National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-129
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Agricultural research
Aquaculture
Aquatic ecology
Congressional committees
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Education programs funding
Executive agency funding and structure
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Great Lakes
Higher education
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Research administration and funding
Science and engineering education
Seafood
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017

 
 This bill amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to reauthorize through FY2022 the National Sea Grant College Program.
 
The bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. Those fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions with the executive and legislative branches.
 
NOAA must establish priorities for the use of donations given for the National Sea Grant Program. 
 
An agency may appoint a recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to a federal position within two years after such recipient successfully completes a fellowship.
 
The bill authorizes through FY2022 grants for university research on: (1) the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies. The bill also authorizes through FY2022 grants for: (1) fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding; and (2) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan.

action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 3) This bill amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to reauthorize through FY2022 the National Sea Grant College Program.
 
The bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. Those fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions with the executive and legislative branches.
 
(Sec. 4) NOAA must establish priorities for the use of donations given for the National Sea Grant Program.
 
(Sec. 5) The bill repeals the requirement that NOAA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) jointly report to Congress on the coordination of activities between NOAA's Coastal Ocean and National Sea Grant Program and the NSF.
 
(Sec. 6) The National Sea Grant Advisory Board must report to Congress regarding the state of the National Sea Grant Program every three years, rather than biennially.
 
(Sec. 7) The National Sea Grant Program must consist of financial assistance for research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, public service, and certain other activities.
 
(Sec. 8) An agency may appoint a recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to a federal position within two years after such recipient successfully completes a fellowship.
 
(Sec. 9) The bill authorizes through FY2022 grants for university research on: (1) the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies. The bill also authorizes through FY2022 grants for: (1) fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding; and (2) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan.

action_date: 2017-09-14
text: 

National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. Those fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions within the executive and legislative branches.
 
(Sec. 4) NOAA must establish priorities for the use of donations given for the National Sea Grant Program.
 
(Sec. 5) The National Sea Grant Advisory Board must report to Congress regarding the state of the National Sea Grant Program every four years, rather than biennially.
 
(Sec. 6) The National Sea Grant Program must consist of financial assistance for research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, public service, and certain other activities.
 
(Sec.7)NOAA must notify Congress in writing at least 30 days before designating an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college or sea grant institute.NOAA may not make such a designation if, before the end of the 30-day period, Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the designation. 
 
(Sec. 8) An agency may appoint a recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to a federal position within two years after such recipient successfully completes a fellowship.
 
(Sec. 9) The bill reauthorizes through FY2022 the National Sea Grant College Program and authorizes through FY2022 grants for university research on: (1) the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies. The bill also authorizes through FY2022 grants for: (1) fishery research and extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding; and (2) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2017-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-09-18
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-09-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-09-14
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-09-14
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-09-14
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5770-5771)
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: An errata sheet on written report No. 115-15 was printed.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 26.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-15.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-15.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate