,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cafa ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #f1 #bjai,mr4 ,panetta 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,courtney1 ,mr4 ,kelly of ,mississippi1 and ,mr4 ,norcross7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,armed ,services1 and ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 to reauthorize the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program ,reauthorization ,act4 #b4 ,reauthorization of ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program 7a7 ,additional purpose ,section #hica7;b77#b7 of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,b7 as subparagraph 7,c72 and 7#c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,a7 the following new subparagraph 7,b73 7,b7 soliciting1 accepting1 and executing oceanographic research and education projects funded by private grants or contracts that contribute to assuring national security1 advancing economic development1 protecting quality of life1 and strengthening science education and communication though improved knowledge of the ocean2 and 4 7b7 ,national ,ocean ,research ,leadership ,council membership ,subsection 7b7 of section #hicb of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#aj72 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#aa7 through 7#ad7 as paragraphs 7#ab7 through 7#ae71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#i7 the following new paragraphs 7#aj7 and 7#aa73 7#aj7 ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,ocean ,energy ,management of the ,department of the ,interior4 7#aa7 ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,safety and ,environmental ,enforcement of the ,department of the ,interior4 4 7c7 ,annual report ,subsection 7e7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,congress and inserting the appropriate committees of ,congress2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking description of activities of the program carried out during the fiscal year before the fiscal year in which the report is prepared1 together with a2 7#c7 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,a description of activities of the program carried out during the fiscal year before the fiscal year in which the report is prepared1 including the following-- 7,a7 an analysis of the extent to which those activities advanced the purpose of the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program as described in section #hica7;b7 of this title2 7,b7 a report on the total budget requirement of each project carried out as part of the project2 and 7,c7 a report on the sources of funding of each completed project4 2 and 7#d7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 by striking expected and inserting planned2 7,b7 by striking year4 and inserting year1 including--2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs3 7,a7 a statement of objectives for each such project and a description of how such projects will advance the purpose of the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program as described in section #hica7;b7 of this title2 7,b7 an estimated budget for planned projects2 and 7,c7 a description of any funds committed to support such projects1 either by ,federal partners or through private grants or contracts4 4 7d7 ,partnership program office ,subsection 7f7 of such section is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,to be considered qualified to compete to be selected as an operator1 an entity shall demonstrate strong ties to relevant oceanographic industries1 academia and other research institutions1 and ,federal agencies1 and have experience managing interagency programs and oceanographic programs with participation from public and private entities42 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 as subparagraphs 7,d7 and 7,e71 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,b7 the following new subparagraph 7,c73 7,c7 ,to solicit1 accept1 and execute oceanographic research and education projects aligned with the purpose of the program and funded by private contracts1 grants1 and donations1 on behalf of1 and in consultation with the ,council in accordance with subsection 7g74 4 7e7 ,grant and contract authority ,such section is further amended by striking subsection 7g7 and inserting the following new subsection 7g73 7g7 ,grant and contract authority ,to carry out the purpose of the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program1 under section #hiba7;b7 of this title1 the ,council shall have1 in addition to other powers otherwise given it under this section1 the following authorities3 7#a7 ,the authority to authorize one or more of the departments or agencies represented on the ,council to enter into contracts and make grants1 and establish and manage new collaborative programs as determined necessary to address emerging science priorities using funds appropriated pursuant to an authorization or appropriations for the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program1 for the purpose of implementing the program and carrying out the responsibilities of the ,council4 7#b7 ,the authority to authorize the ,program ,office1 on behalf of the ,council1 to accept funds1 including fines and penalties1 from other ,federal departments and agencies1 and to enter into contracts and award grants4 7#c7 ,the authority to authorize the ,program ,office1 on behalf of the ,council1 to solicit1 accept and execute oceanographic research projects funded by private contracts1 grants1 and donations4 4 7f7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress defined ,such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7i7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,in this section1 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,armed ,services1 the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation1 and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate4 4