text: TITLE I--NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM
  
  SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This title may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration Program 
  Act''.
  
  SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION.
  
      The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration shall, in consultation with the National Science 
  Foundation and other appropriate Federal agencies, conduct a 
  coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National 
  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that promotes collaboration with 
  other Federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. To 
  the extent appropriate, the Administrator shall seek to facilitate 
  coordination of data and information management systems, outreach and 
  education programs to improve public understanding of ocean and coastal 
  resources, and development and transfer of technologies to facilitate 
  ocean and undersea research and exploration.
  
  SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES.
  
      (a) In General.--In carrying out the program authorized under 
  section 102, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration (in this title referred to as the ``Administrator'') 
  shall--
              (1) conduct interdisciplinary voyages or other scientific 
          activities of discovery in conjunction with other Federal 
          agencies or academic or educational institutions, to explore 
          and survey little known areas of the marine environment, 
          inventory, observe, and assess living and nonliving marine 
          resources, and report such findings;
              (2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a 
          focus on deep water marine systems that hold potential for 
          important scientific discoveries, such as hydrothermal vent 
          communities and seamounts;
              (3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and 
          document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean 
          exploration activities that combine archaeology and 
          oceanographic sciences;
              (4) develop and implement, in consultation with the 
          National Science Foundation, a transparent, competitive process 
          for merit-based peer-review and approval of proposals for 
          activities to be conducted under this program, taking into 
          consideration advice of the Board established under section 
          104;
              (5) enhance the technical capability of the United States 
          marine science community by promoting the development of 
          improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and 
          data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and 
          sensors and autonomous vehicles; and
              (6) establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage 
          partnerships and promote communication among experts and other 
          stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical 
          expertise and relevance of the national program.
      (b) Donations.--In carrying out the program authorized under 
  section 102, the Administrator may accept donations of property, data, 
  and equipment to be applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or 
  increasing knowledge of the oceans.
  
  SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION ADVISORY BOARD.
  
      (a) Establishment.--The Administrator shall appoint an Ocean 
  Exploration Advisory Board composed of experts in relevant fields to--
              (1) advise the Administrator on priority areas for survey 
          and discovery;
              (2) assist the program in the development of a five-year 
          strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lakes 
          science, exploration, and discovery;
              (3) annually review the quality and effectiveness of the 
          proposal review process established under section 103(4); and
              (4) provide other assistance and advice as requested by the 
          Administrator.
      (b) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal 
  Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Board 
  appointed under subsection (a).
  
  SEC. 105. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT.
  
      Nothing in this Act supersedes, or limits the authority of the 
  Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
  (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.).
  
  SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title--
              (1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
              (2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009;
              (3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010;
              (4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011;
              (5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012;
              (6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
              (7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014.
  
                    TITLE II--UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM
  
  SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This title may be cited as the ``National Undersea Research Program 
  Act of 2007''.
  
  SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION.
  
      The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration shall conduct an undersea research, exploration, 
  education, and technology development program and shall designate a 
  Director of that program.
  
  SEC. 203. PURPOSE.
  
      The purpose of the program authorized under section 202 is to 
  increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, 
  use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, coastal, and Great Lakes 
  resources. The Director, in carrying out the program authorized in 
  section 202, shall cooperate with institutions of higher education and 
  other educational marine and ocean science organizations, and shall 
  make available undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, 
  information, and expertise to support undersea research efforts by 
  these organizations. The Director may also enter into partnerships, 
  using existing authorities, with the private sector to achieve the 
  goals of the program and to promote technological advancement of the 
  marine industry.
  
  SEC. 204. PROGRAM.
  
      The program authorized under section 202 shall be conducted through 
  a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea 
  research centers that represent all relevant National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration regions, and the National Institute for 
  Undersea Science and Technology. Overall direction of the program will 
  be developed by the program director with a Council of Center Directors 
  comprised of the directors of the extramural regional centers and the 
  National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Draft program 
  direction shall be published not later than 1 year after the date of 
  enactment of this Act. The draft program direction shall be published 
  in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 
  120 days. Final program direction with Agency responses to the comments 
  received shall be published in the Federal Register within 90 days 
  after the close of the comment period. The program director shall 
  update the program direction, with opportunity for public comment, at 
  least every five years.
  
  SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND INSTITUTE.
  
      (a) Programs.--The following research, exploration, education, and 
  technology programs shall be conducted through the network of 
  extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea 
  Science and Technology:
              (1) Core research and exploration based on national and 
          regional undersea research priorities.
              (2) Advanced undersea technology development to support the 
          National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's research 
          mission and programs.
              (3) Development, testing, and transition of advanced 
          undersea technology associated with ocean observatories, 
          submersibles, advanced diving technologies, remotely operated 
          vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and new sampling and 
          sensing technologies.
              (4) Undersea science-based education and outreach programs 
          to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the 
          oceans and Great Lakes.
              (5) Discovery, study, and development of natural products 
          from ocean and aquatic systems.
      (b) Operations.--Operation of the extramural regional centers and 
  the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology shall 
  leverage partnerships and cooperative research with academia and 
  private industry.
  
  SEC. 206. COMPETITION.
  
      (a) Discretionary Fund.--The program shall allocate no more than 10 
  percent of its annual budget to a discretionary fund that may be used 
  only for program administration and priority undersea research projects 
  identified by the Director but not covered by funding available from 
  centers.
      (b) Competitive Selection.--The Administrator shall conduct an 
  initial competition to select the regional centers that will 
  participate in the program 90 days after the publication of the final 
  program direction required in section 204 and every five years 
  thereafter. Funding for projects conducted through the regional centers 
  shall be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process on the 
  basis of their relevance to the goals of the program and their 
  technical feasibility.
  
  SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title--
              (1) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
              (2) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
              (3) $21,500,000 for fiscal year 2010;
              (4) $23,500,000 for fiscal year 2011;
              (5) $25,500,000 for fiscal year 2012;
              (6) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
              (7) $29,500,000 for fiscal year 2014.
  
              TITLE III--INTERAGENCY PLANNING AND COORDINATION
  
  SEC. 301. OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY AND 
                INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.
  
      (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration, in coordination with the National Science 
  Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
  United States Geological Survey, the Department of the Navy, the 
  Mineral Management Service, and relevant governmental, non-
  governmental, academic, industry, and other experts, shall convene an 
  ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure 
  task force to develop and implement a strategy--
              (1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration and undersea 
          research technology to the programs authorized under titles I 
          and II of this Act;
              (2) to improve availability of communications 
          infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to such 
          programs;
              (3) to develop an integrated, workable, and comprehensive 
          data management information processing system that will make 
          information on unique and significant features obtained by such 
          programs available for research and management purposes;
              (4) to conduct public outreach activities that improve the 
          public understanding of ocean science, resources, and 
          processes, in conjunction with relevant programs of the 
          National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National 
          Science Foundation, and other agencies; and
              (5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with 
          governmental and nongovernmental entities that will assist in 
          transferring exploration and undersea research technology and 
          technical expertise to the programs.
      (b) Budget Coordination.--The task force shall coordinate the 
  development of agency budgets and identify the items in their annual 
  budget that support the activities identified in the strategy developed 
  under subsection (a).
  
              Passed the House of Representatives February 14, 2008.
  
              Attest:
  
                                              LORRAINE C. MILLER,
  
                                                                   Clerk.
target: Title I: National Ocean Exploration Program - National Ocean Exploration Program Act - (Sec. 102) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a coordinated national ocean exploration program in NOAA that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs.
  
  (Sec. 103) Sets forth program authorities, including authorizing the Administrator to accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans.
  
   (Sec. 104) Requires the NOAA Administrator to appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.
  
  (Sec. 105) Declares that nothing in this Act supersedes or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
  
  (Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations.
  
  Title II: Undersea Research Program - National Undersea Research Program Act of 2007 - (Sec. 202) Requires the Administrator to conduct an undersea research, exploration, education, and technology development program to increase scientific knowledge regarding management, use, and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. Requires the program's director to cooperate with institutions of higher education and other educational marine and ocean science organizations and to make available undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, information, and expertise to support those organizations' undersea research. Authorizes the director to enter into partnerships with the private sector to achieve program goals and to promote marine industry technological advancement.
  
  (Sec. 204) Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers representing all NOAA regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology.
  
  (Sec. 205) Specifies the research, exploration, education, and technology programs to be conducted through the network of extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology.
  
  (Sec. 206) Allows not more than ten percent of the program's budget to be used for administration and for priority undersea research projects not covered by funding available from centers. Requires a competition every five years to select the regional centers that will participate in the program. Requires projects supported by the regional centers to be awarded using an open and competitive process.
  
  (Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations.
  
  Title III: Interagency Planning and Coordination - (Sec. 301) Requires the NOAA Administrator, and relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, industry, and other experts, to convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force. Requires that the task force coordinate the development of agency budgets.
feat_title: To authorize the national ocean exploration program and the national undersea research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.