,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #adj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #bh1 #bjba ,mr4 ,whitehouse introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to improve data collection and monitoring of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,bolstering ,long-term ,understanding and ,exploration of the ,great ,lakes1 ,oceans1 ,bays1 and ,estuaries ,act or the ,,blue ,,globe ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to promote and support-- 7#a7 the monitoring1 understanding1 and exploration of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts2 and 7#b7 the collection1 analysis1 synthesis1 and sharing of data related to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts to facilitate science and operational decision making4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 agencies should optimize data collection1 management1 and dissemination1 to the extent practicable1 to maximize their impact for research1 commercial1 regulatory1 and educational benefits and to foster innovation1 scientific discoveries1 the development of commercial products1 and the development of sound policy with respect to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts2 7#b7 agencies should consider current and future needs relating to supercomputing capacity1 data storage capacity1 and public access1 address gaps in those areas1 and coordinate across agencies as needed2 7#c7 the ,united ,states is a leading member of the ,intergovernmental ,oceanographic ,commission of the ,united ,nations ,educational1 ,scientific and ,cultural ,organization1 a founding member of the ,atlantic ,ocean ,research ,alliance1 and a key partner in developing the ,united ,nations ,decade of ,ocean ,science for ,sustainable ,development2 7#d7 the ,integrated ,ocean ,observing ,system and the ,global ,ocean ,observing ,system are key assets and networks that bolster understanding of the marine environment2 7#e7 the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program is a meaningful venue for collaboration and coordination among ,federal agencies1 scientists1 and ocean users2 7#f7 the ,national ,centers for ,environmental ,information of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration should be looked to by other ,federal agencies as a primary1 centralized repository for ,federal ocean data2 7#g7 the ,marine ,cadastre1 a joint effort of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and the ,bureau of ,ocean ,energy ,management1 provides access to data and information for specific issues and activities in ocean resources management to meet the needs of offshore energy and planning efforts2 7#h7 the regional associations of the ,integrated ,ocean ,observing ,system1 certified by the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration for the quality and reliability of their data1 are important sources of observation information for the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts2 and 7#i7 the ,regional ,ocean ,partnerships and regional data portals1 which provide publicly available tools such as maps1 data1 and other information to inform decisions and enhance marine development1 should be supported by and viewed as collaborators with ,federal agencies and ocean users4 #d4 ,definition of ,administrator ,in this ,act1 the term ,administrator means the ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere in the ,under ,secretary's capacity as ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 #e4 ,increased coordination among agencies with respect to data and monitoring 7a7 ,interagency ,ocean ,observation ,committee ,in addition to its responsibilities as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and in consultation with the associated advisory committee authorized by section #abcjd7;d7 of the ,integrated ,coastal and ,ocean ,observation ,system ,act of #bjji 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #cfjc7;d771 the ,interagency ,ocean ,observation ,committee shall-- 7#a7 work with international coordinating bodies1 as necessary1 to ensure robust1 direct measurements of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts1 including oceanographic data2 and 7#b7 support cross-agency and multi-platform synergy1 by coordinating overlapping data collection by satellites1 buoys1 submarines1 gliders1 vessels1 and other data collection vehicles and technologies4 7b7 ,federal ,geographic ,data ,committee ,in addition to its responsibilities as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and in consultation with the ,national ,geospatial ,advisory ,committee1 the ,federal ,geographic ,data ,committee shall-- 7#a7 work with international coordinating bodies1 as necessary1 to ensure robust1 continuous measurements of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts1 including satellite and geospatial data2 and 7#b7 support new and old data and metadata certification1 quality assurance1 quality control1 integration1 and archiving4 7c7 ,interagency ,committee on ,ocean and ,coastal ,mapping ,in addition to its responsibilities as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and in consultation with its associated advisory panel authorized by section #abbjc7;g7 of the ,ocean and ,coastal ,mapping ,integration ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #cejb7;g771 the ,interagency ,committee on ,ocean and ,coastal ,mapping shall-- 7#a7 work with international coordinating bodies1 as necessary1 to ensure robust1 continuous satellite and direct measurements of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts1 including bathymetric data2 and 7#b7 make recommendations on how to make data1 metadata1 and model output accessible to a broader public audience1 including through geographic information system layers1 graphics1 and other visuals4 #f4 ,technology innovation to combat illegal1 unreported1 and unregulated fishing 7a7 ,definitions ,section #cecb of the ,maritime ,security and ,fisheries ,enforcement ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hjja7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#f7 through 7#ac7 as paragraphs 7#g7 through 7#ad71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#e7 the following3 7#f7 ,innovative technologies ,the term innovative technologies includes the following3 7,a7 ,improved satellite imagery and tracking4 7,b7 ,advanced electronic monitoring equipment4 7,c7 ,vessel location data4 7,d7 ,improved genetic1 molecular1 or other biological methods of tracking sources of seafood4 7,e7 ,electronic catch documentation and traceability4 7,f7 ,such other technologies as the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration considers appropriate4 4 7b7 ,technology programs ,section #cedf of the ,maritime ,security and ,fisheries ,enforcement ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hjaf7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 coordinating the application of existing innovative technologies and the development of emerging innovative technologies4 4 #g4 ,workforce study 7a7 ,in general ,section #cjc7;a7 of the ,america ,,competes ,reauthorization ,act of #bjaj 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #hic;c7a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,secretary of ,commerce and inserting ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting 1 skillsets1 or credentials after degrees2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting or highly qualified technical professionals and tradespeople after atmospheric scientists2 7#d7 in paragraph 7#d71 by inserting 1 skillsets1 or credentials after degrees2 7#e7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 by striking scientist2 and 7,b7 by striking 2 and and inserting 1 observations1 and monitoring2 7#f7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking into ,federal and all that follows and inserting 1 technical professionals1 and tradespeople into ,federal career positions2 7#g7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#f7 as paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#g71 respectively2 7#h7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 whether there is a shortage in the number of individuals with technical or trade-based skillsets or credentials suited to a career in oceanic and atmospheric data collection1 processing1 satellite production1 or satellite operations2 2 and 7#i7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 workforce diversity and actions the ,federal ,government can take to increase diversity in the scientific workforce2 and 7#i7 actions the ,federal ,government can take to shorten the hiring backlog for such workforce4 4 7b7 ,coordination ,section #cjc7;b7 of such ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #hic;c7b77 is amended by striking ,secretary of ,commerce and inserting ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere4 7c7 ,report ,section #cjc7;c7 of such ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #hic;c7c77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking the date of enactment of this ,act and inserting the date of the enactment of the ,bolstering ,long-term ,understanding and ,exploration of the ,great ,lakes1 ,oceans1 ,bays1 and ,estuaries ,act2 7#b7 by striking ,secretary of ,commerce and inserting ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere2 and 7#c7 by striking to each committee and all that follows through section #cjb of this ,act and inserting to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives4 7d7 ,program and plan ,section #cjc7;d7 of such ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #hic;c7d77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and inserting ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere2 and 7#b7 by striking academic partners and all that follows and inserting academic partners44 #h4 ,accelerating innovation at ,cooperative ,institutes 7a7 ,focus on emerging technologies ,the ,administrator shall ensure that the goals of the ,cooperative ,institutes of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration include focusing on advancing or applying emerging technologies1 which may include-- 7#a7 applied uses and development of real-time and other advanced genetic technologies and applications1 including such technologies and applications that derive genetic material directly from environmental samples without any obvious signs of biological source material2 7#b7 deployment of1 and improvements to1 the durability1 maintenance1 and other lifecycle concerns of advanced unmanned vehicles1 regional small research vessels1 and other research vessels that support and launch unmanned vehicles and sensors2 and 7#c7 supercomputing and big data management1 including data collected through electronic monitoring and remote sensing4 7b7 ,data sharing ,each ,cooperative ,institute shall ensure that data collected from the work of the institute1 other than classified1 confidential1 or proprietary data1 are archived and made publicly accessible4 7c7 ,coordination with other programs ,the ,cooperative ,institutes shall work with the ,interagency ,ocean ,observation ,committee1 the regional associations of the ,integrated ,ocean ,observing ,system1 and other ocean observing programs to coordinate technology needs and the transition of new technologies from research to operations4 #i4 ,ocean ,innovation ,prize and prioritization 7a7 ,ocean ,innovative ,prizes ,not later than #d years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and under the authority provided by section #bd of the ,stevenson-,wydler ,technology ,innovation ,act of #aihj 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cgai71 the ,administrator1 in consultation with the heads of relevant ,federal agencies1 including the ,secretary of ,defense1 and in conjunction with nongovernmental partners1 as appropriate and at the discretion of the ,administrator1 shall establish at least one ,ocean ,innovation ,prize to catalyze the rapid development and deployment of data collection and monitoring technology related to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts in at least one of the areas specified in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,areas ,the areas specified in this subsection are the following3 7#a7 ,improved e,d,n,a analytics and deployment with autonomous vehicles4 7#b7 ,plastic pollution detection1 quantification1 and mitigation1 including with respect to used fishing gear and tracking technologies to reduce or eliminate bycatch4 7#c7 ,advanced satellite data and other advanced technology for improving scientific assessment4 7#d7 ,new stock assessment methods using satellite data or other advanced technologies4 7#e7 ,advanced electronic fisheries monitoring equipment and data analysis tools1 including improved fish species recognition software1 confidential data management1 data analysis and visualization1 and storage of electronic reports1 imagery1 location information1 and other data4 7#f7 ,autonomous and other advanced surface vehicles1 underwater vehicles1 or airborne platforms for data collection and monitoring4 7#g7 ,artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for data collection and monitoring related to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts4 7#h7 ,coral reef ecosystem monitoring4 7#i7 ,electronic equipment1 chemical or biological sensors1 data analysis tools1 and platforms to identify and fill gaps in robust and shared continuous data related to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts to inform global earth system models4 7#aj7 ,means for protecting aquatic life from injury or other ill effects caused1 in whole or in part1 by monitoring or exploration activities4 7#aa7 ,discovery and dissemination of data related to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts4 7#ab7 ,water quality monitoring1 including improved detection and prediction of harmful algal blooms and pollution4 7#ac7 ,enhancing blue carbon sequestration and other ocean acidification mitigation opportunities4 7#ad7 ,such other areas as may be identified by the ,administrator4 7c7 ,prioritization of proposals ,in selecting recipients of ,small ,business ,innovation ,research 7,,sbir7 and ,small ,business ,technology ,transfer 7,,sttr7 solicitations and interagency grants for ocean innovation1 including the ,national ,oceanographic ,partnership ,program1 the ,administrator shall prioritize proposals for fiscal years #bjba and #bjbb that address at least one of the areas specified in subsection 7b74 #aj4 ,reauthorization of ,,noaa programs ,section #cjf of the ,hydrographic ,services ,improvement ,act of #aiih 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #hib;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #gj1had1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc and inserting #ga1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbd2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc and inserting #cd1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbd2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking #bi1icb1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc and inserting #ch1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbd2 7#d7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking #bf1hjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc and inserting #de1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbd2 and 7#e7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking #cj1efd1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc and inserting #ce1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbd4 #aa4 ,blue ,economy valuation 7a7 ,measurement of blue economy industries ,the ,administrator1 the ,director of the ,bureau of ,economic ,analysis1 the ,commissioner of the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies1 shall prioritize the collection1 aggregation1 and analysis of data to measure the value and impact of industries related to the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts on the economy of the ,united ,states1 including living resources1 marine construction1 marine transportation1 offshore mineral extraction1 ship and boat building1 tourism1 recreation1 subsistence1 and such other industries the ,administrator considers appropriate 7known as ,blue ,economy industries74 7b7 ,collaboration ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 work with the ,director of the ,bureau of ,economic ,analysis and the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies to develop a ,coastal and ,ocean ,economy ,satellite ,account that includes national and ,state-level statistics to measure the contribution of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts to the overall economy of the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 collaborate with national and international organizations and governments to promote consistency of methods1 measurements1 and definitions to ensure comparability of results between countries4 7c7 ,report ,not less frequently than once every #b years1 the ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,director of the ,bureau of ,economic ,analysis1 the ,commissioner of the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 and the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies1 shall publish a report that-- 7#a7 defines the ,blue ,economy1 in coordination with ,tribal governments1 academia1 industry1 nongovernmental organizations1 and other relevant experts2 7#b7 makes recommendations for updating ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system 7,,naics7 reporting codes to reflect the ,blue ,economy2 and 7#c7 provides a comprehensive estimate of the value and impact of the ,blue ,economy with respect to each ,state and territory of the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 the value and impact of-- 7i7 economic activities that are dependent upon the resources of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts2 7ii7 the population and demographic characteristics of the population along the coasts2 7iii7 port and shoreline infrastructure2 7iv7 the volume and value of cargo shipped by sea or across the ,great ,lakes2 and 7v7 data collected from the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts1 including such data collected by businesses that purchase and commodify the data1 including weather prediction and seasonal agricultural forecasting2 and 7,b7 to the extent possible1 the qualified value and impact of the natural capital of the ,great ,lakes1 oceans1 bays1 estuaries1 and coasts with respect to tourism1 recreation1 natural resources1 and cultural heritage1 including other indirect values4 #ab4 ,advanced ,research ,projects ,agency-,oceans 7a7 ,agreement ,not later than #de days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement with the ,national ,academy of ,sciences to conduct the comprehensive assessment under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,comprehensive assessment 7#a7 ,in general ,under an agreement between the ,administrator and the ,national ,academy of ,sciences under this section1 the ,national ,academy of ,sciences shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the need for and feasibility of establishing an ,advanced ,research ,projects ,agency-,oceans 7,,arpa-,o7 that operates in coordination with and with nonduplication of existing ,federal oceanic research programs1 including programs of the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7#b7 ,elements ,the comprehensive assessment carried out pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 an assessment of how an ,,arpa-,o could help overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of ocean technologies1 with the goal of enhancing the economic1 ecological1 and national security of the ,united ,states through the rapid development of technologies that result in-- 7i7 improved data collection1 monitoring1 and prediction of the ocean environment1 including sea ice conditions2 7ii7 overcoming barriers to the application of new and improved technologies1 such as high costs and scale of operational missions2 7iii7 improved management practices for protecting ecological sustainability2 7iv7 improved national security capacity2 7v7 improved technology for fishery population assessments2 7vi7 expedited processes between and among ,federal agencies to successfully identify1 transition1 and coordinate research and development output to operations1 applications1 commercialization1 and other uses2 and 7vii7 ensuring that the ,united ,states maintains a technological lead in developing and deploying advanced ocean technologies2 7,b7 an evaluation of the organizational structures under which an ,,arpa-,o could be organized1 which takes into account-- 7i7 best practices for new research programs2 7ii7 consolidation and reorganization of existing ,federal oceanic programs to effectuate coordination and nonduplication of such programs2 7iii7 metrics and approaches for periodic program evaluation2 7iv7 capacity to fund and manage external research awards2 and 7v7 options for oversight of the activity through a ,federal agency1 an interagency organization1 nongovernmental organization1 or other institutional arrangement2 and 7,c7 an estimation of the scale of investment necessary to pursue high priority ocean technology projects4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on the comprehensive assessment conducted under subsection 7b74