To authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2008 | House · vote #62 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended | Passed | 352–49 | See who voted → |
Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program in NOAA that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs.
(Sec. 103) Sets forth program authorities, including authorizing the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans.
(Sec. 104) Requires the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.
(Sec. 105) Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
(Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations.
Title II: Undersea Research Program - National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007 - (Sec. 202) Requires the Administrator to conduct an undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development program to increase scientific knowledge regarding management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Requires the program's director to cooperate with institutions of higher education and other educational marine and ocean science organizations and to make available undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, information, and expertise to support those organizations' undersea research. Authorizes the director to enter into partnerships with the private sector to achieve program goals and to promote marine industry technological advancement.
(Sec. 204) Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers representing all NOAA regions, and a national technology institute.
(Sec. 205) Specifies the research, exploration, education, and technology programs to be conducted through the network of extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology.
(Sec. 206) Allows not more than ten percent of the program's budget to be used for administration and for priority undersea research projects not covered by funding available from centers. Requires a competition every five years to select the regional centers that will participate in the program. Requires projects supported by the regional centers to be awarded using an open and competitive process.
(Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations.
Title III: Interagency Financing, Planning, and Coordination - (Sec. 301) Authorizes NOAA the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of the Navy, and other federal agencies involved in programs under this Act to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds appropriated to any federal participant in the program.
(Sec. 302) Requires the NOAA Administrator, and relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, industry, and other experts, to convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force.
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 581.