[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3748 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3748
To improve data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans,
bays, estuaries, and coasts, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 8, 2021
Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Young, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Case, Mr.
Kilmer, Mr. Pappas, Ms. Barragan, and Mr. Cohen) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans,
bays, estuaries, and coasts, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bolstering Long-term Understanding
and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans, Bays, and Estuaries Act''
or the ``BLUE GLOBE Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to promote and support--
(1) the monitoring, understanding, and exploration of the
Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts; and
(2) the collection, analysis, synthesis, and sharing of
data related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and
coasts to facilitate science and operational decision making.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) agencies should optimize data collection, management,
and dissemination, to the extent practicable, to maximize their
impact for research, commercial, regulatory, and educational
benefits and to foster innovation, scientific discoveries, the
development of commercial products, and the development of
sound policy with respect to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays,
estuaries, and coasts;
(2) agencies should consider current and future needs
relating to supercomputing capacity, data storage capacity, and
public access, address gaps in those areas, and coordinate
across agencies as needed;
(3) the United States is a leading member of the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a
founding member of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, and a
key partner in developing the United Nations Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable Development;
(4) the Integrated Ocean Observing System and the Global
Ocean Observing System are key assets and networks that bolster
understanding of the marine environment;
(5) the National Oceanographic Partnership Program is a
meaningful venue for collaboration and coordination among
Federal agencies, scientists, and ocean users;
(6) the National Centers for Environmental Information of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should be
looked to by other Federal agencies as a primary, centralized
repository for Federal ocean data;
(7) the Marine Cadastre, a joint effort of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, provides access to data and information for
specific issues and activities in ocean resources management to
meet the needs of offshore energy and planning efforts;
(8) the regional associations of the Integrated Ocean
Observing System, certified by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration for the quality and reliability of
their data, are important sources of observation information
for the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts; and
(9) the Regional Ocean Partnerships and regional data
portals, which provide publicly available tools such as maps,
data, and other information to inform decisions and enhance
marine development, should be supported by and viewed as
collaborators with Federal agencies and ocean users.
SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.
In this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the Under Secretary
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in the Under Secretary's capacity
as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
SEC. 5. INCREASED COORDINATION AMONG AGENCIES WITH RESPECT TO DATA AND
MONITORING.
(a) Interagency Ocean Observation Committee.--In addition to its
responsibilities as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and in
consultation with the associated advisory committee authorized by
section 12304(d) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(d)), the Interagency Ocean Observation
Committee shall--
(1) work with international coordinating bodies, as
necessary, to ensure robust, direct measurements of the Great
Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, including
oceanographic data; and
(2) support cross-agency and multi-platform synergy, by
coordinating overlapping data collection by satellites, buoys,
submarines, gliders, vessels, and other data collection
vehicles and technologies.
(b) Federal Geographic Data Committee.--In addition to its
responsibilities as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and in
consultation with the National Geospatial Advisory Committee, the
Federal Geographic Data Committee shall--
(1) work with international coordinating bodies, as
necessary, to ensure robust, continuous measurements of the
Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, including
satellite and geospatial data; and
(2) support new and old data and metadata certification,
quality assurance, quality control, integration, and archiving.
(c) Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping.--In
addition to its responsibilities as of the date of the enactment of
this Act, and in consultation with its associated advisory panel
authorized by section 12203(g) of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping
Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3502(g)), the Interagency Committee on Ocean
and Coastal Mapping shall--
(1) work with international coordinating bodies, as
necessary, to ensure robust, continuous satellite and direct
measurements of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and
coasts, including bathymetric data; and
(2) make recommendations on how to make data, metadata, and
model output accessible to a broader public audience, including
through geographic information system layers, graphics, and
other visuals.
SEC. 6. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION TO COMBAT ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED, AND
UNREGULATED FISHING.
(a) Definitions.--Section 3532 of the Maritime Security and
Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 8001) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (13) as
paragraphs (7) through (14), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) Innovative technologies.--The term `innovative
technologies' includes the following:
``(A) Improved satellite imagery and tracking.
``(B) Advanced electronic monitoring equipment.
``(C) Vessel location data.
``(D) Improved genetic, molecular, or other
biological methods of tracking sources of seafood.
``(E) Electronic catch documentation and
traceability.
``(F) Such other technologies as the Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
considers appropriate.''.
(b) Technology Programs.--Section 3546 of the Maritime Security and
Fisheries Enforcement Act (16 U.S.C. 8016) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) coordinating the application of existing innovative
technologies and the development of emerging innovative
technologies.''.
SEC. 7. WORKFORCE STUDY.
(a) In General.--Section 303(a) of the America COMPETES
Reauthorization Act of 2010 (33 U.S.C. 893c(a)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``Secretary of Commerce'' and inserting ``Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, skillsets, or
credentials'' after ``degrees'';
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or highly qualified
technical professionals and tradespeople'' after ``atmospheric
scientists'';
(4) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, skillsets, or
credentials'' after ``degrees'';
(5) in paragraph (5)--
(A) by striking ``scientist''; and
(B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``,
observations, and monitoring;''
(6) in paragraph (6), by striking ``into Federal'' and all
that follows and inserting ``, technical professionals, and
tradespeople into Federal career positions;''
(7) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as
paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively;
(8) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) whether there is a shortage in the number of
individuals with technical or trade-based skillsets or
credentials suited to a career in oceanic and atmospheric data
collection, processing, satellite production, or satellite
operations;''; and
(9) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) workforce diversity and actions the Federal
Government can take to increase diversity in the scientific
workforce; and
``(9) actions the Federal Government can take to shorten
the hiring backlog for such workforce.''.
(b) Coordination.--Section 303(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 893c(b))
is amended by striking ``Secretary of Commerce'' and inserting ``Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere''.
(c) Report.--Section 303(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 893c(c)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``the date of enactment of this Act'' and
inserting ``the date of the enactment of the Bolstering Long-
term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans,
Bays, and Estuaries Act'';
(2) by striking ``Secretary of Commerce'' and inserting
``Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere''; and
(3) by striking ``to each committee'' and all that follows
through ``section 302 of this Act'' and inserting ``to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives''.
(d) Program and Plan.--Section 303(d) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
893c(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration'' and inserting ``Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere''; and
(2) by striking ``academic partners'' and all that follows
and inserting ``academic partners.''.
SEC. 8. ACCELERATING INNOVATION AT COOPERATIVE INSTITUTES.
(a) Focus on Emerging Technologies.--The Administrator shall ensure
that the goals of the Cooperative Institutes of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration include focusing on advancing or
applying emerging technologies, which may include--
(1) applied uses and development of real-time and other
advanced genetic technologies and applications, including such
technologies and applications that derive genetic material
directly from environmental samples without any obvious signs
of biological source material;
(2) deployment of, and improvements to, the durability,
maintenance, and other lifecycle concerns of advanced unmanned
vehicles, regional small research vessels, and other research
vessels that support and launch unmanned vehicles and sensors;
and
(3) supercomputing and big data management, including data
collected through electronic monitoring and remote sensing.
(b) Data Sharing.--Each Cooperative Institute shall ensure that
data collected from the work of the institute, other than classified,
confidential, or proprietary data, are archived and made publicly
accessible.
(c) Coordination With Other Programs.--The Cooperative Institutes
shall work with the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, the
regional associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, and
other ocean observing programs to coordinate technology needs and the
transition of new technologies from research to operations.
SEC. 9. OCEAN INNOVATION PRIZE AND PRIORITIZATION.
(a) Ocean Innovative Prizes.--Not later than 4 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and under the authority provided by
section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
(15 U.S.C. 3719), the Administrator, in consultation with the heads of
relevant Federal agencies, including the Secretary of Defense, and in
conjunction with nongovernmental partners, as appropriate and at the
discretion of the Administrator, shall establish at least one Ocean
Innovation Prize to catalyze the rapid development and deployment of
data collection and monitoring technology related to the Great Lakes,
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts in at least one of the areas
specified in subsection (b).
(b) Areas.--The areas specified in this subsection are the
following:
(1) Improved eDNA analytics and deployment with autonomous
vehicles.
(2) Plastic pollution detection, quantification, and
mitigation, including with respect to used fishing gear and
tracking technologies to reduce or eliminate bycatch.
(3) Advanced satellite data and other advanced technology
for improving scientific assessment.
(4) New stock assessment methods using satellite data or
other advanced technologies.
(5) Advanced electronic fisheries monitoring equipment and
data analysis tools, including improved fish species
recognition software, confidential data management, data
analysis and visualization, and storage of electronic reports,
imagery, location information, and other data.
(6) Autonomous and other advanced surface vehicles,
underwater vehicles, or airborne platforms for data collection
and monitoring.
(7) Artificial intelligence and machine learning
applications for data collection and monitoring related to the
Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts.
(8) Coral reef ecosystem monitoring.
(9) Electronic equipment, chemical or biological sensors,
data analysis tools, and platforms to identify and fill gaps in
robust and shared continuous data related to the Great Lakes,
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts to inform global earth
system models.
(10) Means for protecting aquatic life from injury or other
ill effects caused, in whole or in part, by monitoring or
exploration activities.
(11) Discovery and dissemination of data related to the
Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts.
(12) Water quality monitoring, including improved detection
and prediction of harmful algal blooms and pollution.
(13) Enhancing blue carbon sequestration and other ocean
acidification mitigation opportunities.
(14) Such other areas as may be identified by the
Administrator.
(c) Prioritization of Proposals.--In selecting recipients of Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology
Transfer (STTR) solicitations and interagency grants for ocean
innovation, including the National Oceanographic Partnership Program,
the Administrator shall prioritize proposals for fiscal years 2021 and
2022 that address at least one of the areas specified in subsection
(b).
SEC. 10. REAUTHORIZATION OF NOAA PROGRAMS.
Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998
(33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$70,814,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$71,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$25,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$34,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024'';
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$29,932,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$38,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024'';
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$26,800,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$45,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024''; and
(5) in paragraph (5), by striking ``$30,564,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$35,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024''.
SEC. 11. BLUE ECONOMY VALUATION.
(a) Measurement of Blue Economy Industries.--The Administrator, the
Director of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall prioritize the
collection, aggregation, and analysis of data to measure the value and
impact of industries related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays,
estuaries, and coasts on the economy of the United States, including
living resources, marine construction, marine transportation, offshore
mineral extraction, ship and boat building, tourism, recreation,
subsistence, and such other industries the Administrator considers
appropriate (known as ``Blue Economy'' industries).
(b) Collaboration.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Administrator shall--
(1) work with the Director of the Bureau of Economic
Analysis and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies to
develop a Coastal and Ocean Economy Satellite Account that
includes national and State-level statistics to measure the
contribution of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and
coasts to the overall economy of the United States; and
(2) collaborate with national and international
organizations and governments to promote consistency of
methods, measurements, and definitions to ensure comparability
of results between countries.
(c) Report.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of
Economic Analysis, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the Secretary of the Treasury, and the heads of other relevant Federal
agencies, shall publish a report that--
(1) defines the Blue Economy, in coordination with Tribal
governments, academia, industry, nongovernmental organizations,
and other relevant experts;
(2) makes recommendations for updating North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) reporting codes to
reflect the Blue Economy; and
(3) provides a comprehensive estimate of the value and
impact of the Blue Economy with respect to each State and
territory of the United States, including--
(A) the value and impact of--
(i) economic activities that are dependent
upon the resources of the Great Lakes, oceans,
bays, estuaries, and coasts;
(ii) the population and demographic
characteristics of the population along the
coasts;
(iii) port and shoreline infrastructure;
(iv) the volume and value of cargo shipped
by sea or across the Great Lakes; and
(v) data collected from the Great Lakes,
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, including
such data collected by businesses that purchase
and commodify the data, including weather
prediction and seasonal agricultural
forecasting; and
(B) to the extent possible, the qualified value and
impact of the natural capital of the Great Lakes,
oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts with respect to
tourism, recreation, natural resources, and cultural
heritage, including other indirect values.
SEC. 12. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY-OCEANS.
(a) Agreement.--Not later than 45 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter into an
agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct the
comprehensive assessment under subsection (b).
(b) Comprehensive Assessment.--
(1) In general.--Under an agreement between the
Administrator and the National Academy of Sciences under this
section, the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a
comprehensive assessment of the need for and feasibility of
establishing an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Oceans (ARPA-
O) that operates in coordination with and with nonduplication
of existing Federal oceanic research programs, including
programs of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) Elements.--The comprehensive assessment carried out
pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of how an ARPA-O could help
overcome the long-term and high-risk technological
barriers in the development of ocean technologies, with
the goal of enhancing the economic, ecological, and
national security of the United States through the
rapid development of technologies that result in--
(i) improved data collection, monitoring,
and prediction of the ocean environment,
including sea ice conditions;
(ii) overcoming barriers to the application
of new and improved technologies, such as high
costs and scale of operational missions;
(iii) improved management practices for
protecting ecological sustainability;
(iv) improved national security capacity;
(v) improved technology for fishery
population assessments;
(vi) expedited processes between and among
Federal agencies to successfully identify,
transition, and coordinate research and
development output to operations, applications,
commercialization, and other uses; and
(vii) ensuring that the United States
maintains a technological lead in developing
and deploying advanced ocean technologies;
(B) an evaluation of the organizational structures
under which an ARPA-O could be organized, which takes
into account--
(i) best practices for new research
programs;
(ii) consolidation and reorganization of
existing Federal oceanic programs to effectuate
coordination and nonduplication of such
programs;
(iii) metrics and approaches for periodic
program evaluation;
(iv) capacity to fund and manage external
research awards; and
(v) options for oversight of the activity
through a Federal agency, an interagency
organization, nongovernmental organization, or
other institutional arrangement; and
(C) an estimation of the scale of investment
necessary to pursue high priority ocean technology
projects.
(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a
report on the comprehensive assessment conducted under subsection (b).
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