Title: National Ocean Exploration Act
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
National Ocean Exploration Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council and revises several programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that support ocean and coastal mapping, hydrographic surveys, and spatial data collection.
The bill revises the national ocean exploration program to require NOAA to provide guidance to federal and state agencies, and others, on data standards, protocols for accepting data, and coordination of data collection, compilation, processing, archiving, and dissemination for data relating to ocean exploration and characterization. It also directs NOAA to conduct education and outreach efforts to disseminate information to the public on the discoveries made by the ocean exploration program and coordinate with the outreach strategies of other domestic or international ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization initiatives.
Additionally, the bill repeals the undersea research program of NOAA. It also modifies NOAA's ocean and coastal mapping program to include ecosystem approaches in decision-making for natural resource and habitat restoration, emergency response, and coastal resilience and adaptation.
NOAA must develop an integrated ocean and coastal mapping federal funding match opportunity to increase the coordinated acquisition, processing, stewardship, and archival of new ocean and coastal mapping data in U.S. waters.
The bill also revises and reauthorizes through FY2030 the hydrographic services program of NOAA.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 381 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 381

       To establish the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
           Characterization Council, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 23, 2021

 Mr. Wicker (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Murkowski, and 
Mr. Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
   referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
       To establish the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
           Characterization Council, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The health and resilience of the ocean are vital to the 
        security and economy of the United States and to the lives of 
        the people of the United States.
            (2) The United States depends on the ocean to regulate 
        weather and climate, to sustain and protect the diversity of 
        life, for maritime shipping, for national defense, and for 
        food, energy, medicine, recreation, and other services 
        essential to the people of the United States and all humankind.
            (3) The prosperity, security, and well-being of the United 
        States depend on successful understanding and stewardship of 
        the ocean.
            (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation and engagement among 
        government agencies, research institutions, nongovernmental 
        organizations, States, and the private sector are essential for 
        successful stewardship of ocean and coastal environments, 
        national economic growth, national security, and development of 
        agile strategies that develop, promote, and use new 
        technologies.
            (5) Ocean exploration can help the people of the United 
        States understand how to be effective stewards of the ocean and 
        serve as catalysts and enablers for other sectors of the 
        economy.
            (6) Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the ocean 
        provides basic, essential information to protect and restore 
        the marine environment, stimulate economic activity, and 
        provide security for the United States.
            (7) A robust national ocean exploration program engaging 
        multiple Federal agencies, the private sector, nongovernmental 
        organizations, and academia is--
                    (A) essential to the interests of the United States 
                and vital to its security and economy and the health 
                and well-being of all people of the United States; and
                    (B) critical to reestablish the United States at 
                the forefront of global ocean exploration and 
                stewardship.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Characterization.--The term ``characterization'' refers 
        to activities that provide comprehensive data and 
        interpretations for a specific area of interest of the 
        seafloor, sub-bottom, water column, or hydrologic features, 
        such as water masses and currents, in direct support of 
        specific research, environmental protection, resource 
        management, policymaking, or applied mission objectives.
            (2) Exploration.--The term ``exploration'' refers to 
        activities that provide--
                    (A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown or 
                poorly understood area of the seafloor, sub-bottom, or 
                water column; and
                    (B) an initial assessment of the physical, 
                chemical, geological, biological, archeological, or 
                other characteristics of such an area.
            (3) Mapping.--The term ``mapping'' refers to activities 
        that provide comprehensive data and information needed to 
        understand seafloor characteristics, such as depth, topography, 
        bottom type, sediment composition and distribution, underlying 
        geologic structure, and benthic flora and fauna.

SEC. 4. OCEAN POLICY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Subcommittees.--Section 8932(c) of title 10, United States 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Subcommittees.--(1) The Committee shall include--
            ``(A) a subcommittee to be known as the `Ocean Science and 
        Technology Subcommittee'; and
            ``(B) a subcommittee to be known as the `Ocean Resource 
        Management Subcommittee'.
    ``(2) In discharging its responsibilities in support of agreed-upon 
scientific needs, and to assist in the execution of the 
responsibilities described in subsection (b), the Committee may 
delegate responsibilities to the Ocean Science and Technology 
Subcommittee, the Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, or another 
subcommittee of the Committee, as the Committee determines 
appropriate.''.
    (b) Increased Access to Geospatial Data for More Efficient and 
Informed Decision Making.--
            (1) Establishment of document system.--Section 8932(b) of 
        title 10, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (4)(F), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(5) establish or designate one or more systems for ocean-
        related documents prepared under the National Environmental 
        Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), in accordance with 
        subsection (h).''.
            (2) Elements.--Section 8932 of such title is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection 
                (i); and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (g) the following 
                new subsection (h):
    ``(h) Elements of Document System.--The systems established or 
designated under subsection (b)(5) shall include the following:
            ``(1) A publicly accessible, centralized digital archive of 
        documents described in subsection (b)(5) that are finalized 
        after the date of the enactment of the National Ocean 
        Exploration Act, including--
                    ``(A) environmental impact statements;
                    ``(B) environmental assessments;
                    ``(C) categorical exclusions;
                    ``(D) records of decision; and
                    ``(E) other relevant documents as determined by the 
                Committee.
            ``(2) Geospatially referenced data, if any, contained in 
        the documents under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) A mechanism to retrieve information through geo-
        information tools that can map and integrate relevant 
        geospatial information, such as--
                    ``(A) Ocean Report Tools;
                    ``(B) the Environmental Studies Program Information 
                System;
                    ``(C) Regional Ocean Partnerships; and
                    ``(D) the Integrated Ocean Observing System.''.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL OCEAN MAPPING, EXPLORATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION 
              COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish a council, to be 
known as the ``National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
Characterization Council'' (in this section referred to as the 
``Council'').
    (b) Purpose.--The Council shall--
            (1) update national priorities for ocean mapping, 
        exploration, and characterization; and
            (2) coordinate and facilitate activities to advance those 
        priorities.
    (c) Reporting.--The Council shall report to the Ocean Science and 
Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee established under 
section 8932(c) of title 10, United States Code.
    (d) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of not fewer than 
one senior-level representative from each of the following:
            (1) The Department of the Navy.
            (2) The Department of the Interior.
            (3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (4) The department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
            (5) The Office of Management and Budget.
            (6) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
            (7) The National Science Foundation.
            (8) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
            (9) The Marine Mammal Commission.
            (10) The Department of Transportation.
            (11) The Department of Energy.
            (12) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
    (e) Co-Chairs.--The Council shall be co-chaired by--
            (1) two senior-level representatives from the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
            (2) one senior-level representative from the Department of 
        the Interior.
    (f) Duties.--The Council shall--
            (1) set national ocean mapping, exploration, and 
        characterization priorities and strategies;
            (2) cultivate and facilitate transparent and sustained 
        partnerships among Federal and State agencies, private 
        industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations to 
        conduct ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
        activities and related technology development;
            (3) coordinate improved processes for data compilation, 
        management, access, synthesis, and visualization with respect 
        to ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, with a 
        focus on building on existing ocean data management systems, as 
        appropriate;
            (4) encourage education, workforce training, and public 
        engagement activities that--
                    (A) advance interdisciplinary principles that 
                contribute to ocean mapping, exploration, research, and 
                characterization;
                    (B) improve public engagement with and 
                understanding of ocean science; and
                    (C) provide opportunities for underserved 
                populations;
            (5) coordinate activities as appropriate with domestic and 
        international ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
        initiatives or programs; and
            (6) establish and monitor metrics to track progress in 
        achieving the priorities set under paragraph (1).
    (g) Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and 
Characterization.--
            (1) Establishment.--The President shall establish a new 
        interagency working group to be known as the ``Interagency 
        Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization''.
            (2) Membership.--The Interagency Working Group on Ocean 
        Exploration and Characterization shall be comprised of senior 
        representatives from Federal agencies with ocean exploration 
        and characterization responsibilities.
            (3) Functions.--The Interagency Working Group on Ocean 
        Exploration and Characterization shall support the Council and 
        the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean 
        Policy Committee established under section 8932(c) of title 10, 
        United States Code, on ocean exploration and characterization 
        activities and associated technology development across the 
        Federal Government, State governments, private industry, 
        nongovernmental organizations, and academia.
    (h) Oversight.--The Council shall oversee--
            (1) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and 
        Characterization established under subsection (g)(1); and
            (2) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal 
        Mapping under section 12203 of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping 
        Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3502).
    (i) Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Council shall develop or update 
        and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan for 
        an integrated cross-sectoral ocean mapping, exploration, and 
        characterization initiative.
            (2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) discuss the utility and benefits of ocean 
                exploration and characterization;
                    (B) identify and describe national ocean mapping, 
                exploration, and characterization priorities;
                    (C) identify and describe Federal and federally 
                funded ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
                programs;
                    (D) facilitate and incorporate non-Federal input 
                into national ocean mapping, exploration, and 
                characterization priorities;
                    (E) ensure effective coordination of ocean mapping, 
                exploration, and characterization activities among 
                programs described in subparagraph (C);
                    (F) identify opportunities for combining 
                overlapping or complementary needs, activities, and 
                resources of Federal agencies and non-Federal 
                organizations relating to ocean mapping, exploration, 
                and characterization while not reducing benefits from 
                existing mapping, explorations, and characterization 
                activities;
                    (G) promote new and existing partnerships among 
                Federal and State agencies, private industry, academia, 
                and nongovernmental organizations to conduct or support 
                ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
                activities and technology development needs, including 
                through coordination under section 3 of the Commercial 
                Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018 (33 
                U.S.C. 4102);
                    (H) develop a transparent and sustained mechanism 
                for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder engagement 
                in strategic planning and mission execution to be 
                implemented not later than December 31, 2022;
                    (I) establish standardized collection and data 
                management protocols, such as with respect to metadata, 
                for ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization;
                    (J) encourage the development, testing, 
                demonstration, and adoption of innovative ocean 
                mapping, exploration, and characterization technologies 
                and applications;
                    (K) promote protocols for accepting data, 
                equipment, approaches, or other resources that support 
                national ocean mapping, exploration, and 
                characterization priorities;
                    (L) identify best practices for the protection of 
                marine life during mapping, exploration, and 
                characterization activities;
                    (M) identify training, technology, and other 
                resource requirements for enabling the National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration and other appropriate 
                Federal agencies to support a coordinated national 
                ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization 
                effort;
                    (N) identify and facilitate a centralized mechanism 
                or office for coordinating data collection, 
                compilation, processing, archiving, and dissemination 
                activities relating to ocean mapping, exploration, and 
                characterization that meets Federal mandates for data 
                accuracy and accessibility;
                    (O) designate repositories responsible for 
                archiving and managing ocean mapping, exploration, and 
                characterization data;
                    (P) set forth a timetable and estimated costs for 
                implementation and completion of the plan;
                    (Q) to the extent practicable, align ocean 
                exploration and characterization efforts with existing 
                programs and identify key gaps; and
                    (R) identify criteria for determining the optimal 
                frequency of observations.
    (j) Briefings.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years 
thereafter, the Council shall brief the appropriate committees of 
Congress on--
            (1) progress made toward meeting the national priorities 
        described in subsection (i)(2)(B); and
            (2) recommendations for meeting such priorities, such as 
        additional authorities that may be needed to develop a 
        mechanism for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder 
        engagement described in subsection (i)(2)(H).
    (k) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, 
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
        and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Armed 
        Services of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 6. MODIFICATIONS TO THE OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL 
              OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Purpose.--Section 12001 of the Omnibus Public Land Management 
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3401) is amended by striking ``and the national 
undersea research program''.
    (b) Program Established.--Section 12002 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
3402) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``and undersea''; 
        and
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``and undersea 
        research and exploration'' and inserting ``research and ocean 
        exploration and characterization efforts''.
    (c) Powers and Duties of the Administrator.--
            (1) In general.--Section 12003(a) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3403(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                inserting ``, in coordination with the Ocean Policy 
                Committee established under section 8932 of title 10, 
                United States Code,'' after ``Administration'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``voyages'' and inserting 
                        ``expeditions'';
                            (ii) by striking ``Federal agencies'' and 
                        all that follows through ``and survey'' and 
                        inserting ``Federal and State agencies, Tribal 
                        governments, private industry, academia, and 
                        nongovernmental organizations, to map, explore, 
                        and characterize''; and
                            (iii) by inserting ``characterize,'' after 
                        ``observe,'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``of the 
                exclusive economic zone'' after ``deep ocean regions'';
                    (D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``voyages'' and 
                inserting ``expeditions'';
                    (E) in paragraph (4), by striking ``, in 
                consultation with the National Science Foundation,'';
                    (F) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
            ``(5) support technological innovation of the United States 
        marine science community by promoting the development and use 
        of new and emerging technologies for research, communication, 
        navigation, and data collection, such as sensors and autonomous 
        vehicles;'';
                    (G) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, in collaboration with 
                        the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
                        Characterization Council established under 
                        section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration 
                        Act,'' after ``forum''; and
                            (ii) by striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``; and''; and
                    (H) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) provide guidance, in coordination with the National 
        Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council, to 
        Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, private 
        industry, academia (including secondary schools, community 
        colleges, and universities), and nongovernmental organizations 
        on data standards, protocols for accepting data, and 
        coordination of data collection, compilation, processing, 
        archiving, and dissemination for data relating to ocean 
        exploration and characterization.''.
            (2) Donations.--Section 12003(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3403(b)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Donations.--For the purpose of mapping, exploring, and 
characterizing the oceans or increasing the knowledge of the oceans, 
the Administrator may--
            ``(1) accept monetary donations and donations of property, 
        data, and equipment; and
            ``(2) pay all necessary expenses in connection with the 
        conveyance or transfer of a gift, devise, or bequest.''.
            (3) Definition of exclusive economic zone.--Section 12003 
        of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3403) is amended by adding at the end 
        the following:
    ``(c) Definition of Exclusive Economic Zone.--In this section, the 
term `exclusive economic zone' means the zone established by 
Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983 (16 U.S.C. 
1453 note; relating to the exclusive economic zone of the United States 
of America).''.
    (d) Repeal of Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Technology 
and Infrastructure Task Force.--Section 12004 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
3404) is repealed.
    (e) Education, Workforce Training, and Outreach.--
            (1) In general.--Such Act is further amended by inserting 
        after section 12003 the following new section 12004:

``SEC. 12004. EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND OUTREACH.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration shall--
            ``(1) conduct education and outreach efforts in order to 
        broadly disseminate information to the public on the 
        discoveries made by the program under section 12002; and
            ``(2) to the extent possible, coordinate the efforts 
        described in paragraph (1) with the outreach strategies of 
        other domestic or international ocean mapping, exploration, and 
        characterization initiatives.
    ``(b) Education and Outreach Efforts.--Efforts described in 
subsection (a)(1) may include--
            ``(1) education of the general public, teachers, students, 
        and ocean and coastal resource managers; and
            ``(2) workforce training, reskilling, and opportunities to 
        encourage development of ocean related science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics (STEM) technical training programs 
        involving secondary schools, community colleges, and 
        universities, including Historically Black Colleges or 
        Universities (within the meaning of the term ``part B 
        institution'' under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)), Tribal Colleges or Universities (as 
        defined in section 316(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))), 
        and other minority-serving institutions (as described in 
        section 371(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)))).
    ``(c) Outreach Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, the Administrator 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall develop an 
outreach strategy to broadly disseminate information on the discoveries 
made by the program under section 12002.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 
        1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public 
        Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 12004 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 12004. Education, workforce training, and outreach.''.
    (f) Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.--
            (1) Establishment.--Section 12005(a)(1) of such Act (33 
        U.S.C. 3505(1)) is amended by inserting ``and the National 
        Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council 
        established under section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration 
        Act'' after ``advise the Administrator''.
            (2) Technical amendment.--Section 12005(c) of such Act (33 
        U.S.C. 3505(c)) is amended by inserting ``this'' before 
        ``part''.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12006 of such Act (33 
U.S.C. 3406) is amended by striking ``this part'' and all that follows 
and inserting ``this part $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 
through 2030''.
    (h) Definitions.--Such Act is further amended by inserting after 
section 12006 the following:

``SEC. 12007. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this part:
            ``(1) Characterization.--The terms `characterization', 
        `characterize', and `characterizing' refer to activities that 
        provide comprehensive data and interpretations for a specific 
        area of interest of the seafloor, sub-bottom, water column, or 
        hydrologic features, such as water masses and currents, in 
        direct support of specific research, environmental protection, 
        resource management, policymaking, or applied mission 
        objectives.
            ``(2) Exploration.--The term `exploration', `explore', and 
        `exploring' refer to activities that provide--
                    ``(A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown or 
                poorly understood area of the seafloor, sub-bottom, or 
                water column; and
                    ``(B) an initial assessment of the physical, 
                chemical, geological, biological, archaeological, or 
                other characteristics of such an area.
            ``(3) Mapping.--The terms `map' and `mapping' refer to 
        activities that provide comprehensive data and information 
        needed to understand seafloor characteristics, such as depth, 
        topography, bottom type, sediment composition and distribution, 
        underlying geologic structure, and benthic flora and fauna.''.
    (i) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123 
Stat. 991) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
12006 the following:

``Sec. 12007. Definitions.''.

SEC. 7. REPEAL.

    (a) In General.--The NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2009 
(part II of subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 111-11; 33 U.S.C. 
3421 et seq.) is repealed.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123 
Stat. 991) is amended by striking the items relating to part II of 
subtitle A of title XII of such Act.

SEC. 8. MODIFICATIONS TO OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM OF THE 
              NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--
            (1) In general.--Section 12202(a) of the Ocean and Coastal 
        Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3501(a)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``establish a program to develop a 
                coordinated and'' and inserting ``establish and 
                maintain a program to coordinate'';
                    (B) by striking ``plan'' and inserting ``efforts''; 
                and
                    (C) by striking ``that enhances'' and all that 
                follows and inserting ``that--
            ``(1) enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-making for 
        natural resource and habitat management restoration and 
        conservation, emergency response, and coastal resilience and 
        adaptation;
            ``(2) establishes research and mapping priorities;
            ``(3) supports the siting of research and other platforms; 
        and
            ``(4) advances ocean and coastal science.''.
            (2) Membership.--Section 12202 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3501) 
        is amended by striking subsection (b) and redesignating 
        subsection (c) as subsection (b).
            (3) Program parameters.--Subsection (b) of section 12202 of 
        such Act (33 U.S.C. 3501), as redesignated by paragraph (2), is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``developing'' and inserting ``maintaining'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and for 
                leveraging existing Federal geospatial services 
                capacities and contract vehicles for efficiencies'' 
                after ``coastal mapping'';
                    (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``with coastal 
                state and local government programs'' and inserting 
                ``with mapping programs, in conjunction with Federal 
                and State agencies, Tribal governments, private 
                industry, academia, and nongovernmental 
                organizations'';
                    (D) in paragraph (8), by striking ``of real-time 
                tide data and the development'' and inserting ``of tide 
                data and water-level data and the development and 
                dissemination'';
                    (E) in paragraph (9), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (F) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (G) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) support--
                    ``(A) the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee 
                of the Ocean Policy Committee established under section 
                8932(c) of title 10, United States Code; and
                    ``(B) the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
                Characterization Council established under section 5 of 
                the National Ocean Exploration Act.''.
    (b) Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping.--
            (1) Name change.--The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration 
        Act (33 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) in section 12202 (33 U.S.C. 3501)--
                            (i) in subsection (a), by striking 
                        ``Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal 
                        Mapping'' and inserting ``Interagency Working 
                        Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping under 
                        section 12203''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (b), as redesignated by 
                        subsection (a)(2), by striking ``Committee'' 
                        and inserting ``Working Group'';
                    (B) in section 12203 (33 U.S.C. 3502)--
                            (i) in the section heading, by striking 
                        ``committee'' and inserting ``working group'';
                            (ii) in subsection (b), in the first 
                        sentence, by striking ``committee'' and 
                        inserting ``Working Group'';
                            (iii) in subsection (e), by striking 
                        ``committee'' and inserting ``Working Group''; 
                        and
                            (iv) in subsection (f), by striking 
                        ``committee'' and inserting ``Working Group''; 
                        and
                    (C) in section 12208 (33 U.S.C. 3507), by amending 
                paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(3) Working group.--The term `Working Group' means the 
        Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping under 
        section 12203.''.
            (2) In general.--Section 12203(a) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3502(a)) is amended by striking ``within 30 days'' and all that 
        follows and inserting ``not later than 30 days after the date 
        of the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, shall 
        use the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping 
        in existence as of the date of the enactment of such Act to 
        implement section 12202.''.
            (3) Membership.--Section 12203(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3502(b)) is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``senior'' 
                both places it appears and inserting ``senior-level'';
                    (B) in the third sentence, by striking ``the 
                Minerals Management Service'' and inserting ``the 
                Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of the Department of 
                the Interior, the Office of the Assistant Secretary, 
                Fish and Wildlife and Parks of the Department of the 
                Interior''; and
                    (C) by striking the second sentence.
            (4) Co-chairs.--Section 12203(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3502(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Co-Chairs.--The Working Group shall be co-chaired by one 
representative from each of the following:
            ``(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            ``(2) The Department of the Interior.
            ``(3) The United States Army Corps of Engineers.''.
            (5) Subordinate groups.--Section 12203(d) of such Act (33 
        U.S.C. 3502(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Subordinate Groups.--The co-chairs may establish such 
permanent or temporary subordinate groups as determined appropriate by 
the Working Group.''.
            (6) Meetings.--Section 12203(e) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3502(e)) is amended by striking ``each subcommittee and each 
        working group'' and inserting ``each subordinate group''.
            (7) Coordination.--Section 12203(f) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3502(f)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(1) other Federal efforts, such as the Digital Coast, the 
        Federal Geographic Data Committee, GeoPlatform, the Integrated 
        Ocean Observing System, the Hydrographic Services Review Panel 
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
        Ocean Exploration Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, the National Geospatial Advisory 
        Committee of the Department of the Interior, the advisory 
        committee for the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
        Observation System, and the Technical Mapping Advisory Council 
        of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
            ``(2) international mapping activities;
            ``(3) coastal states;
            ``(4) coastal Indian Tribes;
            ``(5) data acquisition and user groups through workshops, 
        partnerships, and other appropriate mechanisms; and
            ``(6) representatives of nongovernmental entities.''.
            (8) Advisory panel.--Section 12203 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3502) is amended by striking subsection (g).
            (9) Functions.--Section 12203 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3502), 
        as amended by paragraph (8), is further amended by adding at 
        the end the following:
    ``(g) Support Functions.--The Working Group shall support the 
National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council 
established under section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration Act and 
the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy 
Committee established under section 8932(c) of title 10, United States 
Code, on ocean mapping activities and associated technology development 
across the Federal Government, State governments, private industry, 
nongovernmental organizations, and academia.''.
            (10) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 
        1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public 
        Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 12203 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 12203. Interagency working group on ocean and coastal 
                            mapping.''.
    (c) Biennial Reports.--Section 12204 of the Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3503) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``No 
        later'' and all that follows through ``House of 
        Representatives'' and inserting ``Not later than 18 months 
        after the date of the enactment of the National Ocean 
        Exploration Act, and biennially thereafter until 2040, the co-
        chairs of the Working Group, in coordination with the National 
        Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council 
        established under section 5 of such Act, shall submit to the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and 
        the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives,'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including the data 
        maintained by the National Centers for Environmental 
        Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration,'' after ``mapping data'';
            (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, including a plan to 
        map the coasts of the United States on a requirements-based 
        cycle, with mapping agencies and partners coordinating on a 
        unified approach that factors in recent related studies, meets 
        multiple user requirements, and identifies gaps'' after 
        ``accomplished'';
            (4) by striking paragraph (10) and redesignating paragraphs 
        (11), (12), and (13) as paragraphs (10), (11), and (12), 
        respectively;
            (5) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated, by striking 
        ``with coastal state and local government programs'' and 
        inserting ``with international, coastal state, and local 
        government and nongovernmental mapping programs'';
            (6) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``increase'' and inserting 
                ``streamline and expand'';
                    (B) by inserting ``for the purpose of fulfilling 
                Federal mapping and charting responsibilities, plans, 
                and strategies'' after ``entities''; and
                    (C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
                semicolon;
            (7) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by 
        striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (8) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) a progress report on the development of new and 
        innovative technologies and applications through research and 
        development, including cooperative or other agreements with 
        joint or cooperative research institutes and centers and other 
        nongovernmental entities;
            ``(14) a description of best practices in data processing 
        and distribution and leveraging opportunities among agencies 
        represented on the Working Group and with coastal states, 
        coastal Indian Tribes, and nongovernmental entities;
            ``(15) an identification of any training, technology, or 
        other requirements for enabling Federal mapping programs, 
        vessels, and aircraft to support a coordinated ocean and 
        coastal mapping program; and
            ``(16) a timetable for implementation and completion of the 
        plan described in paragraph (3), including recommendations for 
        integrating new approaches into the program.''.
    (d) NOAA Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--
            (1) Centers.--Section 12205(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 
        3504(c)) is amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``3'' and inserting ``three''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and uncrewed'' 
                after ``sensing''.
            (2) Plan.--Section 12205 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3504) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking ``plan'' 
                and inserting ``noaa joint ocean and coastal mapping 
                centers'';
                    (B) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (d); and
                    (C) in subsection (c), by striking ``(c) NOAA Joint 
                Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--''.
            (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 
        1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public 
        Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item 
        relating to section 12205 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 12205. NOAA joint ocean and coastal mapping centers.''.
    (e) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Federal Funding Opportunity.--The 
Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33. U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 12206, 12207, and 12208 as 
        sections 12208, 12209, and 12210, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 12205 the following:

``SEC. 12206. OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, the Administrator 
shall develop an integrated ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding 
match opportunity within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration with Federal, State, Tribal, local, nonprofit, private 
industry, or academic partners in order to increase the coordinated 
acquisition, processing, stewardship, and archival of new ocean and 
coastal mapping data in United States waters.
    ``(b) Rules.--The Administrator shall develop administrative and 
procedural rules for the ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding 
match opportunity developed under subsection (a), to include--
            ``(1) specific and detailed criteria that must be addressed 
        by an applicant, such as geographic overlap with pre-
        established priorities, number and type of project partners, 
        benefit to the applicant, coordination with other funding 
        opportunities, and benefit to the public;
            ``(2) determination of the appropriate funding match 
        amounts and mechanisms to use, such as grants, agreements, or 
        contracts; and
            ``(3) other funding award criteria as are necessary or 
        appropriate to ensure that evaluations of proposals and 
        decisions to award funding under this section are based on 
        objective standards applied fairly and equitably to those 
        proposals.
    ``(c) Geospatial Services and Contract Vehicles.--The ocean and 
coastal mapping Federal funding match opportunity developed under 
subsection (a) shall leverage Federal expertise and capacities for 
geospatial services and Federal geospatial contract vehicles using the 
private sector for acquisition efficiencies.

``SEC. 12207. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, AND GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--To carry out interagency activities under this 
subtitle, the heads of agencies represented on the Working Group may 
enter into cooperative agreements, or any other agreement with each 
other, and transfer, receive, and expend funds made available by any 
Federal agency, any State or subdivision thereof, or any public or 
private organization or individual, for ocean and coastal mapping 
investigations, surveys, studies, and other geospatial collaborations 
authorized by this subtitle or agreements authorized by section 5 of 
the Act entitled `An Act to define the functions and duties of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey, and for other purposes', approved August 6, 
1947 (33 U.S.C. 883e).
    ``(b) Grants.--The Administrator may make grants to any State or 
subdivision thereof or any public or private organization or individual 
to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.''.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12209 of such Act, as 
redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``this subtitle'' and 
        all that follows and inserting ``this subtitle $45,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030.'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``this subtitle'' and 
        all that follows and inserting ``this subtitle $15,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c); and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Federal Funding Opportunity.--Of 
amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), $20,000,000 is 
authorized to carry out section 12206.''.
    (g) Definitions.--
            (1) Ocean and coastal mapping.--Paragraph (5) of section 
        12210 of such Act, as redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is 
        amended by striking ``processing, and management'' and 
        inserting ``processing, management, maintenance, 
        interpretation, certification, and dissemination''.
            (2) Coastal indian tribe.--Section 12210 of such Act, as 
        redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is amended by adding at the 
        end the following:
            ``(9) Coastal indian tribe.--The term `coastal Indian 
        Tribe' means an `Indian tribe', as defined in section 4 of the 
        Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
        U.S.C. 5304), the land of which is located in a coastal 
        state.''.
    (h) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123 
Stat. 991) is amended by striking the items relating to sections 12206 
through 12208 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 12206. Ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding opportunity.
``Sec. 12207. Cooperative agreements, contracts, and grants.
``Sec. 12208. Effect on other laws.
``Sec. 12209. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 12210. Definitions.''.

SEC. 9. MODIFICATIONS TO HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 302(4)(A) of the Hydrographic Services 
Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892(4)(A)) is amended by inserting 
``hydrodynamic forecast and datum transformation models,'' after 
``nautical information databases,''.
    (b) Functions of the Administrator.--Section 303(b) of such Act (33 
U.S.C. 892a(b)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
        ``precision navigation,'' after ``promote''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``and hydrodynamic forecast 
                models'' after ``monitoring systems'';
                    (B) by inserting ``and provide foundational 
                information and services required to support coastal 
                resilience planning for coastal transportation and 
                other infrastructure, coastal protection and 
                restoration projects, and related activities'' after 
                ``efficiency''; and
                    (C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
                semicolon.
    (c) Quality Assurance Program.--Section 304(a) of such Act (33 
U.S.C. 892b(a)) is amended by striking ``product produced'' and 
inserting ``product or service produced or disseminated''.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 306(a) of such Act 
(33 U.S.C. 892d(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$70,814,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$71,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$25,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$34,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030'';
            (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$29,932,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$38,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030'';
            (4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$26,800,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$45,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030''; and
            (5) in paragraph (5), by striking ``$30,564,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$35,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030''.
                                 <all>