National Ocean Exploration Program Act

Bill: 108-s-2280
Sponsor: Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]
Introduced: 2004-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Archaeology
Arts, Culture, Religion
Commemorations
Commerce
Communication satellites
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Environmental education
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to research
Gifts
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Historic sites
History
Information networks
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine safety
Navigation
Oceanographic research
Oceanography
Public-private partnerships
Reprogramming of appropriated funds
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Technology transfer
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: 
National Ocean Exploration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program. Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out the program, to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other scientific activities to survey, inventory, observe, and assess little-known areas of the marine environment; (2) promote the development of oceanographic research; (3) conduct public education and outreach activities that improve the public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes; and (4) accept donations for such purposes.
 
Requires the NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy to: (1) facilitate the transfer of new exploration technology to the program; (2) improve the availability of communications infrastructure (including satellite) to the program; (3) develop a data management information processing system for information obtained under the program; and (4) encourage cost-sharing partnerships to assist in transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to the program.
 
Authorizes the NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies participating in the program to participate in interagency financing in carrying out program activities.

action_date: 2004-10-11
text: 

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

 
National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program. 
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of NOAA, in carrying out the program, to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages; (2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a focus on surveying deep water marine systems; (3) promote development of oceanographic research, communication, and data collections systems; (4) conduct public education and outreach activities that improve public understanding of ocean science; and (5) establish an ocean exploration forum. 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy to: (1) facilitate the transfer of new exploration technology to the program; (2) improve the availability of communications infrastructure (including satellite) to the program; (3) develop a data management information processing system for information obtained under the program; and (4) encourage cost-sharing partnerships with governmental and non-governmental entities to assist in transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to the program.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program to participate in interagency financing in carrying out program activities.
 
(Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations from FY 2005 through 2016.

action_date: 2004-11-16
text: 

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

 
National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program. 
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of NOAA, in carrying out the program, to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages; (2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a focus on surveying deep water marine systems; (3) promote development of oceanographic research, communication, and data collections systems; (4) conduct public education and outreach activities that improve public understanding of ocean science; and (5) establish an ocean exploration forum. 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires NOAA to convene an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy to: (1) facilitate the transfer of new exploration technology to the program; (2) improve the availability of communications infrastructure (including satellite) to the program; (3) develop a data management information processing system for information obtained under the program; and (4) encourage cost-sharing partnerships with governmental and non-governmental entities to assist in transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to the program.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program to participate in interagency financing in carrying out program activities.
 
(Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations from FY 2005 through 2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11389-11390; text as passed Senate: CR S11389-11390)
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11389-11390; text as passed Senate: CR S11389-11390)
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 791.
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 108-400.
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 108-400.
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3632-3633)
action_date: 2004-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate