[House Report 104-123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
104th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 104-123
_______________________________________________________________________
MARINE RESOURCES REVITALIZATION ACT OF 1995
_______________________________________________________________________
May 16, 1995.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1175]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 1175) to amend Public Law 89-454 to provide for the
reauthorization of appropriations, having considered the same,
report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that
the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu
thereof the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Resources Revitalization Act of
1995''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ACT.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to
be made to a section or other provision of the National Sea Grant
College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.).
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS.
(a) Field Related to Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Resources.--
Section 203(4) (33 U.S.C. 1122(4)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``marine biotechnology,'' after ``marine
technology,''; and
(2) by inserting ``shellfish disease studies,'' after
``marine affairs and resource management,''.
(b) Sea Grant Institution.--Section 203 (33 U.S.C. 1122) is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(16) The term `sea grant institution' means a sea grant
college or a sea grant regional consortium.''.
SEC. 4. CONSULTATIONS REGARDING LONG-RANGE PLANNING GUIDELINES AND
PRIORITIES AND EVALUATION.
Section 204(a) (33 U.S.C. 1123(a)) is amended in the last sentence by
inserting after ``The Secretary'' the following: ``, in consultation
with the sea grant institutions and the panel established under section
209,''.
SEC. 5. DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.
Section 204(c) (33 U.S.C. 1123(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Duties of Director.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall administer the National
Sea Grant College Program subject to the supervision of the
Secretary and the Under Secretary. In addition to any other
duty prescribed by law or assigned by the Secretary, the
Director shall--
``(A) advise the Under Secretary with respect to the
expertise and capabilities which are available within
or through the National Sea Grant College Program, and
provide (as directed by the Under Secretary) those
which are or could be of use to other offices and
activities within the Administration;
``(B) encourage other Federal departments, agencies,
and instrumentalities to use and take advantage of the
expertise and capabilities which are available through
the National Sea Grant College Program, on a
cooperative or other basis;
``(C) encourage cooperation and coordination with
other Federal programs concerned with ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes resources conservation and usage;
``(D) advise the Secretary on the designation of sea
grant institutions and, in appropriate cases, if any,
on the termination or suspension of any such
designation;
``(E) encourage the formation and growth of sea grant
programs; and
``(F) oversee the operation of the National Sea Grant
Office established under subsection (a).
``(2) Duties with respect to sea grant institutions.--With
respect to the sea grant institutions, the Director shall--
``(A) evaluate the programs of the institutions,
using the guidelines and priorities established by the
Secretary under subsection (a), to ensure that the
objective set forth in section 202(b) is achieved;
``(B) subject to the availability of appropriations,
allocate funding among the sea grant institutions so as
to--
``(i) promote healthy competition among those
institutions,
``(ii) promote achievement of the goals
established by the institutions under
subsection (e), and
``(iii) to the maximum extent consistent with
the other provisions of this subparagraph,
provide a stable base of funding for the
institutions; and
``(C) ensure compliance by the institutions with the
guidelines for merit review published pursuant to
section 207(b)(2).''.
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF SEA GRANT INSTITUTIONS.
Section 204 (33 U.S.C. 1123) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(e) Duties of the Sea Grant Institutions.--Subject to any
regulations or guidelines promulgated by the Secretary, it shall be the
responsibility of each sea grant institution to--
``(1) develop, in consultation with the Secretary and the
panel established under section 209, goals for its program that
are consistent with the guidelines and priorities developed
under section 204(a);
``(2) conduct merit review of all applications for project
grants or contracts to be awarded under section 205; and
``(3) demonstrate significant progress toward the goals
established under this section.''.
SEC. 7. REPEAL OF SEA GRANT INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Section 3 of the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of
1976 (33 U.S.C. 1124a) is repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 209(b)(1) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)(1))
is amended by striking ``and section 3 of the Sea Grant Program
Improvement Act of 1976''.
SEC. 8. DESIGNATION OF SEA GRANT INSTITUTIONS.
Section 207 (33 U.S.C. 1126) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 207. SEA GRANT COLLEGES AND SEA GRANT REGIONAL CONSORTIA.
``(a) Designation.--The Secretary may designate an institution of
higher learning as a sea grant college, and an association or alliance
of two or more persons as a sea grant regional consortium, if the
institution, association, or alliance--
``(1) is maintaining a balanced program of research,
education, training, and advisory services in fields related to
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and has received
financial assistance under section 205 of this Act or under
section 204(c) of the National Sea Grant College and Program
Act of 1966;
``(2) will encourage and follow a regional approach to
solving problems or meeting needs relating to ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes resources, in cooperation with appropriate sea
grant colleges, sea grant programs, and other persons in the
region;
``(3) will act in accordance with such guidelines as are
prescribed under subsection (b)(2); and
``(4) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary
considers necessary or appropriate.
``(b) Regulations and Guidelines.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall by regulation
prescribe the qualifications required to be met under
subsection (a)(4).
``(2) Merit review.--Within 6 months of the date of enactment
of the Marine Resources Revitalization Act of 1995, the
Secretary, after consultation with the sea grant institutions,
shall publish in the Federal Register guidelines for the
conduct of merit review by the sea grant institutions of
applications for project grants and contracts to be awarded
under section 205. The guidelines shall, at a minimum, provide
for mail review of all applications for grants or contracts and
require standardized documentation of all peer review.''.
SEC. 9. REPEAL OF POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Section 208(c) (33 U.S.C. 1127(c)) is repealed.
SEC. 10. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO SEA GRANT REVIEW PANEL.
Section 209 (33 U.S.C. 1128) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking the second sentence; and
(2) in subsection (c)(6) by striking ``a biannual'' and
inserting ``an annual''.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Grants, Contracts, and Fellowships.--Section 212(a) (33 U.S.C.
1131(a)) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Grants, Contracts, and Fellowships.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out sections 205 and 208--
``(1) $50,600,000 for fiscal year 1996;
``(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
``(3) $54,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.''.
(b) Administration.--Section 212(b) (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking so much as precedes paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(b) Administration.--
``(1) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated
for administration of this Act, including section 209, by the
National Sea Grant Office and the Administration--
``(A) $2,700,000 for fiscal year 1996;
``(B) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
``(C) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``subsections (a) and (c)'' and
inserting ``subsection (a)''; and
(B) by striking ``(2)'' and inserting ``(2)
Limitation on use of other amounts.--''; and
(3) by moving paragraph (2) 2 ems to the right, so that the
left margin of paragraph (2) is aligned with the left margin of
paragraph (1), as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(c) Repeal.--Section 212 (33 U.S.C. 1131) is amended by repealing
subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d) and (e) in order as
subsections (c) and (d).
SEC. 12. CLERICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Clerical Amendment.--Section 209, as amended by section 10(1) of
this Act, (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)) is amended by striking all of the matter
that follows the first full sentence through ``shall advise'', and
inserting ``(b) Duties.--The panel shall advise''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 204(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1123(b)(2)) is amended by
striking ``maximum rate for GS-18'' and all that follows
through the end of the sentence and inserting ``maximum rate
payable under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code.''.
(2) Section 209(c)(5)(A) (33 U.S.C. 1128(c)(5)(A)) is amended
by striking ``the daily rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule
under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code'' and
inserting ``the maximum daily rate payable under section 5376
of title 5, United States Code''.
(3) Section 209 (33 U.S.C. 1128) is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(3) by striking ``colleges and
sea grant regional consortia'' and inserting
``institutions''; and
(B) in subsection (c)(1) in the last sentence in
clause (A) by striking ``college, sea grant regional
consortium,'' and inserting ``institution''.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 1175 is to reauthorize the National Sea
Grant College Program for Fiscal Year 1996, 1997, and 1998, and
to make certain improvements in the operation of the program.
Background and Need for Legislation
The National Sea Grant College Act (33 U.S.C. 1121-1131)
was passed in 1966 to improve marine resource conservation,
management, and utilization. The program is patterned after the
Land Grant College Program, which was created in 1862.
Originally assigned to the National Science Foundation
(NSF), Sea Grant was transferred to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) when that agency was
established in 1970 as part of the Department of Commerce.
Currently, there are 26 Sea Grant Colleges and three smaller
institutional programs that manage a network of over 300
universities and affiliated institutions. Some Sea Grant
Colleges are consortia of several colleges and universities,
rather than a single institution.
To be designated a Sea Grant College or approved as a
institutional program, an institution or consortium of
institutions must demonstrate a record of superior performance
in marine resource programs for a minimum of three years.
Designated programs received priority in obtaining Federal
grants for up to two-thirds of the total cost of a project. At
least one-third of the cost of projects must come from non-
Federal matching funds.
Since its creation, the National Sea Grant College program
has funded a number of valuable and noteworthy projects,
including the following:
Virginia Sea Grant has worked with the scallop
processing industry to determine the water retention
rate for scallops in the wild. This will lead to an
improved regulatory regime for processed scallops, and
a better product for the seafood consumer;
South Carolina Sea Grant has worked with the
insurance industry to improve coastal planning efforts
to decrease storm property losses in coastal areas;
Several Sea Grant programs have developed improved
low-cost aquaculture techniques that have proved vital
to developing new industries. These include soft-shell
crab shedding techniques and improved water
recirculating techniques for hybrid striped bass;
Michigan Sea Grant wrote and published a book on risk
assessment. This book was designed for a wide non-
scientific audience so that readers could better
determine the relative risks of actions they would need
to evaluate;
Sea Grant organized the first systematic effort in
the United States to discover and develop new products
from marine organisms. This effort has led to the
discovery of more than 1,000 compounds and the awarding
of 14 new patents to date;
Sea Grant research showed that proteins from oyster
shells have numerous potential commercial applications.
This work has led to several patents and the formation
of two independent corporations;
Sea Grant created the comprehensive database on Great
Lakes contaminants and the scientific expertise
necessary for developing the first complete input-
output model of a toxic industrial chemical in an
aquatic ecosystem. The study has already saved one
State $480 million in cleanup costs, and the model may
ultimately save other Great Lakes and coastal States
billions of dollars;
Sea Grant's research on lifesaving techniques,
initially focused on the fishing industry, has led to
the creation of new methods for saving cold-water
drowning victims that are estimated to save
approximately 100 lives each year. Cases using the Sea
Grant-developed lifesaving methods have received major
national publicity; and
A wave-powered, reverse-osmosis pump created with Sea
Grant support removes salt from seawater at
significantly lower costs to public utilities than was
possible with previous technology.
The Sea Grant ``core'' program includes research,
education, and advisory services. Research funding is devoted
to the development of marine and freshwater resources, related
technology, environmental studies, and socioeconomic and legal
research. Authorization for the core program expires on
September 30, 1995.
The education aspect of Sea Grant involves the development
and strengthening of training programs for marine scientists
and technicians as well as education in aquatic sciences for
elementary through high school students. There is also a
fellows program that brings graduate students in a variety of
marine disciplines to Washington, D.C. to work for a year in
Congress or with an appropriate Federal agency. A postdoctoral
fellowship program is also authorized in the law but has never
been funded.
Marine advisory programs include informal education for the
general public, technical advice and instruction in marine-
related topics, dissemination of research findings to user
groups, and identification and communication of local needs and
problems to Sea Grant program managers and researchers.
The law also authorizes a Sea Grant Review Panel. This
panel is made up of 15 members who have marine science
backgrounds or have knowledge and experience in the fields in
which Sea Grant works. The Panel advises the Secretary of
Commerce on matters relating to Sea Grant.
An international program is also authorized by law, but has
never been funded.
In addition to the core program, priority oyster disease
research has been separately authorized under the Act since
1990. Authorization for that program expires on September 30,
1995. This program was funded by the National Marine Fisheries
Service until Fiscal Year 1995 when it was transferred to Sea
Grant. Funding for zebra mussel research has also been
administered by Sea Grant under an authorization contained in a
separate statute.
Sea Grant was funded at $49 million in Fiscal Year 1995. Of
that base funding, $2.9 million went for administration of the
national program. In addition to that base funding, oyster
disease research was funded at $1.5 million and zebra mussel
research at $2.8 million. Sea Grant received no significant
increases in funding during the 1980's. If corrected for
inflation, its funding would have to be substantially increased
to restore the program's 1981 purchasing power.
In 1994, the National Research Council's Ocean Studies
Board conducted a review of the Sea Grant program at the
request of NOAA. The review's recommendations included:
giving Sea Grant a higher profile within the agency;
developing a strategic plan that complements NOAA's
strategic plan;
better defining the roles of the National Sea Grant
Office, the State programs, and the Sea Grant Review
Panel;
streamlining the proposal review and program
evaluation processes;
more effectively creating and using Sea Grant-
industry alliances; and
increasing Sea Grant funding significantly.
Committee Action
H.R. 1175 was introduced on March 8, 1995, by Chairman Don
Young. The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources, and
within the Committee it was referred to the Subcommittee on
Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. On March 23, 1995, the
Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1175, at which testimony
was received from NOAA, the National Research Council, the Sea
Grant Review Panel, the Sea Grant Association, and individuals
who have participated in Sea Grant projects.
In his testimony, Dr. Ned Ostenso, Assistant Administrator
for Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA, testified that ``NOAA strongly
supports the Sea Grant program. It has made major contributions
to the Nation's ocean, coastal, and marine resources interests
throughout its 29 year history.''
Dr. Arthur Nowell, the Chairman of the Sea Grant Review
Committee of the National Research Council, stated that ``Sea
Grant has been a major contributor for the fields of marine
aquaculture, coastal and estuarine research, marine fisheries
management, seafood safety, marine biotechnology, marine
engineering, and marine technology and has been virtually the
only source of funding in the United States for activities in
marine policy.''
Finally, Dr. Grace Wever testified on behalf of the
National Sea Grant College Review Panel and said that ``the Sea
Grant College program is contributing very significantly to the
creation of economic opportunity in the wise use of marine and
coastal resources by developing essential basic knowledge and
transferring it to those who require it.''
On March 30, 1995, the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife
and Oceans met to mark up H.R. 1175. At that time, Congressman
Jim Saxton offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute
for H.R. 1175. This amendment reauthorizes the Sea Grant
program through FY 1998; halves the program's administrative
funding over three years; clarifies the responsibilities of the
State and National programs and streamlines the grant process;
repeals the separate authorization for oyster disease research;
includes marine biotechnology and shellfish disease studies in
the fields of qualified Sea Grant research; and repeals the
never-funded postdoctoral fellowship and international
programs. This amendment was adopted by voice vote. The bill as
amended was then approved by voice vote and ordered favorably
reported to the Full Committee.
On April 5, 1995, the Full Committee on Resources met to
consider H.R. 1175, Congressman Jim Saxton offered an amendment
to define ``Sea Grant institution'' that was adopted by voice
vote. No other amendments where offered and the bill as amended
was then ordered favorably reported to the House of
Representatives, by voice vote in the presence of a quorum.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short Title
Section 1 states that the bill may be cited as the ``Marine
Resources Revitalization Act of 1995''.
Section 2. Amendment of National Sea Grant College Program Act
Section 2 clarifies that amendments in H.R. 1175 are to the
National Sea Grant College Program Act.
Section 3. Amendments to Definitions
Subsection (a) adds marine biotechnology and shellfish
disease studies to the list of fields related to ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Both of these areas have
been funded by Sea Grant in the past.
Because of devastating oyster diseases such as
Haplosporidium (MSX), Perkinsus (Dermo), and juvenile oyster
disease, the oyster harvest along the Mid-Atlantic Coast and in
the Chesapeake Bay is less than ten percent of that available a
decade ago. There has also been a damaging loss of oyster reef
habitat in this area. Reefs are essential to support large
communities of oysters. Because oysters feed by filtering large
amounts of single-celled marine plants, known as phytoplankton,
from the water, large oyster communities help clean coastal
waters.
In the past, Sea Grant oyster disease research has focused
on the diseases that have ravaged Mid-Atlantic oyster disease
populations, but other projects have been considered if they
appeared likely to improve our generic ability to combat oyster
disease. It is the Committee's intention that the shellfish
disease studies continue to be focused primarily on oyster
diseases having the greatest ecological and economic impact.
Subsection (b) also adds a definition of ``sea grant
institution''.
Section 4. Consultations Regarding Long-Range Planning Guidelines and
Priorities and Evaluations
Section 4 requires the Secretary to consult with the Sea
Grant colleges and the Sea Grant Review Panel when setting
long-range planning guidelines and priorities. In its review of
Sea Grant, the Ocean Studies Board concluded that State
programs and NOAA should better integrate their ``endeavors and
priorities''.
The Committee agrees with this finding. Therefore, to
encourage greater cooperation within the Sea Grant community,
the Committee has included bill language requiring the
Secretary of Commerce to consult with the Sea Grant
institutions and the National Sea Grant Review Panel in setting
long-range goals and priorities. It is hoped that improved
consultation during preparation of long-range plans will lead
to greater agreement on long-range goals and reduce duplication
of effort.
The Committee understands that NOAA has recently taken
significant steps to improve the strategic planning process for
Sea Grant. This amendment is intended to build on that
progress.
Section 5. Duties of the Director
Section 5 clarifies that the duties of the Director of the
National Sea Grant Office are to evaluate each Sea Grant
institution's program, not review each project proposal, and to
attempt to provide a stable base of funding for each State
program within the limitations of competition and
appropriations.
This section also places primary responsibility for merit
review, including peer review, with the Sea Grant institutions.
The National Research Council report recommends that
standard scientific and peer review procedures should be
established for all Sea Grant institutions to use when
reviewing project proposals. The Committee supports this
recommendation. Standard procedures would allow the National
Sea Grant Office to review institution's programs and not spend
limited resources reviewing individual project proposals. This
should address the Council's concerns over overlapping roles
and responsibilities of the Director and the institutions.
These changes are not intended to affect the Department of
Commerce's responsibility for the financial administration of
grants and contracts. The Department should focus its oversight
on whether the Sea Grant institutions are carrying out their
programs in accordance with departmental guidelines and the
plans developed in conjunction with the Director. The
Department can and should review an individual project if there
is reason to question whether the project is feasible,
scientifically valid, or deserving of Federal funding for some
other legitimate reason. However, if the State program complies
with the plan developed in consultation with the Director and
the peer review guidelines established in Section 8, then few
individual projects should need to be re-reviewed by the
Director.
Section 6. Duties of Sea Grant Institutions
Section 6 outlines the responsibilities of Sea Grant
institutions. In consultation with the Director, Sea Grant
directors shall develop goals for their programs that are
consistent with the long-range planning guidelines and
priorities established for the program under Section 204(A).
The joint efforts of the Secretary and the institutions to
develop long-range planning guidelines and institutional goals
are intended to lead to greater coordination and cooperation
between the Director and the institutions.
The institutions must also conduct merit review of all
project proposals. Conduct of adequate peer review under the
guidelines established under Section 9 of this bill is intended
to standardize the peer review process. This should reduce
duplication of effort between the Director and the
institutions, and should lead to a streamlined project review
process that saves time and money.
Section 7. Repeal of Sea Grant International Program
Section 7 repeals this program which has never been funded.
Section 8. Designation of Sea Grant Institutions
Section 8 consolidates the requirements for the designation
of Sea Grant colleges and regional consortia, and requires the
Secretary to establish guidelines for peer review of project
applications. These standard guidelines are intended to improve
the efficiency and consistency of the review process. A
standardized review process will reduce the need for
duplicative, time-consuming additional review of the context of
projects by the Director and will result in more comparable
proposal review among the Sea Grant institutions. This section
address the National Research Council finding that the Sea
Grant review process for research proposals is slow compared to
other agencies and is not standardized at the State level.
Section 9. Repeal of Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Section 9 repeals this program which has never been funded.
Section 10. Amendments Relating to Sea Grant Review Panel
Section 10 makes a technical correction and also changes
the mandatory advisory panel meetings from twice a year to once
a year. The panel can still meet at other times at its
discretion.
Section 11. Authorization of Appropriations
Section 11 reauthorizes Sea Grant at $53.3 million for
Fiscal Year 1996 (the Fiscal Year 1995 appropriated level), at
$54.5 million in Fiscal Year 1997, and at $55 million in Fiscal
Year 1998; halves the administrative spending cap over three
years; and repeals the separate authorization for oyster
disease research. The Committee intends that standardization of
peer review and streamlining the grant process will allow the
program to be administered at lower cost.
Section 12. Clerical and Conforming Amendments
Section 12 makes several clerical and conforming changes to
the Act.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
With respect to the requirements of clause 2(l)(3) of rule
XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and clause
2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives,
the Committee on Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Inflationary Impact Statement
Pursuant to clause 2(l)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee estimates that the
enactment of H.R. 1175 will have no significant inflationary
impact on prices and costs in the operation of the national
economy.
Cost of the Legislation
Clause 7(a) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the
Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out
H.R. 1175. However, clause 7(d) of that rule provides that this
requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in
its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
under section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Compliance With House Rule XI
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 2(l)(3)(B) of
rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, H.R.
1175 does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 2(l)(3)(D) of
rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee has received no report of oversight findings and
recommendations from the Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight on the subject of H.R. 1175.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 2(l)(3)(C) of
rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee has received the following cost estimate for H.R.
1175 from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, April 26, 1995.
Hon. Don Young,
Chairman, Committee on Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1175, the Marine
Resources Revitalization Act of 1995.
Enactment of H.R. 1175 would not affect direct spending or
receipts. Therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply
to the bill.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them.
Sincerely,
James L. Blum
(For June E. O'Neill, Director).
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
1. Bill number: H.R. 1175.
2. Bill title: Marine Resources Revitalization Act of 1995.
3. Bill status: As ordered reported by the House Committee
on Resources on April 5, 1995.
4. Bill purpose: H.R. 1175 would reauthorize the National
Sea Grant College Program Act and would authorize
appropriations of $53.3 million in fiscal year 1996, $54.5
million in fiscal year 1997, and $56.0 million in fiscal year
1998 to carry out its contract, grant, fellowship, and
administrative functions. The bill also would repeal the sea
grant international program and the postdoctoral fellowship
program. (Those two programs did not receive any funding in
1995.)
5. Estimated cost to the Federal Government: H.R. 1175
would authorize appropriations for the National Sea Grant
program at levels that are close to the 1995 appropriation
level of $54.3 million. The bill's proposed level for 1996 is
$1 million below the 1995 appropriation, while the proposed
levels for 1997 and 1998 are above the current level by $0.2
million and $1.7 million, respectively. Assuming that the full
amounts authorized are appropriated, H.R. 1175 would have the
budgetary impact shown in the following table.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spending Under
Current Law:
Budget
Authority \1\ 54.3 ....... ....... ....... ....... .......
Estimated
Outlays...... 51.1 20.6 6.6 3.3 ....... .......
Proposed Changes:
Authorization
Level........ ....... 53.3 54.5 56.0 ....... .......
Estimated
Outlays...... ....... 32.0 47.1 52.0 22.1 7.2
Spending Under
H.R. 1175:
Authorization
Level \1\.... 54.3 53.3 54.5 56.0 ....... .......
Estimated
Outlays...... 51.1 52.6 53.7 55.3 22.1 7.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 1995 level is the amount actually appropriated.
The costs of this bill fall within budget function 300.
6. Pay-as-you-go considerations: None.
7. Estimated cost to State and local governments: None.
8. Estimate comparison: None.
9. Previous CBO estimate: None.
10. Estimate prepared by: Rachel Robertson.
11. Estimate approved by: Robert A. Sunshine, for Paul N.
Van de Water, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Departmental Reports
The Committee received a report on H.R. 1175 from the
Department of Commerce on April 4, 1995. No other reports have
been received on H.R. 1175.
U.S. Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC, April 4, 1995.
Hon. Donald Young,
Chairman, Committee on Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Department of Commerce would like to
offer comments on H.R. 1175, a bill entitled the ``Marine
Resources Revitalization Act of 1995''. We understand the bill
is to be marked up by the full committee on April 5, 1995. H.R.
1175 would amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act.
The Department endorses the reauthorization of the National
Sea Grant College Program. We oppose several sections as
described below.
Section 5 of the bill, amending section 204(c) of the Act
(33 U.S.C. Sec. 1123(c) defines the ``Duties of the Director''
of the national office. The legislation omits Section 204(c)(3)
which makes the director responsible for evaluating grants and
contracts. The Department of Commerce objects to this omission
because it removes critical management responsibility from the
director and his/her staff. Together with Section 212(b)(1)
which specifies a declining level of authorization for the
National Sea Grant College Program Office, the provision
effectively removes management and oversight responsibilities
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The
Administrator, through the Director, would have neither the
staff, funds, nor legal authority to make evaluations of
individuals Sea Grant Program performance, the performance of
the National Sea Grant Program, or integrate Sea Grant
capabilities with NOAA's mission. Although evaluation of
specific projects is delegated to individual state programs,
the amendment is unclear about the criteria for funding
institutional program proposals except to promote ``healthy
competition among those institutions'' (204)(c)(2)(B)(i) and to
provide ``a stable base of funding for the institutions''
(204)(c)(2)(B)(iii).
In order to continue the Department's support for the
National Sea Grant College Program as a fundamental part of
NOAA's portfolio of coastal and marine research programs, it is
imperative that the National Program Office be included in the
oversight and coordination of research awards as a criteria for
funding institutional program proposals. It is critical that
national research priorities be developed and institutional
allocations reflect those priorities. The National Program
Office plays an essential role in ensuring that complimentary,
not duplicate research takes place among the various
institutional programs.
Section 11(b) of the bill, amending section 212(b)(1) of
the Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1131(b)(1)) reads:
``(1) Authorization.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for administration of this Act, including section
209, by the National Sea Grant Office and the Administration--
``(A) $2,700,000 for fiscal year 1996;
``(B) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
``(C) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.''
The Department of Commerce strongly objects to the language
in this subsection. Cutting the budget of the National Sea
Grant Office in half over three years would eliminate:
the ability to develop national standards,
priorities, and plans;
the ability to provide adequate program oversight;
the ability to integrate Sea Grant capabilities with
other NOAA and federal marine resource programs and
thus lose the opportunity to secure additional funding
for research in Sea Grant Institutions;
staff required to process ``pass-through'' awards
from other federal agencies and NOAA units working in
partnership with Sea Grant. In FY 1994, other federal
agencies and NOAA programs supported $10 million of
research and outreach activities in Sea Grant
Institutions.
This subsection is particularly onerous because it fails to
recognize that the administrative budget includes not only the
costs of administrative overhead (salary, rent, travel) but
also support for the Sea Grant Review Panel and the Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) set-aside. Since payment of
the SBIR set-aside mandated by Congress--$500,000 in FY96 and
to more than $600,000 in FY97 and FY98--must be allocated from
the authorization of this section, the ability of NOAA to
responsibly administer Sea Grant would be seriously
compromised. Effectively, the reduction would eliminate nearly
70 percent of the current staff and nearly all National Sea
Grant Office functions. At a time when Congress and the
Administration are focusing on ways to ensure more cost
effective use of federal resources, sufficient funding for a
minimum level of oversight is critical.
The Department recommends that the language in the
subsection be revised as follows:
(1) Authorization.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for administration of this Act, including
section 209 by the National Sea Grant Office and the
Administration--$3,400,000 for fiscal year 1996 and
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years
1997 and 1998.
Section 5 of the bill, amending section 204(c) of the Act
(33 U.S.C. Sec. 1123(c)) omits the existing language in section
204(c)(1) that states that the Director of the national office
shall--``apply the long range planning guidelines and the
priorities established by the Secretary under subsection (a) of
this section;''. The Department of Commerce feels that this
duty of the national office Director is critical and should not
be omitted.
Section 11 of the bill amends section 212(a) of the Act (33
U.S.C. Sec. 1131(a)) which reads:
(a) Grants and Contracts; Fellowships; International
Program.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
sections 205 and 208--
(1) $50,600,000 for fiscal year 1996;
(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
(3) $54,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.
The Department opposes the authorization levels contained
in the proposed amendment. The FY 1996 President's budget
requests total funding of $49,400,000 for the entire National
Sea Grant Program of which $46,000,000 is intended to carry out
these sections of this proposed legislation.
The Department recommends that the language in the
subsection be revised as follows:
(a) Grants and Contracts; Fellowships; International
Program.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
sections 205 and 208--$46,000,000 for fiscal year 1996 and such
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 1997 and
1998.
Section 3 of the bill, amending section 203(4) of the Act
(33 U.S.C. Sec. 1122(4)) reads: (2) by inserting ``shellfish
disease studies,'' after ``marine affairs and resource
management''. Shellfish Disease studies are already encompassed
in the existing legislation. Identification of a specific
category or living marine resources is unnecessarily
restrictive, redundant to the existing legislative mandate of
the program, and would inhibit Sea Grant's flexibility to
respond to changing national needs and research priorities.
Section 4 of the bill, amending section 204(a) of the Act
(33 U.S.C. Sec. 1123(a)) inserts ``, in consultation with the
sea grant colleges and the panel established under section
209,'' after ``The Secretary''. The Department of Commerce
believes this provision is inappropriate because it is too
specific, and potentially limiting. The intent of the Act
specifies ``an intense involvement on the part of the Federal
Government in continuing partnership with the State and Local
Governments, private industry, universities, organizations, and
individuals * * *.''
While consultation with the sea grant colleges and panel
will take place, planning and priorities must be established
with the help of a broader cross-section of leaders.
Section 4 of the bill, amending section 204(c)(2)(B)(ii) of
the Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1123) reads: ``(ii) promote achievement
of the goals established by the institutions under subsection
(e), and. As stated this amendment would allow complete
independence of institutional programs, precluding regional and
national coordination and coherence.
Section 8(b)(2) of the bill, amending section 207(a) of the
Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1126) reads: ``(2) Merit review.--Within 6
months of the date of enactment of the Marine Resources
Revitalization Act of 1995, the Secretary, after consultation
with the sea grant colleges, shall publish in the Federal
Register guidelines for the conduct of merit review by the sea
grant colleges and sea grant regional consortia of applications
for projects grants and contracts to be awarded under section
205. The guidelines shall, at a minimum, provide for mail
review of all applications for grants or contracts and require
standardized documentation of all peer review.'' The Department
of Commerce objects to this subsection and believes that the
language represents an unnecessary level of micro-management
and imposes additional burdens on project reviewers. The
provisions for mail review is particularly troubling. This
language restricts the review process to one kind of merit
review and eliminates the State Director's discretion to choose
from a wide range of accepted merit review procedures.
Section 10 of the bill, amending section 209 of the Act (33
U.S.C. Sec. 1128) represents a clear reduction in the role and
capabilities of the Sea Grant Review Panel. Restricting the
panel to one meeting per year (as opposed to the two now
required) will limit the ability of the Review Panel to carry
out its mandated duties in subsection (b). These duties are
broad and critical to the overall performance of the Sea Grant
Program.
Section 8 of the bill, amending section 207(a) of the Act
(33 U.S.C. Sec. 1126) omitted from this section is the previous
Section 207(3)(a) which states that sea grant colleges and
consortia must be established for the purpose of sharing
capabilities. The Department believes that this provision for
sharing capabilities is an important subsection that should not
be omitted.
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this
legislation. We would be willing to work with your staff to
address the above concerns as well as any additional technical
issues regarding H.R. 1175.
The Office of Management and Budget advises that there is
no objection to the submission of this report from the
standpoint of the Administration's program.
Sincerely,
D. James Baker.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the
bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed
to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is
printed in italics, existing law in which no change is proposed
is shown in roman):
NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ACT
TITLE II--NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM
* * * * * * *
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this title--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) The term ``field related to ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes resources'' means any discipline or field
(including marine science (and the physical, natural,
and biological sciences, and engineering, included
therein), marine technology, marine biotechnology,
education, marine affairs and resource management,
shellfish disease studies, economics, sociology,
communications, planning, law, international affairs,
and public administration) which is concerned with or
likely to improve the understanding, assessment,
development, utilization, or conservation of ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes resources.
* * * * * * *
(16) The term ``sea grant institution'' means a sea
grant college or a sea grant regional consortium.
SEC. 204. NATIONAL SEA GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) The Secretary shall maintain, within the Administration,
a program to be known as the National Sea Grant College
Program. The National Sea Grant College Program shall consist
of the financial assistance and other activities provided for
in this Act, and shall be administered by a National Sea Grant
Office within the Administration. The Secretary, in
consultation with the sea grant institutions and the panel
established under section 209, shall establish long-range
planning guidelines and priorities for, and adequately
evaluate, this program.
(b) Director.--(1) * * *
(2) The Director shall be appointed and compensated, without
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointments in the competitive service, at a rate
not in excess of the [maximum rate for GS-18 of the General
Schedule under section 5332 of such title.] maximum rate
payable under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code.
[(c) Duties.--The Director shall administer the national sea
grant college program subject to the supervision of the
Secretary and the Under Secretary. In addition to any other
duty prescribed by law or assigned by the Secretary, the
Director shall--
[(1) apply the long-range planning guidelines and the
priorities established by the Secretary under
subsection (a);
[(2) advise the Under Secretary with respect to the
expertise and capabilities which are available within
or through the national sea grant college program, and
provide (as directed by the Under Secretary) those
which are or could be of use to other offices and
activities within the Administration;
[(3) evaluate activities conducted under grants and
contracts awarded pursuant to section 205 to assure
that the objective set forth in section 202(b) is
implemented;
[(4) encourage other Federal departments, agencies,
and instrumentalities to use and take advantage of the
expertise and capabilities which are available through
the national sea grant college program, on a
cooperative or other basis;
[(5) encourage cooperation and coordination with
other Federal programs concerned with ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes resources conservation and usage;
[(6) advise the Secretary on the designation of sea
grant colleges and sea grant regional consortia and, in
appropriate cases, if any, on the termination or
suspension of any such designation;
[(7) encourage the formation and growth of sea grant
programs; and
[(8) oversee the operation of the National Sea Grant
Office established under subsection (a) of this
section.]
(c) Duties of Director.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall administer the
National Sea Grant College Program subject to the
supervision of the Secretary and the Under Secretary.
In addition to any other duty prescribed by law or
assigned by the Secretary, the Director shall--
(A) advise the Under Secretary with respect
to the expertise and capabilities which are
available within or through the National Sea
Grant College Program, and provide (as directed
by the Under Secretary) those which are or
could be of use to other offices and activities
within the Administration;
(B) encourage other Federal departments,
agencies, and instrumentalities to use and take
advantage of the expertise and capabilities
which are available through the National Sea
Grant College Program, on a cooperative or
other basis;
(C) encourage cooperation and coordination
with other Federal programs concerned with
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources
conservation and usage;
(D) advise the Secretary on the designation
of sea grant institutions and, in appropriate
cases, if any, on the termination or suspension
of any such designation;
(E) encourage the formation and growth of sea
grant programs; and
(F) oversee the operation of the National Sea
Grant Office established under subsection (a).
(2) Duties with respect to sea grant institutions.--
With respect to the sea grant institutions, the
Director shall--
(A) evaluate the programs of the
institutions, using the guidelines and
priorities established by the Secretary under
subsection (a), to ensure that the objective
set forth in section 202(b) is achieved;
(B) subject to the availability of
appropriations, allocate funding among the sea
grant institutions so as to--
(i) promote healthy competition among
those institutions,
(ii) promote achievement of the goals
established by the institutions under
subsection (e), and
(iii) to the maximum extent
consistent with the other provisions of
this subparagraph, provide a stable
base of funding for the institutions;
and
(C) ensure compliance by the institutions
with the guidelines for merit review published
pursuant to section 207(b)(2).
* * * * * * *
(e) Duties of the Sea Grant Institutions.--Subject to any
regulations or guidelines promulgated by the Secretary, it
shall be the responsibility of each sea grant institution to--
(1) develop, in consultation with the Secretary and
the panel established under section 209, goals for its
program that are consistent with the guidelines and
priorities developed under section 204(a);
(2) conduct merit review of all applications for
project grants or contracts to be awarded under section
205; and
(3) demonstrate significant progress toward the goals
established under this section.
* * * * * * *
[SEC. 207. SEA GRANT COLLEGES AND SEA GRANT REGIONAL CONSORTIA.
[(a) Designation.--(1) The Secretary may designate--
[(A) any institution of higher education as a sea
grant college; and
[(B) any association or other alliance of two or more
persons (other than individuals) as a sea grant
regional consortium.
[(2) No institution of higher education may be designated as
a sea grant college unless the Secretary finds that such
institution--
[(A) is maintaining a balanced program of research,
education, training, and advisory services in fields
related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources
and has received financial assistance under section 205
of this title or under section 204(c) of the National
Sea Grant College and Program Act of 1966;
[(B) will act in accordance with such guidelines as
are prescribed under subsection (b)(2); and
[(C) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary
deems necessary or appropriate.
The designation of any institution as a sea grant college under
the authority of such Act of 1966 shall, if such designation is
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the
Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976, be considered to be
a designation made under paragraph (1) so long as such
institution complies with subparagraphs (B) and (C).
[(3) No association or other alliance of two or more persons
may be designated as a sea grant regional consortium unless the
Secretary finds that such association or alliance--
[(A) is established for the purpose of sharing
expertise, research, educational facilities, or
training facilities, and other capabilities in order to
facilitate research, education, training, and advisory
services, in any field related to ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes resources;
[(B) will encourage and follow a regional approach to
solving problems or meeting needs relating to ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes resources, in cooperation with
appropriate sea grant colleges, sea grant programs, and
other persons in the region;
[(C) will act in accordance with such guidelines as
are prescribed under subsection (b)(2); and
[(D) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary
deems necessary or appropriate.
[(b) Regulations.--The Secretary shall by regulation
prescribe--
[(1) the qualifications required to be met under
paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(D) of subsection (a); and
[(2) guidelines relating to the activities and
responsibilities of sea grant colleges and sea grant
regional consortia.
[(c) Suspension or Termination of Designation.--The Secretary
may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or
terminate any designation under subsection (a).]
SEC. 207. SEA GRANT COLLEGES AND SEA GRANT REGIONAL CONSORTIA.
(a) Designation.--The Secretary may designate an institution
of higher learning as a sea grant college, and an association
or alliance of two or more persons as a sea grant regional
consortium, if the institution, association, or alliance--
(1) is maintaining a balanced program of research,
education, training, and advisory services in fields
related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources
and has received financial assistance under section 205
of this Act or under section 204(c) of the National Sea
Grant College and Program Act of 1966;
(2) will encourage and follow a regional approach to
solving problems or meeting needs relating to ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes resources, in cooperation with
appropriate sea grant colleges, sea grant programs, and
other persons in the region;
(3) will act in accordance with such guidelines as
are prescribed under subsection (b)(2); and
(4) meets such other qualifications as the Secretary
considers necessary or appropriate.
(b) Regulations and Guidelines.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall by regulation
prescribe the qualifications required to be met under
subsection (a)(4).
(2) Merit review.--Within 6 months of the date of
enactment of the Marine Resources Revitalization Act of
1995, the Secretary, after consultation with the sea
grant institutions, shall publish in the Federal
Register guidelines for the conduct of merit review by
the sea grant institutions of applications for project
grants and contracts to be awarded under section 205.
The guidelines shall, at a minimum, provide for mail
review of all applications for grants or contracts and
require standardized documentation of all peer review.
SEC. 208. FELLOWSHIPS.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(c) Postdoctoral Fellowships.--The Under Secretary shall
establish and administer a program of postdoctoral fellowships
to accelerate research in critical subject areas. The
fellowship awards--
[(1) shall be for 2 years;
[(2) may be renewed once for not more than 2 years;
[(3) shall be awarded on a nationally competitive
basis;
[(4) may be used at any institution of post-secondary
education involved in the national sea grant college
program;
[(5) shall be for up to 100 percent of the total cost
of the fellowship; and
[(6) may be made to recipients of terminal
professional degrees, as well as doctoral degree
recipients.]
SEC. 209. SEA GRANT REVIEW PANEL.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be established an independent
committee to be known as the sea grant review panel. [The panel
shall, on the 60th day after the date of the enactment of the
Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976, supersede the sea
grant advisory panel in existence before such date of
enactment.
[The Panel shall advise] (b) Duties.--The panel shall advise
the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and the Director
concerning--
(1) applications or proposals for, and performance
under, grants and contracts awarded under section 205
[and section 3 of the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act
of 1976];
(2) the sea grant fellowship program;
(3) the designation and operation of sea grant
[colleges and sea grant regional consortia]
institutions, and the operation of sea grant programs;
* * * * * * *
The Secretary shall make available to the panel such
information, personnel, and administrative services and
assistance as it may reasonably require to carry out its
duties.
(c) Membership, Terms, and Powers.--(1) The panel shall
consist of 15 voting members who shall be appointed by the
Secretary. The Director and a director of a sea grant program
who is elected by the various directors of sea grant programs
shall serve as nonvoting members of the panel. Not less than 8
of the voting members of the panel shall be individuals who, by
reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially
qualified in one or more of the disciplines and fields included
in marine science. The other voting members shall be
individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or
training, are especially qualified in, or representative of,
education, marine affairs and resource management, extension
services, State government, industry, economics, planning, or
any other activity which is appropriate to, and important for,
any effort to enhance the understanding, assessment,
development, utilization, or conservation of ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes resources. No individual is eligible to be a
voting member of the panel if the individual is (A) the
director of a sea grant [college, sea grant regional
consortium,] institution or sea grant program; (B) an applicant
for, or beneficiary (as determined by the Secretary) of, any
grant or contract under section 205; or (C) a full-time officer
of employee of the United States.
* * * * * * *
(5) Voting members of the panel shall--
(A) receive compensation at [the daily rate for GS-18
of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5,
United States Code] the maximum daily rate payable
under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code, when
actually engaged in the performance of duties for such
panel; and
(B) be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses
incurred in the performance of such duties.
(6) The panel shall meet on [a biannual] an annual basis and,
at any other time, at the call of the Chairman or upon the
request of a majority of the voting members or of the Director.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 212. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
[(a) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the
provisions of sections 205 and 208 of this Act, and section 3
of the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976 (33 U.S.C.
1124a), an amount--
[(1) for fiscal year 1991, not to exceed $44,398,000;
[(2) for fiscal year 1992, not to exceed $46,014,000;
[(3) for fiscal year 1993, not to exceed $47,695,000;
[(4) for fiscal year 1994, not to exceed $49,443,000;
and
[(5) for fiscal year 1995, not to exceed $51,261,000.
[(b)(1) There is authorized to be appropriated for
administration of this Act, including section 209, by the
National Sea Grant Office and the Administration, an amount--
[(A) for fiscal year 1991, not to exceed $2,500,000;
[(B) for fiscal year 1992, not to exceed $2,600,000;
[(C) for fiscal year 1993, not to exceed $2,700,000;
[(D) for fiscal year 1994, not to exceed $2,800,000;
and
[(E) for fiscal year 1995, not to exceed $2,900,000.]
(a) Grants, Contracts, and Fellowships.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out sections 205 and 208--
(1) $50,600,000 for fiscal year 1996;
(2) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
(3) $54,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.
(b) Administration.--
(1) Authorization.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for administration of this Act, including
section 209, by the National Sea Grant Office and the
Administration--
(A) $2,700,000 for fiscal year 1996;
(B) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
(C) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1998.
[(2)] (2) Limitation on use of other amounts.--Sums
appropriated under the authority of [subsections (a)
and (c)] subsection (a) shall not be available for
administration of this Act by the National Sea Grant
Office, or for Administration program or administrative
expenses.
[(c) In addition to sums authorized under subsection (a),
there is authorized to be appropriated for priority oyster
disease research under section 205 of this Act, an amount--
[(1) for fiscal year 1992, not to exceed $1,400,000;
[(2) for fiscal year 1993, not to exceed $3,000,000;
[(3) for fiscal year 1994, not to exceed $3,000,000;
and
[(4) for fiscal year 1995, not to exceed $3,000,000.
[(d)] (c) Availability of Sums.--Sums appropriated pursuant
to this section shall remain available until expended.
[(e)] (d) Reversion of Unobligated Amounts.--The amount of
any grant, or portion of a grant, made to a person under any
section of this Act that is not obligated by that person during
the first fiscal year for which it was authorized to be
obligated or during the next fiscal year thereafter shall
revert to the Secretary. The Secretary shall add that reverted
amount to the funds available for grants under the section for
which the reverted amount was originally made available.
----------
SECTION 3 OF THE SEA GRANT PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1976
[SEC. 3. SEA GRANT INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM.
[(a) In General.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere may enter into contracts and make grants under
this section to--
[(1) enhance cooperative international research and
educational activities on ocean, coastal and Great
Lakes resources;
[(2) promote shared marine activities with
universities in countries with which the United States
has sustained mutual interest in ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes resources;
[(3) encourage technology transfer that enhances wise
use of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in
other countries and in the United States;
[(4) promote the exchange among the United States and
foreign nations of information and data with respect to
the assessment, development, utilization, and
conservation of such resources;
[(5) use the national sea grant college program as a
resource in other Federal civilian agency international
initiatives whose purposes are fundamentally related to
research, education, technology transfer and public
service programs concerning the understanding and wise
use of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; and
[(6) enhance regional collaboration between foreign
nations and the United States with respect to marine
scientific research, including activities which improve
understanding of global oceanic and atmospheric
processes, undersea minerals resources within the
exclusive economic zone and special areas, and
productivity and enhancement of living marine resources
in--
[(A) the Caribbean and Latin American
regions;
[(B) the Pacific Islands region;
[(C) the Arctic and Antartic regions;
[(D) the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; and
[(E) the Great Lakes.
[(b) Eligibility, Procedures, and Requirements.--Any sea
grant college, sea grant program, or sea grant regional
consortium, and any institution of higher education,
laboratory, or institute (if the institution, laboratory, or
institute is located within a State, as defined in section
203(14) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33
U.S.C. 1122(14)), may apply for and receive financial
assistance under this section. The Under Secretary shall
prescribe rules and regulations, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, to carry out this section. Before approving
an application for a grant or contract under this section, the
Under Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State. A
grant made, or contract entered into, under this section is
subject to section 205(d) (2) and (4) of the National Sea Grant
College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1124(d) (2) and (4)) and to any
other requirements that the Under Secretary considers necessary
and appropriate.]