[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 381 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 195
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 381
To establish the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 23, 2021
Mr. Wicker (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Murkowski, Mr.
Whitehouse, and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
December 16, 2021
Reported by Ms. Cantwell, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration
Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The health and resilience of the ocean are
vital to the security and economy of the United States and to
the lives of the people of the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The United States depends on the ocean to
regulate weather and climate, to sustain and protect the
diversity of life, for maritime shipping, for national defense,
and for food, energy, medicine, recreation, and other services
essential to the people of the United States and all
humankind.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The prosperity, security, and well-being of
the United States depend on successful understanding and
stewardship of the ocean.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation and engagement
among government agencies, research institutions,
nongovernmental organizations, States, and the private sector
are essential for successful stewardship of ocean and coastal
environments, national economic growth, national security, and
development of agile strategies that develop, promote, and use
new technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Ocean exploration can help the people of the
United States understand how to be effective stewards of the
ocean and serve as catalysts and enablers for other sectors of
the economy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Mapping, exploration, and characterization of
the ocean provides basic, essential information to protect and
restore the marine environment, stimulate economic activity,
and provide security for the United States.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) A robust national ocean exploration program
engaging multiple Federal agencies, the private sector,
nongovernmental organizations, and academia is--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) essential to the interests of the
United States and vital to its security and economy and
the health and well-being of all people of the United
States; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) critical to reestablish the United
States at the forefront of global ocean exploration and
stewardship.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Characterization.--The term
``characterization'' refers to activities that provide
comprehensive data and interpretations for a specific area of
interest of the seafloor, sub-bottom, water column, or
hydrologic features, such as water masses and currents, in
direct support of specific research, environmental protection,
resource management, policymaking, or applied mission
objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Exploration.--The term ``exploration'' refers
to activities that provide--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown
or poorly understood area of the seafloor, sub-bottom,
or water column; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) an initial assessment of the physical,
chemical, geological, biological, archeological, or
other characteristics of such an area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Mapping.--The term ``mapping'' refers to
activities that provide comprehensive data and information
needed to understand seafloor characteristics, such as depth,
topography, bottom type, sediment composition and distribution,
underlying geologic structure, and benthic flora and
fauna.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. OCEAN POLICY COMMITTEE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Subcommittees.--Section 8932(c) of title 10, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Subcommittees.--(1) The Committee shall include--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a subcommittee to be known as the `Ocean
Science and Technology Subcommittee'; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) a subcommittee to be known as the `Ocean
Resource Management Subcommittee'.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) In discharging its responsibilities in support of
agreed-upon scientific needs, and to assist in the execution of the
responsibilities described in subsection (b), the Committee may
delegate responsibilities to the Ocean Science and Technology
Subcommittee, the Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, or another
subcommittee of the Committee, as the Committee determines
appropriate.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Increased Access to Geospatial Data for More Efficient
and Informed Decision Making.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment of document system.--Section
8932(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and''
at the end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (4)(F), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) establish or designate one or more systems
for ocean-related documents prepared under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), in
accordance with subsection (h).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Elements.--Section 8932 of such title is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating subsection (h) as
subsection (i); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting after subsection (g) the
following new subsection (h):</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Elements of Document System.--The systems
established or designated under subsection (b)(5) shall include the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) A publicly accessible, centralized digital
archive of documents described in subsection (b)(5) that are
finalized after the date of the enactment of the National Ocean
Exploration Act, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) environmental impact
statements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) environmental assessments;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) categorical exclusions;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) records of decision; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) other relevant documents as
determined by the Committee.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Geospatially referenced data, if any,
contained in the documents under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) A mechanism to retrieve information through
geo-information tools that can map and integrate relevant
geospatial information, such as--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Ocean Report Tools;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the Environmental Studies Program
Information System;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Regional Ocean Partnerships;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) the Integrated Ocean Observing
System.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. NATIONAL OCEAN MAPPING, EXPLORATION, AND
CHARACTERIZATION COUNCIL.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish a
council, to be known as the ``National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council'' (in this section referred to as the
``Council'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Purpose.--The Council shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) update national priorities for ocean mapping,
exploration, and characterization; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) coordinate and facilitate activities to
advance those priorities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Reporting.--The Council shall report to the Ocean
Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee
established under section 8932(c) of title 10, United States
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of not
fewer than one senior-level representative from each of the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The Department of the Navy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The Department of the Interior.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The department in which the Coast Guard is
operating.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The Office of Management and Budget.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) The Office of Science and Technology
Policy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) The National Science Foundation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) The Marine Mammal Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) The Department of Transportation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) The Department of Energy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) The Office of the Director of National
Intelligence.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Co-Chairs.--The Council shall be co-chaired by--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) two senior-level representatives from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) one senior-level representative from the
Department of the Interior.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Duties.--The Council shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) set national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization priorities and strategies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) cultivate and facilitate transparent and
sustained partnerships among Federal and State agencies,
private industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations
to conduct ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization
activities and related technology development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) coordinate improved processes for data
compilation, management, access, synthesis, and visualization
with respect to ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization, with a focus on building on existing ocean
data management systems, as appropriate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) encourage education, workforce training, and
public engagement activities that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) advance interdisciplinary principles
that contribute to ocean mapping, exploration,
research, and characterization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) improve public engagement with and
understanding of ocean science; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) provide opportunities for underserved
populations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) coordinate activities as appropriate with
domestic and international ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization initiatives or programs; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) establish and monitor metrics to track
progress in achieving the priorities set under paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and
Characterization.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--The President shall establish
a new interagency working group to be known as the
``Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and
Characterization''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Membership.--The Interagency Working Group on
Ocean Exploration and Characterization shall be comprised of
senior representatives from Federal agencies with ocean
exploration and characterization responsibilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Functions.--The Interagency Working Group on
Ocean Exploration and Characterization shall support the
Council and the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of
the Ocean Policy Committee established under section 8932(c) of
title 10, United States Code, on ocean exploration and
characterization activities and associated technology
development across the Federal Government, State governments,
private industry, nongovernmental organizations, and
academia.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Oversight.--The Council shall oversee--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean
Exploration and Characterization established under subsection
(g)(1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and
Coastal Mapping under section 12203 of the Ocean and Coastal
Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3502).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Council shall develop or
update and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
plan for an integrated cross-sectoral ocean mapping,
exploration, and characterization initiative.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1)
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) discuss the utility and benefits of
ocean exploration and characterization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) identify and describe national ocean
mapping, exploration, and characterization
priorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) identify and describe Federal and
federally funded ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) facilitate and incorporate non-Federal
input into national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization priorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) ensure effective coordination of ocean
mapping, exploration, and characterization activities
among programs described in subparagraph (C);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) identify opportunities for combining
overlapping or complementary needs, activities, and
resources of Federal agencies and non-Federal
organizations relating to ocean mapping, exploration,
and characterization while not reducing benefits from
existing mapping, explorations, and characterization
activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) promote new and existing partnerships
among Federal and State agencies, private industry,
academia, and nongovernmental organizations to conduct
or support ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization activities and technology development
needs, including through coordination under section 3
of the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology
Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4102);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) develop a transparent and sustained
mechanism for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder
engagement in strategic planning and mission execution
to be implemented not later than December 31,
2022;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) establish standardized collection and
data management protocols, such as with respect to
metadata, for ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (J) encourage the development, testing,
demonstration, and adoption of innovative ocean
mapping, exploration, and characterization technologies
and applications;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (K) promote protocols for accepting data,
equipment, approaches, or other resources that support
national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization priorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (L) identify best practices for the
protection of marine life during mapping, exploration,
and characterization activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (M) identify training, technology, and
other resource requirements for enabling the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other
appropriate Federal agencies to support a coordinated
national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization effort;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (N) identify and facilitate a centralized
mechanism or office for coordinating data collection,
compilation, processing, archiving, and dissemination
activities relating to ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization that meets Federal mandates for data
accuracy and accessibility;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (O) designate repositories responsible for
archiving and managing ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization data;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (P) set forth a timetable and estimated
costs for implementation and completion of the
plan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (Q) to the extent practicable, align ocean
exploration and characterization efforts with existing
programs and identify key gaps; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (R) identify criteria for determining the
optimal frequency of observations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (j) Briefings.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2
years thereafter, the Council shall brief the appropriate committees of
Congress on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) progress made toward meeting the national
priorities described in subsection (i)(2)(B); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) recommendations for meeting such priorities,
such as additional authorities that may be needed to develop a
mechanism for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder
engagement described in subsection (i)(2)(H).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (k) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the
Senate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) the Committee on Natural Resources, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee
on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. MODIFICATIONS TO THE OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM OF THE
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Purpose.--Section 12001 of the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3401) is amended by striking ``and
the national undersea research program''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Program Established.--Section 12002 of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3402) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``and
undersea''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``and
undersea research and exploration'' and inserting ``research
and ocean exploration and characterization efforts''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Powers and Duties of the Administrator.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 12003(a) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3403(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by inserting ``, in coordination with the Ocean Policy
Committee established under section 8932 of title 10,
United States Code,'' after
``Administration'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking ``voyages'' and
inserting ``expeditions'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``Federal
agencies'' and all that follows through ``and
survey'' and inserting ``Federal and State
agencies, Tribal governments, private industry,
academia, and nongovernmental organizations, to
map, explore, and characterize''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by inserting
``characterize,'' after ``observe,'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``of
the exclusive economic zone'' after ``deep ocean
regions'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (3), by striking
``voyages'' and inserting ``expeditions'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) in paragraph (4), by striking ``, in
consultation with the National Science
Foundation,'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) by amending paragraph (5) to read as
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) support technological innovation of the
United States marine science community by promoting the
development and use of new and emerging technologies for
research, communication, navigation, and data collection, such
as sensors and autonomous vehicles;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) in paragraph (6)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by inserting ``, in
collaboration with the National Ocean Mapping,
Exploration, and Characterization Council
established under section 5 of the National
Ocean Exploration Act,'' after ``forum'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) provide guidance, in coordination with the
National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization
Council, to Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments,
private industry, academia (including secondary schools,
community colleges, and universities), and nongovernmental
organizations on data standards, protocols for accepting data,
and coordination of data collection, compilation, processing,
archiving, and dissemination for data relating to ocean
exploration and characterization.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Donations.--Section 12003(b) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3403(b)) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Donations.--For the purpose of mapping, exploring,
and characterizing the oceans or increasing the knowledge of the
oceans, the Administrator may--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) accept monetary donations and donations of
property, data, and equipment; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) pay all necessary expenses in connection
with the conveyance or transfer of a gift, devise, or
bequest.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Definition of exclusive economic zone.--
Section 12003 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3403) is amended by adding
at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Definition of Exclusive Economic Zone.--In this
section, the term `exclusive economic zone' means the zone established
by Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983 (16
U.S.C. 1453 note; relating to the exclusive economic zone of the United
States of America).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Repeal of Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research
Technology and Infrastructure Task Force.--Section 12004 of such Act
(33 U.S.C. 3404) is repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Education, Workforce Training, and Outreach.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Such Act is further amended by
inserting after section 12003 the following new section
12004:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 12004. EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND
OUTREACH.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) conduct education and outreach efforts in
order to broadly disseminate information to the public on the
discoveries made by the program under section 12002;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) to the extent possible, coordinate the
efforts described in paragraph (1) with the outreach strategies
of other domestic or international ocean mapping, exploration,
and characterization initiatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Education and Outreach Efforts.--Efforts described
in subsection (a)(1) may include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) education of the general public, teachers,
students, and ocean and coastal resource managers;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) workforce training, reskilling, and
opportunities to encourage development of ocean related
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
technical training programs involving secondary schools,
community colleges, and universities, including Historically
Black Colleges or Universities (within the meaning of the term
``part B institution'' under section 322 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)), Tribal Colleges or
Universities (as defined in section 316(b) of such Act (20
U.S.C. 1059c(b))), and other minority-serving institutions (as
described in section 371(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)))).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Outreach Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall develop an outreach strategy to broadly disseminate information
on the discoveries made by the program under section
12002.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
(Public Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the
item relating to section 12004 and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 12004. Education, workforce training, and outreach.''.
<DELETED> (f) Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--Section 12005(a)(1) of such
Act (33 U.S.C. 3505(1)) is amended by inserting ``and the
National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization
Council established under section 5 of the National Ocean
Exploration Act'' after ``advise the Administrator''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Technical amendment.--Section 12005(c) of such
Act (33 U.S.C. 3505(c)) is amended by inserting ``this'' before
``part''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12006 of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 3406) is amended by striking ``this part'' and all
that follows and inserting ``this part $60,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2030''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Definitions.--Such Act is further amended by inserting
after section 12006 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 12007. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``In this part:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Characterization.--The terms
`characterization', `characterize', and `characterizing' refer
to activities that provide comprehensive data and
interpretations for a specific area of interest of the
seafloor, sub-bottom, water column, or hydrologic features,
such as water masses and currents, in direct support of
specific research, environmental protection, resource
management, policymaking, or applied mission
objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Exploration.--The term `exploration',
`explore', and `exploring' refer to activities that provide--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a multidisciplinary view of an
unknown or poorly understood area of the seafloor, sub-
bottom, or water column; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) an initial assessment of the
physical, chemical, geological, biological,
archaeological, or other characteristics of such an
area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Mapping.--The terms `map' and `mapping'
refer to activities that provide comprehensive data and
information needed to understand seafloor characteristics, such
as depth, topography, bottom type, sediment composition and
distribution, underlying geologic structure, and benthic flora
and fauna.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 12006 the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 12007. Definitions.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 7. REPEAL.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of
2009 (part II of subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 111-11; 33
U.S.C. 3421 et seq.) is repealed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the items relating to part II
of subtitle A of title XII of such Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. MODIFICATIONS TO OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM OF
THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment of Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 12202(a) of the Ocean and
Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3501(a)) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``establish a program to
develop a coordinated and'' and inserting ``establish
and maintain a program to coordinate'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``plan'' and inserting
``efforts''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking ``that enhances'' and all
that follows and inserting ``that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-
making for natural resource and habitat management restoration
and conservation, emergency response, and coastal resilience
and adaptation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) establishes research and mapping
priorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) supports the siting of research and other
platforms; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) advances ocean and coastal
science.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Membership.--Section 12202 of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3501) is amended by striking subsection (b) and
redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Program parameters.--Subsection (b) of section
12202 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3501), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``developing'' and inserting
``maintaining'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and
for leveraging existing Federal geospatial services
capacities and contract vehicles for efficiencies''
after ``coastal mapping'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``with
coastal state and local government programs'' and
inserting ``with mapping programs, in conjunction with
Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, private
industry, academia, and nongovernmental
organizations'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (8), by striking ``of
real-time tide data and the development'' and inserting
``of tide data and water-level data and the development
and dissemination'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) in paragraph (9), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) in paragraph (10), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) support--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the Ocean Science and Technology
Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee established
under section 8932(c) of title 10, United States Code;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the National Ocean Mapping,
Exploration, and Characterization Council established
under section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration
Act.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal
Mapping.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Name change.--The Ocean and Coastal Mapping
Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in section 12202 (33 U.S.C. 3501)--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in subsection (a), by striking
``Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal
Mapping'' and inserting ``Interagency Working
Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping under
section 12203''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subsection (b), as
redesignated by subsection (a)(2), by striking
``Committee'' and inserting ``Working
Group'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in section 12203 (33 U.S.C. 3502)--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in the section heading, by
striking ``committee'' and inserting ``working
group'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subsection (b), in the
first sentence, by striking ``committee'' and
inserting ``Working Group'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in subsection (e), by
striking ``committee'' and inserting ``Working
Group''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) in subsection (f), by
striking ``committee'' and inserting ``Working
Group''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in section 12208 (33 U.S.C. 3507), by
amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Working group.--The term `Working Group'
means the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal
Mapping under section 12203.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) In general.--Section 12203(a) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502(a)) is amended by striking ``within 30 days'' and
all that follows and inserting ``not later than 30 days after
the date of the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration
Act, shall use the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and
Coastal Mapping in existence as of the date of the enactment of
such Act to implement section 12202.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Membership.--Section 12203(b) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502(b)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the first sentence, by striking
``senior'' both places it appears and inserting
``senior-level'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in the third sentence, by striking
``the Minerals Management Service'' and inserting ``the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of the Department of
the Interior, the Office of the Assistant Secretary,
Fish and Wildlife and Parks of the Department of the
Interior''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking the second
sentence.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Co-chairs.--Section 12203(c) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502(c)) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Co-Chairs.--The Working Group shall be co-chaired by
one representative from each of the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) The Department of the Interior.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The United States Army Corps of
Engineers.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Subordinate groups.--Section 12203(d) of such
Act (33 U.S.C. 3502(d)) is amended to read as
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Subordinate Groups.--The co-chairs may establish
such permanent or temporary subordinate groups as determined
appropriate by the Working Group.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Meetings.--Section 12203(e) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502(e)) is amended by striking ``each subcommittee and
each working group'' and inserting ``each subordinate
group''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Coordination.--Section 12203(f) of such Act
(33 U.S.C. 3502(f)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1)
through (5) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) other Federal efforts, such as the Digital
Coast, the Federal Geographic Data Committee, GeoPlatform, the
Integrated Ocean Observing System, the Hydrographic Services
Review Panel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National
Geospatial Advisory Committee of the Department of the
Interior, the advisory committee for the National Integrated
Coastal and Ocean Observation System, and the Technical Mapping
Advisory Council of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) international mapping activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) coastal states;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) coastal Indian Tribes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) data acquisition and user groups through
workshops, partnerships, and other appropriate mechanisms;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) representatives of nongovernmental
entities.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Advisory panel.--Section 12203 of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502) is amended by striking subsection (g).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Functions.--Section 12203 of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502), as amended by paragraph (8), is further amended
by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Support Functions.--The Working Group shall support
the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council
established under section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration Act and
the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy
Committee established under section 8932(c) of title 10, United States
Code, on ocean mapping activities and associated technology development
across the Federal Government, State governments, private industry,
nongovernmental organizations, and academia.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
(Public Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the
item relating to section 12203 and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 12203. Interagency working group on ocean and coastal
mapping.''.
<DELETED> (c) Biennial Reports.--Section 12204 of the Ocean and
Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3503) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``No later'' and all that follows through ``House of
Representatives'' and inserting ``Not later than 18 months
after the date of the enactment of the National Ocean
Exploration Act, and biennially thereafter until 2040, the co-
chairs of the Working Group, in coordination with the National
Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council
established under section 5 of such Act, shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and
the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives,'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including
the data maintained by the National Centers for Environmental
Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration,'' after ``mapping data'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, including a
plan to map the coasts of the United States on a requirements-
based cycle, with mapping agencies and partners coordinating on
a unified approach that factors in recent related studies,
meets multiple user requirements, and identifies gaps'' after
``accomplished'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by striking paragraph (10) and redesignating
paragraphs (11), (12), and (13) as paragraphs (10), (11), and
(12), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated, by
striking ``with coastal state and local government programs''
and inserting ``with international, coastal state, and local
government and nongovernmental mapping programs'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by
paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``increase'' and inserting
``streamline and expand'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting ``for the purpose of
fulfilling Federal mapping and charting
responsibilities, plans, and strategies'' after
``entities''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by
paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting
a semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(13) a progress report on the development of new
and innovative technologies and applications through research
and development, including cooperative or other agreements with
joint or cooperative research institutes and centers and other
nongovernmental entities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(14) a description of best practices in data
processing and distribution and leveraging opportunities among
agencies represented on the Working Group and with coastal
states, coastal Indian Tribes, and nongovernmental
entities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(15) an identification of any training,
technology, or other requirements for enabling Federal mapping
programs, vessels, and aircraft to support a coordinated ocean
and coastal mapping program; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(16) a timetable for implementation and
completion of the plan described in paragraph (3), including
recommendations for integrating new approaches into the
program.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) NOAA Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Centers.--Section 12205(c) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3504(c)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``3'' and inserting ``three'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and
uncrewed'' after ``sensing''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Plan.--Section 12205 of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3504) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the section heading, by striking
``plan'' and inserting ``noaa joint ocean and coastal
mapping centers'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking subsections (a), (b), and
(d); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subsection (c), by striking ``(c)
NOAA Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--
''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
(Public Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the
item relating to section 12205 and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 12205. NOAA joint ocean and coastal mapping centers.''.
<DELETED> (e) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Federal Funding
Opportunity.--The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33. U.S.C.
3501 et seq.) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by redesignating sections 12206, 12207, and
12208 as sections 12208, 12209, and 12210, respectively;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after section 12205 the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 12206. OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING FEDERAL FUNDING
OPPORTUNITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, the
Administrator shall develop an integrated ocean and coastal mapping
Federal funding match opportunity within the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration with Federal, State, Tribal, local,
nonprofit, private industry, or academic partners in order to increase
the coordinated acquisition, processing, stewardship, and archival of
new ocean and coastal mapping data in United States waters.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Rules.--The Administrator shall develop
administrative and procedural rules for the ocean and coastal mapping
Federal funding match opportunity developed under subsection (a), to
include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) specific and detailed criteria that must be
addressed by an applicant, such as geographic overlap with pre-
established priorities, number and type of project partners,
benefit to the applicant, coordination with other funding
opportunities, and benefit to the public;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) determination of the appropriate funding
match amounts and mechanisms to use, such as grants,
agreements, or contracts; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) other funding award criteria as are
necessary or appropriate to ensure that evaluations of
proposals and decisions to award funding under this section are
based on objective standards applied fairly and equitably to
those proposals.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Geospatial Services and Contract Vehicles.--The
ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding match opportunity developed
under subsection (a) shall leverage Federal expertise and capacities
for geospatial services and Federal geospatial contract vehicles using
the private sector for acquisition efficiencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 12207. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, AND
GRANTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--To carry out interagency activities
under this subtitle, the heads of agencies represented on the Working
Group may enter into cooperative agreements, or any other agreement
with each other, and transfer, receive, and expend funds made available
by any Federal agency, any State or subdivision thereof, or any public
or private organization or individual, for ocean and coastal mapping
investigations, surveys, studies, and other geospatial collaborations
authorized by this subtitle or agreements authorized by section 5 of
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. 883e).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Grants.--The Administrator may make grants to any
State or subdivision thereof or any public or private organization or
individual to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12209 of
such Act, as redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``this
subtitle'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subtitle
$45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through
2030.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``this
subtitle'' and all that follows and inserting ``this subtitle
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through
2030.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by striking subsection (c); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Federal Funding
Opportunity.--Of amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a),
$20,000,000 is authorized to carry out section 12206.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Definitions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Ocean and coastal mapping.--Paragraph (5) of
section 12210 of such Act, as redesignated by subsection
(e)(1), is amended by striking ``processing, and management''
and inserting ``processing, management, maintenance,
interpretation, certification, and dissemination''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Coastal indian tribe.--Section 12210 of such
Act, as redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is amended by adding
at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) Coastal indian tribe.--The term `coastal
Indian Tribe' means an `Indian tribe', as defined in section 4
of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 5304), the land of which is located in a coastal
state.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the items relating to
sections 12206 through 12208 and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 12206. Ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding
opportunity.
<DELETED>``Sec. 12207. Cooperative agreements, contracts, and grants.
<DELETED>``Sec. 12208. Effect on other laws.
<DELETED>``Sec. 12209. Authorization of appropriations.
<DELETED>``Sec. 12210. Definitions.''.
<DELETED>SEC. 9. MODIFICATIONS TO HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT
OF 1998.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--Section 302(4)(A) of the Hydrographic
Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892(4)(A)) is amended by
inserting ``hydrodynamic forecast and datum transformation models,''
after ``nautical information databases,''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Functions of the Administrator.--Section 303(b) of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 892a(b)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``precision navigation,'' after ``promote'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by inserting ``and hydrodynamic
forecast models'' after ``monitoring
systems'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting ``and provide
foundational information and services required to
support coastal resilience planning for coastal
transportation and other infrastructure, coastal
protection and restoration projects, and related
activities'' after ``efficiency''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Quality Assurance Program.--Section 304(a) of such Act
(33 U.S.C. 892b(a)) is amended by striking ``product produced'' and
inserting ``product or service produced or disseminated''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 306(a) of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 892d(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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
2030'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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
2030'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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
2030'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 2030'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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
2030''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The health and resilience of the ocean are vital to the
security and economy of the United States and to the lives of
the people of the United States.
(2) The United States depends on the ocean to regulate
weather and climate, to sustain and protect the diversity of
life, for maritime shipping, for national defense, and for
food, energy, medicine, recreation, and other services
essential to the people of the United States and all humankind.
(3) The prosperity, security, and well-being of the United
States depend on successful understanding and stewardship of
the ocean.
(4) Interdisciplinary cooperation and engagement among
government agencies, research institutions, nongovernmental
organizations, States, Indian Tribes, and the private sector
are essential for successful stewardship of ocean and coastal
environments, national economic growth, national security, and
development of agile strategies that develop, promote, and use
new technologies.
(5) Ocean exploration can help the people of the United
States understand how to be effective stewards of the ocean and
serve as catalysts and enablers for other sectors of the
economy.
(6) Mapping, exploration, and characterization of the ocean
provides basic, essential information to protect and restore
the marine environment, stimulate economic activity, and
provide security for the United States.
(7) A robust national ocean exploration program engaging
multiple Federal agencies, Indian Tribes, the private sector,
nongovernmental organizations, and academia is--
(A) essential to the interests of the United States
and vital to its security and economy and the health
and well-being of all people of the United States; and
(B) critical to reestablish the United States at
the forefront of global ocean exploration and
stewardship.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Characterization.--The term ``characterization'' refers
to activities that provide comprehensive data and
interpretations for a specific area of interest of the
seafloor, sub-bottom, water column, or hydrologic features,
such as water masses and currents, in direct support of
specific research, environmental protection, resource
management, policymaking, or applied mission objectives.
(2) Exploration.--The term ``exploration'' refers to
activities that provide--
(A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown or
poorly understood area of the seafloor, sub-bottom, or
water column; and
(B) an initial assessment of the physical,
chemical, geological, biological, archeological, or
other characteristics of such an area.
(3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(4) Mapping.--The term ``mapping'' refers to activities
that provide comprehensive data and information needed to
understand seafloor characteristics, such as depth, topography,
bottom type, sediment composition and distribution, underlying
geologic structure, and benthic flora and fauna.
SEC. 4. OCEAN POLICY COMMITTEE.
(a) Subcommittees.--Section 8932(c) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Subcommittees.--(1) The Committee shall include--
``(A) a subcommittee to be known as the `Ocean Science and
Technology Subcommittee'; and
``(B) a subcommittee to be known as the `Ocean Resource
Management Subcommittee'.
``(2) In discharging its responsibilities in support of agreed-upon
scientific needs, and to assist in the execution of the
responsibilities described in subsection (b), the Committee may
delegate responsibilities to the Ocean Science and Technology
Subcommittee, the Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, or another
subcommittee of the Committee, as the Committee determines
appropriate.''.
(b) Increased Access to Geospatial Data for More Efficient and
Informed Decision Making.--
(1) Establishment of document system.--Section 8932(b) of
title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (4)(F), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) establish or designate one or more systems for ocean-
related documents prepared under the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), in accordance with
subsection (h).''.
(2) Elements.--Section 8932 of such title is amended--
(A) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(i); and
(B) by inserting after subsection (g) the following
new subsection (h):
``(h) Elements of Document System.--The systems established or
designated under subsection (b)(5) shall include the following:
``(1) A publicly accessible, centralized digital archive of
documents described in subsection (b)(5) that are finalized
after the date of the enactment of the National Ocean
Exploration Act, including--
``(A) environmental impact statements;
``(B) environmental assessments;
``(C) categorical exclusions;
``(D) records of decision; and
``(E) other relevant documents as determined by the
Committee.
``(2) Geospatially referenced data, if any, contained in
the documents under paragraph (1).
``(3) A mechanism to retrieve information through geo-
information tools that can map and integrate relevant
geospatial information, such as--
``(A) Ocean Report Tools;
``(B) the Environmental Studies Program Information
System;
``(C) Regional Ocean Partnerships; and
``(D) the Integrated Ocean Observing System.''.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL OCEAN MAPPING, EXPLORATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION
COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--The President shall establish a council, to be
known as the ``National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council'' (in this section referred to as the
``Council'').
(b) Purpose.--The Council shall--
(1) update national priorities for ocean mapping,
exploration, and characterization; and
(2) coordinate and facilitate activities to advance those
priorities.
(c) Reporting.--The Council shall report to the Ocean Science and
Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy Committee established under
section 8932(c) of title 10, United States Code.
(d) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of not fewer than
one senior-level representative from each of the following:
(1) The Department of the Navy.
(2) The Department of the Interior.
(3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(4) The department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(5) The Office of Management and Budget.
(6) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(7) The National Science Foundation.
(8) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(9) The Marine Mammal Commission.
(10) The Department of Transportation.
(11) The Department of Energy.
(12) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
(e) Co-Chairs.--The Council shall be co-chaired by--
(1) two senior-level representatives from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
(2) one senior-level representative from the Department of
the Interior.
(f) Duties.--The Council shall--
(1) set national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization priorities and strategies;
(2) cultivate and facilitate transparent and sustained
partnerships among Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes,
private industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations
to conduct ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization
activities and related technology development;
(3) coordinate improved processes for data compilation,
management, access, synthesis, and visualization with respect
to ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, with a
focus on building on existing ocean data management systems, as
appropriate;
(4) encourage education, workforce training, and public
engagement activities that--
(A) advance interdisciplinary principles that
contribute to ocean mapping, exploration, research, and
characterization;
(B) improve public engagement with and
understanding of ocean science; and
(C) provide opportunities for underserved
populations;
(5) coordinate activities as appropriate with domestic and
international ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization
initiatives or programs; and
(6) establish and monitor metrics to track progress in
achieving the priorities set under paragraph (1).
(g) Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and
Characterization.--
(1) Establishment.--The President shall establish a new
interagency working group to be known as the ``Interagency
Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization''.
(2) Membership.--The Interagency Working Group on Ocean
Exploration and Characterization shall be comprised of senior
representatives from Federal agencies with ocean exploration
and characterization responsibilities.
(3) Functions.--The Interagency Working Group on Ocean
Exploration and Characterization shall support the Council and
the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean
Policy Committee established under section 8932(c) of title 10,
United States Code, on ocean exploration and characterization
activities and associated technology development across the
Federal Government, State governments, Indian Tribes, private
industry, nongovernmental organizations, and academia.
(h) Oversight.--The Council shall oversee--
(1) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and
Characterization established under subsection (g)(1); and
(2) the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal
Mapping under section 12203 of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping
Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3502).
(i) Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Council shall develop or update
and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan for
an integrated cross-sectoral ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization initiative.
(2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall--
(A) discuss the utility and benefits of ocean
exploration and characterization;
(B) identify and describe national ocean mapping,
exploration, and characterization priorities;
(C) identify and describe Federal and federally
funded ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization
programs;
(D) facilitate and incorporate non-Federal input
into national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization priorities;
(E) ensure effective coordination of ocean mapping,
exploration, and characterization activities among
programs described in subparagraph (C);
(F) identify opportunities for combining
overlapping or complementary needs, activities, and
resources of Federal agencies and non-Federal
organizations relating to ocean mapping, exploration,
and characterization while not reducing benefits from
existing mapping, explorations, and characterization
activities;
(G) promote new and existing partnerships among
Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, private
industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations
to conduct or support ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization activities and technology development
needs, including through coordination under section 3
of the Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology
Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4102) and the National
Oceanographic Partnership Program under section 8931 of
title 10, United States Code;
(H) develop a transparent and sustained mechanism
for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder engagement
in strategic planning and mission execution to be
implemented not later than December 31, 2022;
(I) establish standardized collection and data
management protocols, such as with respect to metadata,
for ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization;
(J) encourage the development, testing,
demonstration, and adoption of innovative ocean
mapping, exploration, and characterization technologies
and applications;
(K) promote protocols for accepting data,
equipment, approaches, or other resources that support
national ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization priorities;
(L) identify best practices for the protection of
marine life during mapping, exploration, and
characterization activities;
(M) identify training, technology, and other
resource requirements for enabling the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration and other appropriate
Federal agencies to support a coordinated national
ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization
effort;
(N) identify and facilitate a centralized mechanism
or office for coordinating data collection,
compilation, processing, archiving, and dissemination
activities relating to ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization that meets Federal mandates for data
accuracy and accessibility;
(O) designate repositories responsible for
archiving and managing ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization data;
(P) set forth a timetable and estimated costs for
implementation and completion of the plan;
(Q) to the extent practicable, align ocean
exploration and characterization efforts with existing
programs and identify key gaps; and
(R) identify criteria for determining the optimal
frequency of observations.
(j) Briefings.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years
thereafter, the Council shall brief the appropriate committees of
Congress on--
(1) progress made toward meeting the national priorities
described in subsection (i)(2)(B); and
(2) recommendations for meeting such priorities, such as
additional authorities that may be needed to develop a
mechanism for non-Federal partnerships and stakeholder
engagement described in subsection (i)(2)(H).
(k) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Armed
Services of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 6. MODIFICATIONS TO THE OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL
OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Purpose.--Section 12001 of the Omnibus Public Land Management
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3401) is amended by striking ``and the national
undersea research program''.
(b) Program Established.--Section 12002 of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3402) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``and undersea'';
and
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ``and undersea
research and exploration'' and inserting ``research and ocean
exploration and characterization efforts''.
(c) Powers and Duties of the Administrator.--
(1) In general.--Section 12003(a) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3403(a)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``, in coordination with the Ocean Policy
Committee established under section 8932 of title 10,
United States Code,'' after ``Administration'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``voyages'' and inserting
``expeditions'';
(ii) by striking ``Federal agencies'' and
all that follows through ``and survey'' and
inserting ``Federal and State agencies, Tribal
governments, private industry, academia, and
nongovernmental organizations, to map, explore,
and characterize''; and
(iii) by inserting ``characterize,'' after
``observe,'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``of the
exclusive economic zone'' after ``deep ocean regions'';
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``voyages'' and
inserting ``expeditions'';
(E) in paragraph (4), by striking ``, in
consultation with the National Science Foundation,'';
(F) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
``(5) support technological innovation of the United States
marine science community by promoting the development and use
of new and emerging technologies for research, communication,
navigation, and data collection, such as sensors and autonomous
vehicles;'';
(G) in paragraph (6)--
(i) by inserting ``, in collaboration with
the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council established under
section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration
Act,'' after ``forum''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(H) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) provide guidance, in coordination with the National
Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council, to
Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, private
industry, academia (including secondary schools, community
colleges, and universities), and nongovernmental organizations
on data standards, protocols for accepting data, and
coordination of data collection, compilation, processing,
archiving, and dissemination for data relating to ocean
exploration and characterization.''.
(2) Donations.--Section 12003(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3403(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Donations.--For the purpose of mapping, exploring, and
characterizing the oceans or increasing the knowledge of the oceans,
the Administrator may--
``(1) accept monetary donations and donations of property,
data, and equipment; and
``(2) pay all necessary expenses in connection with the
conveyance or transfer of a gift, devise, or bequest.''.
(3) Definition of exclusive economic zone.--Section 12003
of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3403) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(c) Definition of Exclusive Economic Zone.--In this section, the
term `exclusive economic zone' means the zone established by
Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983 (16 U.S.C.
1453 note; relating to the exclusive economic zone of the United States
of America).''.
(d) Repeal of Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Technology
and Infrastructure Task Force.--Section 12004 of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3404) is repealed.
(e) Education, Workforce Training, and Outreach.--
(1) In general.--Such Act is further amended by inserting
after section 12003 the following new section 12004:
``SEC. 12004. EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND OUTREACH.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration shall--
``(1) conduct education and outreach efforts in order to
broadly disseminate information to the public on the
discoveries made by the program under section 12002; and
``(2) to the extent possible, coordinate the efforts
described in paragraph (1) with the outreach strategies of
other domestic or international ocean mapping, exploration, and
characterization initiatives.
``(b) Education and Outreach Efforts.--Efforts described in
subsection (a)(1) may include--
``(1) education of the general public, teachers, students,
and ocean and coastal resource managers; and
``(2) workforce training, reskilling, and opportunities to
encourage development of ocean related science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) technical training programs
involving secondary schools, community colleges, and
universities, including Historically Black Colleges or
Universities (within the meaning of the term ``part B
institution'' under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)), Tribal Colleges or Universities (as
defined in section 316(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))),
and other minority-serving institutions (as described in
section 371(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))).
``(c) Outreach Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, the Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall develop an
outreach strategy to broadly disseminate information on the discoveries
made by the program under section 12002.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public
Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item
relating to section 12004 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 12004. Education, workforce training, and outreach.''.
(f) Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.--
(1) Establishment.--Section 12005(a)(1) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3505(1)) is amended by inserting ``and the National
Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council
established under section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration
Act'' after ``advise the Administrator''.
(2) Technical amendment.--Section 12005(c) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3505(c)) is amended by inserting ``this'' before
``part''.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12006 of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3406) is amended by striking ``this part'' and all that follows
and inserting ``this part $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021
through 2026''.
(h) Definitions.--Such Act is further amended by inserting after
section 12006 the following:
``SEC. 12007. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Characterization.--The terms `characterization',
`characterize', and `characterizing' refer to activities that
provide comprehensive data and interpretations for a specific
area of interest of the seafloor, sub-bottom, water column, or
hydrologic features, such as water masses and currents, in
direct support of specific research, environmental protection,
resource management, policymaking, or applied mission
objectives.
``(2) Exploration.--The term `exploration', `explore', and
`exploring' refer to activities that provide--
``(A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown or
poorly understood area of the seafloor, sub-bottom, or
water column; and
``(B) an initial assessment of the physical,
chemical, geological, biological, archaeological, or
other characteristics of such an area.
``(3) Mapping.--The terms `map' and `mapping' refer to
activities that provide comprehensive data and information
needed to understand seafloor characteristics, such as depth,
topography, bottom type, sediment composition and distribution,
underlying geologic structure, and benthic flora and fauna.''.
(i) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123
Stat. 991) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
12006 the following:
``Sec. 12007. Definitions.''.
SEC. 7. REPEAL.
(a) In General.--The NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2009
(part II of subtitle A of title XII of Public Law 111-11; 33 U.S.C.
3421 et seq.) is repealed.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123
Stat. 991) is amended by striking the items relating to part II of
subtitle A of title XII of such Act.
SEC. 8. MODIFICATIONS TO OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM OF THE
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Establishment of Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 12202(a) of the Ocean and Coastal
Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3501(a)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``establish a program to develop a
coordinated and'' and inserting ``establish and
maintain a program to coordinate'';
(B) by striking ``plan'' and inserting ``efforts'';
and
(C) by striking ``that enhances'' and all that
follows and inserting ``that--
``(1) enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-making for
natural resource and habitat management restoration and
conservation, emergency response, and coastal resilience and
adaptation;
``(2) establishes research and mapping priorities;
``(3) supports the siting of research and other platforms;
and
``(4) advances ocean and coastal science.''.
(2) Membership.--Section 12202 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3501)
is amended by striking subsection (b) and redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (b).
(3) Program parameters.--Subsection (b) of section 12202 of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 3501), as redesignated by paragraph (2), is
amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``developing'' and inserting ``maintaining'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and for
leveraging existing Federal geospatial services
capacities and contract vehicles for efficiencies''
after ``coastal mapping'';
(C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``with coastal
state and local government programs'' and inserting
``with mapping programs, in conjunction with Federal
and State agencies, Tribal governments, private
industry, academia, and nongovernmental
organizations'';
(D) in paragraph (8), by striking ``of real-time
tide data and the development'' and inserting ``of tide
data and water-level data and the development and
dissemination'';
(E) in paragraph (9), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(F) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) support--
``(A) the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee
of the Ocean Policy Committee established under section
8932(c) of title 10, United States Code; and
``(B) the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council established under section 5 of
the National Ocean Exploration Act.''.
(b) Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping.--
(1) Name change.--The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration
Act (33 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in section 12202 (33 U.S.C. 3501)--
(i) in subsection (a), by striking
``Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal
Mapping'' and inserting ``Interagency Working
Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping under
section 12203''; and
(ii) in subsection (b), as redesignated by
subsection (a)(2), by striking ``Committee''
and inserting ``Working Group'';
(B) in section 12203 (33 U.S.C. 3502)--
(i) in the section heading, by striking
``committee'' and inserting ``working group'';
(ii) in subsection (b), in the first
sentence, by striking ``committee'' and
inserting ``Working Group'';
(iii) in subsection (e), by striking
``committee'' and inserting ``Working Group'';
and
(iv) in subsection (f), by striking
``committee'' and inserting ``Working Group'';
and
(C) in section 12208 (33 U.S.C. 3507), by amending
paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Working group.--The term `Working Group' means the
Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping under
section 12203.''.
(2) In general.--Section 12203(a) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3502(a)) is amended by striking ``within 30 days'' and all that
follows and inserting ``not later than 30 days after the date
of the enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, shall
use the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping
in existence as of the date of the enactment of such Act to
implement section 12202.''.
(3) Membership.--Section 12203(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3502(b)) is amended--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ``senior''
both places it appears and inserting ``senior-level'';
(B) in the third sentence, by striking ``the
Minerals Management Service'' and inserting ``the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of the Department of
the Interior, the Office of the Assistant Secretary,
Fish and Wildlife and Parks of the Department of the
Interior''; and
(C) by striking the second sentence.
(4) Co-chairs.--Section 12203(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3502(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Co-Chairs.--The Working Group shall be co-chaired by one
representative from each of the following:
``(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
``(2) The Department of the Interior.
``(3) The United States Army Corps of Engineers.''.
(5) Subordinate groups.--Section 12203(d) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3502(d)) is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Subordinate Groups.--The co-chairs may establish such
permanent or temporary subordinate groups as determined appropriate by
the Working Group.''.
(6) Meetings.--Section 12203(e) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3502(e)) is amended by striking ``each subcommittee and each
working group'' and inserting ``each subordinate group''.
(7) Coordination.--Section 12203(f) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3502(f)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and
inserting the following:
``(1) other Federal efforts, such as the Digital Coast, the
Federal Geographic Data Committee, GeoPlatform, the Integrated
Ocean Observing System, the Hydrographic Services Review Panel
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
Ocean Exploration Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the National Geospatial Advisory
Committee of the Department of the Interior, the advisory
committee for the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation System, and the Technical Mapping Advisory Council
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
``(2) international mapping activities;
``(3) coastal states;
``(4) coastal Indian Tribes;
``(5) data acquisition and user groups through workshops,
partnerships, and other appropriate mechanisms; and
``(6) representatives of nongovernmental entities.''.
(8) Advisory panel.--Section 12203 of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3502) is amended by striking subsection (g).
(9) Functions.--Section 12203 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3502),
as amended by paragraph (8), is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(g) Support Functions.--The Working Group shall support the
National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council
established under section 5 of the National Ocean Exploration Act and
the Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Ocean Policy
Committee established under section 8932(c) of title 10, United States
Code, on ocean mapping activities and associated technology development
across the Federal Government, State governments, coastal Indian
Tribes, private industry, nongovernmental organizations, and
academia.''.
(10) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public
Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item
relating to section 12203 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 12203. Interagency working group on ocean and coastal
mapping.''.
(c) Biennial Reports.--Section 12204 of the Ocean and Coastal
Mapping Integration Act (33 U.S.C. 3503) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``No
later'' and all that follows through ``House of
Representatives'' and inserting ``Not later than 18 months
after the date of the enactment of the National Ocean
Exploration Act, and biennially thereafter until 2040, the co-
chairs of the Working Group, in coordination with the National
Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council
established under section 5 of such Act, shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and
the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives,'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including the data
maintained by the National Centers for Environmental
Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration,'' after ``mapping data'';
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, including a plan to
map the coasts of the United States on a requirements-based
cycle, with mapping agencies and partners coordinating on a
unified approach that factors in recent related studies, meets
multiple user requirements, and identifies gaps'' after
``accomplished'';
(4) by striking paragraph (10) and redesignating paragraphs
(11), (12), and (13) as paragraphs (10), (11), and (12),
respectively;
(5) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated, by striking
``with coastal state and local government programs'' and
inserting ``with international, coastal state, and local
government and nongovernmental mapping programs'';
(6) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``increase'' and inserting
``streamline and expand'';
(B) by inserting ``for the purpose of fulfilling
Federal mapping and charting responsibilities, plans,
and strategies'' after ``entities''; and
(C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(7) in paragraph (12), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by
striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(8) by adding at the end the following:
``(13) a progress report on the development of new and
innovative technologies and applications through research and
development, including cooperative or other agreements with
joint or cooperative research institutes and centers and other
nongovernmental entities;
``(14) a description of best practices in data processing
and distribution and leveraging opportunities among agencies
represented on the Working Group and with coastal states,
coastal Indian Tribes, and nongovernmental entities;
``(15) an identification of any training, technology, or
other requirements for enabling Federal mapping programs,
vessels, and aircraft to support a coordinated ocean and
coastal mapping program; and
``(16) a timetable for implementation and completion of the
plan described in paragraph (3), including recommendations for
integrating new approaches into the program.''.
(d) NOAA Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--
(1) Centers.--Section 12205(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
3504(c)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``3'' and inserting ``three''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and uncrewed''
after ``sensing''.
(2) Plan.--Section 12205 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3504) is
amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``plan''
and inserting ``noaa joint ocean and coastal mapping
centers'';
(B) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (d); and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ``(c) NOAA Joint
Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--''.
(3) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public
Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item
relating to section 12205 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 12205. NOAA joint ocean and coastal mapping centers.''.
(e) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Federal Funding Opportunity.--The
Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (33. U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 12206, 12207, and 12208 as
sections 12208, 12209, and 12210, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 12205 the following:
``SEC. 12206. OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.
``(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of the National Ocean Exploration Act, the Administrator
shall develop an integrated ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding
match opportunity within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration with Federal, State, Tribal, local, nonprofit, private
industry, or academic partners in order to increase the coordinated
acquisition, processing, stewardship, and archival of new ocean and
coastal mapping data in United States waters.
``(b) Rules.--The Administrator shall develop administrative and
procedural rules for the ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding
match opportunity developed under subsection (a), to include--
``(1) specific and detailed criteria that must be addressed
by an applicant, such as geographic overlap with pre-
established priorities, number and type of project partners,
benefit to the applicant, coordination with other funding
opportunities, and benefit to the public;
``(2) determination of the appropriate funding match
amounts and mechanisms to use, such as grants, agreements, or
contracts; and
``(3) other funding award criteria as are necessary or
appropriate to ensure that evaluations of proposals and
decisions to award funding under this section are based on
objective standards applied fairly and equitably to those
proposals.
``(c) Geospatial Services and Contract Vehicles.--The ocean and
coastal mapping Federal funding match opportunity developed under
subsection (a) shall leverage Federal expertise and capacities for
geospatial services and Federal geospatial contract vehicles using the
private sector for acquisition efficiencies.
``SEC. 12207. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, CONTRACTS, AND GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--To carry out interagency activities under this
subtitle, the heads of agencies represented on the Working Group may
enter into cooperative agreements, or any other agreement with each
other, and transfer, receive, and expend funds made available by any
Federal agency, any State or subdivision thereof, or any public or
private organization or individual, for ocean and coastal mapping
investigations, surveys, studies, and other geospatial collaborations
authorized by this subtitle or agreements authorized by section 5 of
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. 883e).
``(b) Grants.--The Administrator may make grants to any State or
subdivision thereof or any public or private organization or individual
to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.''.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12209 of such Act, as
redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``this subtitle'' and
all that follows and inserting ``this subtitle $45,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2026.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``this subtitle'' and
all that follows and inserting ``this subtitle $15,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2026.'';
(3) by striking subsection (c); and
(4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Ocean and Coastal Mapping Federal Funding Opportunity.--Of
amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), $20,000,000 is
authorized to carry out section 12206.''.
(g) Definitions.--
(1) Ocean and coastal mapping.--Paragraph (5) of section
12210 of such Act, as redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is
amended by striking ``processing, and management'' and
inserting ``processing, management, maintenance,
interpretation, certification, and dissemination''.
(2) Coastal indian tribe.--Section 12210 of such Act, as
redesignated by subsection (e)(1), is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(9) Coastal indian tribe.--The term `coastal Indian
Tribe' means an `Indian tribe', as defined in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304), the land of which is located in a coastal
state.''.
(h) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123
Stat. 991) is amended by striking the items relating to sections 12206
through 12208 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 12206. Ocean and coastal mapping Federal funding opportunity.
``Sec. 12207. Cooperative agreements, contracts, and grants.
``Sec. 12208. Effect on other laws.
``Sec. 12209. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 12210. Definitions.''.
SEC. 9. MODIFICATIONS TO HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998.
(a) Definitions.--Section 302(4)(A) of the Hydrographic Services
Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892(4)(A)) is amended by inserting
``hydrodynamic forecast and datum transformation models,'' after
``nautical information databases,''.
(b) Functions of the Administrator.--Section 303(b) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 892a(b)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting
``precision navigation,'' after ``promote''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``and hydrodynamic forecast
models'' after ``monitoring systems'';
(B) by inserting ``and provide foundational
information and services required to support coastal
resilience planning for coastal transportation and
other infrastructure, coastal protection and
restoration projects, and related activities'' after
``efficiency''; and
(C) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon.
(c) Quality Assurance Program.--Section 304(a) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 892b(a)) is amended by striking ``product produced'' and
inserting ``product or service produced or disseminated''.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 306(a) of such Act
(33 U.S.C. 892d(a)) 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 2026'';
(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 2026'';
(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 2026'';
(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 2026''; 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 2026''.
Calendar No. 195
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 381
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and
Characterization Council, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 16, 2021
Reported with an amendment