#aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,in the ,house of ,representatives1 ,u4 ,s41 ,june #i1 #bjad ,,amendment3 ,that the bill from the ,senate 7,s4 #abed7 entitled ,an ,act to amend the ,harmful ,algal ,blooms and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,act of #aiih1 and for other purposes41 do pass with the following ,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert3 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,amendments ,act of #bjad4 #b4 ,references to the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,act of #aiih ,except as otherwise expressly provided1 whenever in this ,act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to1 or repeal of1 a section or other provision1 the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,act of #aiih 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #adea note74 #c4 ,inter-,agency task force on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia ,section #fjc7;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the following representatives from and inserting a representative from2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#aa71 by striking and2 7#c7 by redesignating paragraph 7#ab7 as paragraph 7#ac72 7#d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#aa7 the following3 7#ab7 the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention2 and 2 and 7#e7 in paragraph 7#ac71 as redesignated1 by striking such4 #d4 ,national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program ,the ,act is amended by inserting after section #fjc the following3 #fjc;,a4 ,national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,amendments ,act of #bjad1 the ,under ,secretary1 acting through the ,task ,force1 shall maintain and enhance a national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program1 including-- 7#a7 a statement of objectives1 including understanding1 detecting1 predicting1 controlling1 mitigating1 and responding to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events2 and 7#b7 the comprehensive research plan and action strategy under section #fjc;,b4 7b7 ,periodic revision ,the ,task ,force shall periodically review and revise the ,program1 as necessary4 7c7 ,task force functions ,the ,task ,force shall-- 7#a7 coordinate interagency review of the objectives and activities of the ,program2 7#b7 expedite the interagency review process by ensuring timely review and dispersal of required reports and assessments under this title2 7#c7 support the implementation of the ,action ,strategy1 including the coordination and integration of the research of all ,federal programs1 including ocean and ,great ,lakes science and management programs and centers1 that address the chemical1 biological1 and physical components of marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#d7 support the development of institutional mechanisms and financial instruments to further the objectives and activities of the ,program2 7#e7 review the ,program's distribution of ,federal funding to address the objectives and activities of the ,program2 7#f7 promote the development of new technologies for predicting1 monitoring1 and mitigating harmful algal bloom and hypoxia conditions2 and 7#g7 establish such interagency working groups as it considers necessary4 7d7 ,lead ,federal agency ,except as provided in subsection 7h71 the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration shall have primary responsibility for administering the ,program4 7e7 ,program duties ,in administering the ,program1 the ,under ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 promote the ,program2 7#b7 prepare work and spending plans for implementing the research and activities identified under the ,action ,strategy2 7#c7 administer peer-reviewed1 merit-based1 competitive grant funding-- 7,a7 to maintain and enhance baseline monitoring programs established by the ,program2 7,b7 to support the projects maintained and established by the ,program2 and 7,c7 to address the research and management needs and priorities identified in the ,action ,strategy2 7#d7 coordinate with and work cooperatively with regional1 ,state1 tribal1 and local government agencies and programs that address marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#e7 coordinate with the ,secretary of ,state to support international efforts on marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia information sharing1 research1 prediction1 mitigation1 control1 and response activities2 7#f7 identify additional research1 development1 and demonstration needs and priorities relating to monitoring1 prevention1 control1 mitigation1 and response to marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia1 including methods and technologies to protect the ecosystems affected by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#g7 integrate1 coordinate1 and augment existing education programs to improve public understanding and awareness of the causes1 impacts1 and mitigation efforts for marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#h7 facilitate and provide resources to train ,state and local coastal and water resource managers in the methods and technologies for monitoring1 preventing1 controlling1 and mitigating marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#i7 support regional efforts to control and mitigate outbreaks through-- 7,a7 communication of the contents of the ,action ,strategy and maintenance of online data portals for other information about harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to ,state1 tribal1 and local stakeholders2 and 7,b7 overseeing the development1 review1 and periodic updating of the ,action ,strategy2 7#aj7 convene at least #a meeting of the ,task ,force each year2 and 7#aa7 perform such other tasks as may be delegated by the ,task ,force4 7f7 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration activities ,the ,under ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 maintain and enhance the existing competitive programs at the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration relating to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#b7 carry out marine and ,great ,lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events response activities2 7#c7 develop and enhance1 including with respect to infrastructure as necessary1 critical observations1 monitoring1 modeling1 data management1 information dissemination1 and operational forecasts relevant to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events2 7#d7 enhance communication and coordination among ,federal agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research2 7#e7 to the greatest extent practicable1 leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions2 and 7#f7 increase the availability to appropriate public and private entities of-- 7,a7 analytical facilities and technologies2 7,b7 operational forecasts2 and 7,c7 reference and research materials4 7g7 ,cooperative efforts ,the ,under ,secretary shall work cooperatively and avoid duplication of effort with other offices1 centers1 and programs within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 other agencies on the ,task ,force1 and ,states1 tribes1 and nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine and freshwater issues to coordinate harmful algal bloom and hypoxia 7and related7 activities and research4 7h7 ,freshwater ,with respect to the freshwater aspects of the ,program1 the ,administrator1 through the ,task ,force1 shall carry out the duties otherwise assigned to the ,under ,secretary under this section1 except the activities described in subsection 7f74 7#a7 ,participation ,the ,administrator's participation under this section shall include-- 7,a7 research on the ecology and impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms2 and 7,b7 forecasting and monitoring of and event response to freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes1 rivers1 estuaries 7including their tributaries71 and reservoirs4 7#b7 ,nonduplication ,the ,administrator shall ensure that activities carried out under this title focus on new approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative of existing research and development programs authorized by this title or any other law4 7i7 ,integrated coastal and ocean observation system ,the collection of monitoring and observation data under this title shall comply with all data standards and protocols developed pursuant to the ,integrated ,coastal and ,ocean ,observation ,system ,act of #bjji 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #cfja et seq474 ,such data shall be made available through the system established under that ,act4 4 #e4 ,comprehensive ,research ,plan and ,action ,strategy ,the ,act1 as amended by section #d of this ,act1 is further amended by inserting after section #fjc;,a the following3 #fjc;,b4 ,comprehensive ,research ,plan and ,action ,strategy 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,amendments ,act of #bjad1 the ,under ,secretary1 through the ,task ,force1 shall develop and submit to ,congress a comprehensive research plan and action strategy to address marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia4 ,the ,action ,strategy shall identify-- 7#a7 the specific activities to be carried out by the ,program and the timeline for carrying out those activities2 7#b7 the roles and responsibilities of each ,federal agency in the ,task ,force in carrying out the activities under paragraph 7#a72 and 7#c7 the appropriate regions and subregions requiring specific research and activities to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia4 7b7 ,regional focus ,the regional and subregional parts of the ,action ,strategy shall identify-- 7#a7 regional priorities for ecological1 economic1 and social research on issues related to the impacts of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#b7 research1 development1 and demonstration activities needed to develop and advance technologies and techniques for minimizing the occurrence of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia and improving capabilities to detect1 predict1 monitor1 control1 mitigate1 respond to1 and remediate harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#c7 ways to reduce the duration and intensity of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia1 including deployment of response technologies in a timely manner2 7#d7 research and methods to address human health dimensions of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7#e7 mechanisms1 including the potential costs and benefits of those mechanisms1 to protect ecosystems that may be or have been affected by harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events2 7#f7 mechanisms by which data1 information1 and products may be transferred between the ,program and the ,state1 tribal1 and local governments and research entities2 7#g7 communication and information dissemination methods that ,state1 tribal1 and local governments may undertake to educate and inform the public concerning harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 and 7#h7 roles that ,federal agencies may have to assist in the implementation of the ,action ,strategy1 including efforts to support local and regional scientific assessments under section #fjc7;e74 7c7 ,utilizing available studies and information ,in developing the ,action ,strategy1 the ,under ,secretary shall utilize existing research1 assessments1 reports1 and program activities1 including-- 7#a7 those carried out under existing law2 and 7#b7 other relevant peer-reviewed and published sources4 7d7 ,development of the ,action ,strategy ,in developing the ,action ,strategy1 the ,under ,secretary shall1 as appropriate-- 7#a7 coordinate with-- 7,a7 ,state coastal management and planning officials2 7,b7 tribal resource management officials2 and 7,c7 water management and watershed officials from both coastal ,states and noncoastal ,states with water sources that drain into water bodies affected by harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 and 7#b7 consult with-- 7,a7 public health officials2 7,b7 emergency management officials2 7,c7 science and technology development institutions2 7,d7 economists2 7,e7 industries and businesses affected by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia2 7,f7 scientists with expertise concerning harmful algal blooms or hypoxia from academic or research institutions2 and 7,g7 other stakeholders4 7e7 ,federal ,register ,the ,under ,secretary shall publish the ,action ,strategy in the ,federal ,register4 7f7 ,periodic revision ,the ,under ,secretary1 in coordination and consultation with the individuals and entities under subsection 7d71 shall periodically review and revise the ,action ,strategy prepared under this section1 as necessary4 4 #f4 ,reporting ,section #fjc is amended by adding at the end the following3 7j7 ,report ,not later than #b years after the date the ,action ,strategy is submitted under section #fjc;,b1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress that describes-- 7#a7 the proceedings of the annual ,task ,force meetings2 7#b7 the activities carried out under the ,program1 including the regional and subregional parts of the ,action ,strategy2 7#c7 the budget related to the activities under paragraph 7#b72 7#d7 the progress made on implementing the ,action ,strategy2 and 7#e7 any need to revise or terminate research and activities under the ,program4 4 #g4 ,northern ,gulf of ,mexico hypoxia ,section #fjd is amended to read as follows3 #fjd4 ,northern ,gulf of ,mexico hypoxia 7a7 ,initial progress reports ,beginning not later than #ab months after the date of enactment of the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,amendments ,act of #bjad1 and biennially thereafter1 the ,administrator1 through the ,mississippi ,river_/,gulf of ,mexico ,watershed ,nutrient ,task ,force1 shall submit a progress report to the appropriate congressional committees and the ,president that describes the progress made by activities directed by the ,mississippi ,river_/,gulf of ,mexico ,watershed ,nutrient ,task ,force and carried out or funded by the ,environmental ,protection ,agency and other ,state and ,federal partners toward attainment of the goals of the ,gulf ,hypoxia ,action ,plan #bjjh4 7b7 ,contents ,each report required under this section shall-- 7#a7 assess the progress made toward nutrient load reductions1 the response of the hypoxic zone and water quality throughout the ,mississippi_/,atchafalaya ,river ,basin1 and the economic and social effects2 7#b7 evaluate lessons learned2 and 7#c7 recommend appropriate actions to continue to implement or1 if necessary1 revise the strategy set forth in the ,gulf ,hypoxia ,action ,plan #bjjh4 4 #h4 ,great ,lakes hypoxia and harmful algal blooms ,section #fje is amended to read as follows3 #fje4 ,great ,lakes hypoxia and harmful algal blooms 7a7 ,integrated assessment ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,amendments ,act of #bjad1 the ,task ,force1 in accordance with the authority under section #fjc1 shall complete and submit to the ,congress and the ,president an integrated assessment that examines the causes1 consequences1 and approaches to reduce hypoxia and harmful algal blooms in the ,great ,lakes1 including the status of and gaps within current research1 monitoring1 management1 prevention1 response1 and control activities by-- 7#a7 ,federal agencies2 7#b7 ,state agencies2 7#c7 regional research consortia2 7#d7 academia2 7#e7 private industry2 and 7#f7 nongovernmental organizations4 7b7 ,plan 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,harmful ,algal ,bloom and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,amendments ,act of #bjad1 the ,task ,force shall develop and submit to the ,congress a plan1 based on the integrated assessment under subsection 7a71 for reducing1 mitigating1 and controlling hypoxia and harmful algal blooms in the ,great ,lakes4 7#b7 ,contents ,the plan shall-- 7,a7 address the monitoring needs identified in the integrated assessment under subsection 7a72 7,b7 develop a timeline and budgetary requirements for deployment of future assets2 7,c7 identify requirements for the development and verification of ,great ,lakes hypoxia and harmful algal bloom models1 including-- 7i7 all assumptions built into the models2 and 7ii7 data quality methods used to ensure the best available data are utilized2 and 7,d7 describe efforts to improve the assessment of the impacts of hypoxia and harmful algal blooms by-- 7i7 characterizing current and past biological conditions in ecosystems affected by hypoxia and harmful algal blooms2 and 7ii7 quantifying effects1 including economic effects1 at the population and community levels4 7#c7 ,requirements ,in developing the plan1 the ,task ,force shall-- 7,a7 coordinate with ,state and local governments2 7,b7 consult with representatives from academic1 agricultural1 industry1 and other stakeholder groups1 including relevant ,canadian agencies2 7,c7 ensure that the plan complements and does not duplicate activities conducted by other ,federal or ,state agencies2 7,d7 identify critical research for reducing1 mitigating1 and controlling hypoxia events and their effects2 7,e7 evaluate cost-effective1 incentive-based partnership approaches2 7,f7 ensure that the plan is technically sound and cost effective2 7,g7 utilize existing research1 assessments1 reports1 and program activities2 7,h7 publish a summary of the proposed plan in the ,federal ,register at least #ahj days prior to submitting the completed plan to ,congress2 and 7,i7 after submitting the completed plan to ,congress1 provide biennial progress reports on the activities toward achieving the objectives of the plan4 4 #i4 ,application with other laws ,the ,act is amended by adding after section #fjf the following3 #fjg4 ,effect on other ,federal authority 7a7 ,authority preserved ,nothing in this title supersedes or limits the authority of any agency to carry out its responsibilities and missions under other laws4 7b7 ,regulatory authority ,nothing in this title may be construed as establishing new regulatory authority for any agency4 4 #aj4 ,definitions2 ,conforming amendment 7a7 ,in general ,the ,act1 as amended by section #i of this ,act1 is further amended by adding after section #fjg the following3 #fjh4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,action ,strategy ,the term ,action ,strategy means the comprehensive research plan and action strategy established under section #fjc;,b4 7#b7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#c7 ,harmful algal bloom ,the term harmful algal bloom means marine and freshwater phytoplankton that proliferate to high concentrations1 resulting in nuisance conditions or harmful impacts on marine and aquatic ecosystems1 coastal communities1 and human health through the production of toxic compounds or other biological1 chemical1 and physical impacts of the algae outbreak4 7#d7 ,hypoxia ,the term hypoxia means a condition where low dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems causes stress or death to resident organisms4 7#e7 ,program ,the term ,program means the national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program established under section #fjc;,a4 7#f7 ,state ,the term ,state means each of the several ,states of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 the ,virgin ,islands1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states1 and any ,indian tribe4 7#g7 ,task ,force ,the term ,task ,force means the ,inter-,agency ,task ,force on ,harmful ,algal ,blooms and ,hypoxia under section #fjc7;a74 7#h7 ,under ,secretary ,the term ,under ,secretary means the ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere4 7#i7 ,united ,states coastal waters ,the term ,united ,states coastal waters includes the ,great ,lakes4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #fjc7;a7 is amended by striking 7hereinafter referred to as the #8,task ,force'74 #aa4 ,authorization of appropriations ,the ,act is further amended by adding after section #fjh the following3 #fji4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,under ,secretary to carry out sections #fjc;,a and #fjc;,b #bj1ejj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah4 7b7 ,extramural research activities ,the ,under ,secretary shall ensure that a substantial portion of funds appropriated pursuant to subsection 7a7 that are used for research purposes are allocated to extramural research activities4 ,for each fiscal year1 the ,under ,secretary shall publish a list of all grant recipients and the amounts for all of the funds allocated for research purposes1 specifying those allocated for extramural research activities4 4 ,clerk4