S. 2030 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2030 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 12, 2014 Mr. Schatz (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2014. 2. References to the National Sea Grant College Program Act Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever 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.). 3. Sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes; annual report on progress Section 207 (33 U.S.C. 1126) is amended by striking subsection (e). 4. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Section 208(b) (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)) is amended by striking may and inserting shall. 5. Report on coordination of oceans and coastal research activities Section 9 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 857–20) is repealed. 6. National Sea Grant Advisory Board report Section 209(b) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)) is amended by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: (2) Report The Board shall report to the Congress every 3 years on the state of the national sea grant college program. The Board shall indicate in each such report the progress made toward meeting the priorities identified in the strategic plan in effect under section 204(c). The Secretary shall make available to the Board such information, personnel, and administrative services and assistance as it may reasonably require to carry out its duties under this title. . 7. Technical amendment Section 205(c) (33 U.S.C. 1124(c)) is amended by striking Elegibility in the heading and inserting Eligibility. 8. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general Section 212(a) (33 U.S.C. 1131(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking and at the end of subparagraph (E); (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (G) $72,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; (H) $75,600,000 for fiscal year 2016; (I) $79,380,000 for fiscal year 2017; (J) $83,350,000 for fiscal year 2018; (K) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2019; and (L) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2020. ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking activities in the heading and inserting activities through fiscal year 2014; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) Priority activities for fiscal years 2015 through 2020 In addition to the amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2020 $18,000,000 for competitive grants for the following: (A) University research on the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species. (B) University research on oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks. (C) University research on the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms. (D) University research, education, training, and extension services and activities focused on regional or national priority issues identified in the strategic plan under section 204(c)(1). (E) Fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance, and not supplant, existing core program funding. . (b) Limitations Section 212(b)(1) (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows: (1) Administration (A) In general There may not be used for administration of programs under this title in a fiscal year more than 5.5 percent of the lesser of— (i) the amount authorized to be appropriated under this title for the fiscal year; or (ii) the amount appropriated under this title for the fiscal year. (B) Critical staffing requirements The Director shall use the authority under subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, to meet any critical staffing requirement while implementing the activities authorized in this title. The costs associated with that exercise of authority shall not be counted toward the cap under subparagraph (A). . (c) Distribution of funds Section 212(c) (33 U.S.C. 1131(c)) is amended by inserting , the year in which base funding was set, after 2003. (d) Conforming amendment Section 212(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(2)) is amended by inserting or (a)(3) after (a)(2).