TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Next Generation Internet Research 
Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Terms Used in This Act.--For purposes of this Act--
            (1) Internet.--The term ``Internet'' has the meaning given 
        such term by section 230(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 
        1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(e)(1)).
            (2) Geographic penalty.--The term ``geographic penalty'' 
        means the imposition of costs on users of the Internet in rural 
        or other locations attributable to the distance of the user 
        from network facilities, the low population density of the area 
        in which the user is located, or other factors, that are 
        disproportionately greater than the costs imposed on users in 
        locations closer to such facilities or on users in locations 
        with significantly greater population density.
    (b) Definition of Network in High-Performance Computing Act of 
1991.--Paragraph (4) of section 4 of the High-Performance Computing Act 
of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5503) is amended by striking ``network referred to 
as the National Research and Education Network established under 
section 102; and'' and inserting ``network, including advanced computer 
networks of Federal agencies and departments; and''.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    (a) In General.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) United States leadership in science and technology has 
        been vital to the Nation's prosperity, national and economic 
        security, and international competitiveness, and there is every 
        reason to believe that maintaining this tradition will lead to 
        long-term continuation of United States strategic advantages in 
        information technology;
            (2) the United States' investment in science and technology 
        has yielded a scientific and engineering enterprise without 
        peer, and that Federal investment in research is critical to 
        the maintenance of United States leadership;
            (3) previous Federal investment in computer networking 
        technology and related fields has resulted in the creation of 
        new industries and new jobs in the United States;
            (4) the Internet is playing an increasingly important role 
        in keeping citizens informed of the actions of their 
        government; and
            (5) continued inter-agency cooperation is necessary to 
        avoid wasteful duplication in Federal networking research and 
        development programs.
    (b) Additional Findings for the 1991 Act.--Section 2 of the High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501) is amended by--
            (1) striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) A high-capacity, flexible, high-speed national 
        research and education computer network is needed to provide 
        researchers and educators with access to computational and 
        information resources, act as a test bed for further research 
        and development for high-capacity and high-speed computer 
        networks, and provide researchers the necessary vehicle for 
        continued network technology improvement through research.''; 
        and
            (2) adding at the end thereof the following:
            ``(7) Additional research must be undertaken to lay the 
        foundation for the development of new applications that can 
        result in economic growth, improved health care, and improved 
        educational opportunities.
            ``(8) Research in new networking technologies holds the 
        promise of easing the economic burdens of information access 
        disproportionately borne by rural users of the Internet.
            ``(9) Information security is an important part of 
        computing, information, and communications systems and 
        applications, and research into security architectures is a 
        critical aspect of computing, information, and communications 
        research programs.''.

SEC. 4. PURPOSES.

    (a) In General.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to serve as the first authorization in a series of 
        computing, information, and communication technology 
        initiatives outlines in the High-Performance Computing Act of 
        1991 (15 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.) that will include research 
        programs related to--
                    (A) high-end computing and computation;
                    (B) human-centered systems;
                    (C) high confidence systems; and
                    (D) education, training, and human resources; and
            (2) to provide for the development and coordination of a 
        comprehensive and integrated United States research program 
        which will--
                    (A) focus on the research and development of a 
                coordinated set of technologies that seeks to create a 
                network infrastructure that can support greater speed, 
                robustness, and flexibility than is currently available 
                and promote connectivity and interoperability among 
                advanced computer networks of Federal agencies and 
                departments;
                    (B) focus on research in technology that may result 
                in high-speed data access for users that is both 
                economically viable and does not impose a geographic 
                penalty; and
                    (C) encourage researchers to pursue approaches to 
                networking technology that lead to maximally flexible 
                and extensible solutions wherever feasible.
    (b) Modification of Purposes of the 1991 Act.--Section 3 of the 
High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C. 5502) is amended by--
            (1) striking the section caption and inserting the 
        following:

``SEC. 3. PURPOSES.'';

            (2) striking ``purpose of this Act is'' and inserting 
        ``purposes of this Act are'';
            (3) striking ``universities; and'' in paragraph (1)(I) and 
        inserting ``universities;'';
            (4) striking ``efforts.'' in paragraph (2) and inserting 
        ``network research and development programs;''; and
            (5) adding at the end thereof the following:
            ``(3) promoting the further development of an information 
        infrastructure of information stores, services, access 
        mechanisms, and research facilities available for use through 
        the Internet;
            ``(4) promoting the more rapid development and wider 
        distribution of networking management and development tools; 
        and
            ``(5) promoting the rapid adoption of open network 
        standards.''.

SEC. 5. DUTIES OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C 
5511 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

``SEC. 103. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    ``(a) In General.--In addition to its functions under Executive 
Order 13035 (62 F.R. 7231), the Advisory Committee on High-Performance 
Computing and Communications, Information Technology, and the Next 
Generation Internet, established by Executive Order No. 13035 of 
February 11, 1997 (62 F.R. 7231) shall--
            ``(1) assess the extent to which the Next Generation 
        Internet program--
                    ``(A) carries out the purposes of this Act;
                    ``(B) addresses concerns relating to, among other 
                matters--
                            ``(i) geographic penalties (as defined in 
                        section 2(2) of the Next Generation Internet 
                        Research Act of 1998); and
                            ``(ii) technology transfer to and from the 
                        private sector; and
            ``(2) assess the extent to which--
                    ``(A) the role of each Federal agency and 
                department involved in implementing the Next Generation 
                Internet program is clear, complementary to and non-
                duplicative of the roles of other participating 
                agencies and departments; and
                    ``(B) each such agency and department concurs with 
                the rule of each other participating agency or 
                department.
    ``(b) Reports.--The Advisory Committee shall assess implementation 
of the Next Generation Internet initiative and report, not less 
frequently than annually, to the President, the United States Senate 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the United 
States House of Representatives Committee on Science on its findings 
for the preceding fiscal year. The first such report shall be submitted 
6 months after the date of enactment of the Next Generation Internet 
Research Act of 1998 the last report shall be submitted by September 
30, 2000.''.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Title I of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (15 U.S.C 
5511 et seq.), as amended by section 5 of this Act, is amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following:

``SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of 
carrying out the Next Generation Internet program the following 
amounts:


------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  ``Agency                     FY 1999        FY 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Department of Defense....................  $40,000,000     $42,500,000
``Department of Energy.....................  $20,000,000     $25,000,000
``National Science Foundation..............  $25,000,000     $25,000,000
``National Institutes of Health............   $5,000,000      $7,500,000
``National Aeronautics and Space
 Administration............................  $10,000,000     $10,000,000
``National Institute of Standards and
 Technology................................   $5,000,000     $7,500,000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The amount authorized for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 
1999 under this section shall be the amount authorized pursuant to the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999.''.

SEC. 7. STUDY OF EFFECTS ON TRADEMARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 
              OF ADDING GENERIC TOP-LEVEL DOMAINS.

    (a) Study by National Research Council.--Not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce 
shall request the National Research Council of the National Academy of 
Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study, taking into account the 
diverse needs of domestic and international Internet users, of the 
short-term and long-term effects on trademark and intellectual property 
rights holders of adding new generic top-level domains and related 
dispute resolution procedures.
    (b) Matters To Be Assessed In Study.--The study shall assess and, 
as appropriate, make recommendations for policy, practice, or 
legislative changes relating to--
            (1) the short-term and long-term effects on the protection 
        of trademark and intellectual property rights and consumer 
        interests of increasing or decreasing the number of generic 
        top-level domains;
            (2) trademark and intellectual property rights clearance 
        processes for domain names, including--
                    (A) whether domain name databases should be readily 
                searchable through a common interface to facilitate the 
                clearing of trademarks and intellectual property rights 
                and proposed domain names across a range of generic 
                top-level domains;
                    (B) the identification of what information from 
                domain name databases should be accessible for the 
                clearing of trademarks and intellectual property 
                rights; and
                    (C) whether generic top-level domain registrants 
                should be required to provide certain information;
            (3) domain name trademark and intellectual property rights 
        dispute resolution mechanisms, including how to--
                    (A) reduce trademark and intellectual property 
                rights conflicts associated with the addition of any 
                new generic top-level domains; and
                    (B) reduce trademark and intellectual property 
                rights conflicts through new technical approaches to 
                Internet addressing;
            (4) choice of law or jurisdiction for resolution of 
        trademark and intellectual property rights disputes relating to 
        domain names, including which jurisdictions should be available 
        for trademark and intellectual property rights owners to file 
        suit to protect such trademarks and intellectual property 
        rights;
            (5) trademark and intellectual property rights infringement 
        liability for registrars, registries, or technical management 
        bodies; and
            (6) short-term and long-term technical and policy options 
        for Internet addressing schemes and the impact of such options 
        on current trademark and intellectual property rights issues.
    (c) Cooperation With Study.--
            (1) Interagency cooperation.--The Secretary of Commerce 
        shall--
                    (A) direct the Patent and Trademark Office, the 
                National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, and other Department of Commerce 
                entities to cooperate fully with the National Research 
                Council in its activities in carrying out the study 
                under this section; and
                    (B) request all other appropriate Federal 
                departments, Federal agencies, Government contractors, 
                and similar entities to provide similar cooperation to 
                the National Research Council.
            (2) Private corporation cooperation.--The Secretary of 
        Commerce shall request that any private, not-for-profit 
        corporation established to manage the Internet root server 
        system and the top-level domain names provide similar 
        cooperation to the National Research Council.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the National Research Council shall 
        complete the study under this section and submit a report on 
        the study to the Secretary of Commerce. The report shall set 
        forth the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the 
        Council concerning the effects of adding new generic top-level 
        domains and related dispute resolution procedures on trademark 
        and intellectual property rights holders.
            (2) Submission to congressional committees.--Not later than 
        30 days after the date on which the report is submitted to the 
        Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary shall submit the report to 
        the Committees on Commerce and the Committees on the Judiciary 
        of the Senate and House of Representatives.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $800,000 for the study conducted under this Act.

            Passed the Senate June 26, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.

SOLUTION: Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 - Declares the purposes of this Act to be to:  (1) serve as the first authorization in a series of computing, information, and communication technology initiatives outlined in the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (HPCA); and (2) provide for the development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated U.S. research program on computer network infrastructure, high-speed data access, and networking technology. Directs the Advisory Committee on High-Performance Computing and Communications, Information Technology, and the Next Generation Internet (created under the HPCA) to assess the extent to which:  (1) the Next Generation Internet program (program) carries out the purposes of this Act and addresses concerns relating to geographic penalties (costs imposed on Internet users in rural or small population areas that are greater than those imposed on users in large population areas or areas closer to network facilities) and technology transfer to and from the private sector; and (2) the role of each Federal department and agency involved in implementing the program is clear, complementary, and non-duplicative, as well as the extent to which each such department and agency concurs with the role of each other participating department or agency. 
Requires the Advisory Committee to assess program implementation and report at least annually to the President and specified congressional committees. 
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000 for the program. Requires the amount authorized for the Department of Defense for FY 1999 to be the amount authorized pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1999. 
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to request the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive study, taking into account the diverse needs of domestic and international Internet users, of the short-term and long-term effects on trademark and intellectual property rights holders of adding new generic top-level domains and related dispute resolution procedures. Sets forth reporting requirements for the Council and the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Year 2000 Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Electronic data exchanges are used extensively to 
        transfer information between computer systems. Federal agencies 
        now depend on electronic data exchanges to execute programs and 
        facilitate commerce. Consequently, as computer systems are 
        converted to process Year 2000 dates, the associated data 
        exchanges must also be made Year 2000 compliant.
            (2) The testing and implementation of new data exchanges 
        must be closely coordinated with exchange partners to be 
        completed effectively. If Year 2000 data exchanges do not 
        function properly, data will not be exchanged between systems, 
        or invalid data could cause receiving computer systems to 
        malfunction or produce inaccurate computations.
            (3) The United States 381,000 small manufacturers 
        contribute more than half of the country's total value in 
        manufacturing. However, as of 1997, 88 percent of all companies 
        with fewer than 2,000 employees had not yet started Year 2000 
        remediation projects.
            (4) As small manufacturers are an integral part of the 
        business supply chain, it is imperative that their computer 
        systems are Year 2000 compliant to prevent disruption to the 
        country's manufacturing base.
            (5) The economic well being of the United States is 
        interdependent with the economic well being of other nations of 
        the world. There is very little information on the level of 
        Year 2000 preparedness by other countries and the potential 
        impact on the United States economy. Therefore, to prevent 
        economic disruption in the United States, the Year 2000 
        computer problem must be addressed on a global scale.
            (6) Consumer awareness of the potential and extent of 
        failure of computer hardware, software, and embedded microchips 
        found in many consumer products resulting from the Year 2000 
        problem is small.
            (7) Currently, there is no information to guide consumers 
        in the purchase of Year 2000 compliant consumer goods or to 
        ensure that their existing goods are Year 2000 complaint.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``end-to-end testing'' means testing data 
        exchange software with respect to--
                    (A) the initiation of the exchange by sending 
                computers;
                    (B) transmission through intermediate 
                communications software and hardware; and
                    (C) receipt and acceptance by receiving computers;
            (2) the term ``small and medium-sized businesses'' means 
        businesses with less than 500 employees;
            (3) the term ``Year 2000 compliant'' means, with respect to 
        information technology, that the information technology 
        accurately processes (including calculating, comparing, and 
        sequencing) date and time data from, into, and between the 20th 
        and 21st centuries and the years 1999 and 2000, and leap year 
        calculations, to the extent that other information technology 
        properly exchanges date and time data with it; and
            (4) the term ``Year 2000 computer problem'' means the 
        potential problems that might be encountered in any level of 
        computer hardware and software from microcode to application 
        programs, files, and databases that need to correctly interpret 
        year date data represented in 2-digit-year format.

SEC. 4. FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS.

    To ensure that all computer operations and processing can be 
provided without interruption by Federal agencies after December 31, 
1999, the head of each Federal agency shall--
            (1) take actions necessary to ensure that all systems and 
        hardware administered by the agency are Year 2000 compliant, to 
        the extent necessary to ensure that no significant disruption 
        of the operations of the agency or of the agency's data 
        exchange partners occurs, including--
                    (A) establishing, before March 1, 1999, schedules 
                for testing and implementing new data exchange formats 
                for completing all data exchange corrections, which may 
                include national test days for end-to-end testing of 
                critical processes and associated data exchanges 
                affecting Federal, State, and local governments;
                    (B) notifying data exchange partners of the 
                implications to the agency and the exchange partners if 
                they do not make appropriate date conversion 
                corrections in time to meet the Federal schedule for 
                implementing and testing Year 2000 compliant data 
                exchange processes;
                    (C) giving priority to installing filters necessary 
                to prevent the corruption of mission-critical systems 
                from data exchanges with noncompliant systems; and
                    (D) developing and implementing, as part of the 
                agency's continuity and contingency planning efforts, 
                specific provisions for data exchanges that may fail, 
                including strategies to mitigate operational 
                disruptions if data exchange partners do not make 
                timely date conversion corrections;
            (2) beginning not later than 30 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, convene meetings at least quarterly with 
        representatives of the agency's data exchange partners to 
        assess implementation progress; and
            (3) after each meeting convened pursuant to paragraph (2), 
        transmit to the Congress a report summarizing--
                    (A) the results of that meeting; and
                    (B) the status of the agency's completion of key 
                data exchange corrections, including the extent of data 
                exchange inventoried, an assessment of data exchange 
                formats agreed to with data exchange partners, testing 
                and implementation schedules, and testing and 
                implementation completed.

SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES.

    To ensure that the Nation's small and medium-sized businesses are 
prepared to meet the Year 2000 computer problem challenge, the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, in conjunction with the Small 
Business Administration, shall develop a Year 2000 compliance outreach 
program to assist small and medium-sized businesses. Such program shall 
include--
            (1) the development of a Year 2000 self-assessment 
        checklist;
            (2) an explanation of the Year 2000 computer problem and an 
        identification of best practices for resolving the problem;
            (3) a list of Federal Government Year 2000 information 
        resources; and
            (4) a list of Year 2000 compliant products provided by the 
        General Services Administration.

SEC. 6. INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT.

    Within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, in conjunction with other 
relevant Federal agencies, shall transmit to the Congress a report 
assessing the international implications of the Year 2000 computer 
problem. Such report shall include--
            (1) an assessment of Year 2000 compliance by the United 
        States major trading partners;
            (2) a description of efforts by the United States to share 
        best practices with other countries;
            (3) the economic implications on world trade and the United 
        States economy of the Year 2000 computer problem, including an 
        identification of impacted United States industrial sectors and 
        Federal agencies; and
            (4) a summary of participation by Federal agencies in 
        international fora addressing the Year 2000 computer problem.

SEC. 7. CONSUMER AWARENESS.

    To ensure that the Nation's consumers are aware of and prepared to 
meet the Year 2000 computer problem challenge, the Under Secretary of 
Commerce for Technology shall develop a Year 2000 consumer awareness 
program to assist the public in becoming aware of the implications of 
the Year 2000 computer problem. Such program shall include--
            (1) the development of a Year 2000 self-assessment 
        checklist;
            (2) a list of Federal Government Year 2000 computer problem 
        information resources;
            (3) a list of Year 2000 compliant products provided by the 
        General Services Administration;
            (4) a series of public awareness announcements or seminars 
        on the impact of the Year 2000 computer problem on consumer 
        products and services; and
            (5) a series of public awareness announcements or seminars 
        on the potential effect that the Year 2000 computer problem 
        could have on the provision of services by the Federal 
        Government to the public, and the progress made in resolving 
        the problem by the Federal agencies providing those services.

SOLUTION: Year 2000 Act - Requires the head of each Federal agency to:  (1) take actions necessary to ensure that all systems and hardware administered by the agency are Year 2000 compliant to the extent necessary to ensure that no significant disruption of the agency's operations or data exchange partners occurs; and (2) convene, at least quarterly, and report to the Congress on, meetings with representatives of the agency's data exchange partners to assess implementation progress. 
Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration, to develop a Year 2000 compliance outreach program to assist the Nation's small and medium-sized businesses to ensure that such businesses are prepared to meet the Year 2000 computer problem (Y2K problem) challenge. 
Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology:  (1) in conjunction with other relevant Federal agencies, to transmit to the Congress a report assessing the international implications of the Year 2000 computer problem; and (2) to develop a Year 2000 consumer awareness program to assist the public in becoming aware of the implications of such problem.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Offshore Wind Energy Research, 
Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (2) National offshore wind center.--The term ``national 
        offshore wind center'' means a national offshore wind energy 
        research, development, and demonstration center established 
        under section 4(a).
            (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means a program--
                    (A) that includes activities to support the 
                research, demonstration, and development of commercial 
                applications for offshore wind energy; and
                    (B) to be carried out by the Secretary under 
                section 3(a).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

SEC. 3. OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment 
of this Act, in accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall 
carry out the program--
            (1) to improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and 
        capacity of offshore wind turbines; and
            (2) to reduce the cost of manufacturing, construction, 
        deployment, generation, and maintenance of offshore wind energy 
        systems.
    (b) Program Requirements.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
program to support--
            (1) the design, demonstration, and deployment of advanced 
        wind turbine foundations and support structures, blades, 
        turbine systems, components, and supporting land- and water-
        based infrastructure for application in--
                    (A) shallow water;
                    (B) transitional depths; and
                    (C) deep offshore water;
            (2) the full-scale testing and establishment of regional 
        demonstrations of offshore wind components and systems to 
        validate technology and performance issues relating to the 
        components;
            (3) for inclusion in a publically accessible database, 
        assessments of the offshore wind resources of the United 
        States, including--
                    (A) environmental impacts and benefits;
                    (B) siting and permitting issues;
                    (C) exclusion zones; and
                    (D) transmission needs;
            (4) the design, demonstration, and deployment of integrated 
        sensors, actuators, and advanced materials (including composite 
        materials);
            (5) advanced blade manufacturing activity (including 
        automation, materials, and the assembly of large-scale 
        components) to stimulate the development of the blade 
        manufacturing capacity of the United States;
            (6) methods to assess and mitigate the effects of wind 
        energy systems on marine ecosystems and marine industries; and
            (7) other research areas, as determined to be appropriate 
        by the Secretary.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
              DEMONSTRATION CENTERS.

    (a) Duty of Secretary.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive 
basis and with an emphasis on technical merit, grants to institutions 
of higher education to establish 1 or more national offshore wind 
centers.
    (b) Selection Criteria.--In selecting institutions of higher 
education under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to 
institutions of higher education that--
            (1) agree to cover transitional depth technologies to 
        complement the activities of a national offshore wind center;
            (2) agree to host an offshore wind energy research and 
        development program funded by the Department of Energy in 
        coordination with an engineering program of the institution of 
        higher education;
            (3) employ individuals who have proven expertise relating 
        to the development of novel materials for commercial 
        applications; and
            (4) have access to, and use the resources of--
                    (A) the Atlantic Ocean;
                    (B) the Gulf of Mexico; or
                    (C) the Pacific Ocean.
    (c) Requirements.--A national offshore wind center established with 
funds provided by the Secretary through a grant under subsection (a) 
shall be designed--
            (1) to focus on deepwater floating offshore wind energy 
        technologies; and
            (2) to facilitate the conduct of initiatives to advance 1 
        or more activities described in section 3(b).

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this Act $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2021.

SOLUTION:
Offshore Wind Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement a program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of offshore wind turbines; and (2) reduce the cost of manufacturing, construction, deployment, generation, and maintenance of offshore wind energy systems.

Requires the Secretary to implement the program to support: (1) the design, demonstration, and deployment of advanced wind turbine foundations and support structures, blades, turbine systems, components, and supporting land- and water-based infrastructure for application in shallow water, transitional depths, and deep offshore water; (2) the full-scale testing and establishment of regional demonstrations of offshore wind components and systems to validate technology and performance issues relating to the components; (3) assessments of the offshore wind resources for inclusion in a publicly accessible database; (4) the design, demonstration, and deployment of integrated sensors, actuators, and advanced materials; (5) advanced blade manufacturing activity to stimulate the development of the blade manufacturing capacity of the United States; and (6) methods to assess and mitigate the effects of wind energy systems on marine ecosystems and marine industries.

Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to establish national offshore wind centers. Requires such a center to be designed to: (1) focus on deepwater floating offshore wind energy technologies; and (2) facilitate the conduct of initiatives to advance program activities.