To reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hydrographic Services Improvement 
Act Amendments of 2008''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 302 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 
(33 U.S.C. 892) is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(3) Hydrographic data.--The term `hydrographic data' 
        means information that--
                    ``(A) is acquired through--
                            ``(i) hydrographic, bathymetric, 
                        photogrammetric, lidar, radar, remote sensing, 
                        or shoreline and other ocean- and coastal-
                        related surveying;
                            ``(ii) geodetic, geospatial, or geomagnetic 
                        measurements;
                            ``(iii) tide, water level, and current 
                        observations; or
                            ``(iv) other methods; and
                    ``(B) is used in providing hydrographic 
                services.'';
            (2) by amending paragraph (4)(A) to read as follows:
                    ``(A) the management, maintenance, interpretation, 
                certification, and dissemination of bathymetric, 
                hydrographic, shoreline, geodetic, geospatial, 
                geomagnetic, and tide, water level, and current 
                information, including the production of nautical 
                charts, nautical information databases, and other 
                products derived from hydrographic data;''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (5).

SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.

    Section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 
(33 U.S.C. 892a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``the Act of 1947,'' and inserting 
                ``the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act (33 U.S.C. 883a et 
                seq.)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``data;'' and 
                inserting ``data and provide hydrographic services;'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``the Act of 1947,'' and inserting 
                ``the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act (33 U.S.C. 883a et 
                seq.)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``title IX of the 
                Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 
                1949; and'' and inserting ``subchapter VI of chapter 10 
                of title 40, United States Code;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4) by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) may create, support, and maintain a Joint 
        Hydrographic Institute.''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Acquisition of Hydrographic Data and Provide Hydrographic 
Services.--To the extent that it does not detract from the promotion of 
safe and efficient navigation, the Administrator may acquire 
hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services to--
            ``(1) support the conservation and management of coastal 
        and ocean resources;
            ``(2) save and protect life and property;
            ``(3) support the resumption of commerce in response to 
        emergencies, natural disasters, and man-made disasters; and
            ``(4) meet homeland security and maritime domain awareness 
        needs, including carrying out mission assignments (as that term 
        is defined in section 641 of the Post-Katrina Emergency 
        Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 741).''.

SEC. 4. HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES REVIEW PANEL.

    Section 305 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 
(33 U.S.C. 892c) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1)(A) by striking ``Director'' and 
        inserting ``Co-directors'';
            (2) in subsections (c)(1)(C), (c)(3), and (e) by striking 
        ``Secretary'' each place it appears and inserting 
        ``Administrator''; and
            (3) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Compensation.--Voting members of the panel shall be 
reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses, including travel and per 
diem, incurred in the performance of duties for the panel.''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 
(33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator the 
following:
            ``(1) To carry out nautical mapping and charting functions 
        under sections 303 and 304, except for conducting hydrographic 
        surveys--
                    ``(A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(B) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(C) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(D) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(2) To contract for hydrographic surveys under section 
        303(b)(1), including the leasing or time chartering of 
        vessels--
                    ``(A) $32,130,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(B) $32,760,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(C) $33,390,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(D) $34,020,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(3) To operate hydrographic survey vessels owned by the 
        United States and operated by the Administration--
                    ``(A) $25,900,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(B) $26,400,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(C) $26,900,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(D) $27,400,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(4) To carry out geodetic functions under this title--
                    ``(A) $32,640,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(B) $32,280,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(C) $33,920,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(D) $34,560,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(5) To carry out tide and current measurement functions 
        under this title--
                    ``(A) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(B) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(C) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(D) $28,500,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            ``(6) To acquire a replacement hydrographic survey vessel 
        capable of staying at sea continuously for at least 30 days 
        $75,000,000.''.

SEC. 6. ADDITION OF SHORT TITLE TO EXISTING LAW.

    The Act of August 6, 1947 (chapter 504; 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE.

    ``This Act may be cited as the `Coast and Geodetic Survey Act'.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 31, 2008.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 - Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to revise the definition of "hydrographic data" to include information acquired through lidar, radar, remote sensing, shoreline and other ocean- and coastal-related surveying, and water level observations. Revises the definition of "hydrographic services" to include shoreline and water level information.

Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide hydrographic services. Modifies requirements regarding the awarding of contracts for the acquisition of hydrographic data. Authorizes the Administrator to create and maintain a Joint Hydrographic Institute.

Authorizes the Administrator to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services to support the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources, save and protect life and property, support commerce resumption after emergencies and disasters, and meet homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs, including carrying out mission assignments. (Current law only authorizes the Administrator to use hydrographic data and services to support the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources.)

Modifies membership and compensation provisions regarding the Hydrographic Services Review Panel.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out nautical mapping and charting, contract for hydrographic surveys, operate hydrographic survey vessels, carry out geodetic functions, carry out tide and current measurement, and acquire a replacement hydrographic survey vessel.

 Amends the Act of August 6, 1947, to give it the name "Coast and Geodetic Survey Act."