An Act to improve the national sea grant program and for other purposes.
PL 94-461 (H.R.13035), enacted 10/08/1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
90 STAT. 1961 
Public Law 94-461 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To improve the national sea grant program and for other purposes. 
Be it enaHed hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America 
in Congress assemhled^ That this Act may-
be cited as the "Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976". 
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE AND 
PROGRAM ACT OF 1966. 
Title I I of the Marine Kesources and Engineorinoj Development Act 
of 19G6 (83 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: 
" T I T L E II—NATIONAL SEA GRANT PROGRAM 
"SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
"This title may be cited as the 'National Sea Grant Program Act'. 
"SEC. 202. DECLARATION OF POLICY. 
"(a) FiNDTXGS.—The Congress finds and declares the following: 
"(1) The vitality of the Nation and the quality of life of its 
citizens depend increasingly on the understanding, assessment, 
development, utilization, and conservation of ocean and coastal 
resources. These resources supply food, energy, and minerals and 
conti'ibute to human health, the quality of the environment, 
national security, and the enhancement of commerce. 
"(2) The understanding, assessment, development, utilization, 
and conservation of such resources require a broad commitment 
and an intense involvement on the part of the Federal Govern-
ment in continuing partnership with State and local governments, 
private industiy, universities, organizations, and individuals con-
cerned with or affected by ocean and coastal resources. 
"(3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Aduiinistration, 
through the national sea grant program, offers the most suitable 
locus and means for such conmiitment and involvement through 
the promotion of activities that will result in greater such under-
standing, assessment, development, utilization, and conservation. 
Continued and increased Federal support of the establishment, 
development, and operation of progi-ams and projects by sea grant 
colleges, sea grant regional consoitia, institutions of higher educa-
tion, institiites, laboratories, and other appropriate public and 
private entities is the most cost-effective way to promote such 
activities. 
"(b) OBJIXTIVE.—The objective of this title is to increase tlie under-
standing, assessment, development, utilization, and conservation of 
the Nation's ocean and coastal resources by providing assistance to 
promote a strong educational })ase, responsive research and training 
activities, and broad and piompt dissemination of knowledge and 
techniques. 
"(c) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of the Congress to achieve the 
objective of this title by extending and strengthening the national sea 
Oct. 8, 1976 
[H.R. 13035] 
Sea Grant 
Program 
Improvement 
Act of 1976. 
33 u s e 1121 
note. 
National 
Sea Grant 
Program Act. 
33 u s e 1121 
note. 
33 u s e 1121. 
90 STAT. 1962 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
grant program, initially established in 1966, to promote research, edu-
cation, training, and advisory service activities in fields related to ocean 
and coastal resources. 
"SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS. 
33 use 1122. 
"As used in this title— 
., 
"(1) The term 'Administration' means the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
"(2) The term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
"(3) The term 'Director' means the Director of the national sea 
grant program, appointed pursuant to section 204 (b). 
"(4) The term 'field related to ocean and coastal resources' 
means any discipline or field (including marine science (and the 
physical, natural, and biological sciences, and 
engineering, 
included therein), marine technology, education, economics, soci-
'•• 
ology, communications, planning, law, international affairs, and 
public administration) which is concerned with or likely to 
improve the understanding, assessment, development, utilization, 
or conservation of ocean and coastal resources. 
"(5) The term 'includes' and variants thereof should be read as 
if the phrase 'but is not limited to' were also set forth. 
"(6) The term 'marine environment' means the coastal zone, as 
defined in section 304(1) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 
1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453(1)); the seabed, subsoil, and waters of the 
territorial sea of the United States; the waters of any zone over 
which the United States asserts exclusive fishery management 
authority; tlie waters of the high seas; and the seabed and subsoil 
of and beyond the outer Continental Shelf. 
"(7) The term 'ocean and coastal resource' means any resource 
(whether living, nonliving, manmade, tangible, intangible, actual, 
or potential) which is located in, derived from, or traceable to, 
the marine environment. Such term includes the habitat of any 
such living resource, the coastal space, the ecosystems, the nutrient-
rich areas, and the other components of the marine environment 
which contribute to or provide (or which are capable of contribut-
ing to or providing) recreational, scenic, esthetic, biological, habi-
tational, commercial, economic, or conservation values. Living 
resources include natural and cultured plant life, fish, shellfish, 
marine mammals, and wildlife. Nonliving resources include energy 
sources, minerals, and chemical substances. 
"(8) The term'panel'means the sea grant review panel estab-
lished under section 209. 
"(9) Tlie term 'person' means any individual; any public or 
private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity 
(inchuling any sea grant college, sea grant regional consortium, 
institution of higher education, institute, or laboratory) ; or any 
State, political subdivision of a State, or agency or officer thereof. 
"(10) The term 'sea grant college' means any public or private 
institution of higher education which is designated as such by the 
Secretary imder section 207. 
" (11) The term 'sea grant program' means any program which— 
"(A) is administered by any sea grant college, sea grant 
- 
regional consortium, institution of higher education, institute, 
laboratory, or State or local agency; and 
"(B) includes two or more projects involving one or more 
of the following activities in fields related to ocean and 
coastal resources: 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
90 STAT. 1963 
"(i) research, 
"(ii) education, 
"(iii) training, or 
"(iv) advisory services. 
"(12) The term 'sea grant regional consortium' means any 
association or other alliance which is designated as such by the 
Secretary under section 207. 
"(13) The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce. 
" (14) The term 'State' means any State of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Vir-
gin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Mariana Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United 
States. 
"SEC. 204. NATIONAL SEA GRANT PROGRAM. 
" (a) I N GENERAL.—The Secretary shall maintain, within the Admin-
istration, a program to be known as the national sea grant program. 
The national sea grant program shall consist of the financial assistance 
and other activities provided for in this title. The Secretary shall 
establish long-range planning guidelines and priorities for, and ade-
quately evaluate, this program. 
"(b) DIRECTOR.—(1) The Secretary shall appoint a Director of the 
national sea grant program who shall be a qualified individual who 
has— 
" ( A ) knowledge or expertise in fields related to ocean and 
coastal resources; and 
"(B) appropriate administrative experience. 
"(2) The Director shall be appointed and compensated, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
appointments in the competitive service, at a rate not in excess of the 
maximum rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 
of such title. 
"(c) DUTIES.—The Director shall administer the national sea grant 
program subject to the supervision of the Secretary and the Admin-
istrator. In addition to any other duty prescribed by law or assigned 
by the Secretary, the Director shall— 
" (1) apply the long-range planning guidelines and the priorities 
established by the Secretary under subsection ( a ) ; 
"(2) advise the Administrator with respect to the expertise and 
capabilities which are available within or through the national sea 
grant program, and provide (as directed by the Administrator) 
those which are or could be of use to other offices and activities 
within the Administration; 
"(3) evaluate activities conducted under grants and contracts 
awarded pursuant to sections 205 and 206 to assure that the objec-
tive set forth in section 202 (b) is implemented; 
" (4) encourage other Federal departments, agencies, and instru-
mentalities to use and take advantage of the expertise and capa-
bilities which are available through the national sea grant 
program, on a cooperative or other basis; 
"(5) advise the Secretary on the designation of sea grant col-
leges and sea grant regional consortia and, in appropriate cases, if 
any, on the termination or suspension of any such designation; 
and 
"(6) 
encourage 
the 
formation and 
growth 
of 
sea grant 
programs. 
"(d) POWERS.—To carry out the provisions of this title, the Secre-
tary may— 
33 use 1123. 
Planning 
guidelines and 
priorities. 
5 use 3301 
et seq. 
5 use 5332 
note. 
90 STAT. 1964 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
5 use 3301 
et seq. 
5 use 5332 
note. 
Publication. 
Rules and 
regulations. 
33 use 1124. 
Application. 
"(1) appoint, assign the duties, transfer, and fix the compen-
sation of such personnel as may be necessary, in accordance with 
the civil service laws; except that five positions may be established 
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service, but the pay 
rates for such positions may not exceed the maximum rate for 
GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title; 
"(2) make appointments with respect to temporary and inter-
mittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 
of title 5, United States Code; 
"(3) publish or arrange for the publication of, and otherwise 
disseminate, in cooperation with other services, offices, and pro-
grams in the Administration, any information of research, edu-
cational, training, and other value in fields related to ocean and 
coastal resources and with respect to ocean and coastal resources, 
without regard to section 501 of title 44, United States Code; 
"(4) enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other 
transactions without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Stat-
utes of the United States (41 U.S.C. 6 ) ; 
"(5) accept donations and voluntary and uncompensated serv-
ices, notwithstanding section 3679 of the Revised Statutes of the 
United States (31 U.S.C. 665(b)); and 
"(6) issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary and 
appropriate. 
"SEC. 205. CONTRACTS AND GRANTS. 
"(a) I x GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants and enter into 
contracts under this subsection to assist any sea grant program or 
project if the Secretary finds that such program or project wall— 
"(1) implement the objective set forth in section 202(b); and 
" (2) be responsive to the needs or problems of individual States 
or regions. 
The total amount paid pursuant to any such grant or contract may 
equal 66% percent, or any lesser percent, of the total cost of the sea 
grant program or project involved. 
"(b) 
SPECIAL GRAXTS.—The Secretary may make special grants 
under this subsection to implement the objective set forth in section 
202(b). The amount of any such grant may equal 100 percent, or any 
lesser percent, of the total cost of the project involved. No grant may 
be made under this subsection unless the Secretary finds that— 
"(1) no reasonable means is available through which the appli-
cant can meet the matching requirement for a grant under sub-
section ( a ) ; 
"(2) the probable benefit of such project outweighs the public 
interest in such matching requirement; and 
"(3) the same or equivalent benefit cannot bo obtained through 
the award of a contract or grant under subsection (a) or section 
206. 
The total amount which may be provided for grants under this sub-
section during any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 1 
percent of the total funds appropriated for such year pursuant to 
section 212. 
"(c) ELIGIBILITY AXD PROCEDURE.—Any person may apply to the 
Secretary for a grant or contract under this section. Application shall 
be made in such form and manner, and with such content and other 
submissions, as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe. The Secre-
tary shall act upon each such application within 6 months after the 
date on which all required information is received. 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
90 STAT. 1965 
Record 
retention. 
Regulation. 
" ( d ) TERMS XVND CONDITIONS.— (1) Any grant made, or contract 
entered into, under this section shall be subject to the limitations and 
provisions set forth in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) and to such other 
terms, conditions, and requirements as the Secretary deems necessary 
or appropriate. 
"(2) No payment under any grant or contract under this section 
may be applied to— 
"(A) the purchase or rental of any land; or 
"(B) the purchase, rental, construction, preservation, or repair 
of any building, dock, or vessel; 
except that payment under any such grant or contract may, if approved 
by the Secretary, be applied to the purchase, rental, construction, pres-
ervation, or repair of non-self-propelled habitats, buoys, platforms, 
and other similar devices or structures, or to the rental of any research 
vessel which is used in direct support of activities under any sea grant 
program or project. 
"(3) The total amount which may be obligated for payment pursu-
ant to grants made to, and contracts entered into with, persons under 
this section within any one State in any fiscal year shall not exceed an 
amount equal to 15 percent of the total funds appropriated for such 
year pursuant to section 212. 
"(4) Any person who receives or utilizes any proceeds of any grant 
or contract under this section shall keep such records as the Secretary 
shall by regulation prescribe as being necessary and appropriate to 
facilitate effective audit and evaluation, including records which fully 
disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of such proceeds, 
the total cost of the program or project in connection with which such 
proceeds were used, and the amount, if any, of such cost which was 
provided through other sources. Such records shall be maintained for 
3 years after the completion of such a program or project. The Secre-
tary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their 
duly authorized representatives, shall have access, for the purpose of 
audit and evaluation, to any books, documents, papers, and records of 
receipts which, in the opinion of the Secretary or of the Comptroller 
General, may be related or pertinent to such grants and contracts. 
"SEC. 206. NATIONAL PROJECTS. 
"(a) I N GENERAL.—The Secretary shall identify specific national 
needs and problems with respect to ocean and coastal resources. The 
Secretary may make grants or enter into contracts under this section 
with respect to such needs or problems. The amount of any such grant 
or contract may equal 100 percent, or any lesser percent, of the total 
cost of the project involved. 
"(b) ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURE.—Any person may apply to the 
Application. 
Secretary for a grant or contract under this section. In addition, the 
Secretary may invite applications with respect to specific national 
needs or problems identified under subsection (a). Application shall be 
made in such form and manner, and with such content and other sub-
missions, as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe. The Secretary 
shall act upon each such application within 6 months after the date on 
which all required information is received. Any grant made, or con- 
' 
tract entered into, under this section shall be subject to the limitations 
and provisions set forth in section 205(d) (2) and (4) and to such 
other terms, conditions, and requirements as the Secretary deems neces-
sary or appropriate. 
"(c) AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to 
be appropriated for purposes of carrying out this section not to exceed 
$5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977. Such sums as 
may be appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available 
Audit. 
33 u s e 1125. 
Grants and 
contracts. 
89-194 O—78—Dt. 2-
90 STAT. 1966 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
until expended. The amounts obligated to be expended for the pur-
poses set forth in subsection (a) shall not, in any fiscal year, exceed an 
amount equal to 10 percent of the sums appropriated for such year pur-
suant to section 212. 
"SEC. 2
0
7
. 
SEA GRANT COLLEGES 
AND 
SEA GRANT REGIONAL 
CON-
SORTIA. 
33 use 1126. 
"(a) DESIGNATION.— (1) The Secretary may designate— 
" (A) any institution of higher education as a sea grant college; 
and 
"(B) any association or other alliance of two or more persons 
(other than individuals) as a sea grant regional consortium. 
"(2) 'No institution of higher education may be designated as a sea 
grant college unless the Secretary finds that such institution— 
"(A) is maintaining a balanced program of research, education, 
training, and advisory services in fields related to ocean and 
coastal resources and has received financial assistance under sec-
tion 205 of this title or under section 204(c) of the National Sea 
33 use 1124, 
Grant College and Program Act of 1966; 
1123. 
"(I^) "^i^l ^^^ i^ accordance with such guidelines as are pre-
scribed under subsection (b) ( 2 ) ; and 
"(C) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary deems 
necessary or appropriate. 
The designation of any institution as a sea grant college under the 
33 use 1121 
authority of such Act of 1966 shall, if such designation is in effect on 
note. 
the day before the date of the enactment of the Sea Grant Program 
Ante, p. 1961. 
Improvement Act of 1976, be considered to be a designation made 
under paragraph (1) so long as such institution complies with sub-
paragraphs (B) and (C). 
" (3) No association or other alliance of two or more persons may be 
designated as a sea grant regional consortium unless the Secretary 
finds that such association or alliance— 
" ( A ) is established for the purpose of sharing expertise, 
research, educational facilities, or training facilities, and other 
capabilities in order to facilitate research, education, training, and 
advisory services, in any field related to ocean and coastal 
resources; 
" ( B ) will encourage and follow a regional approach to solving 
problems or meeting needs relating to ocean and coastal resources, 
in cooperation with appropriate sea grant colleges, sea grant pro-
grams, and other persons in the region; 
"(C) will act in accordance with such guidelines as are pre-
scribed under subsection (b) ( 2 ) ; and 
" ( D ) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary deems 
necessary or appropriate. 
"(b) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe— 
"(1) the qualifications required to be met under paragraphs 
(2) (C) and (3) (D) of subsection ( a ) ; and 
"(2) guidelines relating to the activities and responsibilities 
of sea grant colleges and sea grant regional consortia. 
Hearing. 
"(c) SUSPENSION O
R TERMINATION OF DESIGNATION.—The Secre-
tary may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or 
terminate any designation under subsection (a). 
"SEC. 208. SEA GRANT FELLOWSHIPS. 
33 use 1127. 
"(a) I N GENERAL.—^The Secretary shall support a sea grant fellow-
ship program to provide educational and tra,ining assistance to quali-
fied individuals at the undergraduate and graduate levels of education 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
90 STAT. 1967 
in fields related to ocean and coastal resources. Such fellowships shall Guidelines, 
be awarded pursuant to guidelines established by the Secretary. Sea 
grant fellowships may only be awarded by sea grant colleges, sea grant 
regional consortia, institutions of higher education, and professional 
associations and institutes. 
"(b) 
LIMITATION ox TOTAL FELLOWSHIP GRANTS.—The total amount 
which may be provided for grants under the sea grant fellowship pro-
gram during any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 5 
percent of the total funds appropriated for such year pursuant to 
section 212. 
"SEC. 209. SEA GRANT REVIEW PANEL. 
"(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be established an independent 
33 USC 1128. 
committee to be known as the soa grant review panel. The panel shall, 
on the 60th day after the date of the enactment of the Sea Grant Pro-
gram Improvement Act of 1976, supersede the sea grant advisory 
Ante, p. 1961. 
panel in existence before such date of enactment. 
"(b) DUTIES.—The panel shall take such steps as may be necessary 
to review, and shall advise the Secretary, the Administrator, and the 
Director with respect to— 
"(1) applications or proposals for, and performance under, 
grants and contracts awarded under sections 205 and 206; 
" (2) the sea grant fellowship program; 
"(3) the designation and operation of sea grant colleges and 
sea grant regional consortia, and the operation of sea grant 
programs; 
"(4) the formulation and application of the planning guide-
lines and priorities under section 204 (a) and (c) (1); and 
"(5) such other matters as the Secretary refers to the panel 
for review and advice. 
The Secretary shall make available to the panel such information, per-
sonnel, and administrative services and assistance as it may reasonably 
require to carry out its duties. 
"(c) MEMBERSHIP, TERMS, AND POWERS.— (1) The panel shall con-
sist of 15 voting members who shall be appointed by the Secretary. 
The Director shall serve as a nonvoting member of the panel. Not less 
' 
, 
than five of the voting members of the panel shall be individuals who, 
by reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified 
> 'r 
in one or more of the disciplines and fields included in marine science. 
The other voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of 
\ 
knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in, or 
representative of, education, extension services. State government, 
industry, economics, planning, or any other activity which is appropri-
ate to, and important for, any effort to enhance the understanding, 
assessment, development, utilization, or conservation of ocean and 
coastal resources. Xo individual is eligible to be a voting member of 
the panel if the individual is (A) the director of a sea grant college, 
sea grant regional consortium, or sea grant program; (B) an appli-
cant for, or beneficiary (as determined by the Secretary) of, any grant 
or contract under section 205 or 206; or (C) a full-time officer or 
employee of the United States. 
"(2) The term of office of a voting member of the panel shall be 3 
years, except that of the original appointees, five shall be appointed for 
a term of 1 year, five shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, and five 
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 
"(3) Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before 
the expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was 
appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. 
90 STAT. 1968 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
Chairman, 
Vice Chairman. 
Compensation. 
5 use 5332 
note. 
33 use 1129. 
Submittal to 
Congress and 
President. 
33 use 1130. 
33 use 1131. 
Xo individual may be appointed as a voting member after serving one 
full term as such a member. A voting member may serve after the date 
of the expiration of the term of office for which appointed until his 
or her successor has taken office, or until 90 days after such date, 
whichever is earlier, 
"(4) The panel shall select one voting member to serve as the Chair-
man and another voting member to serve as the Vice Chairman. The 
Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence or incapacity of 
the Chairman. 
"(5) Voting members of the panel shall— 
"(A) receive compensation at the daily rate for GS-18 of the 
General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, 
when actually engaged in the performance of duties for such 
panel; and 
"(B) 
be reimbursed 
for 
actual and 
reasonable 
expenses 
incurred in the-performance of such duties. 
"(6) The panel shall meet on a biannual basis and, at any other 
time, at the call of the Chairman or upon the request of a majority of 
the voting members or of the Director, 
"(7) The panel may exercise such powers as are reasonably necessary 
in order to carry out its duties under subsection (b), 
"SEC. 
2
1
0
. 
INTERAGENCY 
COOPERATION. 
"Each department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Federal 
Government which is engaged in or concerned with, or which has 
authority over, matters relating to ocean and coastal resources— 
"(1) may, upon a written request from the Secretary, make 
available, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise any personnel 
(with their consent and without prejudice to their position and 
rating), service, or facility which the Secretary deems necessary 
to carry out any provision of this title; 
"(2) shall, upon a written request from the Secretary, furnish 
any available data or other information which the Secretary deems 
necessary to carry out any provision of this title; and 
"(3) shall cooperate with the Administration and duly author-
ized officials thereof. 
"SEC, 211. ANNUAL REPORT AND EVALUATION. 
"(a) AxxuAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the Congress 
and the President, not later than February 15 of each year, a report 
on the activities of, and the outlook for, the national sea grant program. 
"(b) EvALUATiox.—The Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, in the Executive Office of the President, shall have the oppor-
tunity to review each report prepared pursuant to subsection (a). 
Such Directors may submit, for inclusion in such report, comments 
and recommendations and an independent evaluation of the national 
sea grant program. Such material shall be transmitted to the Secre-
tary not later than February 1 of each year, and the Secretary shall 
cause it to be published as a separate section in the annual report 
submitted pursuant to subsection (a). 
"SEC. 212. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS. 
"There is authorized to be appropriated for purposes of carrying 
out the provisions of this title (other than section 206) not to exceed 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
90 STAT. 1969 
Contracts. 
33 use 1124a. 
$50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977. Such sunis 
as may be appropriated under this section shall remain available until 
expended.". 
SEC. 3. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ASSISTANCE. 
(a) I N GENERX\L.—The Secretary of Commerce (hereafter in this 
section referred to as the "Secretary'') may enter into contracts and 
make j^rants under this section to— 
(1) enhance the research and development capability of devel-
oping foreign nations with respect to ocean and coastal resources, 
as such term is defined in section 203 of the National Sea Grant 
Program Act; and 
(2) promote the international exchange of information and 
data with respect to the assessment, development, utilization, and 
conservation of such resources. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURE.—Any sea grant college and sea 
grant regional consortium (as defined in section 203 of the National 
Sea Grant Program Act) and any institution of higher education, 
laboratory, or institute (if such institution, laboratory, or institute is 
located within any State (as defined in such section 203)) may apply 
for and receive financial assistance under this section. Each grant or Regulation, 
contract under this section shall be made pursuant to such require-
ments as the Secretary shall, after consultation wath the Secretary of 
State, by regulation prescribe. Application shall be made in such form, 
and with such content and other submissions, as may be so required. 
Before approving any application for a grant or contract under this Consultation, 
section, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State. Any 
grant made, or contract entered into, under this section shall be sub-
ject to the limitations and provisions set forth in section 205(d) (2) 
and (4) of the National Sea Grant Program Act and to such other 
terms, conditions, and requirements as the Secretary deems necessary 
or appropriate, 
(c) AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated for purposes of carrying out this section not to exceed 
$3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977. Such sums 
as may be appropriated under this section shall remain available until 
expended. 
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 
(a) Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end thereof the following new paragraph: 
"(65) 
Administrator, 
National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.". 
(b) Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by add-
ing at the end thereof the following new paragraphs: 
"(109) Deputy Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration. 
"(110) Associate Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration.". 
(c)(1) Section 2(d) of Reorganization Plan Numbered 4 of 1970 
(84 Stat. 2090) is amended by striking out "T^vel V " and "(5 U.S.C. 
5316)" and inserting in lieu thereof "I^vel I V " and " (5 U.S.C. 5315)", 
respectively. 
5 use app. 11; 
15 use 1511 
note. 
90 STAT. 1970 
PUBLIC LAW 94-461—OCT. 8, 1976 
(2) The individual serving as the Associate Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (pursuant to sec-
5 use app. II. 
tion 2(d) of Reorganization Plan Numbered 4 of 1970) on the date 
of the enactment of this Act shall continue as the Associate Adminis-
trator, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1). 
Approved October 8, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 94-1048 (Comm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries) and No. 
94-1556 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORT No. 94-848 accompanying S. 3165 (Committees on Labor and Public 
Welfare and Commerce). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 122 (1976): 
May 3, considered and passed House. 
June 14, considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 3165. 
Sept. 17, Senate agreed to conference report. 
Sept. 23, House agreed to conference report. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 12, No. 42: 
Oct. 10, Presidential statement. 
f