[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3461 Engrossed in House (EH)]
2d Session
H. R. 3461
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To approve a governing international fishery agreement between the
United States and the Republic of Poland, and for other purposes.
105th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3461
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To approve a governing international fishery agreement between the
United States and the Republic of Poland, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT WITH POLAND
SEC. 101. GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT WITH POLAND.
Notwithstanding section 203 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1823), the governing
international fishery agreement between the Government of the United
States of America and the Government of the Republic of Poland, as
contained in the message to Congress from the President of the United
States dated February 5, 1998, is approved as a governing international
fishery agreement for the purposes of such Act and shall enter into
force and effect with respect to the United States on the date of
enactment of this Act.
TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS FISHERIES PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES
CONVENTION ACT OF 1995.
(a) Reauthorization.--Section 211 of the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 5610) is amended by
striking ``for each of'' and all that follows through the end of the
sentence and inserting ``for each fiscal year through fiscal year
2001.''.
(b) Miscellaneous Technical Amendments.--The Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 is further amended--
(1) in section 207(e) (16 U.S.C. 5606(e)), by striking
``sections'' and inserting ``section'';
(2) in section 209(c) (16 U.S.C. 5608(c)), by striking
``chapter 17'' and inserting ``chapter 171''; and
(3) in section 210(6) (16 U.S.C. 5609(6)), by striking
``the Magnuson Fishery'' and inserting ``the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery''.
(c) Report Requirement.--The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
Convention Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 212. ANNUAL REPORT.
``The Secretary shall annually report to the Congress on the
activities of the Fisheries Commission, the General Council, the
Scientific Council, and the consultative committee established under
section 208.''.
(d) North Atlantic Fisheries Organization Quota Allocation
Practice.--The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 (16
U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 213. QUOTA ALLOCATION PRACTICE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Secretary of State, shall promptly seek to establish a new practice for
allocating quotas under the Convention that--
``(1) is predictable and transparent;
``(2) provides fishing opportunities for all members of the
Organization; and
``(3) is consistent with the Straddling Fish Stocks
Agreement.
``(b) Report.--The Secretary of Commerce shall include in annual
reports under section 212--
``(1) a description of the results of negotiations held
pursuant to subsection (a);
``(2) an identification of barriers to achieving such a new
allocation practice; and
``(3) recommendations for any further legislation that is
necessary to achieve such a new practice.
``(c) Definition.--In this section the term `Straddling Fish Stocks
Agreement' means the United Nations Agreement for the Implementation of
the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
of 10 December 1982 Relating to the Conservation and Management of
Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.''.
SEC. 202. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION ACT OF 1975.
(a) Reauthorization.--Section 10(4) of the Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971h(4)) is amended by striking ``For
fiscal year 1998,'' and inserting ``For each of fiscal years 1998,
1999, 2000, and 2001,''.
(b) Miscellaneous Technical Amendments.--(1) The Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act of 1975 is further amended--
(A) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 971), by redesignating the
second paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
(B) in section 5(b) (16 U.S.C. 971c(b)), by striking
``fisheries zone'' and inserting ``exclusive economic zone'';
(C) in section 6(c)(6) (16 U.S.C. 971d(c)(6))--
(i) by designating the last sentence as
subparagraph (B), and by indenting the first line
thereof; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking
``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``clause (i)'';
(D) by redesignating the first section 11 (16 U.S.C. 971
note) as section 13, and moving that section so as to appear
after section 12 of that Act;
(E) by amending the style of the heading and designation
for each of sections 11 and 12 so as to conform to the style of
the headings and designations of the other sections of that
Act; and
(F) by striking ``Magnuson Fishery'' each place it appears
and inserting ``Magnuson-Stevens Fishery''.
(2) Section 3(b)(3)(B) of the Act of September 4, 1980 (Public Law
96-339; 16 U.S.C. 971i(b)(3)(B)), is amended by inserting ``of 1975''
after ``Act''.
SEC. 203. AUTHORITY OF STATES OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND CALIFORNIA TO
MANAGE DUNGENESS CRAB FISHERY.
(a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this section and
notwithstanding section 306(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1856(a)), each of the States
of Washington, Oregon, and California may adopt and enforce State laws
and regulations governing fishing and processing in the exclusive
economic zone adjacent to that State in any Dungeness crab (Cancer
magister) fishery for which there is no fishery management plan in
effect under that Act.
(b) Requirements for State Management.--Any law or regulation
adopted by a State under this section for a Dungeness crab fishery--
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), shall apply
equally to vessels engaged in the fishery in the exclusive
economic zone and vessels engaged in the fishery in the waters
of the State, and without regard to the State that issued the
permit under which a vessel is operating;
(2) shall not apply to any fishing by a vessel in exercise
of tribal treaty rights except as provide in United States v.
Washington, D.C. No. CV-70-09213, United States District Court
for the Western District of Washington; and
(3) shall include any provisions necessary to implement
tribal treaty rights pursuant to the decision in United States
v. Washington, D.C. No. CV-70-09213.
(c) Limitation on Enforcement of State Limited Access Systems.--Any
law of the State of Washington, Oregon, or California that establishes
or implements a limited access system for a Dungeness crab fishery may
not be enforced against a vessel that is otherwise legally fishing in
the exclusive economic zone adjacent to that State and that is not
registered under the laws of that State, except a law regulating
landings.
(d) State Permit or Treaty Right Required.--No vessel may harvest
or process Dungeness crab in the exclusive economic zone adjacent to
the State of Washington, Oregon, or California, except as authorized by
a permit issued by any of those States or pursuant to any tribal treaty
rights to Dungeness crab pursuant to the decision in United States v.
Washington, D.C. No. CV-70-09213.
(e) State Authority Otherwise Preserved.--Except as expressly
provided in this section, nothing in this section reduces the authority
of any State under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) to regulate fishing, fish
processing, or landing of fish.
(f) Termination of Authority.--The authority of the States of
Washington, Oregon, and California under this section with respect to a
Dungeness crab fishery shall expire on the effective date of a fishery
management plan for the fishery under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
(g) Repeal.--Section 112(d) of Public Law 104-297 (16 U.S.C. 1856
note) is repealed.
(h) Definitions.--The definitions set forth in section 3 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1802) shall apply to this section.
(i) Sunset.--This section shall have no force or effect on and
after September 30, 2001.
TITLE III--NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Hydrographic Services Improvement
Act of 1998''.
SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(2) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3) Hydrographic data.--The term ``hydrographic data''
means information acquired through hydrographic or bathymetric
surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic measurements, tide and
current observations, or other methods, that is used in
providing hydrographic services.
(4) Hydrographic services.--The term ``hydrographic
services'' means--
(A) the management, maintenance, interpretation,
certification, and dissemination of bathymetric,
hydrographic, geodetic, and tide and current
information, including the production of nautical
charts, nautical information databases, and other
products derived from hydrographic data;
(B) the development of nautical information
systems; and
(C) related activities.
(5) Act of 1947.--The term ``Act of 1947'' means the Act
entitled ``An Act to define the functions and duties of the
Coast and Geodetic Survey, and for other purposes'', approved
August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.).
SEC. 303. FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.
(a) Responsibilities.--To fulfill the data gathering and
dissemination duties of the Administration under the Act of 1947, the
Administrator shall--
(1) acquire and disseminate hydrographic data;
(2) promulgate standards for hydrographic data used by the
Administration in providing hydrographic services;
(3) promulgate standards for hydrographic services provided
by the Administration;
(4) ensure comprehensive geographic coverage of
hydrographic services, in cooperation with other appropriate
Federal agencies;
(5) maintain a national database of hydrographic data, in
cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies;
(6) provide hydrographic services in uniform, easily
accessible formats;
(7) participate in the development of, and implement for
the United States in cooperation with other appropriate Federal
agencies, international standards for hydrographic data and
hydrographic services; and
(8) to the greatest extent practicable and cost-effective,
fulfill the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (6) through
contracts or other agreements with private sector entities.
(b) Authorities.--To fulfill the data gathering and dissemination
duties of the Administration under the Act of 1947, and subject to the
availability of appropriations, the Administrator--
(1) may procure, lease, evaluate, test, develop, and
operate vessels, equipment, and technologies necessary to
ensure safe navigation and maintain operational expertise in
hydrographic data acquisition and hydrographic services;
(2) may enter into contracts and other agreements with
qualified entities, consistent with subsection (a)(8), for the
acquisition of hydrographic data and the provision of
hydrographic services;
(3) shall award contracts for the acquisition of
hydrographic data in accordance with title IX of the Federal
Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 541
et seq.); and
(4) may design and install where appropriate Physical
Oceanographic Real-Time Systems to enhance navigation safety
and efficiency.
SEC. 304. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
``hydrographic product'' means any publicly or commercially available
product produced by a non-Federal entity that includes or displays
hydrographic data.
(b) Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may--
(A) develop and implement a quality assurance
program that is equally available to all applicants,
under which the Administrator may certify hydrographic
products that satisfy the standards promulgated by the
Administrator under section 303(a)(3);
(B) authorize the use of the emblem or any
trademark of the Administration on a hydrographic
product certified under subparagraph (A); and
(C) charge a fee for such certification and use.
(2) Limitation on fee amount.--Any fee under paragraph
(1)(C) shall not exceed the costs of conducting the quality
assurance testing, evaluation, or studies necessary to
determine whether the hydrographic product satisfies the
standards adopted under section 303(a)(3), including the cost
of administering such a program.
(c) Limitation on Liability.--The Government of the United States
shall not be liable for any negligence by a person that produces
hydrographic products certified under this section.
(d) Hydrographic Services Account.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury a
separate account, which shall be known as the Hydrographic
Services Account.
(2) Content.--The account shall consist of--
(A) amounts received by the United States as fees
charged under subsection (b)(1)(C); and
(B) such other amounts as may be provided by law.
(3) Use.--Amounts in the account shall be available to the
Administrator, without further appropriation, for hydrographic
services.
(e) Limitation on New Fees and Increases in Existing Fees for
Hydrographic Services.--After the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Administrator may not--
(1) establish any fee or other charge for the provision of
any hydrographic service except as authorized by this section;
or
(2) increase the amount of any fee or other charge for the
provision of any hydrographic service except as authorized by
this section and section 1307 of title 44, United States Code.
SEC. 305. REPORTS.
(a) Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall report to the
Congress on a plan to increase, consistent with this title,
contracting with the private sector for photogrammetric and
remote sensing services related to hydrographic data
acquisition or hydrographic services. In preparing the report,
the Administrator shall consult with private sector entities
knowledgeable in photogrammetry and remote sensing.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include the following:
(A) An assessment of which of the photogrammetric
and remote sensing services related to hydrographic
data acquisition or hydrographic services performed by
the National Ocean Service can be performed adequately
by private-sector entities.
(B) An evaluation of the relative cost-
effectiveness of the Federal Government and private-
sector entities in performing those services.
(C) A plan for increasing the use of contracts with
private-sector entities in performing those services,
with the goal of obtaining performance of 50 percent of
those services through contracts with private-sector
entities by fiscal year 2003.
(b) Ports.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator and the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
report to the Congress on--
(1) the status of implementation of real-time tide and
current data systems in United States ports;
(2) existing safety and efficiency needs in United States
ports that could be met by increased use of those systems; and
(3) a plan for expanding those systems to meet those needs,
including an estimate of the cost of implementing those systems
in priority locations.
(c) Maintaining Federal Expertise in Hydrographic Services.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall report to the
Congress on a plan to ensure that Federal competence and
expertise in hydrographic surveying will be maintained after
the decommissioning of the 3 existing Administration
hydrographic survey vessels.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include--
(A) an evaluation of the seagoing capacity,
personnel, and equipment necessary to maintain Federal
expertise in hydrographic services;
(B) an estimated schedule for decommissioning the 3
existing survey vessels;
(C) a plan to maintain Federal expertise in
hydrographic services after the decommissioning of
these vessels; and
(D) an estimate of the cost of carrying out this
plan.
(d) United States Implementation of Electronic Nautical Charts.--
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall report to the Congress on the status of
implementation by the United States of electronic nautical charts. The
report shall address, at a minimum--
(1) the role of the private sector, and the potential for
the Administration to employ partnerships or other arrangements
with the private sector, in domestic and international
development and implementation of electronic nautical chart
technology;
(2) the effects of private sector participation in the
development and implementation of electronic nautical chart
technology on public safety and the continued ability of the
Federal Government to assume liability for United States
nautical charts; and
(3) the range of alternative means by which the
Administration can effectively and efficiently make electronic
nautical chart data available to the private sector and the
general public, including an evaluation of relative costs and
advantages or disadvantages of each such alternative.
SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator the
following:
(1) To carry out nautical mapping and charting functions
under the Act of 1947 and sections 303 and 304, except for
conducting hydrographic surveys, $33,000,000 for fiscal year
1999, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $35,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001, and $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
(2) To conduct hydrographic surveys under section
303(a)(1), including leasing of ships, $33,000,000 for fiscal
year 1999, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $37,000,000 for
fiscal year 2001, and $39,000,000 for fiscal year 2002. Of
these amounts, no more than $15,000,000 is authorized for any
one fiscal year to operate hydrographic survey vessels owned
and operated by the Administration.
(3) To carry out geodetic functions under the Act of 1947,
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and $22,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 2002.
(4) To carry out tide and current measurement functions
under the Act of 1947, $22,500,000 for each of fiscal years
1999 through 2002. Of these amounts, $3,500,000 is authorized
for each fiscal year to implement and operate a national
quality control system for real-time tide and current data, and
$7,250,000 is authorized for each fiscal year to design and
install real-time tide and current data measurement systems
under section 303(b)(4).
SEC. 307. AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF NOAA CORPS COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
(a) Authorized Number.--Section 2 of the Coast and Geodetic Survey
Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (e) as
subsections (b) through (f), respectively; and
(2) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated,
the following:
``(a)(1) Except as provided as in paragraph (2), there are
authorized to be not less than 264 and not more than 299 commissioned
officers on the active list of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration for fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.
``(2) The Administrator may reduce the number of commissioned
officers on the active list below 264 if the Administrator determines
that it is appropriate, taking into consideration--
``(A) the number of billets on the fisheries, hydrographic,
and oceanographic vessels owned and operated by the
Administration;
``(B) the need of the Administration to collect high-
quality oceanographic, fisheries, and hydrographic data and
information on a continuing basis;
``(C) the need for effective and safe operation of the
Administration's fisheries, hydrographic and oceanographic
vessels;
``(D) the need for effective management of the commissioned
Corps; and
``(E) the protection of the interests of taxpayers.
``(3) At least 90 days before beginning any reduction as described
in paragraph (2), the Administrator shall provide notice of such
reduction to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate and the Committees on Resources of the House of
Representatives.''.
(b) Officer Responsible for Commissioned Officers and Vessel
Fleet.--Section 24(a) of the Coast and Geodetic Survey Commissioned
Officers' Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853u(a)) is amended by inserting ``One
such position shall be appointed from the officers on the active duty
promotion list serving in or above the grade of captain, and who shall
be responsible for administration of the commissioned officers, and for
oversight of the operation of the vessel fleet, of the
Administration.'' before ``An officer''.
(c) Relief From Moratorium on New Appointments.--The Secretary of
Commerce immediately shall terminate the moratorium on new appointments
of commissioned officers to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Corps.
TITLE IV--NORTHWEST STRAITS MARINE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Northwest Straits Marine
Conservation Initiative Act''.
SEC. 402. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the Northwest
Straits Advisory Commission (in this title referred to as the
``Commission'').
SEC. 403. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION.
The Commission shall be organized and operated in accordance with
the provisions of the Northwest Straits Citizen's Advisory Commission
Report of August 20, 1998, on file with the Secretary of Commerce (in
this title referred to as the ``Report'').
SEC. 404. FUNDING.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may, from amounts
available to the Secretary to carry out the work of the Commission,
provide assistance for use in accordance with the Report and the
priorities of the Commission--
(1) to collect marine resources data in the Northwest
Straits;
(2) to coordinate Federal, state and local marine resources
protection and restoration activities in the Northwest Straits;
and
(3) to carry out other activities identified in the Report
as important to the protection and restoration of marine
resources in the Northwest Straits.
(b) Provision.--The Secretary may provide the assistance authorized
by subsection (a) through the Director of the Padilla Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve, unless the Governor of the State of
Washington objects. If the Governor objects, then the Secretary may
provide the assistance though the Administrator of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
SEC. 405. LIMITATION.
Nothing in this title provides the Commission with the authority to
implement any Federal law or regulation.
Passed the House of Representatives October 12, 1998.
Attest:
Clerk.