H. R. 7776—1527 
SEC. 9714. RETURN OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR PASSPORT 
APPLICATIONS 
THROUGH 
UNITED 
STATES 
POSTAL 
SERVICE CERTIFIED MAIL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a procedure 
that provides, to any individual applying for a new United States 
passport or to renew the United States passport of the individual 
by mail, the option to have supporting documents for the application 
returned to the individual by the United States Postal Service 
through certified mail. 
(b) COST.— 
(1) RESPONSIBILITY.—The cost of returning supporting docu-
ments to an individual as described in subsection (a) shall 
be the responsibility of the individual. 
(2) FEE.—The fee charged to the individual by the Secretary 
for returning supporting documents as described in subsection 
(a) shall be the sum of— 
(A) the retail price charged by the United States Postal 
Service for the service; and 
(B) the estimated cost of processing the return of the 
supporting documents. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the establish-
ment of the procedure required under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
committees that— 
(A) details the costs included in the processing fee 
described in paragraph (2); and 
(B) includes an estimate of the average cost per 
request. 
SEC. 
9715. 
REPORT 
ON 
DISTRIBUTION 
OF 
PERSONNEL 
AND 
RESOURCES RELATED TO ORDERED DEPARTURES AND 
POST CLOSURES. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appro-
priate congressional committees that describes— 
(1) how Department personnel and resources dedicated to 
Mission Afghanistan were reallocated following the closure of 
diplomatic posts in Afghanistan in August 2021; and 
(2) the extent to which Department personnel and resources 
for Mission Iraq were reallocated following ordered departures 
for diplomatic posts in March 2020, and how such resources 
were reallocated. 
SEC. 9716. ELIMINATION OF OBSOLETE REPORTS. 
(a) CERTIFICATION
OF
EFFECTIVENESS
OF
THE
AUSTRALIA 
GROUP.—Section 2(7) of Senate Resolution 75 (105th Congress) 
is amended by striking subparagraph (C). 
(b) PLANS
TO
IMPLEMENT
THE
GANDHI-KING
SCHOLARLY 
EXCHANGE INITIATIVE.—The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Ini-
tiative Act (subtitle D of title III of division FF of Public Law 
116–260) is amended by striking section 336. 
(c) PROGRESS REPORT ON JERUSALEM EMBASSY.—The Jerusalem 
Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–45) is amended by striking 
section 6. 
(d) PRESIDENTIAL
ANTI-PEDOPHILIA
CERTIFICATION.—Section 
102 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994
H. R. 7776—1528 
and 1995 (Public Law 103–236) is amended by striking subsection 
(g). 
(e) MICROENTERPRISE
FOR SELF-RELIANCE REPORT.—Title III 
of the Microenterprise for Self-Reliance and International Anti- 
Corruption Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–309; 22 U.S.C. 2462 note) 
is amended by striking section 304. 
SEC. 9717. LOCALITY PAY FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WORKING OVER-
SEAS UNDER DOMESTIC EMPLOYEE TELEWORKING OVER-
SEAS AGREEMENTS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CIVIL
SERVICE.—The term ‘‘civil service’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(2) COVERED
EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘covered employee’’ 
means an employee who— 
(A) occupies a position in the civil service; and 
(B) is working overseas under a Domestic Employee 
Teleworking Overseas agreement. 
(3) LOCALITY
PAY.—The term ‘‘locality pay’’ means a 
locality-based comparability payment paid in accordance with 
subsection (b). 
(4) NONFOREIGN AREA.—The term ‘‘nonforeign area’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 591.205 of title 5, Code 
of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. 
(5) OVERSEAS.—The term ‘‘overseas’’ means any geographic 
location that is not in— 
(A) the continental United States; or 
(B) a nonforeign area. 
(b) PAYMENT OF LOCALITY PAY.—Each covered employee shall 
be paid locality pay in an amount that is equal to the lesser 
of— 
(1) the amount of a locality-based comparability payment 
that the covered employee would have been paid under section 
5304 or 5304a of title 5, United States Code, had the official 
duty station of the covered employee not been changed to 
reflect an overseas location under the applicable Domestic 
Employee Teleworking Overseas agreement; or 
(2) the amount of a locality-based comparability payment 
that the covered employee would be paid under section 1113 
of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111– 
32), as limited under section 9802(c)(2) of this Act, if the covered 
employee were an eligible member of the Foreign Service (as 
defined in subsection (b) of such section 1113). 
(c) APPLICATION.—Locality pay paid to a covered employee 
under this section— 
(1) shall begin to be paid not later than 60 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(2) shall be treated in the same manner, and subject to 
the same terms and conditions, as a locality-based com-
parability payment paid under section 5304 or 5304a of title 
5, United States Code. 
SEC. 9718. REPORT ON COUNTERING THE ACTIVITIES OF MALIGN 
ACTORS. 
(a) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation
H. R. 7776—1529 
with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Administrator, 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
of the Senate, the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, 
the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 
of the House of Representatives regarding United States diplo-
matic efforts in Africa in achieving United States policy goals 
and countering the activities of malign actors. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(A) case studies from Mali, Sudan, the Central African 
Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina 
Faso, and South Sudan, with the goal of assessing the 
effectiveness of diplomatic tools during the 5-year period 
ending on the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(B) an assessment of— 
(i) the extent and effectiveness of certain diplo-
matic tools to advance United States priorities in the 
respective case study countries, including— 
(I) in-country diplomatic presence; 
(II) humanitarian and development assistance; 
(III) support for increased 2-way trade and 
investment; 
(IV) United States security assistance; 
(V) public diplomacy; and 
(VI) accountability measures, including sanc-
tions; 
(ii) whether the use of the diplomatic tools 
described in clause (i) achieved the diplomatic ends 
for which they were intended; and 
(iii) the means by which the Russian Federation 
and the People’s Republic of China exploited any 
openings for diplomatic engagement in the case study 
countries. 
(b) FORM.—The report required under subsection (b) shall be 
submitted in classified form. 
(c) CLASSIFIED BRIEFING REQUIRED.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary and 
the Administrator shall jointly brief Congress regarding the report 
required under subsection (b). 
TITLE XCVIII—EXTENSION OF 
AUTHORITIES 
SEC. 9801. DIPLOMATIC FACILITIES. 
For the purposes of calculating the costs of providing new 
United States diplomatic facilities in any fiscal year, in accordance 
with section 604(e) of the Secure Embassy Construction and 
Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (22 U.S.C. 4865 note), the Secretary 
of State, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget, shall determine the annual program level and 
agency shares for such fiscal year in a manner that is proportional 
to the contribution of the Department of State for this purpose.
H. R. 7776—1530 
SEC. 9802. EXTENSION OF EXISTING AUTHORITIES. 
(a) PASSPORT FEES.—Section 1(b)(2) of the Passport Act of June 
4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(b)(2)) shall be applied by striking ‘‘September 
30, 2010’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2026’’. 
(b) USAID CIVIL
SERVICE
ANNUITANT
WAIVER.—Section 
625(j)(1)(B) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
2385(j)(1)(B)) shall be applied by striking ‘‘October 1, 2010’’ and 
inserting ‘‘September 30, 2024’’. 
(c) OVERSEAS PAY COMPARABILITY AND LIMITATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The authority provided under section 
1113 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public 
Law 111–32) shall remain in effect through September 30, 
2024. 
(2) LIMITATION.—The authority described in paragraph (1) 
may not be used to pay an eligible member of the Foreign 
Service (as defined in section 1113(b) of the Supplemental 
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111–32)) a locality-based 
comparability payment (stated as a percentage) that exceeds 
two-thirds of the amount of the locality-based comparability 
payment (stated as a percentage) that would be payable to 
such member under section 5304 of title 5, United States Code, 
if such member’s official duty station were in the District of 
Columbia. 
(d) INSPECTOR GENERAL ANNUITANT WAIVER.—The authorities 
provided under section 1015(b) of the Supplemental Appropriations 
Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–212)— 
(1) shall remain in effect through September 30, 2024; 
and 
(2) may be used to facilitate the assignment of persons 
for oversight of programs in Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, 
Venezuela, and Yemen. 
(e) SECURITY REVIEW COMMITTEES.—The authority provided 
under section 301(a)(3) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and 
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4831(a)(3)) shall remain in 
effect for facilities in Afghanistan and shall apply to facilities in 
Ukraine through September 30, 2024, except that the notification 
and reporting requirements contained in such section shall include 
the appropriate congressional committees, the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives. 
(f) DEPARTMENT
OF
STATE
INSPECTOR
GENERAL
WAIVER 
AUTHORITY.—The Inspector General of the Department may waive 
the provisions of subsections (a) through (d) of section 824 of the 
Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4064), on a case-by-case 
basis, for an annuitant reemployed by the Inspector General on 
a temporary basis, subject to the same constraints and in the 
same manner by which the Secretary of State may exercise such 
waiver authority pursuant to subsection (g) of such section. 
SEC. 9803. COMMISSION ON REFORM AND MODERNIZATION OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Commission 
on Reform and Modernization of the Department of State Act’’. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.—There is established, in 
the legislative branch, the Commission on Reform and Moderniza-
tion of the Department of State (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘Commission’’).
H. R. 7776—1531 
(c) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Commission are— 
(1) to examine the changing nature of diplomacy and the 
ways in which the Department can modernize to advance the 
interests of the United States; and 
(2) to offer recommendations to the President and Congress 
related to— 
(A) the organizational structure of the Department; 
(B) personnel-related matters, including recruitment, 
promotion, training, and retention of the Department’s 
workforce in order to foster effective diplomacy worldwide, 
including measures to strengthen diversity and inclusion 
to ensure that the Department’s workforce represents all 
of America; 
(C) the Department of State’s domestic and overseas 
facilities; 
(D) the link among diplomacy and defense, develop-
ment, commercial, health, law enforcement, science, tech-
nology, and other core United States interests; 
(E) legislation that authorizes United States diplomacy, 
including the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (Public Law 
96–465); and 
(F) related regulations, rules, and processes that define 
United States diplomatic efforts, including the Foreign 
Affairs Manual. 
(d) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be composed of 
16 members, of whom— 
(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the President 
in a nonpartisan manner; 
(B) 2 members (1 of whom may be a Member of Con-
gress) shall be appointed by the majority leader of the 
Senate; 
(C) 2 members (1 of whom may be a Member of Con-
gress) shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives; 
(D) 2 members (1 of whom may be a Member of Con-
gress) shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
Senate; 
(E) 2 members (1 of whom may be a Member of Con-
gress) shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
House of Representatives; 
(F) 1 member shall be appointed by the chairperson 
of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 
(G) 1 member shall be appointed by the ranking 
member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; 
(H) 1 member shall be appointed by the chairperson 
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(I) 1 member shall be appointed by the ranking 
member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.— 
(A) MEMBERSHIP.—Any member of the Commission 
who is not a Member of Congress shall be a private United 
States citizen who is nationally recognized and has signifi-
cant depth of experience in international relations, data-
H. R. 7776—1533 
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting busi-
ness. 
(e) FUNCTIONS OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (j), the 
Commission shall act by resolution agreed to by a majority 
of the members of the Commission voting and present. 
(2) PANELS.—The Commission may establish panels com-
posed of less than the full membership of the Commission 
for purposes of carrying out the duties of the Commission 
under this section. The membership of such panels should 
reflect the bipartisan composition of the Commission. The 
actions of any such panel shall be subject to the review and 
control of the Commission. Any findings and determinations 
made by such a panel may not be considered the findings 
and determinations of the Commission unless such findings 
and determinations are approved by a majority of the Commis-
sion, including both co-chairpersons. 
(f) POWERS OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE.—To carry out the purposes 
of the Commission described in subsection (c), the Commission 
or any panel of the Commission may, with the joint approval 
of the co-chairpersons— 
(A) hold such hearings and meetings, take such testi-
mony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths 
as the Commission or such designated panel considers nec-
essary; 
(B) request the attendance and testimony of such wit-
nesses and the production of such correspondence, memo-
randa, papers, and documents, as the Commission or such 
designated panel considers necessary; and 
(C) secure from the Department, USAID, the United 
States International Development Finance Corporation, the 
Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps, the 
United States Trade Development Agency, and the United 
States Agency for Global Media information and data nec-
essary to enable it to carry out its mission. 
(2) CONTRACTS.—The Commission, to such extent and in 
such amounts as are provided in appropriations Acts, may 
enter into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge 
its duties under this section. 
(g) SUPPORT FROM OTHER AGENCIES.— 
(1) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—To carry out 
the purposes of the Commission described in subsection (c), 
upon the receipt of a joint written request by the co-chair-
persons of the Commission to any of the heads of the Depart-
ment, USAID, the United States International Development 
Finance Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, 
the Peace Corps, the Trade Development Agency, or the United 
States Agency for Global Media, the heads of such entities 
shall expeditiously furnish the requested information to the 
Commission. 
(2) ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The Department 
of State and other Federal departments and agencies may 
provide to the Commission, on a nonreimbursable basis, such 
administrative services, staff, and other support services as 
are necessary for the performance of the Commission’s duties 
under this section, at the request of the Commission.
H. R. 7776—1534 
(3) LIAISON.—The Secretary may designate at least 1 officer 
or employee of the Department to serve as a liaison officer 
between the Department and the Commission. 
(4) RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM
INDEPENDENT
ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—The Commission may review recommendations by inde-
pendent organizations and outside experts relating to reform 
and modernization of the Department. 
(h) CONGRESSIONAL CONSULTATION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the initial meeting of the Commission, and not less frequently 
than semiannually thereafter, the Commission shall provide a 
briefing to Congress regarding the work of the Commission. 
(i) STAFF AND COMPENSATION.— 
(1) STAFF.— 
(A) 
COMPENSATION.—The 
co-chairpersons 
of 
the 
Commission shall appoint and fix the compensation of a 
staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary 
to enable the Commission to carry out its duties, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service, and 
without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classifica-
tion and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate 
of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equiva-
lent of that payable to a person occupying a position at 
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
such title. 
(B) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—A Federal 
Government employee may be detailed to the Commission 
without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without 
interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. 
(C) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT 
SERVICES.—The co-chairs of the Commission may procure 
temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) 
of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals 
that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5315 of such title. 
(D) STATUS AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Notwithstanding 
the requirements under section 2105 of title 5, United 
States Code, including the required supervision under sub-
section (a)(3) of such section, the members of the commis-
sion shall be deemed to be Federal employees. 
(2) COMMISSION MEMBERS.— 
(A) COMPENSATION.—Except as provided in subpara-
graph (C), each member of the Commission shall be com-
pensated at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
which that member is engaged in the actual performance 
of the duties of the Commission. 
(B) WAIVER OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.—Subsections (a) 
through (d) of section 824 of the Foreign Service Act of 
1980 (22 U.S.C. 4064) are waived for an annuitant on 
a temporary basis so as to be compensated for work per-
formed as part of the Commission.
H. R. 7776—1535 
(C) RESTRICTION
FOR
MEMBERS
OF
CONGRESS.—Any 
Member of Congress serving as a member of the Commis-
sion shall not receive any additional compensation or pay 
for their service on the Commission. 
(3) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—While away from their homes or 
regular places of business in the performance of service for 
the Commission, members and staff of the Commission, and 
any Federal Government employees detailed to the Commission, 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed inter-
mittently in Government service are allowed expenses under 
section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
(4) SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS AND 
STAFF.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Members and staff shall have or 
be eligible to receive the appropriate security clearance 
to conduct their duties. 
(B) EXPEDITED
PROCESSING.—The Office of Senate 
Security shall ensure the expedited processing of appro-
priate security clearances for members, officers, and 
employees of the Commission. 
(j) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 24 months after the first 
date on which a majority of the members of the Commission 
have been appointed, the Commission shall submit a final 
report to the Secretary and Congress that includes— 
(A) a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions 
of the Commission; and 
(B) the recommendations of the Commission for such 
legislative and administrative actions as the Commission 
considers appropriate in light of the results of the study, 
including the anticipated amount of time and resources 
required to implement such recommendations. 
(2) DEPARTMENT RESPONSE.—The Secretary, in coordination 
with the heads of appropriate Federal departments and agen-
cies, shall have the right to review and respond to all Commis-
sion recommendations before the Commission submits its final 
report to the Secretary and Congress. The Commission shall 
provide the Department with its recommendations not later 
than 90 days before the date of submission of its final report. 
(k) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission, and all the authorities 
under this section, shall terminate on the date that is 60 
days after the date on which the final report is submitted 
pursuant to subsection (j)(1). 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES BEFORE TERMINATION.—The 
Commission may use the 60-day period referred to in paragraph 
(1) for the purpose of concluding its activities, including pro-
viding testimony to the appropriate committees of Congress 
concerning its reports and disseminating the report. 
(l) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
up to $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 to carry out this section. 
(2) TRANSFERS; SUPPORT.—In addition to other transfers 
and support otherwise authorized by law, the Secretary may— 
(A) transfer any amounts appropriated pursuant to 
paragraph (1) to the Commission; and
H. R. 7776—1536 
(B) use the amounts referred to in subparagraph (A) 
to provide non-reimbursable support to the Commission. 
(3) COMMISSION ACCOUNTS.— 
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the Treasury 
may establish 1 or more accounts to facilitate transfers 
to the Commission of amounts authorized under paragraph 
(2)(A). 
(B) USE
OF
FUNDS.—Amounts transferred to the 
Commission pursuant to subparagraph(A) may be used 
for the activities of the Commission, including— 
(i) the payment of Commission expenses; 
(ii) the compensation of Commission members, offi-
cers, and employees. 
(m) DEFINED TERM.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate 
committees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
DIVISION J—OCEANS AND 
ATMOSPHERE 
SEC. 10000. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this division is as follows: 
Sec. 10000. Table of contents. 
TITLE C—CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
Subtitle A—Reauthorization of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 
Sec. 10001. Reauthorization of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. 
Subtitle B—United States Coral Reef Task Force 
Sec. 10011. Establishment. 
Sec. 10012. Duties. 
Sec. 10013. Membership. 
Sec. 10014. Responsibilities of Federal agency members. 
Sec. 10015. Working groups. 
Sec. 10016. Definitions. 
Subtitle C—Department of the Interior Coral Reef Authorities 
Sec. 10021. Coral reef conservation and restoration assistance. 
Subtitle D—Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship 
Sec. 10031. Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship. 
TITLE CI—BOLSTERING LONG-TERM UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLORATION 
OF THE GREAT LAKES, OCEANS, BAYS, AND ESTUARIES 
Sec. 10101. Purpose. 
Sec. 10102. Definitions. 
Sec. 10103. Workforce study. 
Sec. 10104. Accelerating innovation at Cooperative Institutes. 
Sec. 10105. Blue Economy valuation. 
Sec. 10106. No additional funds authorized. 
TITLE CII—REGIONAL OCEAN PARTNERSHIPS 
Sec. 10201. Findings; purposes. 
Sec. 10202. Regional Ocean Partnerships. 
TITLE CIII—NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION 
Sec. 10301. Findings.
H. R. 7776—1537 
Sec. 10302. Definitions. 
Sec. 10303. Ocean Policy Committee. 
Sec. 10304. National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council. 
Sec. 10305. Modifications to the ocean exploration program of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
Sec. 10306. Repeal. 
Sec. 10307. Modifications to ocean and coastal mapping program of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
Sec. 10308. Modifications to Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998. 
TITLE CIV—MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH AND RESPONSE 
Sec. 10401. Data collection and dissemination. 
Sec. 10402. Stranding or entanglement response agreements. 
Sec. 10403. Unusual mortality event activity funding. 
Sec. 10404. Liability. 
Sec. 10405. National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank and tissue analysis. 
Sec. 10406. Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program and Rapid Re-
sponse Fund. 
Sec. 10407. Health MAP. 
Sec. 10408. Reports to Congress. 
Sec. 10409. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 10410. Definitions. 
Sec. 10411. Study on marine mammal mortality. 
TITLE CV—VOLCANIC ASH AND FUMES 
Sec. 10501. Modifications to National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring Sys-
tem. 
TITLE CVI—LEARNING EXCELLENCE AND GOOD EXAMPLES FROM NEW 
DEVELOPERS 
Sec. 10601. Learning excellence and good examples from new developers. 
TITLE C—CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
Subtitle A—Reauthorization of Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 
SEC. 10001. REAUTHORIZATION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT 
OF 2000. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 
(16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is amended by striking sections 202 through 
210 and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 202. PURPOSES. 
‘‘The purposes of this title are— 
‘‘(1) to conserve and restore the condition of United States 
coral reef ecosystems challenged by natural and human-acceler-
ated 
changes, 
including 
increasing 
ocean 
temperatures, 
changing ocean chemistry, coral bleaching, coral diseases, water 
quality degradation, invasive species, and illegal, unreported, 
and unregulated fishing; 
‘‘(2) to promote the science-based management and sustain-
able use of coral reef ecosystems to benefit local communities 
and the Nation, including through improved integration and 
cooperation among Federal and non-Federal stakeholders 
responsible for managing coral reef resources; 
‘‘(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, tech-
nologies, and strategies to mitigate stressors and restore such 
ecosystems, including evaluation criteria to determine the
H. R. 7776—1538 
effectiveness of management interventions, and accurate map-
ping for coral reef restoration; 
‘‘(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reefs by supporting 
science-based, consensus-driven, and community-based coral 
reef management by covered States and covered Native entities, 
including monitoring, conservation, and restoration projects 
that empower local communities, small businesses, and non-
governmental organizations; 
‘‘(5) to provide financial resources, technical assistance, 
and scientific expertise to supplement, complement, and 
strengthen community-based management programs and con-
servation and restoration projects of non-Federal reefs; 
‘‘(6) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting and 
allocating monetary donations from the private sector to be 
used for coral reef conservation and restoration projects; 
‘‘(7) to support rapid, effective, and science-based assess-
ment and response to exigent circumstances that pose imme-
diate and long-term threats to coral reefs, including— 
‘‘(A) coral disease outbreaks; 
‘‘(B) invasive or nuisance species; 
‘‘(C) coral bleaching; 
‘‘(D) natural disasters; and 
‘‘(E) industrial or mechanical disasters, including vessel 
groundings, hazardous spills, and coastal construction 
accidents; and 
‘‘(8) to serve as a model for advancing similar international 
efforts to monitor, conserve, and restore coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘SEC. 203. FEDERAL CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION 
ACTIVITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, the Secretary of the 
Interior, or the Secretary of Commerce may conduct activities 
described in subsection (b) to conserve and restore coral reefs and 
coral reef ecosystems that are consistent with— 
‘‘(1) all applicable laws governing resource management 
in Federal and State waters, including this Act; 
‘‘(2) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; and 
‘‘(3) coral reef action plans in effect under section 205, 
as applicable. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—Activities described in this sub-
section are activities to conserve, research, monitor, assess, and 
restore coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems in waters managed 
under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency specified in subsection 
(c) or in coordination with a State in waters managed under the 
jurisdiction of such State, including— 
‘‘(1) developing, including through the collection of requisite 
in situ and remotely sensed data, high-quality and digitized 
maps reflecting— 
‘‘(A) current and historical live coral cover data; 
‘‘(B) coral reef habitat quality data; 
‘‘(C) priority areas for coral reef conservation to main-
tain biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function, 
including the reef matrix, that benefit coastal communities 
and living marine resources; 
‘‘(D) priority areas for coral reef restoration to enhance 
biodiversity 
and 
ecosystem 
structure 
and 
function,
H. R. 7776—1539 
including the reef matrix, to benefit coastal communities 
and living marine resources; and 
‘‘(E) areas of concern that may require enhanced moni-
toring of coral health and cover; 
‘‘(2) enhancing compliance with Federal laws that prohibit 
or regulate— 
‘‘(A) the taking of coral products or species associated 
with coral reefs; or 
‘‘(B) the use and management of coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(3) long-term ecological monitoring of coral reef eco-
systems; 
‘‘(4) implementing species-specific recovery plans for listed 
coral species consistent with the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(5) restoring degraded coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(6) reducing land-based stressors to coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(7) promoting ecologically sound navigation and anchor-
ages, including through navigational aids and expansion of 
reef-safe anchorages and mooring buoy systems, to enhance 
recreational access while preventing or minimizing the likeli-
hood of vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs; 
‘‘(8) monitoring and responding to severe bleaching or mor-
tality events, disease outbreaks, invasive species outbreaks, 
and significant maritime accidents, including hazardous spill 
cleanup and the removal of grounded vessels; 
‘‘(9) conducting scientific research that contributes to the 
understanding, sustainable use, and long-term conservation of 
coral reefs; 
‘‘(10) enhancing public awareness, understanding, and 
appreciation of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems and their 
ecological and socioeconomic value; and 
‘‘(11) centrally archiving, managing, and distributing on 
a public website data sets and coral reef ecosystem assessments, 
including the data repositories of the Coral Reef Conservation 
Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(c) FEDERAL AGENCIES SPECIFIED.—A Federal agency specified 
in this subsection is one of the following: 
‘‘(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘(2) The National Park Service. 
‘‘(3) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
‘‘(4) The Office of Insular Affairs. 
‘‘SEC. 204. NATIONAL CORAL REEF RESILIENCE STRATEGY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2023, develop a national coral reef resilience 
strategy; and 
‘‘(2) review and revise the strategy— 
‘‘(A) not less frequently than once every 15 years; 
‘‘(B) not less frequently than once every 5 years, in 
the case of guidance on best practices under subsection 
(b)(4); and 
‘‘(C) as appropriate. 
‘‘(b) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
H. R. 7776—1540 
‘‘(1) A discussion addressing— 
‘‘(A) continuing and emerging threats to the resilience 
of United States coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(B) remaining gaps in coral reef ecosystem research, 
monitoring, and assessment; 
‘‘(C) the status of management cooperation and integra-
tion among Federal reef managers and covered reef man-
agers; 
‘‘(D) the status of efforts to manage and disseminate 
critical information, and enhance interjurisdictional data 
sharing, related to research, reports, data sets, and maps; 
‘‘(E) areas of special focus, which may include— 
‘‘(i) improving natural coral recruitment; 
‘‘(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 implementing 
watershed management plans; 
‘‘(vi) building and sustaining watershed manage-
ment capacity at the local level; 
‘‘(vii) providing data essential for coral reef fish-
eries management; 
‘‘(viii) building capacity for coral reef fisheries 
management; 
‘‘(ix) increasing understanding of coral reef eco-
system services; 
‘‘(x) educating the public on the importance of coral 
reefs, threats and solutions; and 
‘‘(xi) evaluating intervention efficacy; 
‘‘(F) the status of conservation efforts, including the 
use of marine protected areas to serve as replenishment 
zones developed consistent with local practices and tradi-
tions and in cooperation with, and with respect for the 
scientific, technical, and management expertise and respon-
sibilities of, covered reef managers; 
‘‘(G) science-based adaptive management and restora-
tion efforts; and 
‘‘(H) management of coral reef emergencies and disas-
ters. 
‘‘(2) A statement of national goals and objectives designed 
to guide— 
‘‘(A) future Federal coral reef management and restora-
tion activities authorized under section 203; 
‘‘(B) conservation and restoration priorities for grants 
awarded under section 211; and 
‘‘(C) research priorities for the reef research coordina-
tion institutes designated under section 213(b)(1)(B). 
‘‘(3) A designation of priority areas for conservation, and 
priority areas for restoration, to support the review and 
approval of grants under section 211(e). 
‘‘(4) Technical assistance in the form of general templates 
for use by covered reef managers and Federal reef managers 
to guide the development of coral reef action plans under section 
205, including guidance on the best science-based practices
H. R. 7776—1541 
to respond to coral reef emergencies that can be included in 
coral reef action plans. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATIONS.—In developing all elements of the strategy 
required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Task 
Force, covered States, and covered Native entities; 
‘‘(2) consult with the Secretary of Defense, as appropriate; 
‘‘(3) engage stakeholders, including covered States, coral 
reef stewardship partnerships, reef research institutes and 
research centers described in section 213, and recipients of 
grants under section 211; and 
‘‘(4) solicit public review and comment regarding scoping 
and the draft strategy. 
‘‘(d) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS; PUBLICATION.—The Adminis-
trator shall— 
‘‘(1) submit the strategy required by subsection (a) and 
any revisions to the strategy to the appropriate congressional 
committees; and 
‘‘(2) publish the strategy and any such revisions on public 
websites of— 
‘‘(A) the Coral Reef Conservation Program of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and 
‘‘(B) the Task Force. 
‘‘SEC. 205. CORAL REEF ACTION PLANS. 
‘‘(a) PLANS PREPARED BY FEDERAL REEF MANAGERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of the enactment of the James M. Inhofe National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 and 2 years after the 
date of publication of each National Coral Reef Resilience 
Strategy, each Federal reef manager shall— 
‘‘(A) prepare a coral reef action plan to guide manage-
ment and restoration activities to be undertaken within 
the responsibilities and jurisdiction of the manager; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a reef under the jurisdiction of 
a Federal reef manager for which there is an action plan 
in effect as of such date of enactment, update that plan 
to comply with the requirements of this subsection. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS.—A plan prepared under paragraph (1) by 
a Federal reef manager shall include a discussion of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) Short- and medium-term coral reef conservation 
and restoration objectives within the jurisdiction of the 
manager. 
‘‘(B) A current adaptive management framework to 
inform research, monitoring, and assessment needs. 
‘‘(C) Tools, strategies, and partnerships necessary to 
identify, monitor, and address pollution, water quality, and 
other negative impacts to coral reef ecosystems within the 
jurisdiction of the manager. 
‘‘(D) The status of efforts to improve coral reef eco-
system management cooperation and integration between 
Federal reef managers and covered reef managers, 
including the identification of existing research and moni-
toring activities that can be leveraged for coral reef status 
and trends assessments within the jurisdiction of the man-
ager.
H. R. 7776—1542 
‘‘(E) Estimated budgetary and resource considerations 
necessary to carry out the plan. 
‘‘(F) Contingencies for response to and recovery from 
emergencies and disasters. 
‘‘(G) In the case of an updated plan, annual records 
of significant management and restoration actions taken 
under the previous plan, cash and noncash resources used 
to undertake the actions, and the source of such resources. 
‘‘(H) Documentation by the Federal reef manager that 
the plan is consistent with the National Coral Reef Resil-
ience Strategy. 
‘‘(I) A data management plan to ensure data, assess-
ments, and accompanying information are appropriately 
preserved, 
curated, 
publicly 
accessible, 
and 
broadly 
reusable. 
‘‘(3) SUBMISSION TO TASK FORCE.—Each Federal reef man-
ager shall submit a plan prepared under paragraph (1) to 
the Task Force. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATION
OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCEDURE
ACT.— 
Each plan prepared under paragraph (1) shall be subject to 
the requirements of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 
7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the 
‘Administrative Procedure Act’). 
‘‘(b) PLANS PREPARED BY COVERED REEF MANAGERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A covered reef manager may elect to 
prepare, submit to the Task Force, and maintain a coral reef 
action plan to guide management and restoration activities 
to be undertaken within the responsibilities and jurisdiction 
of the manager. 
‘‘(2) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—A plan prepared under this sub-
section shall remain in effect for 5 years, or until an updated 
plan is submitted to the Task Force, whichever occurs first. 
‘‘(3) ELEMENTS.—A plan prepared under paragraph (1) by 
a covered reef manager— 
‘‘(A) shall contain a discussion of— 
‘‘(i) short- and medium-term coral reef conservation 
and restoration objectives within the jurisdiction of 
the manager; 
‘‘(ii) estimated budgetary and resource consider-
ations necessary to carry out the plan; 
‘‘(iii) in the case of an updated plan, annual records 
of significant management and restoration actions 
taken under the previous plan, cash and noncash 
resources used to undertake the actions, and the source 
of such resources; and 
‘‘(iv) contingencies for response to and recovery 
from emergencies and disasters; and 
‘‘(B) may contain a discussion of— 
‘‘(i) the status of efforts to improve coral reef eco-
system management cooperation and integration 
between Federal reef managers and covered reef man-
agers, including the identification of existing research 
and monitoring activities that can be leveraged for 
coral reef status and trends assessments within the 
jurisdiction of the manager; 
‘‘(ii) a current adaptive management framework 
to inform research, monitoring, and assessment needs;
H. R. 7776—1543 
‘‘(iii) tools, strategies, and partnerships necessary 
to identify, monitor, and address pollution and water 
quality impacts to coral reef ecosystems within the 
jurisdiction of the manager; and 
‘‘(iv) a data management plan to ensure data, 
assessments, and accompanying information are appro-
priately preserved, curated, publicly accessible, and 
broadly reusable. 
‘‘(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator and the Task 
Force shall make reasonable efforts to provide technical assistance 
upon request by a Federal reef manager or covered reef manager 
developing a coral reef action plan under this section. 
‘‘(d) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall publish each coral 
reef action plan prepared and submitted to the Task Force under 
this section on the public website of the Coral Reef Conservation 
Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘SEC. 206. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIPS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—To further community-based stewardship 
of coral reefs, coral reef stewardship partnerships for Federal and 
non-Federal coral reefs may be established in accordance with this 
section. 
‘‘(b) STANDARDS
AND PROCEDURES.—The Administrator shall 
develop and adopt— 
‘‘(1) standards for identifying individual coral reefs and 
ecologically significant units of coral reefs; and 
‘‘(2) processes for adjudicating multiple applicants for 
stewardship of the same coral reef or ecologically significant 
unit of a reef to ensure no geographic overlap in representation 
among stewardship partnerships authorized by this section. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP
FOR FEDERAL CORAL REEFS.—A coral reef 
stewardship partnership that has identified, as the subject of its 
stewardship activities, a coral reef or ecologically significant unit 
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 minimum, include the following: 
‘‘(1) That Federal agency, a representative of which shall 
serve as chairperson of the coral reef stewardship partnership. 
‘‘(2) A State or county’s resource management agency to 
the extent that such partnership covers a reef within such 
States or county’s jurisdiction. 
‘‘(3) A coral reef research center designated under section 
212(b). 
‘‘(4) A nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(5) A covered Native entity culturally affiliated with the 
subject reef or ecologically significant unit, if any. 
‘‘(6) Such other members as the partnership considers 
appropriate, such as interested stakeholder groups and covered 
Native entities. 
‘‘(d) MEMBERSHIP FOR NON-FEDERAL CORAL REEFS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—A coral reef stewardship partnership 
that has identified, as the subject of its stewardship activities, 
a coral reef or ecologically significant 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, 
include the following:
H. R. 7776—1544 
‘‘(A) A State or county’s resource management agency 
or a covered Native entity, a representative of which shall 
serve as the chairperson of the coral reef stewardship part-
nership. 
‘‘(B) A coral reef research center designated under sec-
tion 212(b). 
‘‘(C) A nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(D) Such other members as the partnership considers 
appropriate, such as interested stakeholder groups. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), a coral 
reef stewardship partnership described in paragraph (1) 
may also include representatives of one or more Federal 
agencies. 
‘‘(B) REQUESTS; APPROVAL.—A representative of a Fed-
eral agency described in subparagraph (A) may become 
a member of a coral reef stewardship partnership described 
in paragraph (1) if— 
‘‘(i) the representative submits a request to become 
a member to the chairperson of the partnership 
referred to in paragraph (1)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) the chairperson 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 under this section. 
‘‘SEC. 207. BLOCK GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 
2023 and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Adminis-
trator shall provide block grants of financial assistance of not less 
than $500,000 to each covered State to support management and 
restoration activities and further the implementation of coral reef 
action plans in effect under section 205 by covered States and 
non-Federal coral reef stewardship partnerships in accordance with 
this section. The Administrator shall review each covered State’s 
application for block grant funding to ensure that applications 
are consistent with applicable action plans and the National Coral 
Reef Resilience Strategy. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.—The Adminis-
trator is responsible for— 
‘‘(1) providing guidance on the proper documentation of 
expenditures authorized under this Act; 
‘‘(2) issuing annual solicitations to covered States for 
awards under this section; and 
‘‘(3) determining the appropriate allocation of additional 
amounts among covered States in accordance with this section. 
‘‘(c) RESPONSIBILITIES OF COVERED STATES.—Each covered State 
is responsible for documenting and reporting— 
‘‘(1) such State’s use of Federal funds received under this 
Act; and 
‘‘(2) such expenditures of non-Federal funds made in fur-
therance of coral reef management and restoration as the 
Administrator determines appropriate. 
‘‘(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Administrator may seek to enter into a coopera-
tive agreement with a covered State to fund coral reef conservation 
and restoration activities in waters managed under the jurisdiction
H. R. 7776—1545 
of such covered State that are consistent with the National Coral 
Reef Resilience Strategy and any applicable action plan under sec-
tion 205. 
‘‘(e) ALL ISLANDS COMMITTEE.—The Administrator may enter 
into a cooperative agreement with the All Islands Committee of 
the Task Force to provide support for its activities. 
‘‘SEC. 208. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP FUND. 
‘‘(a) AGREEMENT.—The Administrator shall seek to enter into 
an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in 
this section referred to as the ‘Foundation’), authorizing the Founda-
tion to receive, hold, and administer funds received under this 
section. 
‘‘(b) FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Foundation shall establish an 
account, which shall— 
‘‘(A) be known as the ‘Coral Reef Stewardship Fund’ 
(in this section referred to as the ‘Fund’); and 
‘‘(B) serve as the successor to the account known before 
the date of the enactment of the James M. Inhofe National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 as the 
Coral Reef Conservation Fund and administered through 
a public-private partnership with the Foundation. 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS.—The Foundation shall deposit funds 
received under this section into the Fund. 
‘‘(3) PURPOSES.—The Fund shall be available solely to sup-
port coral reef stewardship activities that— 
‘‘(A) further the purposes of this title; and 
‘‘(B) are consistent with— 
‘‘(i) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; 
and 
‘‘(ii) coral reef action plans in effect, if any, under 
section 205 covering a coral reef or ecologically signifi-
cant component of a coral reef to be impacted by such 
activities, if applicable. 
‘‘(4) INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(A) INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS.—The Foundation shall 
invest such portion of the Fund as is not required to meet 
current withdrawals in interest-bearing obligations of the 
United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both prin-
cipal and interest by the United States. 
‘‘(B) INTEREST AND PROCEEDS.—The interest on, and 
the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations 
held in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part 
of the Fund. 
‘‘(5) REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE.—The Administrator shall 
conduct a continuing review of all deposits into, and disburse-
ments from, the Fund. Each review shall include a written 
assessment concerning the extent to which the Foundation 
has implemented the goals and requirements of— 
‘‘(A) this section; and 
‘‘(B) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to an agreement entered into 
under subsection (a), the Foundation may accept, receive,
H. R. 7776—1546 
solicit, hold, administer, and use any gift (including, notwith-
standing 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 maintained in the Fund. 
‘‘(d) ADMINISTRATION.—Under an agreement entered into pursu-
ant to subsection (a), and subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, the Administrator may transfer funds appropriated for such 
purposes 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 property) made to the Foundation by private persons, State 
or local government agencies, or covered Native entities. 
‘‘SEC. 209. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
from funds appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropria-
tions under section 215, the Administrator may provide emergency 
assistance to any covered State or coral reef stewardship partner-
ship to respond to immediate harm to coral reefs or coral reef 
ecosystems arising from any of the exigent circumstances described 
in subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) CORAL REEF EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES.—The Administrator 
shall develop a list of, and criteria for, circumstances that pose 
an exigent threat to coral reefs, 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) industrial or mechanical incidents, such as vessel 
groundings, hazardous spills, or coastal construction accidents; 
and 
‘‘(6) such other circumstances as the Administrator deter-
mines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL REPORT ON EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES.—On Feb-
ruary 1 of each year, the Administrator shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees, the Committee on Appropriations 
of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives a report that— 
‘‘(1) 
describes 
locations 
with 
exigent 
circumstances 
described in subsection (b) that were considered but declined 
for emergency assistance, and the rationale for the decision; 
and 
‘‘(2) with respect to each instance in which emergency 
assistance under this section was provided— 
‘‘(A) the location and a description of the exigent cir-
cumstances that prompted the emergency assistance, the 
entity that received the assistance, and the current and 
expected outcomes from the assistance; 
‘‘(B) a description of activities of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration that were curtailed as 
a result of providing the emergency assistance; and 
‘‘(C) an assessment of whether further action is needed 
to restore the affected coral reef, recommendations for such