Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-3014
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2004-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Algal blooms
Aquatic ecology
Asian American ethnic groups
Authorization
Black colleges
Coastal zone
Colleges
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Department of Commerce
Easements
Economic impact statements
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational facilities
Environmental assessment
Environmental health
Environmental research
Estuaries
Federal aid to research
Finance and Financial Sector
Fisheries
Fishery management
Florida
Freshwater resources conservation
Government Operations and Politics
Great Lakes
Gulf of Mexico
Health
Higher education
Hispanic Americans
Indian education
International Affairs
International cooperation in science
Laboratories
Land transfers
Latin America
Leases
Maps
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine biology
Marine ecology
Mexico
Minorities
Minority education
National Sea Grant Program
Oceanographic research
Oxygen
Pacific Ocean
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Research and development
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications
Ships
Surveying
Technology transfer
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: 
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 - Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to remove the President's authority to disestablish the Interagency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. 
 
Requires the Task Force to consult with specified entities with expertise in coastal zone science and management.
 
Directs the President to submit to Congress a report describing and evaluating the effectiveness of measures to protect the environment and public health from the impacts of harmful algal blooms. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide for local and regional scientific assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, as requested by States, Indian tribes, and local governments, or for affected areas as identified by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Task Force to submit to Congress: (1) various scientific assessments; and (2) a plan for a national research program to develop and demonstrate prevention, control, and mitigation methods to reduce the impacts of harmful algal blooms on coastal ecosystems (including the Great Lakes), public health, and the economy.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make available to the University of Miami real property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Virginia Key, Florida, for development by the University of a Marine Life Science Center.
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Government of Mexico the NOAA vessel WHITING.

action_date: 2004-11-19
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 

Title I: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 
- Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 - (Sec. 102) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to remove the President's authority to disestablish the Interagency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. Requires the Task Force, in developing its assessments, reports, and plans, to consult with the coastal States, Indian tribes, local governments, appropriate industries, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in coastal zone science and management.
 
(Sec. 103) Directs the President, in consultation with the chief executive officers of the States and other specified entities, to develop and submit to Congress a report that describes and evaluates the effectiveness of measures that may be utilized to protect the environment and public health from the impacts of harmful algal blooms. Requires a period of public comment prior to submission of the report. 
 
(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to provide for local and regional scientific assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, as requested by States, Indian tribes, and local governments, or for affected areas as identified by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress scientific assessments of: (1) current knowledge about harmful algal blooms in freshwater, including a research plan for coordinating Federal efforts to better understand freshwater algal blooms; (2) hypoxia in U.S. coastal waters including the Great Lakes; and (3) harmful algal blooms in U.S. coastal waters.
 
Requires the Task Force to develop and submit to Congress a plan providing for a comprehensive and coordinated national research program to develop and demonstrate prevention, control, and mitigation methods to reduce the impacts of harmful algal blooms on coastal ecosystems (including the Great Lakes), public health, and the economy.
 
(Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations.
 

Title II: Miscellaneous
 - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to make available to the University of Miami, by easement, lease, license, or long-term agreement, real property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Virginia Key, Florida, for development by the University of a Marine Life Science Center.
 
Authorizes the use of such property by the University for the development and operation of facilities for multidisciplinary environmental and fisheries research, assessment, management, and educational activities, subject to agreement with the Secretary.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement to occupy facilities constructed by the University on such property and to participate with the University in collaborative research at, or administered through, such facilities.
 
(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Government of Mexico, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the NOAA vessel WHITING: (1) for use as a hydrographic survey platform in support of activities of the U.S.-Mexico Charting Advisors Committee; and (2) to enhance coordination between the United States and Mexico regarding hydrographic surveying and nautical charting activities in the border waters of both countries in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.

action_date: 2004-11-20
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

 

Title I: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 
- Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 - (Sec. 102) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to remove the President's authority to disestablish the Interagency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. Requires the Task Force, in developing its assessments, reports, and plans, to consult with the coastal States, Indian tribes, local governments, appropriate industries, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in coastal zone science and management.
 
(Sec. 103) Directs the President, in consultation with the chief executive officers of the States and other specified entities, to develop and submit to Congress a report that describes and evaluates the effectiveness of measures that may be utilized to protect the environment and public health from the impacts of harmful algal blooms. Requires a period of public comment prior to submission of the report. 
 
(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to provide for local and regional scientific assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, as requested by States, Indian tribes, and local governments, or for affected areas as identified by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress scientific assessments of: (1) current knowledge about harmful algal blooms in freshwater, including a research plan for coordinating Federal efforts to better understand freshwater algal blooms; (2) hypoxia in U.S. coastal waters including the Great Lakes; and (3) harmful algal blooms in U.S. coastal waters.
 
Requires the Task Force to develop and submit to Congress a plan providing for a comprehensive and coordinated national research program to develop and demonstrate prevention, control, and mitigation methods to reduce the impacts of harmful algal blooms on coastal ecosystems (including the Great Lakes), public health, and the economy.
 
(Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations.
 

Title II: Miscellaneous
 - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to make available to the University of Miami, by easement, lease, license, or long-term agreement, real property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Virginia Key, Florida, for development by the University of a Marine Life Science Center.
 
Authorizes the use of such property by the University for the development and operation of facilities for multidisciplinary environmental and fisheries research, assessment, management, and educational activities, subject to agreement with the Secretary.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement to occupy facilities constructed by the University on such property and to participate with the University in collaborative research at, or administered through, such facilities.
 
(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Government of Mexico, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the NOAA vessel WHITING: (1) for use as a hydrographic survey platform in support of activities of the U.S.-Mexico Charting Advisors Committee; and (2) to enhance coordination between the United States and Mexico regarding hydrographic surveying and nautical charting activities in the border waters of both countries in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.

action_date: 2004-12-10
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

 

Title I: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 
- Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 - (Sec. 102) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to remove the President's authority to disestablish the Interagency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. Requires the Task Force, in developing its assessments, reports, and plans, to consult with the coastal States, Indian tribes, local governments, appropriate industries, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations with expertise in coastal zone science and management.
 
(Sec. 103) Directs the President, in consultation with the chief executive officers of the States and other specified entities, to develop and submit to Congress a report that describes and evaluates the effectiveness of measures that may be utilized to protect the environment and public health from the impacts of harmful algal blooms. Requires a period of public comment prior to submission of the report. 
 
(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to provide for local and regional scientific assessments of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms, as requested by States, Indian tribes, and local governments, or for affected areas as identified by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Task Force to complete and submit to Congress scientific assessments of: (1) current knowledge about harmful algal blooms in freshwater, including a research plan for coordinating Federal efforts to better understand freshwater algal blooms; (2) hypoxia in U.S. coastal waters including the Great Lakes; and (3) harmful algal blooms in U.S. coastal waters.
 
Requires the Task Force to develop and submit to Congress a plan providing for a comprehensive and coordinated national research program to develop and demonstrate prevention, control, and mitigation methods to reduce the impacts of harmful algal blooms on coastal ecosystems (including the Great Lakes), public health, and the economy.
 
(Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations.
 

Title II: Miscellaneous
 - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary to make available to the University of Miami, by easement, lease, license, or long-term agreement, real property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Virginia Key, Florida, for development by the University of a Marine Life Science Center.
 
Authorizes the use of such property by the University for the development and operation of facilities for multidisciplinary environmental and fisheries research, assessment, management, and educational activities, subject to agreement with the Secretary.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement to occupy facilities constructed by the University on such property and to participate with the University in collaborative research at, or administered through, such facilities.
 
(Sec. 202) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Government of Mexico, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the NOAA vessel WHITING: (1) for use as a hydrographic survey platform in support of activities of the U.S.-Mexico Charting Advisors Committee; and (2) to enhance coordination between the United States and Mexico regarding hydrographic surveying and nautical charting activities in the border waters of both countries in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Became Public Law No: 108-456.
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Became Public Law No: 108-456.
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-12-10
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-11-29
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-11-29
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H10210-10211)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H10210-10211)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10209-10211)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Mr. Ehlers asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11584-11586; text as passed Senate: CR S11584-11586)
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11584-11586; text as passed Senate: CR S11584-11586)
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 108-456