#aae? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,9 !   
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 ,u4 ,s41       
,decemb] #aj1 #bjah  ,,am5dm5t3  ,t !   
bill f ! ,s5ate 7,s4 #beaa7 entitl$ ,an 
,act to require ! ,"u ,secret>y (       
,comm]ce = ,oceans & ,atmosph]e to c>ry 
out a program on coord9at+ ! assessm5t &
 acquisition by ! ,national ,oceanic &  
,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration ( unmann$     
m>itime sy/ems1 to make available to !  
public data collect$ by ! ,adm9i/ration 
us+ su* sy/ems1 & = o!r purposes41 d    
pass ) ! foll[+ ,/rike out all aft] !   
enact+ clause & ins]t3  #a4 ,%ort title2
 table ( cont5ts  7a7 ,%ort title ,?is  
,act may be cit$ z ! ,comm]cial         
,engagem5t ,?r\gh ,ocean ,te*nology ,act
 ( #bjah or ! ,,c5ote ,act ( #bjah4  7b7
 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts =  
?is ,act is z foll[s3  ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort  
title2 table ( cont5ts4 ,sec4 #b4       
,def9itions4 ,sec4 #c4 ,coord9ation     
reg>d+ assessm5t & acquisition by       
,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic        
,adm9i/ration ( unmann$ m>itime sy/ems4 

,sec4 #d4 ,regul> assessm5t ( unmann$   
m>itime sy/ems to support ,national     
,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration    
missions4 ,sec4 #e4 ,acquisition (      
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems4 ,sec4 #f4       
,reports on unmann$ m>itime sy/ems &    
usage = mission ( ! ,national ,oceanic &
 ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration4 ,sec4 #g4   
,fund+ & additional au?orities4  #b4    
,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7           
,adm9i/ration ,! t]m ,adm9i/ration means
 ! ,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic     
,adm9i/ration4  7#b7 ,adm9i/rator ,! t]m
 ,adm9i/rator means ! ,"u ,secret>y (   
,comm]ce = ,oceans & ,atmosph]e &       
,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national ,oceanic &   
,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration4  7#c7        
,coop]ative activities ( ! ,adm9i/ration
 ,! t]ms coop]ative activities ( !      
,adm9i/ration means coop]ative          
activities betwe5 ! ,adm9i/ration & an  
ext]nal entity1 su* z ! ,coop]ative     
,in/itutes1 ,sea ,grant ,colleges1      
,national ,e/u>9e ,rese>* ,res]ves1 !   
,national ,oceanographic ,p>tn]%ip      

,program e/abli%$ "u *apt] #ffe ( title 
#aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & regional    
associations ( ! ,integrat$ ,ocean      
,obs]v+ ,sy/em4  7#d7 ,data             
specifications ,! t]m data              
specifications %all ref] to ! type1     
resolution1 p]iodicity1 & quality ( data
 requir$ by an program ( !              
,adm9i/ration4  7#e7 ,te/ or tra9+ range
  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! t]m te/ or tra9+     
range means an area designat$ = op]at+  
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems & o!r types (    
sy/ems = ! purpose (--  7i7 evaluat+ !  
p]=mance ( su* sy/ems2 or  7ii7 tra9+   
p]sonnel on op]at+ proc$ures = su*      
sy/ems4  7,b7 ,inclusions ,! t]m te/ or 
tra9+ range may include specializ$ fix$ 
or portable in/rum5tation = ! op]ation (
 unmann$ m>itime sy/ems & o!r types (   
sy/ems4  7#f7 ,unmann$ m>itime sy/ems   
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! t]m unmann$ m>itime    
sy/ems means remotely op]at$ or         
autonom\s vehicles produc$ by !         
comm]cial sector--  7i7 design$ to      
function )\t an on-bo>d human pres5ce2 &

  7ii7 t may include associat$ compon5ts
 su* z control & communications1        
in/rum5tation1 data transmission1 &     
process+ sy/ems4  7,b7 ,examples ,! t]m 
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems includes !       
foll[+3 7i7 ,unmann$ und]sea vehicles4  
7ii7 ,unmann$ surface vehicles4  7iii7  
,autonom\s und]wat] vehicles4  7iv7     
,autonom\s surface vehicles4  7,c7      
,treatm5t ( a]ial vehicles ,! t]m       
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems includes unmann$ 
a]ial vehicles & autonom\s a]ial        
vehicles t are us$ to address m>itime   
issues to ! ext5t ! ,adm9i/rator        
det]m9es x is necess>y & appropriate to 
a*ieve ! purposes ( ?is ,act4  #c4      
,coord9ation reg>d+ assessm5t &         
acquisition by ,national ,oceanic &     
,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration ( unmann$     
m>itime sy/ems  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!      
,adm9i/rator %all direct ! ,(fice (     
,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,rese>* 79 ?is   
,act ref]r$ to z ,,o>7 & ! ,(fice (     
,m>9e & ,aviation ,op]ations 79 ?is ,act
 ref]r$ to z ,,omao7-- 7#a7 to coord9ate

 ! ,adm9i/ration's rese>*1 assessm5t1 & 
acquisition ( unmann$ m>itime sy/ems2 & 
7#b7 to consid] ! use ( unmann$ m>itime 
sy/ems 9 coop]ative activities ( !      
,adm9i/ration4  7b7 ,coord9ation )9 !   
,adm9i/ration  7#a7 ,unmann$ ,sy/ems    
,executive ,ov]sight ,bo>d ,9 meet+ !   
requirem5ts describ$ 9 subsection 7a71 !
 ,adm9i/rator %all--  7,a7 utilize !    
,unmann$ ,sy/ems ,executive ,ov]sight   
,bo>d 79 ?is ,act ref]r$ to z ! ,,useob7
 z ! coord9at+ me*anism2 &  7,b7 ensure 
t ,,o> & ,,omao address requirem5ts     
?r\gh\t ! ,adm9i/ration4  7#b7 ,includ$ 
,9 utiliz+ ! ,,useob "u p>agraph 7#a71 !
 ,adm9i/rator %all ensure t             
repres5tation on ! ,,useob is includ$ f 
! foll[+3 7,a7 ,! ,(fice ( ,ocean       
,exploration 7,,o]74  7,b7 ,! program   
(fice ( ! ,integrat$ ,ocean ,obs]v+     
,sy/em4  7,c7 ,su* o!r (fices ( !       
,adm9i/ration z ! ,adm9i/rator det]m9es 
are actively engag$ ) unmann$ m>itime   
sy/ems4  7c7 ,coord9ation ) ! ,navy     
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 c>ry+ out ?is ,act1 !  

,adm9i/rator %all-- 7,a7 make ef=ts to  
coord9ate ) ! ,secret>y ( ! ,navy to    
lev]age exp]tise 9 ! developm5t &       
op]ational transition ( unmann$ m>itime 
sy/ems2  7,b7 align )1 utilize1 & in=m !
 ,deputy ,"u ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce =     
,op]ations & ! ,oceanograph] ( ! ,navy's
 /rategic & op]ational priorities1      
p>ticul>ly = missions & geography )9 !  
,adm9i/ration's purview2  7,c7 seek to  
utilize ,naval unmann$ sy/ems te/ or    
tra9+ ranges1 su* z ! ,gulf ( ,mexico   
,unmann$ ,sy/ems ,te/ & ,tra9+ ,range ( 
! ,naval ,meteorology & ,oceanography   
,comm&1 & maximize int]ag5cy coop]ation 
& %>+ ( be/ practices2 &  7,d7 to       
=malize coord9ation1 execute a memor&um 
( und]/&+ ) ! ,secret>y ( ! ,navy t     
includes-- 7i7 incorporat+ consid]ation 
( priorities & requirem5ts ( !          
,adm9i/ration into rese>* & developm5t  
activities conduct$ by ! ,secret>y ( !  
,navy2  7ii7 consultation int5d$ to     
enc\rage & facilitate ef=ts by !        
,adm9i/ration to p>tn] ) ! ,navy to     

procure unmann$ m>itime sy/ems & to     
e/abli%1 in/rum5t1 & op]ate te/ or tra9+
 ranges & relat$ facilities2  7iii7     
adopt+ proc$ures def9$ by ! ,secret>y ( 
! ,navy = ! ,adm9i/ration to access &   
utilize te/ or tra9+ ranges or relat$   
,naval facilities = purposes id5tifi$ 9 
p>agraph 7#b77;,b72 &  7iv7 su* o!r     
topics z ! ,adm9i/rator consid]s        
necess>y or advisable1 includ+ mapp+1   
ba?ymetry1 obs]vations1 & ocean         
exploration4  7#b7 ,location ,!         
,adm9i/rator %all1 if practicable1 c>ry 
out ! activities au?oriz$ by ?is ,act at
 a facility :]e ! ,navy & !             
,adm9i/ration are co-locat$1 = ! foll[+ 
purposes3  7,a7 ,ga9+ effici5cies ?r\gh 
collaboration4  7,b7 ,advanc+ developm5t
 ( unmann$ m>itime sy/ems1 includ+--    
7i7 sy/ems rese>* & developm5t2  7ii7   
sy/ems te/+2  7iii7 sy/ems              
modifications2 &  7iv7 sy/ems           
integration4  7,c7 ,accel]at+ transition
 f concept to manufactur+ & acquisition4
  7d7 ,coord9ation ) o!r ,f$]al ag5cies 

,9 c>ry+ out ?is ,act1 ! ,adm9i/rator & 
! ,secret>y ( ! ,navy may utilize !     
,national ,oceanographic ,p>tn]%ip      
,program1 e/abli%$ "u *apt] #ffe ( title
 #aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z a me*anism 
= provid+ int]ag5cy coord9ation = !     
advancem5t ( unmann$ m>itime sy/ems4    
7e7 ,coord9ation ) academic sector ,9   
c>ry+ out ?is ,act1 ! ,adm9i/rator1 9   
consultation ) ! ,secret>y ( ! ,navy1   
may coord9ate & co-locate ) an academic 
rese>* in/itution1 or consortium (      
academic rese>* in/itutions1 = ! foll[+ 
purposes3 7#a7 ,maximiz+ opportunities =
 rese>* & developm5t ( unmann$ m>itime  
sy/ems4  7#b7 ,provid+ tra9+ 9 unmann$  
m>itime sy/ems z "p ( an accr$it$       
c]tificate or degree program (          
education4  7#c7 ,facilitat+ !          
comm]cialization ( unmann$ m>itime      
sy/ems ?r\gh public-private p>tn]%ips t 
includes academic rese>* in/itutions1   
private indu/ry1 & public safety        
ag5cies4  7#d7 ,arrang+ access to & use 
( additional facilities t support te/+ &

 assessm5t ( or tra9+ ) respect to      
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems "u environm5tal  
conditions ( int]e/1 increas+ op]ational
 tol]ance "u su* conditions1 c]tify+    
op]ational capacity "u su* conditions1  
:e!r real or simulat$1 & tra9+ op]ators 
( unmann$ m>itime sy/ems 9 real or      
simulat$ environm5ts4  7#e7 ,facilitat+ 
engagem5t ) o!r academic in/itutions )  
int]e/ or relevant exp]tise 9 unmann$   
m>itime sy/ems4  7#f7 ,promot+ in=mation
 %>+ betwe5 ! academic1 environm5tal1 & 
milit>y in/itutions to lead to m robu/1 
mission-ori5t$ unmann$ m>itime sy/ems4  
7f7 ,engagem5t ) ! private sector ,o!r  
?an z describ$ 9 subsection 7e71 !      
,adm9i/rator1 9 consultation ) !        
,secret>y ( ! ,navy1 may1 9 c>ry+ out   
?is ,act1 to ! ext5t practicable1       
coord9ate & consult ) ! private sector--
  7#a7 to support ! comm]cialization (  
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems2 &  7#b7 to assi/
 ) _! assessm5t ( comm]cially available 
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems to support !     
missions & goals ( ! ,navy1 !           

,adm9i/ration1 & coop]ative activities (
 ! ,adm9i/ration4  #d4 ,regul> assessm5t
 ( unmann$ m>itime sy/ems to support    
,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic        
,adm9i/ration missions  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! 
,adm9i/rator1 act+ ?r\gh ! ,assi/ant    
,adm9i/rator = ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic   
,rese>* & ! ,director ( ! ,(fice ( ,m>9e
 & ,aviation ,op]ations & ! ,national   
,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration    
,commission$ ,(fic] ,corps1 %all        
regul>ly assess publicly & comm]cially  
available unmann$ m>itime sy/ems =      
pot5tial use to support missions ( !    
,adm9i/ration4  7b7 ,sci5ce-bas$        
assessm5ts ,! ,adm9i/rator %all c>ry out
 subsection 7a7 ?r\gh ! ,assi/ant       
,adm9i/rator = all matt]s relat+ to     
assessm5t ( ! suitability1 feasibility1 
& co/-effectiv5ess ( unmann$ m>itime    
sy/ems to meet data specifications      
requir$ by programs ( ! ,adm9i/ration4  
7c7 ,assessm5t ( op]ational utility ,!  
,adm9i/rator %all c>ry out subsection   
7a7 ?r\gh ! ,director = all matt]s      

relat+ to assessm5t ( :e!r unmann$      
m>itime sy/ems are op]ationally         
reliable1 feasible1 & co/ effective     
en\gh to make obs]vations requir$ by    
programs ( ! ,adm9i/ration4  7d7        
,engagem5t ,! ,assi/ant ,adm9i/rator & !
 ,director %all jo9tly--  7#a7 conv5e & 
consult ! ,unmann$ ,m>itime ,sy/ems     
,ocean ,te*nology ,coord9at+ ,committee 
e/abli%$ "u section #c7;b72 &  7#b7     
consult ) ! heads ( o!r (fices ( !      
,adm9i/ration1 ! academic sector1 &     
develop]s & manufactur]s ( unmann$      
m>itime sy/ems to conduct ! assessm5ts  
"u subsection 7a74  #e4 ,acquisition (  
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! 
,adm9i/rator %all coord9ate & c5tralize 
! acquisition by ! ,adm9i/ration (      
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems to meet !        
prioritiz$ li/ ( data requirem5ts       
id5tifi$ by ,,o> & ,,omao 9 c>ry+ out   
?is ,act 9 _! regul> assessm5ts &       
approv$ by ! ,,useob4  7b7 ,memor&a (   
und]/&+ ,9 ord] to realize great] sav+s 
& effici5cy1 ! ,adm9i/rator may develop 

& execute a memor&um ( agreem5t ) !     
,secret>y ( ! ,navy to--  7#a7          
p>ticipate 9 procurem5ts conduct$ by !  
signatories to ! memor&um ( und]/&+2    
7#b7 accept decommission$ unmann$       
m>itime sy/ems f ! ,navy2  7#c7 develop 
policies & proc$ures to %>e unmann$     
m>itime sy/ems2 or  7#d7 provide = o!r  
means ( creat+ effici5cy & sav+s 9      
,f$]al acquisition ( unmann$ m>itime    
sy/ems4  7c7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9
 ?is ,act %all be con/ru$ to modify     
,f$]al procurem5t law4  #f4 ,reports on 
unmann$ m>itime sy/ems & usage = mission
 ( ! ,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic   
,adm9i/ration  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 c>ry+ out
 ?is ,act1 ! ,adm9i/rator %all1 n lat]  
?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t (   
?is ,act1 & e #d ye>s !reaft]1 submit to
 ! appropriate committees ( ,congress a 
report on ! usage ( unmann$ m>itime     
sy/ems = ! mission ( ! ,adm9i/ration4   
7b7 ,cont5ts ,ea* report submitt$ "u    
subsection 7a7 %all include1 = ! p]iod  
cov]$ by ! report1 ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,an   

inv5tory ( curr5t unmann$ m>itime sy/ems
 us$ by programs ( ! ,adm9i/ration1 a   
summ>y ( ! data !y h return$1 & !       
b5efits realiz$ f hav+ su* data4  7#b7  
,a prioritiz$ li/ ( data requirem5ts ( !
 ,adm9i/ration t c\ld be met ) unmann$  
m>itime sy/ems1 & ! comm]cially         
available unmann$ m>itime sy/ems ) !    
op]ational capabilities to collect su*  
data4  7c7 ,appropriate committees (    
,congress def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m   
appropriate committees ( ,congress      
means--  7#a7 ! ,committee on           
,appropriations1 ! ,committee on ,arm$  
,s]vices1 & ! ,committee on ,comm]ce1   
,sci5ce1 & ,transportation ( ! ,s5ate2 &
  7#b7 ! ,committee on ,appropriations1 
! ,committee on ,arm$ ,s]vices1 !       
,committee on ,natural ,res\rces1 & !   
,committee on ,sci5ce1 ,space1 &        
,te*nology ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 
#g4 ,fund+ & additional au?orities  7a7 
,fund+ ,! ,adm9i/rator %all c>ry out ?is
 ,act us+ exi/+ am\nts appropriat$ or   
o!rwise made available to !             

,adm9i/ration4  7b7 ,additional         
au?orities ,9 c>ry+ out ?is ,act1 !     
,adm9i/rator may--  7#a7 ent] into      
contracts1 coop]ative agreem5ts1 & o!r  
transactions ) any dome/ic or =eign     
gov]nm5t2  7#b7 not)/&+ section #acdb ( 
title #ca1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 accept  
donations & volunt>y & uncomp5sat$      
s]vices2  7#c7 accept funds f o!r ,f$]al
 dep>tm5ts & ag5cies2  7#d7 utilize !   
,national ,oceanographic ,p>tn]%ip      
,program e/abli%$ "u *apt] #ffe ( title 
#aj1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 to accept     
funds f o!r ,f$]al dep>tm5ts & ag5cies1 
to accept donations1 & to ent] into     
contracts & aw>d grants2  7#e7 "u an    
agreem5t ent]$ into "u p>agraph 7#a71   
transf] funds appropriat$ to c>ry our   
?is ,act to any organization2 &  7#f7   
use1 ) _! cons5t1 ) or )\t reimbursem5t1
 & subject to ! availability (          
appropriations1 ! l&1 s]vices1 equipm5t1
 p]sonnel1 & facilities (--  7,a7 any   
dep>tm5t1 ag5cy1 or in/rum5tality ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates2  7,b7 any ,/ate or local 

gov]nm5t or tribal gov]nm5t2 or  7,c7   
any =eign gov]nm5t or int]national      
organization4  ,cl]k4