(3) to develop an integrated, workable, and 
comprehensive data management information proc-
essing system that will make information on unique 
and significant features obtained by the program 
available for research and management purposes; 
(4) to conduct public outreach activities that 
improve the public understanding of ocean science, 
resources, and processes, in conjunction with rel-
evant programs of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration, the National Science Founda-
tion, and other agencies; and 
(5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with 
governmental and non-governmental entities that 
will assist in transferring exploration technology and 
technical expertise to the program. 
SEC. 106. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
LANDS ACT. 
Nothing in this title or title II supersedes, or limits 
the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the 
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et 
seq.). 
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry 
out this title— 
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(1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; 
(2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009; 
(3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011; 
(5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012; 
(6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; 
(7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014; 
(8) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2015; 
(9) $65,379,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
(10) $71,917,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
TITLE II—UNDERSEA RESEARCH 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Undersea 
Research Program Act of 2007’’. 
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION. 
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration shall conduct an undersea re-
search program and shall designate a Director of that pro-
gram. 
SEC. 203. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of the program authorized under section 
202 is to increase scientific knowledge essential for the 
informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, 
coastal, and large lake resources through undersea re-
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search, exploration, education, and technology develop-
ment. The program shall be part of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration’s undersea research, edu-
cation, and technology development efforts, and shall 
make available the infrastructure and expertise to service 
the undersea science and technology needs of the academic 
community and marine industry. 
SEC. 204. PROGRAM. 
The program authorized under section 202 shall be 
conducted through a national headquarters, a network of 
extramural regional undersea research centers that rep-
resent all relevant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration regions, and a national technology institute. 
Overall direction of the program will be provided by the 
program director in coordination with a Council of Center 
Directors comprised of the directors of the extramural re-
gional centers and the National Institute for Undersea 
Science and Technology. 
SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND INSTITUTE. 
(a) PROGRAMS.—The following research, exploration, 
education, and technology programs shall be conducted 
through the network of extramural regional centers and 
the National Institute for Undersea Science and Tech-
nology: 
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(1) Core research and exploration based on na-
tional and regional undersea research priorities. 
(2) Advanced undersea technology development 
to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration’s research mission and programs. 
(3) Development, testing, and transition of ad-
vanced undersea technology associated with ocean 
observatories, submersibles, advanced diving tech-
nologies, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous un-
derwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing 
technologies such as LEO–15, Pisces, and the 
Aquarius habitat. 
(4) Undersea science-based education and out-
reach programs to enrich ocean science education 
and public awareness of the oceans and Great 
Lakes. 
(5) Discovery, study, and development of nat-
ural products from ocean and aquatic systems. 
(b) OPERATIONS.—Operation of the extramural re-
gional centers and the National Institute for Undersea 
Science and Technology shall leverage partnerships and 
cooperative research with academia and private industry. 
SEC. 206. COMPETITIVENESS. 
Except for a small discretionary fund for rapid re-
sponse activities, for which no more than 10 percent of 
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the program budget shall be set aside, and for National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-related service 
projects, the external projects supported by the regional 
centers shall be managed using an open and competitive 
process to evaluate scientific merit, relevance to the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, regional 
and national research priorities, and technical feasibility. 
SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry 
out this title— 
(1) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; 
(2) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009; 
(3) $21,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(4) $23,500,000 for fiscal year 2011; 
(5) $25,500,000 for fiscal year 2012; 
(6) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2013; 
(7) $29,500,000 for fiscal year 2014; 
(8) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2015; 
(9) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
(10) $35,500,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
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TITLE III—INTERAGENCY 
FINANCING 
SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY FINANCING. 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion, the National Science Foundation, the Department of 
the Navy, and other Federal agencies involved in the pro-
grams authorized under title I and II, are authorized to 
participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, 
receive, and spend funds appropriated to any Federal par-
ticipant in the program for the purposes of carrying out 
any administrative or programmatic project or activity 
under the program. Funds may be transferred among such 
departments and agencies through an appropriate instru-
ment that specifies the goods, services, or space being ac-
quired from another Federal participant and the costs 
thereof. 
Æ 
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