S 129 — National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017

Summary

National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017 (Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. Those fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions within the executive and legislative branches. (Sec. 4) NOAA must establish priorities for the use of donations given for the National Sea Grant Program. (Sec. 5) The National Sea Grant Advisory Board must report to Congress regarding the state of the National Sea Grant Program every four years, rather than biennially. (Sec. 6) The National Sea Grant Program must consist of financial assistance for research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, public service, and certain other activities. (Sec. 7) NOAA must notify Congress in writing at least 30 days before designating an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college or sea grant institute. NOAA may not make such a designation if, before the end of the 30-day period, Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the designation. (Sec. 8) An agency may appoint a recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to a federal position within two years after such recipient successfully completes a fellowship. (Sec. 9) The bill reauthorizes through FY2022 the National Sea Grant College Program and authorizes through FY2022 grants for university research on: (1) the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies. The bill also authorizes through FY2022 grants for: (1) fishery research and extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding; and (2) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan.

Bill Text

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill reauthorizes and amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act, making several modifications to the fellowship program, the authority of the Secretary of Commerce, reporting requirements, and authorization of appropriations.

• 33 U.S.C. 1127(b)

  may → shall

  The Secretary is now required to award marine policy fellowships instead of having the discretion to do so.

• 33 U.S.C. 1127(b)

  The Secretary → (1) In general.--The Secretary

  This rephrasing structures the sentence to clarify the general responsibilities of the Secretary regarding placements.

• 33 U.S.C. 1127(b)

  A fellowship → (2) Placement priorities.--

  Introduces a clear distinction between fellowship definitions and placement priorities.

• 33 U.S.C. 1127(b)

  A fellowship awarded under this subsection shall be for a period of not more than 1 year. → (3) Duration.--A fellowship

  Clarifies the duration specification for fellowships under this section.

• 33 U.S.C. 1123(c)(4)(E)

  accept donations of money and, → accept donations of money and, notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, of voluntary and uncompensated services;

  Allows for the acceptance of voluntary services in addition to monetary donations.

• 33 U.S.C. 1128(b)(2)

  Biennial → Periodic

  Changes the reporting frequency of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board from biennial to every four years.

• 33 U.S.C. 1128(b)(2)

  that the Board shall report to Congress at least once every four years on the state of the national sea grant college program → The Board shall report to Congress at least once every four years on the state of the national sea grant college program and shall notify Congress of any significant changes to the state of the program not later than two years after the submission of such a report.

  Specifies that the Board must also notify Congress of significant changes relating to the program.

• 33 U.S.C. 1123(b)

  the national sea grant college program shall consist of the financial assistance for research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, and public service and other activities authorized in this subchapter, → the national sea grant college program shall consist of financial assistance for research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, and public service;

  Clarifies that the program consists of financial assistance for specific activities.

• 33 U.S.C. 1126(b)

  Any institution → (1) Notification to congress of designations.--(A) In general.--Not less than 30 days before designating an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college or sea grant institute under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify Congress in writing of the proposed designation.

  Introduces a requirement for the Secretary to notify Congress before designating new sea grant colleges or institutes.

• 33 U.S.C. 1131(a)

  $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2021; → $75,600,000 for fiscal year 2017;

  Revises the authorization of appropriations for fiscal years to lower funding for certain years and adjust the annual appropriations.

• 33 U.S.C. 1131(a)

  $101,325,000 for fiscal year 2024; → $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2020;

  Reduces the funding set for individual fiscal years.

• 33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(1)

  for administration of programs under this subchapter → for administration of programs under this title

  Updates terminology to reflect consistent reference to the title of the Act.

• 33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(2)(A)

  the amount authorized to be appropriated under this subchapter for the fiscal year; → the amount authorized to be appropriated under this title for the fiscal year;

  Aligns the language for appropriate and consistent reference to the title.

Action History

1. September 19, 2017

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.

2. September 18, 2017

   Message on Senate action sent to the House.

3. September 18, 2017

   Received in the House.

4. September 18, 2017

   Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

5. September 14, 2017

   Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5770-5771)

6. September 14, 2017

   Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

7. September 14, 2017

   Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

8. March 30, 2017

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-15.

9. March 30, 2017

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-15.

10. March 30, 2017

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 26.

11. March 30, 2017

    An errata sheet on written report No. 115-15 was printed.

12. January 24, 2017

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

13. January 12, 2017

    Introduced in Senate

14. January 12, 2017

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

• Roger F. Wicker · Primary

Subjects