,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #edfi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #aj1 #bjbd,ms4 ,hirono 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,lujn1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,ms4 ,smith1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,ms4 ,warren1 ,mr4 ,hickenlooper1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 and ,mr4 ,wyden7 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 actual or expected climate and 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 ,advisory service activities ,the term advisory service activities means activities including-- 7,a7 sharing climate science and climate adaptation knowledge between ,national and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center researchers1 stakeholders1 and other partners2 7,b7 building collaborations between ,national and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center researchers1 stakeholders1 and other partners2 and 7,c7 integrating climate adaptation science into natural and cultural resource management1 decision-making and planning4 7#c7 ,committee ,the term ,committee means the ,advisory ,committee on ,climate and ,natural ,resource ,sciences established under section #f4 7#d7 ,consortium institution ,the term consortium institution means college1 university1 ,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 or any other party within each regional center other than the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey and the host institution4 7#e7 ,cultural resources ,the term cultural resources-- 7,a7 means those features and values related to cultural heritage2 and 7,b7 includes-- 7i7 biological species with cultural heritage or ceremonial importance1 and historic and precontact sites1 cultural landscapes1 trails1 structures1 inscriptions1 art1 and artifacts on ,federal lands or representative of the culture of ,indian ,tribes1 ,native ,hawaiians1 and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders2 and 7ii7 resources considered to be cultural resources according to the traditional knowledge of ,indian ,tribes1 ,native ,hawaiians1 and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders4 7#f7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of the ,interior4 7#g7 ,ecosystem services ,the term ecosystem services means those benefits that ecosystems provide humans and human society1 including clean air1 clean water1 and other economically important services4 7#h7 ,historically ,black ,colleges and ,universities ,the term ,historically ,black ,colleges and ,universities has the same meaning given the term part ,b institutions in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#i7 ,host institution ,the term host institution means the non-,federal lead organization within each regional center4 7#aj7 ,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 #ecjd7;e774 7#aa7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means a ,hispanic-serving institution1 an ,alaska ,native-serving institution1 a ,native ,hawaiian-serving institution1 a ,predominantly ,black ,institution1 an ,asian ,american and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islander-serving institution1 or a ,native ,american-serving nontribal institution 7as described in section #cga of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a7774 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 islanders ,the term ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders 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-- 7,a7 the ,office of ,hawaiian ,affairs2 7,b7 ,hui ,malama ,i ,na ,kupuna ,o ,hawai'i ,nei2 and 7,c7 any other organization that-- 7i7 serves and represents the interests of ,native ,hawaiians2 7ii7 has as a primary and stated purpose the provision of services to ,native ,hawaiians2 and 7iii7 has expertise in ,native ,hawaiian ,affairs4 7#af7 ,natural resources ,the term natural resources has the meaning given that term in section #aa4ad of title #dc1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 7#ag7 ,regional center ,the term regional center means one of the ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers established under section #c7;a7 that provide support for specific geographic locations in the ,united ,states4 7#ah7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#ai7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 a ,state 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 ,puerto ,rico2 and 7,g7 the ,virgin ,islands of the ,united ,states4 7#bj7 ,tribal college or university ,the term ,tribal ,college or ,university means an institution that-- 7,a7 qualifies for funding under the ,tribally ,controlled ,colleges and ,universities ,assistance ,act of #aigh 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ahja et seq47 or the ,navajo ,community ,college ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #fdj;a note72 or 7,b7 is cited in section #ecb of the ,equity in ,educational ,land-,grant ,status ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cja note74 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 ,indians that is-- 7i7 controlled1 sanctioned1 or chartered by the recognized governing body of an ,indian ,tribe2 or 7ii7 7,i7 democratically elected by the adult members of the ,indian community to be served by such organization2 and 7,,ii7 includes the maximum participation of ,indians in all phases of its activities4 7#bb7 ,university ,the term university has the meaning given to the term institution of higher education in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 #c4 ,establishment and duties 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in collaboration with ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 and other partner organizations1 shall establish a program to be known as the ,national and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers1 which shall-- 7,a7 provide scientific expertise to agencies1 organizations1 individuals1 ,indian ,tribes1 tribal organizations1 and ,native ,hawaiian organizations engaged in the management 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 include a ,national ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,center and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers4 7#b7 ,chief2 ,directors 7,a7 ,chief ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center shall be a ,united ,states ,geological ,survey employee and shall be responsible for national-scale and network-wide strategic initiatives1 science direction1 and partnerships4 7,b7 ,directors ,each regional center shall have-- 7i7 a ,federal ,director who shall-- 7,i7 be a ,united ,states ,geological ,survey employee2 7,,ii7 report directly to the ,chief of the ,national ,center2 and 7,,iii7 be responsible for region-specific and cross-regional strategic initiatives and implementation of climate science research agendas2 and 7ii7 a ,host ,institution ,director who shall-- 7,i7 carry out the terms and conditions of the financial assistance award2 7,,ii7 lead the institutional consortium in each region2 and 7,,iii7 oversee training and capacity building at the host and consortium institutions4 7,c7 ,cooperative work ,each ,regional ,federal ,director and each ,host ,institution ,director shall work cooperatively to further the mission of the relevant regional center4 7,d7 ,administration ,the ,national ,center and all regional centers shall be administered by the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 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 and collaborate with other ,federal agencies working on similar research and activities to-- 7,a7 minimize1 as much as possible1 the duplication of research and effort2 and 7,b7 use1 as much as possible1 existing data in the development of new or ongoing research2 7#e7 conduct research on cross-regional and national science priorities2 7#f7 support regional centers that-- 7,a7 are hosted at a university1 or a consortium of universities 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 their staffs to address the broad scientific mission and goals as defined by the ,national ,center in a manner that is relevant to its specific geographic region and 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 to stakeholders1 ,tribal governments1 and the public via informational publications1 trainings1 and other outreach methods2 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 evaluate and assess the performance of the programs of regional centers every five years1 using the priorities1 guidelines1 and qualifications established by the ,secretary under this section1 and determine if the programs 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 so as to-- 7i7 conduct regionally relevant research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities in each of the regions2 7ii7 encourage collaborations among regional centers to address regional and national priorities established under this section2 7iii7 ensure successful implementation and operation of regional centers2 7iv7 to the maximum extent consistent with other provisions of this ,act1 provide a stable base of funding in support of the regional centers on #e-year terms1 with additional funds available annually subject to the availability of appropriations2 7v7 encourage and promote coordination and cooperation between the research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities of the ,department and those of the host and consortium institutions2 and 7vi7 pay the official ,federal ,government negotiated overhead rate to the host institution and partners on the basic agreement establishing the location of the regional center4 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 its work2 and 7#b7 operate and fund a network of not fewer than nine regional centers that shall address the impacts of climate trends and variability1 including extreme weather events1 on natural and cultural resources and ecosystem services4 7d7 ,designation of the regional centers 7#a7 ,existing regional center ,designations 7,a7 ,in general ,any institution or consortium of institutions designated as a regional center before the date of enactment of this ,act shall participate in one final competition for its status as a regional center upon the conclusion of its existing #e-year term to assure that the host institutions and association consortium institutions update proposals recognizing the long-term commitment as a host4 7,b7 ,recompetes ,after the next competition for regional center after the date of enactment of this ,act1 a designated regional center shall not have to recompete on #e-year terms1 but shall be subject to review on #e-year terms as described in paragraph 7#b74 ,after competed1 the final agreements shall only be recompeted in the event of a failed review4 7#b7 ,reviews of the regional centers 7,a7 ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center1 in consultation with the ,committee1 shall establish guidelines for #e-year merit reviews of each regional center1 which shall include guidelines for-- 7i7 the establishment of a statement of objectives1 agreed upon by the ,national ,center and regional host institutions at the beginning of the #e-year term1 that outline the expectations of activities or measures of success to be completed during the agreed upon period2 and 7ii7 an independent merit review1 conducted by the ,national ,center1 of the host institution's activities as related to the statement of objectives4 7,b7 ,if a regional center does not meet the requirements included in the statement of objective as determined by the independent merit review referred to in subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the host institution or consortium of institutions may not continue as a host of a regional center4 7,c7 ,if a host institution or consortium of institution fails a merit review referred to in subparagraph 7,a77ii71 the ,chief of the ,national ,center may give the host institution or consortium of institutions a probationary period of one year4 ,after the one-year probationary period1 the ,chief of the ,national ,center shall undertake an additional review referred to in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 to determine if the host institution or consortium of institutions shall-- 7i7 continue as a host of a regional center2 or 7ii7 not continue as a host of a regional center1 in which case the ,chief of the ,national ,center shall initiate a competitive process to select a new host institution4 7,d7 ,the ,chief of the ,national ,center shall ensure that reviews completed pursuant to this paragraph are publicly available4 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 consortium institutions at any time to address regional and national priorities established under this section4 7#d7 ,,faca ,committees1 subcommittees1 and working groups appointed by ,federal ,directors of the regional centers pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act74 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 universities1 other research or educational institutions1 and other partner organizations1 regional centers shall develop research1 education1 training1 and advisory service priorities regarding the impacts of climate trends and variability on natural and cultural resource management in their regions for the purpose of climate adaptation4 7f7 ,project solicitation ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 each regional center shall undergo a project solicitation process annually that shall-- 7#a7 include regionally identified science priority topics2 7#b7 work with science partners in the region to develop a scientific review process to assure the highest quality of proposals are selected2 and 7#c7 final decisions on annual project selections shall be made by the ,federal ,directors of the regional centers4 #d4 ,general authority to enter into contracts1 grants1 cooperative agreements1 and interagency agreements 7a7 ,authority ,the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey is authorized to enter into contracts1 grants1 and cooperative agreements with a host institution or consortium institution to further the research1 education1 training1 and advisory service activities of the ,department or its partners relating to impacts of climate trends and variability4 ,this authority supplements all other laws relating to the ,department and is not to be construed as limiting or repealing any existing authorities4 7b7 ,legal instruments ,the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey 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 institution1 to further 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 any such cooperative agreement under this section by contributing funds through the ,national ,center or otherwise if it is mutually agreed that the objectives of the agreement shall further the authorized programs of the contributing agency4 7d7 ,approval required ,in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefitting more than one ,indian ,tribe1 the approval of each such ,indian ,tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant4 #e4 ,interagency cooperation ,each department1 agency1 or other instrumentality of the ,federal ,government1 that is engaged in or concerned with1 or that has authority over1 matters relating to natural and cultural resources1 ecosystem services1 or climate variability or change1 including all member agencies of the ,united ,states ,global ,change ,research ,program-- 7#a7 shall1 upon a written request from the ,secretary1 furnish any available data or other information that the ,secretary deems necessary to carry out any provision of section #c2 7#b7 shall cooperate with the ,national ,center1 regional centers1 and duly authorized officials thereof2 7#c7 may make available1 on a reimbursable basis or otherwise1 any personnel 7with their consent and without prejudice to their position and rating71 service1 or facility which the ,chief of the ,national ,center deems necessary to carry out any provision of section #c2 and 7#d7 may transfer budgetary resources or otherwise enter into interagency agreements1 including 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 when approved by the ,chief of the ,national ,center and their counterpart in the other ,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 competitive4 7b7 ,advisory ,committee 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and pursuant to chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act71 the ,secretary shall establish an ,advisory ,committee on ,climate and ,natural ,resource ,sciences to advise the ,national and ,regional ,climate ,adaptation ,science ,centers on the following3 7,a7 ,the contents of a national strategy identifying key climate adaptation science priorities to advance the management of natural and cultural resources in the face of climate change4 7,b7 ,the nature1 extent1 and quality of relations with and facilitating engagement of key partners at the regional center level4 7,c7 ,the nature and effectiveness of mechanisms to effectively deliver science information and tools1 and build capacity1 to aid the natural and cultural resource management community and decision-makers in adapting to a changing climate4 7,d7 ,mechanisms that may be employed by the ,national ,center to ensure high standards of scientific quality and integrity in its products4 7,e7 ,the integration of equity1 particularly for historically underserved communities1 in the operation of the ,national ,center and regional centers4 7#b7 ,voting ,members ,the ,committee shall have not fewer than #ae voting members who shall be appointed by the ,secretary4 ,each voting member shall be an employee of-- 7,a7 an ,indian ,tribe2 7,b7 a ,tribal organization2 7,c7 a ,native ,hawaiian organization2 7,d7 a ,state or local government2 7,e7 a nongovernmental organization whose primary mission is conservation and related scientific and advocacy activities2 7,f7 an academic institution2 or 7,g7 other sectors1 environmental justice organizations1 or private industry4 7#c7 ,non-voting members ,a ,host ,institution ,director who is elected by the various ,host ,institution ,directors shall serve as a non-voting member of the ,committee4 ,no individual is eligible to be a voting member of the ,committee if the individual is-- 7,a7 a ,host ,institution ,director2 7,b7 a full-time officer or employee of the ,united ,states2 or 7,c7 a voting member of the ,committee who is an applicant for or beneficiary of any grant or contract under this ,act shall abstain from voting when there is a conflict of interest4 7#d7 ,chair ,the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall appoint a ,committee ,chair from among the members of the ,committee4 7#e7 ,vice ,chair ,the ,committee shall select one voting member to serve as the ,vice ,chair1 who shall act as ,chair in the absence or incapacity of the ,chair4 7#f7 ,nominations ,not less than once each year1 the ,secretary shall publish a notice in the ,federal ,register soliciting nominations for membership on the ,committee4 7#g7 ,term of ,office 7,a7 ,the term of office of a voting member of the ,committee shall be not more than #c years4 7,b7 ,no individual may serve more than two consecutive terms as a voting member of the ,committee4 7,c7 ,the ,chair may extend the term of office of a voting member of the ,committee by up to #a year4 7,d7 ,any individual appointed to a partial or full term may be reappointed for one additional full term4 7#h7 ,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#i7 ,estimated number and frequency of meetings ,the ,committee shall meet approximately one to two times annually1 and at such other times as designated by the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 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 proposals1 and evaluation of the ,national ,center and the regional centers4 7#b7 ,members ,the committees or working groups shall1 to the extent practicable1 include members from ,federal and ,state government1 universities1 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 process1 including providing advance notice of meetings1 providing adequate opportunity for public input and comment1 maintaining appropriate records1 and making a record of the proceedings of meetings available for public inspection4 7#d7 ,implementation2 availability of records ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the procedures described in paragraph 7#c7 are adopted and implemented and that the records described in paragraph 7#c7 are accurately maintained and available for public inspection4 7#e7 ,,faca 7,a7 ,the committees or working groups shall not be considered advisory committees under chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act74 7,b7 ,seeking advice and input under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be subject to chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act74