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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1997

Introduced: April 10, 1997 Introduced by: Calvert, Ken Republican · California See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 20, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 80.
Jun 20, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-66, Part II.
Jun 11, 1997
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 11, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 22, 1997
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
May 22, 1997
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 22, 1997
House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 20, 1997.
Apr 22, 1997
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 105-66, Part I.
Apr 21, 1997
Mr. Sensenbrenner asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Science, Space and Technology have until 6:00 p.m. on April 22 to file a report on H.R. 1278. Agreed to without objection.
Apr 16, 1997
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 16, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 11, 1997
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Apr 11, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Apr 10, 1997
Referred to House Resources
Apr 10, 1997
Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 10, 1997
Referred to House Science
Apr 10, 1997
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs

Title II: Marine Research

Title III: Program Support and Other Accounts

Title IV: Streamlining of Operations

Title V: Miscellaneous

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1997 - Title I: Atmospheric, Weather, and Satellite Programs - Authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) National Weather Service (NWS) operations and research and public warning and forecast; (2) the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS); (3) construction, repair, and modification regarding new and existing weather forecast offices; (4) restructuring of the National Meteorological Center into the National Centers for Environmental Prediction; (5) NEXRAD Weather Service Office maintenance.

Amends the Weather Service Modernization Act to modify: (1) requirements regarding the restructuring of NWS field offices; and (2) the duties of the Modernization Transition Committee. Sets a termination date for the Committee. Encourages the NWS to form a working group with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding NWS operational use of FAA weather radar data. Requires that Department of Defense NEXRADs that provide primary detection coverage over a portion of their ranges function as fully committed, reliable elements (and be considered as integral parts) of the National Weather Radar Network.

(Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) climate and air quality research; (2) atmospheric research; (3) data acquisition; (4) modifications to the Boulder Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado; (5) satellite observing systems; (6) remote sensing; and (7) environmental data and information services.

Title II: Marine Research - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) mapping and charting; (2) geodesy; (3) tide and current observation; (4) estuarine and coastal assessment; (5) the National Status and Trends Program, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Program, and the Hazardous Materials Response and Assessment Program; (6) Oil Pollution Act of 1990 activities; (7) ocean services; (8) the Coastal Ocean Program; (9) data acquisition activities of the National Ocean Service; and (10) marine prediction research.

Title III: Program Support and Other Accounts - Authorizes appropriations for NOAA for: (1) executive direction and administrative activities; (2) Systems Acquisition Office activities; (3) central administrative support; (4) retired pay; (5) aircraft services; and (6) fleet maintenance and planning. Reduces the amount authorized to be appropriated under this Act by specified amounts to reflect the use of prior year balances.

Title IV: Streamlining of Operations - Prohibits appropriating funds for 12 specified programs, centers, and activities, including: (1) the National Undersea Research Program; (2) Fleet Replacement in the Capital Assets Acquisition Account; (3) the Goddard Science Center; and (4) the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees certifying that all 12 will be terminated by a specified date.

Repeals the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act.

(Sec. 402) Limits the total dollar amounts: (1) authorized to be appropriated by this or any other Act for NOAA for all activities associated with operations, research, and facilities or for capital assets acquisition; and (2) authorized to be used for NOAA travel and related expenses.

(Sec. 403) Prohibits any NOAA commissioned officers after FY 1997. Makes separated officers eligible, in lieu of separation pay, only for severance pay in accordance with specified provisions. Allows, with the approval of the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation and the NOAA Administrator, transfer to the armed services, the Coast Guard, and the NOAA civil service, respectively. Repeals the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 and inconsistent provisions of Federal law. Abolishes the Office of the NOAA Corps of Operations and the Commissioned Personnel Center.

Title V: Miscellaneous - Makes it unlawful for any unauthorized person to remove, move, damage, or interfere with any National Data Buoy Center weather data buoy. Provides for civil monetary penalties and rewards.

(Sec. 502) Makes the Secretary of Commerce, through the NWS, responsible for: (1) forecasts, serving as the sole official source of weather warnings; (2) issuance of storm warnings; (3) collection, exchange, and distribution of meteorological, hydrological, climatic, and oceanographic data and information; and (4) preparation of hydrometeorological guidance and core forecast information. Prohibits the NWS from competing (or assisting other entities in competing) with the private sector when a service is or can be provided by commercial enterprise unless the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide the service and the service provides vital weather warnings and forecasts for the protection of lives and property of the general public. Removes existing provisions relating to the duties of the Secretary regarding weather forecasting. Mandates a report to specified congressional committees detailing all NWS activities not conforming to this paragraph and outlining a timetable for their termination.

(Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts (including multiyear contracts) for the use of vessels to conduct oceanographic and fisheries research, monitoring, enforcement, and management, and to acquire other data necessary to carry out NOAA's missions. Prohibits contracts for the construction, lease-purchase, upgrade, or service life extension of any vessel. Requires use of the excess capacity of University National Oceanographic Laboratory System vessels where appropriate.

(Sec. 504) Authorizes NOAA to participate in the National Oceanic Partnership Program established by the National Oceanic Partnership Act.

(Sec. 505) Prohibits NOAA grants to any person who received grant funds from any Federal funding source that was not subjected to a competitive, merit-based award process.

(Sec. 506) Mandates notice to specified congressional committees of any reprogramming of funds authorized by this Act and of any NOAA major reorganization.

(Sec. 507) Declares the sense of the Congress regarding NOAA handling of the year 2000 computer systems problem.

What's happening now June 20, 1997

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 80.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3