,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cfba ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #i1 #bjbb,ms4 ,hirono 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,ms4 ,smith1 and ,ms4 ,warren7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of the ,interior to establish a ,national ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers to respond to the effects of extreme weather events and climate trends1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers ,act or the ,,casc ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,adaptation ,the term adaptation means-- 7,a7 the process of adjustment to-- 7i7 actual or expected climate2 and 7ii7 the effects of extreme weather1 climate trends1 and climate variability2 and 7,b7 protection1 management1 and conservation efforts designed to maintain or enhance the ability of people1 fish1 wildlife1 plants1 land1 ecosystems1 and water of the ,united ,states to withstand1 adjust to1 or recover from the effects of extreme weather1 climate trends1 and climate variability4 7#b7 ,committee ,the term ,committee means the ,advisory ,committee on ,climate and ,natural ,resource ,sciences established under section #f7;b77#a74 7#c7 ,consortium institution ,the term consortium institution means an institution of higher education1 ,state cooperative institution1 ,state agency1 ,indian ,tribe1 ,tribal ,college or ,university1 historically ,black college or university1 ,tribal organization1 ,native ,hawaiian organization1 minority-serving institution1 or other educational institution or organization1 ,federal agency1 public or private organization1 individual1 or any other party within each ,regional ,center other than the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey and the host institution4 7#d7 ,cultural resource 7,a7 ,in general ,the term cultural resource means a feature or value relating to cultural heritage4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term cultural resource includes-- 7i7 a biological species with cultural heritage or ceremonial importance2 and 7ii7 a historic or prehistoric site1 trail1 structure1 inscription1 artwork1 or artifact that is-- 7,i7 located on ,federal land2 or 7,,ii7 representative of the culture of ,indian ,tribes1 ,native ,hawaiians1 or ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders4 7#e7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of the ,interior4 7#f7 ,ecosystem service ,the term ecosystem service means a benefit that an ecosystem provides humans and human society1 including clean air1 clean water1 and other economically important services4 7#g7 ,historically black college or university ,the term historically ,black colleges or university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#h7 ,host institution ,the term host institution means the non-,federal lead organization within each ,regional ,center4 7#i7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#aj7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#aa7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means an institution described in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#g7 of section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7#ab7 ,national ,center ,the term ,national ,center means the ,national ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center established under section #c7;a74 7#ac7 ,native ,american pacific islander ,the term ,native ,american ,pacific ,islander means any descendent of the aboriginal people of any island in the ,pacific ,ocean that is a territory of the ,united ,states4 7#ad7 ,native ,hawaiian ,the term ,native ,hawaiian means any individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people who1 prior to #aggh1 occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now constitutes the ,state of ,hawaii4 7#ae7 ,native ,hawaiian organization ,the term ,native ,hawaiian organization means any organization that-- 7,a7 serves and represents the interests of ,native ,hawaiians2 7,b7 has as a primary and stated purpose the provision of services to ,native ,hawaiians2 and 7,c7 has expertise in ,native ,hawaiian affairs1 including-- 7i7 the ,office of ,hawaiian ,affairs2 and 7ii7 ,hui ,malama ,i ,na ,kupuna ,o ,hawai'i ,nei4 7#af7 ,natural resources ,the term natural resources has the meaning given the term in section #aa4ad of title #dc1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or successor regulations74 7#ag7 ,regional ,center ,the term ,regional ,center means a ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center established under section #c7;a74 7#ah7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior1 acting through the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7#ai7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 each of the several ,states of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7,c7 ,american ,samoa2 7,d7 ,guam2 7,e7 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands2 7,f7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 and 7,g7 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands4 7#bj7 ,tribal college or university ,the term ,tribal ,college or ,university has the meaning given the term in section #caf7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b774 7#ba7 ,tribal organization ,the term ,tribal organization means-- 7,a7 the recognized governing body of any ,indian ,tribe2 or 7,b7 any legally established organization of members of an ,indian ,tribe that-- 7i7 is controlled1 sanctioned1 or chartered by the recognized governing body of an ,indian ,tribe2 or 7ii7 7,i7 is democratically elected by the adult members of the ,indian community to be served by the organization2 and 7,,ii7 includes the maximum participation of members of ,indian ,tribes in all phases of the activities of the organization4 #c4 ,establishment of the ,national and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in collaboration with ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 and other partner organizations1 shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,national and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers-- 7,a7 to provide scientific expertise to managers of natural resources1 cultural resources1 and ecosystem services for the purpose of informing decisions that aid adaptation to a changing climate and extreme weather events2 and 7,b7 that includes a ,national ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers1 which shall be administered by the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7#b7 ,chief2 ,directors 7,a7 ,chief ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center shall be an employee of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7,b7 ,directors 7i7 ,in general ,each ,regional ,center shall have a ,federal ,director and a ,host ,institution ,director who shall work cooperatively to further the mission of the ,regional ,center4 7ii7 ,federal director ,a ,federal ,director of a ,regional ,center shall be an employee of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey who reports directly to the ,chief of the ,national ,center4 7b7 ,duties of the ,national ,center ,in collaboration with ,federal agencies1 ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 ,native ,hawaiians1 ,native ,hawaiian organizations1 ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders1 and other partner organizations1 the ,national ,center shall-- 7#a7 serve as the national office for the ,regional ,centers2 7#b7 provide leadership and guidance on administration1 partnerships1 information management1 and communications2 7#c7 develop and facilitate coordination among the ,regional ,centers2 7#d7 coordinate with other ,federal agencies working on similar research and activities2 7#e7 conduct research on cross-regional and national science priorities2 7#f7 support ,regional ,centers that-- 7,a7 are hosted at an institution of higher education1 or a consortium of institutions of higher education or other research institutions1 within the region of each ,regional ,center2 7,b7 are collaborations between the ,federal ,director and the ,host ,institution ,director and the staff of the ,federal ,director and the ,host ,institution ,director to address the broad scientific mission and goals defined by the ,national ,center-- 7i7 in a manner that is relevant to the specific geographic region of the ,regional ,center2 and 7ii7 in cooperation with ,state and local governments1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 ,native ,hawaiians1 ,native ,hawaiian organizations1 ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders1 and other entities within that region2 7,c7 promote research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities and broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques2 and 7,d7 receive funding at the host institution through cooperative agreements1 contracts1 and grants under section #d2 and 7#g7 acting through the ,chief of the ,national ,center1 with respect to the ,regional ,centers-- 7,a7 7i7 evaluate and assess the performance of the programs of ,regional ,centers every #e years1 using the priorities1 guidelines1 and qualifications established by the ,secretary under this section2 and 7ii7 based on the evaluation and assessment under clause 7i71 determine if the programs of the ,regional ,center are well managed and carry out high-quality research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities2 and 7,b7 subject to the availability of appropriations1 allocate funding among ,regional ,centers for-- 7i7 the conduct of regionally relevant research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities in each of the regions2 7ii7 encouraging collaborations among ,regional ,centers to address regional and national priorities established under this section2 7iii7 ensuring successful implementation and operation of ,regional ,centers2 7iv7 to the maximum extent consistent with other provisions of this ,act1 the provision of a stable base of funding in support of the ,regional ,centers2 and 7v7 the encouragement and promotion of coordination and cooperation between the research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities of the ,department and the activities of the host and consortium institutions4 7c7 ,authorities of the ,national ,center ,the ,national ,center may-- 7#a7 procure the services of appropriate public and private agencies and institutions and other qualified persons to conduct the work of the ,national ,center2 and 7#b7 operate and fund a network of not fewer than #i ,regional ,centers that shall address the impacts of climate trends and variability1 including extreme weather events1 on natural resources1 cultural resources1 and ecosystem services4 7d7 ,designation of the ,regional ,centers 7#a7 ,existing ,regional ,center ,designations ,any institution or consortium of institutions designated as the host institution of a ,regional ,center before the date of enactment of this ,act shall not have to reapply for designation as a ,regional ,center if the ,chief of the ,national ,center determines that the institution or consortium of institutions meets the guidelines established under paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,reviews of the ,regional ,centers ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center1 in consultation with the ,committee1 shall establish guidelines relating to the activities and responsibilities of the ,regional ,centers1 including-- 7,a7 requirements for the merit review of the ,regional ,centers2 7,b7 guidelines for the circumstances in which a host institution may be discontinued as a host institution2 7,c7 the schedule for merit reviews1 in accordance with scheduling criteria developed under this paragraph2 and 7,d7 the process to select a new host institution4 7#c7 ,changes to ,consortium ,institutions ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center1 in consultation with the ,federal ,director and ,host ,institution ,director of a ,regional ,center1 may add or remove a consortium institution at any time to address regional and national priorities established under this section4 7#d7 ,nonapplicability of ,,faca ,a committee1 subcommittee1 or working group appointed by a ,federal ,director of a ,regional ,center shall not be subject to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7e7 ,duties of the regional centers ,in collaboration with ,federal and ,state natural resources agencies and departments1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 ,native ,hawaiians1 ,native ,hawaiian organizations1 ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders1 ,tribal ,colleges or ,universities1 historically ,black ,colleges or ,universities1 minority-serving institutions1 institutions of higher education1 other research or educational institutions1 and other partner organizations1 a ,regional ,center shall develop research1 education1 training1 and advisory service priorities regarding the impacts of climate trends and variability on natural and cultural resource management in the region covered by the ,regional ,center for the purpose of climate adaptation4 #d4 ,general authority to enter into contracts1 grants1 cooperative agreements1 and interagency agreements 7a7 ,authority 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into contracts1 grants1 cooperative agreements1 and interagency agreements with a host institution or consortium institution to further the research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities of the ,department or partners of the ,department relating to impacts of climate trends and variability4 7#b7 ,effect ,the authority under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 supplements any other authority provided under any other law relating to the ,department2 and 7,b7 does not limit or repeal any existing authorities of the ,department4 7b7 ,legal instruments ,the ,secretary may use a contract1 grant1 cooperative agreement1 or interagency agreement as the legal instrument reflecting a relationship between the ,secretary and a host institution or consortium institution to carry out the duties under section #c without regard to-- 7#a7 any requirements for competition2 7#b7 section #faja of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7#c7 subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of section #ccbd of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code4 7c7 ,participation of ,federal agencies ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 any ,federal agency may participate in a cooperative agreement under this section by contributing funds through the ,national ,center or otherwise if the parties to the cooperative agreement mutually agree that the objectives of the agreement would further the authorized programs of the contributing agency4 7d7 ,title to assets ,the ,secretary may vest in a contractor or recipient title to expendable and nonexpendable assets1 including equipment1 supplies1 and other tangible personal property1 if-- 7#a7 the contractor or recipient purchases the assets with funds from a contract1 grant1 cooperative agreement1 or interagency agreement2 and 7#b7 the ,secretary considers the vesting of title to be in furtherance of the research1 education1 training1 and advisory service objectives of the ,department4 7e7 ,approval required ,in any case in which a contract is let or a grant is made to an organization to perform services benefitting more than #a ,indian ,tribe1 the approval of each ,indian ,tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of the contract or grant4 #e4 ,interagency cooperation ,each department1 agency1 or other instrumentality of the ,federal ,government that is engaged in or concerned with1 or that has authority over1 matters relating to natural resources1 cultural resources1 ecosystem services1 or climate variability or change1 including all member agencies of the ,united ,states ,global ,change ,research ,program-- 7#a7 may make available1 on a reimbursable basis or otherwise1 any personnel 7with the consent of the personnel and without prejudice to the position and rating of the personnel71 service1 or facility that the ,chief of the ,national ,center determines to be necessary to carry out any provision of section #c2 7#b7 shall1 on a written request from the ,secretary1 furnish any available data or other information that the ,secretary determines to be necessary to carry out any provision of section #c2 7#c7 shall cooperate with the ,national ,center1 ,regional ,centers1 and duly authorized officials of the ,national ,center or ,regional ,centers2 and 7#d7 may transfer budgetary resources or otherwise enter into interagency agreements1 including for funding1 facilities1 computational resources1 data1 or other tangible or intangible resources1 between the ,national ,center or ,regional ,centers to aid collaborative work among ,federal agencies1 if approved by the ,chief of the ,national ,center and the head of the applicable ,federal agency4 #f4 ,committees 7a7 ,authority ,to establish committees ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center may establish committees or working groups and procedures to facilitate public participation in the advisory process1 such as a national advisory committee for the ,national ,center1 stakeholder advisory committees and science implementation panels for the ,regional ,centers1 and working groups for review of competitive or noncompetitive proposals4 7b7 ,advisory ,committee 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act and pursuant to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,secretary shall establish an ,advisory ,committee on ,climate and ,natural ,resource ,sciences4 7#b7 ,members ,the ,committee shall have not fewer than #ae members1 including members that are employees of or represent the following3 7,a7 ,an ,indian ,tribe4 7,b7 ,a ,tribal organization4 7,c7 ,a ,native ,hawaiian organization4 7,d7 ,a ,state or local government4 7,e7 ,a ,host institution of a ,regional ,center4 7,f7 ,a nongovernmental organization4 7,g7 ,an academic institution4 7,h7 ,an organization of the private sector4 7#c7 ,chair2 vice chair 7,a7 ,chair ,the ,secretary shall appoint a ,committee ,chair from among the members of the ,committee4 7,b7 ,vice chair ,the ,committee shall select #a voting member of the ,committee to serve as the ,vice ,chair1 who shall act as ,chair in the absence or incapacity of the ,chair4 7#d7 ,duties ,the ,committee shall identify and recommend priorities for ongoing research needs on the issues described in section #c7;e7 to inform the research priorities of the ,national ,center4 7#e7 ,term 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,c71 the term of office of a voting member of the ,committee shall be not more than #c years4 7,b7 ,consecutive terms ,no member of the ,committee may serve more than #b consecutive terms as a voting member of the ,committee4 7,c7 ,extension ,the ,chair may extend the term of office of a voting member of the ,committee by not more than #a year4 7,d7 ,partial term ,a member that is appointed to a partial or full term on the ,committee may be reappointed for #a additional full term as a member on the ,committee4 7#f7 ,nominations ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,secretary shall publish a notice in the ,federal ,register soliciting nominations for membership on the ,committee4 7c7 ,committees2 working groups 7#a7 ,in general ,at the direction of the ,secretary1 the ,chief of the ,national ,center may establish committees or working groups to provide input on the science priorities1 implementation of science programs1 review of competitive and noncompetitive proposals1 and evaluation of processes1 procedures1 and outcomes of the ,national ,center and the ,regional ,centers4 7#b7 ,members ,a committee or working group established under paragraph 7#a7 shall1 to the extent practicable1 include members from the ,federal ,government1 ,state government1 institutions of higher education1 the private sector1 nongovernmental organizations1 ,indian ,tribes1 ,tribal organizations1 and ,native ,hawaiian organizations4 7#c7 ,public participation ,the ,secretary may establish procedures to facilitate public participation in the advisory process under this subsection1 including-- 7,a7 providing advance notice of meetings2 7,b7 providing adequate opportunity for public input and comment2 7,c7 maintaining appropriate records2 and 7,d7 making a record of the proceedings of meetings available for public inspection4 7#d7 ,implementation2 availability of records ,the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7,a7 the procedures described in paragraph 7#c7 are adopted and implemented2 and 7,b7 the records described in paragraph 7#c7 are accurately maintained and available for public inspection4 7#e7 ,nonapplicability of ,,faca 7,a7 ,in general ,a committee or working group established under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be considered to be an advisory committee under the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 7,b7 ,advice ,seeking advice and input under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be subject to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this ,act-- 7#a7 #ig1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7#b7 #aji1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7#c7 #aba1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 7#d7 #acc1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf2 and 7#e7 #ade1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbg4