In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Municipal Bond Market Support Act of 
2008''.

SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF SMALL ISSUER EXCEPTION TO TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST 
              EXPENSE ALLOCATION RULES FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Increase in Limitation.--Subparagraphs (C)(i), (D)(i), and 
(D)(iii)(II) of section 265(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
are each amended by striking ``$10,000,000'' and inserting 
``$30,000,000''.
    (b) Repeal of Aggregation Rules Applicable to Small Issuer 
Determination.--Paragraph (3) of section 265(b) of such Code is amended 
by striking subparagraphs (E) and (F).
    (c) Election To Apply Limitation at Borrower Level.--Paragraph (3) 
of section 265(b) of such Code, as amended by subsection (b), is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Election to apply limitation on amount of 
                obligations at borrower level.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An issuer, the proceeds 
                        of the obligations of which are to be used to 
                        make or finance eligible loans, may elect to 
                        apply subparagraphs (C) and (D) by treating 
                        each borrower as the issuer of a separate 
                        issue.
                            ``(ii) Eligible loan.--For purposes of this 
                        subparagraph--
                                    ``(I) In general.--The term 
                                `eligible loan' means one or more loans 
                                to a qualified borrower the proceeds of 
                                which are used by the borrower and the 
                                outstanding balance of which in the 
                                aggregate does not exceed $30,000,000.
                                    ``(II) Qualified borrower.--The 
                                term `qualified borrower' means a 
                                borrower which is an organization 
                                described in section 501(c)(3) and 
                                exempt from taxation under section 
                                501(a) or a State or political 
                                subdivision thereof.
                            ``(iii) Manner of election.--The election 
                        described in clause (i) may be made by an 
                        issuer for any calendar year at any time prior 
                        to its first issuance during such year of 
                        obligations the proceeds of which will be used 
                        to make or finance one or more eligible 
                        loans.''.
    (d) Inflation Adjustment.--Paragraph (3) of section 265(b) of such 
Code, as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(F) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of any 
                calendar year after 2009, the $30,000,000 amounts 
                contained in subparagraphs (C)(i), (D)(i), 
                (D)(iii)(II), and (E)(ii)(I) shall each be increased by 
                an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment 
                        determined under section 1(f)(3) for such 
                        calendar year, determined by substituting 
                        `calendar year 2008' `for calendar year 1992' 
                        in subparagraph (B) thereof.
                Any increase determined under the preceding sentence 
                shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 
                $100,000.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 3. DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR EXCEPTION FOR TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST 
              EXPENSE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND BROKERS.

    (a) Financial Institutions.--Subsection (b) of section 265 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
            ``(7) De minimis exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
        to any financial institution if the portion of the taxpayer's 
        holdings of tax-exempt securities is less than 2 percent of the 
        taxpayer's assets.''.
    (b) Brokers.--Subsection (a) of section 265 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(7) De minimis exception.--Paragraph (2) shall not apply 
        to any broker (as defined in section 6045(c)(1)) if the portion 
        of the taxpayer's holdings of tax-exempt securities is less 
        than 2 percent of the taxpayer's assets.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

A: Municipal Bond Market Support Act of 2008 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the small issuer exemption from interest expense allocation rules for financial institutions to: (1) increase from $10 to $30 million the annual limit on small issuers of tax-exempt municipal bonds; (2) allow an inflation adjustment to such increased limit amount after 2009; (3) repeal aggregation rules relating to the determination of small issuer eligibility; (4) allow small issuers an election to treat borrowers separately for purposes of issuance limitations; and (5) allow financial institutions and brokers to hold up to 2% of their assets in tax-exempt securities without affecting their interest expense tax deduction.
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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Spacefaring Priorities for America's 
Continued Exploration Act'' or the ``SPACE Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Russia is not a reliable partner.--(A) Unless Space 
        Shuttle operations are extended beyond 2010, the United States 
        will be heavily reliant on Russia to supply crew and possibly 
        cargo transport services to the International Space Station 
        during the gap period of 2010 through 2015. There will be no 
        other way to fly our astronauts into space during this period.
            (B) The United States should not increase its reliance on 
        Russia to transport American astronauts into space, given the 
        increasingly divergent views and posturing from Russia. Russia 
        opposes the United States plan to base an antimissile radar 
        system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland 
        to deal with the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear weapons 
        and missile programs. Russia also suspended its participation 
        in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, one of the 
        most significant arms control agreements of the Cold War years. 
        Additionally, Russia continues to arm some of America's most 
        hostile adversaries, Iran and Venezuela. Despite United States 
        objections, Russia sold billions of dollars worth of weapons to 
        the regime of Hugo Chavez in 2006. Such meddling is a possible 
        violation of the Monroe Doctrine and a throwback to the Cold 
        War era. Even more troublesome is the Russian history of 
        weapons trading with Iran. Russia has supplied advanced 
        conventional arms technology, missile technology, and nuclear 
        technologies to this very anti-American regime.
            (2) Russia has abused past nasa cooperation agreements.--
        (A) In the late 1990s, Russia fell short in fulfilling its 
        commitment to the International Space Station.
            (B) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in 
        this Act referred to as ``NASA'') was forced to transfer 
        hundreds of millions of dollars to enable the Russians to 
        complete the critical Space Station service module Zvezda, 
        without which the International Space Station could not 
        operate.
            (C) Russia delayed completion of the Zvezda service module 
        for several years. Under the International Space Station 
        agreement, the Russian government had committed to fund as well 
        as build the Zvezda service module. Subsequent transfers from 
        the United States, in order to complete the module, reflect 
        serious Russian mismanagement in the field of space.
            (D) In 2000, while Russia was failing to meet its 
        commitment to the International Space Station, Russia was 
        diverting financial and human resources away from fulfilling 
        its International Space Station commitments in order to keep 
        the Russian's Mir Space Station aloft.
            (E) Russia's past shortcomings in fulfilling commitments to 
        its international space partners should serve as a warning to 
        the United States as we consider increased reliance on Russian 
        space services in the future. It is not prudent for the United 
        States to depend on Russia for access to space given our past 
        experience with this relationship.
            (3) American space science should not be dependent on 
        russian support.--(A) The United States has already invested 
        billions of dollars in the International Space Station program 
        since its inception.
            (B) There is much research of great value being conducted 
        in space, and on the International Space Station, that may 
        yield tremendous gains. Research being conducted on the 
        International Space Station may help scientists back on Earth 
        develop medicines to treat diseases and help us better 
        understand the Earth's climate. Many scientists believe that 
        the microgravity environment of space will enable the 
        development of new drugs, vaccines, and other therapies. 
        Equipment on the International Space Station will monitor 
        stratospheric gases, and investigate ozone chemistry.
            (4) The united states must have assured access to space.--
        (A) To ensure that the United States realizes the dividends 
        from the considerable investment we have made in the 
        International Space Station, we need to ensure continued access 
        to space for our astronauts. However, NASA's plan for transport 
        of crew to and from the International Space Station fails to 
        provide necessary redundancies to provide assured access to 
        space.
            (B) NASA anticipates that the Russian Soyuz spacecraft will 
        be the only vehicle for astronaut crew rotation to the 
        International Space Station after 2010. From 2011 until the 
        planned operation of Orion in 2015, NASA likely has no other 
        option for transporting American astronauts to space other than 
        on Russian vehicles.
            (C) NASA has conceded that without the Space Shuttle, it 
        will be unable to transport the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 
        (AMS) to the International Space Station. Scientists involved 
        in the development of the AMS acknowledge that it will enhance 
        scientific discoveries. While the AMS has cost over 
        $1,500,000,000 to develop and build, NASA has stated that the 
        remaining Space Shuttle manifest does not allow for transport 
        of the AMS and that it will not be an option to retrofit 
        another launch vehicle in order to fly it into space. Only by 
        extending Space Shuttle operations beyond 2010 will NASA be 
        able to transport the AMS to the International Space Station. 
        As long as the AMS meets all required standards to verify its 
        validity and justify its transport on the Space Shuttle, NASA 
        should fulfill its obligation to the Department of Energy and 
        our international partners.
            (D) In addition, the Japanese Centrifuge Accommodation 
        Module, which can only fly to the International Space Station 
        on the Space Shuttle, will also be unable to reach the Space 
        Station absent extending Space Shuttle operations.
            (5) A better approach.--(A) Due to NASA's lack of a backup 
        plan for reliance on the Russians for transport of American 
        astronauts to space, the United States needs a better approach. 
        The best approach is the Space Shuttle, a proven, domestic 
        source of space transport for assured access to space, 
        including the International Space Station, for crew and cargo 
        transport.
            (B) With 2 Shuttle missions per year during the human 
        spaceflight program flight gap between Shuttle and Orion, 
        currently scheduled from 2010 through 2015, we can replace our 
        need to rely on the Russians for crew rotation for the 
        International Space Station.
            (C) Savings from replacing Russian transport services to 
        the International Space Station with the Space Shuttle would 
        pay for a portion of the costs for flying 2 Space Shuttle 
        missions per year.
            (D) Only by closing the gap between 2010 and 2015, or until 
        the Orion is operational, will our Nation be able to keep our 
        Nation's highly skilled and critically important spaceworkers 
        and engineers gainfully employed, and mitigate the loss of 
        critical skills.
            (E) By extending Space Shuttle operations, NASA may realize 
        considerable savings by no longer having to pay retention 
        bonuses to critical space workers. But retention bonuses would 
        not be the only added costs associated with the end of Space 
        Shuttle operations when critical skilled workers leave NASA or 
        its contractors. Recruitment incentives for new workers and 
        contract cost increases could also be incurred by NASA since 
        the majority of the Kennedy Space Center's workforce are 
        contractors.
            (F) The success of the Constellation program will depend on 
        having the most skilled and experienced workforce possible. The 
        workforce gap, as currently envisioned by NASA, will jeopardize 
        this. NASA has acknowledged that thousands of critical space 
        workers will lose their jobs in the transition from the Space 
        Shuttle to the Constellation program. Continued operation of 
        the Space Shuttle, but on a reduced flight requirement, while 
        also integrating these workers into the Orion program, is the 
        best way to retain many of these critical workers and skill 
        sets.
            (G) An August 2007 study by the Government Accountability 
        Office, ``NASA Progress Made on Strategic Human Capital 
        Management, but Future Program Challenges Remain,'' stated that 
        ``the agency as a whole faces challenges in recruiting and 
        retaining highly experienced senior-level engineers in certain 
        specialties. NASA's principal workforce challenge will be faced 
        in the transition to the next generation of human space flight 
        systems.''.
            (H) This Act authorizes for NASA additional funding under 
        section 4 to fully restore the appropriation shortfalls in 
        fiscal years 2007 and 2008 compared to the funds that were 
        authorized for NASA. An additional $1,000,000,000 is authorized 
        in section 4(b) to reimburse NASA for the costs incurred by 
        NASA from the Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts following 
        the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON USE OF RUSSIAN SPACE SERVICES.

    NASA shall not rely solely on the Russian government for astronaut 
transport or cargo resupply services. This prohibition does not apply 
to the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the 
International Space Station.

SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NASA.

    (a) Additional Authorization for Fiscal Year 2007 Shortfall.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated to NASA $1,648,000,000, 41.6 percent 
of which shall be for Exploration Systems, and 28.7 percent of which 
shall be available for Space Operations.
    (b) Columbia Return-to-Flight.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to NASA $1,000,000,000 for emergency funding to reimburse 
for Columbia return-to-flight costs, of which the Exploration Systems 
and Space Operations Accounts shall receive funding at the rate 
proportional to the amounts used to pay the costs associated with the 
Space Shuttle return-to-flight efforts.
    (c) Additional Authorization for Fiscal Year 2008 Shortfall.--There 
are authorized to be appropriated to NASA $1,064,000,000, 41.7 percent 
of which shall be for Exploration Systems.
    (d) Preservation of Funding for Programs.--NASA shall not take any 
funding from its Exploration Systems account or the Constellation 
program in order to fund the continued operation of the Space Shuttle 
program as required in this Act.

SEC. 5. EXTENDING SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATIONS.

    (a) Use of Space Shuttle for Access to Space.--NASA shall fly at 
least 2 Space Shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of 
Russian crew and cargo services, for the period of 2010 through 2015, 
or until Orion is operational. There are authorized to be appropriated 
to NASA such sums as may be necessary, in addition to amounts otherwise 
authorized, to carry out this subsection, including for the production 
of more external tanks as may be needed.
    (b) Insufficient Funding.--Except as provided under subsection (c), 
the requirements of this Act shall have effect only to the extent that 
sufficient funding is appropriated, as authorized under subsection (a). 
Sufficient funding is defined as funds required to fully or partially 
comply with the requirements of this Act.
    (c) Report to Congress.--NASA shall report to Congress not later 
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the specific 
costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the Space Shuttle 
in accordance with this Act.
    (d) Operational Efficiencies.--As soon as possible, but no later 
than March 31, 2011, NASA shall investigate areas of reduced operations 
and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge the 
safe operation of the Space Shuttle program, including the following:
            (1) The possible retirement of one Space Shuttle orbiter, 
        leaving 2 to remain operational, in a manner that ensures the 
        safe operation of the Space Shuttle program.
            (2) Significantly reducing changes to the design of the 
        Space Shuttle orbiters, in a manner that ensures the safe 
        operation of the Space Shuttle program. This shall include 
        changes to the Space Shuttle software systems.
            (3) Significantly reducing Space Shuttle orbiter 
        configuration operations and payload configuration operations, 
        in a manner that ensures the safe operation of the Space 
        Shuttle program.
            (4) Maximizing the use of shared personnel between the 
        continued operation of the Space Shuttle and Constellation and 
        other NASA programs.
    (e) Facilities.--If conflicts arise in NASA's efforts to allocate 
facilities, personnel, and other resources in order to fly the Space 
Shuttle as well as continue the development of Constellation, then NASA 
shall identify in a report to Congress in advance such conflicts, along 
with recommendations as to how they can be mitigated.

SEC. 6. SHUTTLE RECERTIFICATION.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
NASA shall define achievable and attainable requirements for operation 
of the Space Shuttle program beyond 2010, as recommended by the 
Columbia Accident Investigation Board. NASA shall transmit these 
requirements to Congress in the form of a report. NASA shall then 
immediately begin the process of satisfying these requirements and 
shall satisfy all requirements no later than March 31, 2010.

A: Spacefaring Priorities for America's Continued Exploration Act or SPACE Act - Prohibits the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from relying solely on the Russian government for astronaut transport or cargo resupply services, except for the current Soyuz emergency escape services for astronauts on the International Space Station.

Authorizes appropriations to NASA for: (1) exploration systems; and (2) emergency funding for Columbia return-to-flight costs.

Requires NASA to fly at least two space shuttle missions per year for crew transport, instead of Russian crew and cargo services, for the period 2010-2015, or until Orion is operational. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such operations. Requires NASA to report to Congress on the specific costs and actions needed to extend the operation of the space shuttle.

Requires NASA, by March 31, 2011, to investigate areas of reduced operations and enhanced cost savings and implement those that do not impinge on the safe operation of the space shuttle program.

Directs NASA to define achievable and attainable requirements for the operation of such program beyond 2010, as recommended by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Requires: (1) NASA to report to Congress on such requirements; and (2) NASA to immediately begin satisfying those requirements and to satisfy all of them by March 31, 2010.
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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Great Lakes Federal Effectiveness 
Act''.

SEC. 2. GREAT LAKES RESEARCH COUNCIL.

    (a) In General.--Section 118 of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1268) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(E) `Council' means the Great Lakes Research 
                Council established by subsection (d)(1);'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (C) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(K) `Great Lakes research' means the application 
                of scientific or engineering expertise to explain, 
                understand, and predict a physical, chemical, 
                biological, or socioeconomic process, or the 
                interaction of 1 or more of the processes, in the Great 
                Lakes ecosystem.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Great Lakes Research Council.--
            ``(1) Establishment of council.--There is established a 
        Great Lakes Research Council.
            ``(2) Duties of council.--The Council shall--
                    ``(A) advise and promote the coordination of 
                Federal Great Lakes research activities to avoid 
                unnecessary duplication and ensure greater 
                effectiveness in achieving protection of the Great 
                Lakes ecosystem through the goals of the Great Lakes 
                Water Quality Agreement;
                    ``(B) not later than 1 year after the date of the 
                enactment of this subparagraph and biennially 
                thereafter, after providing opportunity for public 
                review and comment, prepare and provide to interested 
                parties a document that includes--
                            ``(i) an assessment of the Great Lakes 
                        research activities needed to fulfill the goals 
                        of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement;
                            ``(ii) an assessment of Federal expertise 
                        and capabilities in the activities needed to 
                        fulfill the goals of the Great Lakes Water 
                        Quality Agreement, including an inventory of 
                        Federal Great Lakes research programs, 
                        projects, facilities, and personnel; and
                            ``(iii) recommendations for long-term and 
                        short-term priorities for Federal Great Lakes 
                        research, based on a comparison of the 
                        assessment conducted under clause (i) and the 
                        assessment conducted under clause (ii);
                    ``(C) identify topics for and participate in 
                meetings, workshops, symposia, and conferences on Great 
                Lakes research issues;
                    ``(D) make recommendations for the uniform 
                collection of data for enhancing Great Lakes research 
                and management protocols relating to the Great Lakes 
                ecosystem;
                    ``(E) advise and cooperate in--
                            ``(i) improving the compatible integration 
                        of multimedia data concerning the Great Lakes 
                        ecosystem; and
                            ``(ii) any effort to establish a 
                        comprehensive multimedia data base for the 
                        Great Lakes ecosystem; and
                    ``(F) ensure that the results, findings, and 
                information regarding Great Lakes research programs 
                conducted or sponsored by the Federal Government are 
                disseminated in a timely manner, and in useful forms, 
                to interested persons, using to the maximum extent 
                practicable mechanisms in existence on the date of the 
                dissemination, such as the Great Lakes 
Research Inventory prepared by the International Joint Commission.
            ``(3) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Council shall consist of 1 
                research manager with extensive knowledge of, and 
                scientific expertise and experience in, the Great Lakes 
                ecosystem from each of the following agencies and 
                instrumentalities:
                            ``(i) The Agency.
                            ``(ii) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration.
                            ``(iii) The National Biological Service.
                            ``(iv) The United States Fish and Wildlife 
                        Service.
                            ``(v) Any other Federal agency or 
                        instrumentality that expends $1,000,000 or more 
                        for a fiscal year on Great Lakes research.
                            ``(vi) Any other Federal agency or 
                        instrumentality that a majority of the Council 
                        membership determines should be represented on 
                        the Council.
                    ``(B) Nonvoting members.--At the request of a 
                majority of the Council membership, any person who is a 
                representative of a Federal agency or instrumentality 
                not described in subparagraph (A) or any person who is 
                not a Federal employee may serve as a nonvoting member 
                of the Council.
            ``(4) Chairperson.--The chairperson of the Council shall be 
        a member of the Council from an agency specified in clause (i), 
        (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A) who is elected by a majority 
        vote of the members of the Council. The chairperson shall serve 
        as chairperson for a period of 2 years. A member of the Council 
        may not serve as chairperson for more than 2 consecutive terms.
            ``(5) Expenses.--While performing official duties as a 
        member of the Council, a member shall be allowed travel or 
        transportation expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            ``(6) Interagency cooperation.--The head of each Federal 
        agency or instrumentality that is represented on the Council--
                    ``(A) shall cooperate with the Council in 
                implementing the recommendations developed under 
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(B) may, on written request of the chairperson of 
                the Council, make available, on a reimbursable basis or 
                otherwise, such personnel, services, or facilities as 
                may be necessary to assist the Council in carrying out 
                the duties of the Council under this section; and
                    ``(C) shall, on written request from the 
                chairperson, furnish data or information necessary to 
                carry out the duties of the Council under this section.
            ``(7) International cooperation.--The Council shall 
        cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with the research 
        coordination efforts of the Council of Great Lakes Research 
        Managers of the International Joint Commission.
            ``(8) Reimbursement for requested activities.--Each Federal 
        agency or instrumentality represented on the Council may 
        reimburse another Federal agency or instrumentality or a non-
        Federal entity for costs associated with activities authorized 
        under this subsection that are carried out by the other agency, 
        instrumentality, or entity at the request of the Council.
            ``(9) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
            ``(10) Effect on other law.--Nothing in this subsection 
        affects the authority of any Federal agency or instrumentality, 
        under any law, to undertake Great Lakes research activities.'';
            (3) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the Program 
                Office and the Research Office shall prepare a joint 
                research plan'' and inserting ``the Program Office, in 
                consultation with the Council, shall prepare a research 
                plan''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``the Research 
                Office, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
                Registry, and Great Lakes States'' and inserting ``the 
                Council, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
                Registry, and Great Lakes States,''; and
            (4) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by adding ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a period; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3).
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The second sentence of section 403(a) of 
the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 
1447b(a)) is amended by striking ``Great Lakes Research Office 
authorized under'' and inserting ``Great Lakes Research Council 
established by''.

A:
Great Lakes Federal Effectiveness Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to replace provisions regarding the Great Lakes Research Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with those establishing an interagency Great Lakes Research Council. 
Directs the Council to:  (1) promote the coordination of Federal Great Lakes research activities to avoid duplication and ensure effectiveness in achieving protection of the Great Lakes ecosystem through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; (2) prepare a document that assesses research activities and Federal expertise in such activities needed to fulfill Agreement goals; (3) identify topics for and participate in workshops and conferences on Great Lakes research issues; (4) make recommendations for the uniform collection of data for enhancing research and management protocols relating to the Great Lakes ecosystem; (5) advise in improving the integration of multimedia data concerning the ecosystem and in efforts to establish a multimedia data base for the ecosystem; and (6) ensure that findings and information regarding such research are disseminated in a timely manner.
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