National Ocean Exploration Program Act

Bill: 109-s-39
Sponsor: Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]
Introduced: 2005-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Aquaculture
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Department of Commerce
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Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine ecology
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Ocean
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Oceanography
Product development
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Remote sensing
Reprogramming of appropriated funds
Research and development
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Robots
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientific education
Technological innovations
Technology transfer
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2005-01-25
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: 2005-04-13
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 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program. Directs the Administrator of NOAA, 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.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2017.

action_date: 2005-07-01
text: 

Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - 
National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with existing programs of NOAA, including those authorized under the Undersea Research Program. 
 
(Sec. 103) Directs the Administrator of NOAA, 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) accept donations for purposes of exploring or increasing knowledge of the oceans; and (4) avoid directing the programs towards activities relating to global warming, and instead focus on underwater regions of particular interest.
 
(Sec. 104) 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 capabilities) to the program; (3) develop a data management information processing system for information obtained under the program; (4) conduct public outreach activities to improve public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes; and (5) encourage cost-sharing partnerships to assist in transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to the program.
 
(Sec. 105) 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.
 
(Sec. 107) Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2015.
 

Title II: Undersea Research Program - 
NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2005 - (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator of NOAA to establish and maintain an undersea research program.
 
(Sec. 203) Requires the program to: (1) be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of regional undersea research centers, and a national technology institute; and (2) increase scientific knowledge for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and large lake resources through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development.
 
(Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2015.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-07-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
action_date: 2005-07-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-07-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-07-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-07-11
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2005-07-11
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2005-07-01
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-07-01
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2005-07-01
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7929-7930)
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 71.
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Stevens without amendment. With written report No. 109-57.
action_date: 2005-04-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Stevens without amendment. With written report No. 109-57.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2005-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S452-453)
action_date: 2005-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S452)
action_date: 2005-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate