National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act

Bill: 109-hr-5450
Sponsor: Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3]
Introduced: 2006-05-22 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
Artificial satellites
Buy American
Climate
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coastal zone
Commerce
Communication in science
Conferences
Congress
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost control
Data banks
Department of Commerce
Earth resources satellites
Ecological research
Economics and Public Finance
Ecosystem management
Environmental Protection
Environmental education
Environmental monitoring
Environmental research
Environmental technology
Estuaries
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Federal officials
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government aircraft
Government contractors
Government paperwork
Government procurement
Government publicity
Great Lakes
Hydrology
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Laboratories
Law
Licenses
Maps
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine resources conservation
Meteorological research
Meteorological satellites
Meteorology
National Sea Grant Program
Nature conservation
Navigation
Navigational aids
Oceanographic research
Oceanography
Presidential appointments
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Public-private partnerships
Relocation
Remote sensing
Reprogramming of appropriated funds
Research and development
Research grants
Risk
Science, Technology, Communications
Ships
Space activities
Strategic planning
Subcontractors
Sun
Technological innovations
Technology transfer
Tsunamis
Water Resources Development
Weather forecasting

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-22
text: 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act - Reestablishes in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere who shall serve as the Administrator of NOAA.
 
Establishes within NOAA the positions of: (1) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (2) Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (3) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Education; (4) up to two additional Deputy Assistant Secretaries; and (5) General Counsel.
 
Maintains within NOAA: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information; and (3) programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. 
 
Establishes a Science Advisory Board within NOAA.
 
Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide a review of NOAA environmental data and information systems, including recommendations to address any inadequacies identified by the review; (2) develop a strategic plan that responds to such recommendations and sets forth modernization and improvement objectives for an integrated national environmental data access and archive system; and (3) develop a strategic plan for research and development (R&D) at NOAA.
 
Requires the Administrator to: (1) develop a reorganization plan for NOAA; and (2) provide public and congressional notification, and an assessment, of any proposed closing, consolidating, relocating, subdividing, or establishing of a NOAA facility.

action_date: 2006-06-29
text: 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act - (Sec. 3) Reestablishes in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, who shall serve as the Administrator of NOAA.
 
Establishes within NOAA the positions of: (1) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (2) Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (3) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Education; (4) up to two additional Deputy Assistant Secretaries; and (5) General Counsel.
 
(Sec. 5) Maintains within NOAA: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information; and (3) programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. 
 
(Sec. 8) Establishes a Science Advisory Board within NOAA.
 
(Sec. 9) Requires the Administrator, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, and once every five years thereafter, to: (1) provide a review of NOAA environmental data and information systems, including recommendations to address any inadequacies identified by the review; (2) develop a strategic plan that responds to such recommendations and sets forth modernization and improvement objectives for an integrated national environmental data access and archive system; and (3) develop a strategic plan for science and technology research and development (R&D) at NOAA.
 
(Sec. 10) Requires the Administrator, not less than once every five years, to develop, and submit to Congress, a policy on the roles of NOAA, the private sector, and the academic community in providing environmental information, products, technologies, and services.
 
(Sec. 11) Terminates the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (the executive order that established NOAA).
 
(Sec. 13) Requires the Administrator, not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act, to develop and submit to Congress a reorganization plan for NOAA.
 
(Sec. 14) Prohibits the Administrator from closing, consolidating, relocating, subdividing, or establishing a facility of NOAA unless there has been specified prior public and congressional notification, and an assessment, of any proposed changes.
 
(Sec. 16) Establishes certain baselines and cost controls before NOAA can enter into a contract for the development of a major program. Requires: (1) the Administrator to submit to Congress a Major Program Annual Report, including a Baseline Report, for each major program that NOAA proposes to expend funds in the subsequent fiscal year; and (2) notification to Congress when certain cost increases or schedule delays occur in a major program.
 
(Sec. 17) Prohibits, except as provided, a NOAA activity or function that is converted to contractor performance under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 from being performed by the contractor or any subcontractor at a location outside of the United States.
 
Prohibits a contract for the procurement of goods and services that is entered into by the Administrator from being performed outside the United States unless it is to meet a requirement of NOAA for goods or services specifically at a location outside the United States, unless: (1) it is necessary for U.S. national security; (2) essential goods or services under the contract are only available from a source outside the United States; (3) the activity or function was previously performed by federal employees outside the United States; or (4) the prohibition is inconsistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements.
 
(Sec. 18) Requires the Administrator to submit annual reports to Congress on the contracts and subcontracts performed overseas and amount of purchases by NOAA from foreign entities.

action_date: 2006-09-20
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 29, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act - (Sec. 3) Reestablishes in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, who shall serve as the Administrator of NOAA.
 
Establishes within NOAA the positions of: (1) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (2) Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (3) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Education; (4) up to two additional Deputy Assistant Secretaries; and (5) General Counsel.
 
(Sec. 5) Maintains within NOAA: (1) the National Weather Service; (2) programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information; and (3) programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. 
 
(Sec. 8) Establishes a Science Advisory Board within NOAA.
 
(Sec. 9) Requires the Administrator, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, and once every five years thereafter, to: (1) provide a review of NOAA environmental data and information systems, including recommendations to address any inadequacies identified by the review; (2) develop a strategic plan that responds to such recommendations and sets forth modernization and improvement objectives for an integrated national environmental data access and archive system; and (3) develop a strategic plan for science and technology research and development (R&D) at NOAA.
 
(Sec. 10) Requires the Administrator, not less than once every five years, to develop, and submit to Congress, a policy on the roles of NOAA, the private sector, and the academic community in providing environmental information, products, technologies, and services.
 
(Sec. 11) Terminates the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (the executive order that established NOAA).
 
(Sec. 13) Requires the Administrator, not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act, to develop and submit to Congress a reorganization plan for NOAA.
 
(Sec. 14) Prohibits the Administrator from closing, consolidating, relocating, subdividing, or establishing a facility of NOAA unless there has been specified prior public and congressional notification, and an assessment, of any proposed changes.
 
(Sec. 16) Establishes certain baselines and cost controls before NOAA can enter into a contract for the development of a major program. Requires: (1) the Administrator to submit to Congress a Major Program Annual Report, including a Baseline Report, for each major program that NOAA proposes to expend funds in the subsequent fiscal year; and (2) notification to Congress when certain cost increases or schedule delays occur in a major program.
 
(Sec. 17) Prohibits, except as provided, a NOAA activity or function that is converted to contractor performance under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 from being performed by the contractor or any subcontractor at a location outside of the United States.
 
Prohibits a contract for the procurement of goods and services that is entered into by the Administrator from being performed outside the United States unless it is to meet a requirement of NOAA for goods or services specifically at a location outside the United States, unless: (1) it is necessary for U.S. national security; (2) essential goods or services under the contract are only available from a source outside the United States; (3) the activity or function was previously performed by federal employees outside the United States; or (4) the prohibition is inconsistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements.
 
(Sec. 18) Requires the Administrator to submit annual reports to Congress on the contracts and subcontracts performed overseas and amount of purchases by NOAA from foreign entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-09-21
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6757-6761)
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6757-6761)
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5450.
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6757-6765)
action_date: 2006-09-20
text: Mr. Ehlers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 385.
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Committee on Resources discharged.
action_date: 2006-09-11
text: Committee on Resources discharged.
action_date: 2006-06-29
text: House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 11, 2006.
action_date: 2006-06-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 109-545, Part I.
action_date: 2006-06-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 109-545, Part I.
action_date: 2006-06-14
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
action_date: 2006-06-14
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2006-05-31
text: Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
action_date: 2006-05-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
action_date: 2006-05-22
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: 2006-05-22
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: 2006-05-22
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: 2006-05-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-22
text: Introduced in House