‘(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 
association with the United States that contains 
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a coral reef ecosystem within its seaward 
boundaries. 
‘‘(18) STEWARDSHIP.—The term ‘stewardship’, 
with respect to a coral reef, includes conservation, 
restoration, and public outreach and education. 
‘‘(19) TASK FORCE.—The term ‘Task Force’ 
means the United States Coral Reef Task Force es-
tablished under section 201 of the Restoring Resil-
ient Reefs Act of 2021. 
‘‘(20) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Trib-
al 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 National Oceans and Coastal Security Act (16 
U.S.C. 7504(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘and coastal in-
frastructure’’ 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— 
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(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘this section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 213’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(3) SPECIAL
RULE.—For purposes of para-
graph (1), block grant funds awarded to the terri-
tories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, or 
the United States Virgin Islands under section 207 
shall qualify as the non-Federal share of project 
costs.’’; and 
(3) by striking subsections (c) through (j). 
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 
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the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (as amend-
ed by section 101), and other nongovernmental and 
academic partners as appropriate, activities regard-
ing 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 
(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 
International Development, and in coordination with 
the other members of the Task Force— 
(A) to assess the United States role in 
international trade and protection of coral spe-
cies; 
(B) to encourage implementation of appro-
priate strategies and actions to promote con-
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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 
(C) coral reef emergency plans under sec-
tion 209 of that Act; and 
(5) to produce a report each year, for submis-
sion to the appropriate congressional committees 
and publication on a publicly available internet 
website of the Task Force, highlighting the status of 
the coral reef equities of a covered State on a rotat-
ing basis, including— 
(A) a summary of recent coral reef man-
agement and restoration activities undertaken 
in that State; and 
(B) updated estimates of the direct and in-
direct economic activity supported by, and other 
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benefits associated with, those coral reef equi-
ties. 
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. 
(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 Emer-
gency 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. 
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(12) The Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration. 
(13) The Director of the National Science 
Foundation. 
(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 of the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council who is designated by the Gov-
ernor of Florida under section 302(b)(1) of the Mag-
nuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Manage-
ment Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(1)). 
(2) A member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council who is designated by the Gov-
ernor of Florida under such section. 
(3) A member of the Western Pacific Fishery 
Management Council who is designated under such 
section and selected as follows: 
(A) For the period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act and ending on De-
cember 31 of the calendar year during which 
such date of enactment occurs, the member 
shall be selected jointly by the governors of Ha-
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waii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Com-
monwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
(B) For each calendar year thereafter, the 
governors of Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, 
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mar-
iana Islands shall, on a rotating basis, take 
turns selecting the member. 
(4) A member of the Caribbean Fishery Man-
agement Council who is designated under such sec-
tion and selected as follows: 
(A) For the period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act and ending on De-
cember 31 of the calendar year during which 
such date of enactment occurs, the member 
shall be selected jointly by the governors of 
Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Is-
lands. 
(B) For each calendar year thereafter, the 
governors of Puerto Rico and the United States 
Virgin Islands shall, on an alternating basis, 
take turns selecting the member. 
(5) A member appointed by the President of 
the Federated States of Micronesia. 
(6) A member appointed by the President of 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands. 
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(7) A member appointed by the President of 
the Republic of Palau. 
SEC. 204. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEM-
BERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A member of the Task Force 
specified 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 
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Force specified in paragraphs (1) through (14) of section 
203(a). 
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 working group under subsection (a). 
(c) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANI-
ZATIONS.—The co-chairs may allow nongovernmental or-
ganizations as appropriate, including academic institu-
tions, conservation groups, and commercial and rec-
reational fishing associations, to participate in a working 
group established under subsection (a). 
(d) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF
FEDERAL
ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to working groups estab-
lished under this section. 
SEC. 206. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
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Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives. 
(2) CONSERVATION, 
CORAL, 
CORAL
REEF, 
ETC.—The terms ‘‘conservation’’, ‘‘coral’’, ‘‘coral 
reef’’, ‘‘coral reef ecosystem’’, ‘‘covered State’’, ‘‘res-
toration’’, ‘‘resilience’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the mean-
ing given those terms in section 218 of the Coral 
Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by sec-
tion 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 may 
provide scientific expertise and technical assistance, and 
subject to the availability of appropriations, financial as-
sistance for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs 
consistent with all applicable laws governing resource 
management in Federal, State, and Tribal waters, includ-
ing— 
(1) the national coral reef resilience strategy in 
effect under section 204A of the Coral Reef Con-
servation Act of 2000, as amended by section 101; 
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(2) coral reef action plans in effect under sec-
tion 205 of that Act, as applicable; and 
(3) coral reef emergency plans in effect under 
section 209 of that Act, as applicable. 
(b) OFFICE OF INSULAR AFFAIRS CORAL REEF INI-
TIATIVE.—The Secretary may establish within the Office 
of Insular 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 
assistance activities conducted under this Act; and 
(3) to provide other technical, scientific, and fi-
nancial assistance and conduct conservation activi-
ties that advance the purpose of this Act. 
(c) CONSULTATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT
OF 
COMMERCE.—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 section 203(c) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act 
of 2000, as amended by section 101. 
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(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Secretary of the Interior 
may enter into cooperative agreements with covered reef 
managers to fund coral reef conservation and restoration 
activities in waters managed under the jurisdiction of such 
managers that— 
(1) are consistent with the national coral reef 
resilience strategy in effect under section 204A of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amend-
ed 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 Con-
servation Act of 2000, as amended by section 101. 
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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 
National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Act of 
2021’’. 
SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) FELLOW.—The term ‘‘fellow’’ means a Na-
tional Coral Reef Management Fellow. 
(2) 
FELLOWSHIP.—The 
term 
‘‘fellowship’’ 
means the National Coral Reef Management Fellow-
ship established in section 403. 
(3) INDIAN
TRIBE; TRIBAL
ORGANIZATION.— 
The terms ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ and ‘‘Tribal organiza-
tion’’ have the meanings given those terms in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
SEC. 403. ESTABLISHMENT OF FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a National 
Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program. 
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(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 
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 Secretary shall award the fel-
lowship 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 Secretary 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; 
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(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 
(5) such other attributes as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
SEC. 405. MATCHING REQUIREMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(b), the non-Federal share of the costs of a fellowship 
under this section shall be 25 percent of such costs. 
(b) WAIVER
OF REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary 
may waive the application of subsection (a) if the Sec-
retary finds that such waiver is necessary to support a 
project that the Secretary has identified as a high priority. 
Æ 
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