1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2014”.
National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2014
A BILL
To reauthorize and amend the National Sea Grant College Program Act, and for other purposes.
2. References to the National Sea Grant College Program Act
Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.).
3. Sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes; annual report on progress
Section 207 (33 U.S.C. 1126) is amended by striking subsection (e).
4. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
Section 208(b) (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)) is amended by striking “may” and inserting “shall”.
5. Report on coordination of oceans and coastal research activities
Section 9 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 857–20) is repealed.
6. National Sea Grant Advisory Board report
Section 209(b) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)) is amended by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
“(2) Report—The Board shall report to the Congress every 3 years on the state of the national sea grant college program. The Board shall indicate in each such report the progress made toward meeting the priorities identified in the strategic plan in effect under section 204(c). The Secretary shall make available to the Board such information, personnel, and administrative services and assistance as it may reasonably require to carry out its duties under this title.”
7. Technical amendment
Section 205(c) (33 U.S.C. 1124(c)) is amended by striking “Elegibility” in the heading and inserting “Eligibility”.
8. Authorization of appropriations
in paragraph (1)—
by striking “and” at the end of subparagraph (E);
by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(G) $72,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
“(H) $75,600,000 for fiscal year 2016;
“(I) $79,380,000 for fiscal year 2017;
“(J) $83,350,000 for fiscal year 2018;
“(K) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
“(L) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2020.”
in paragraph (2), by striking “activities” in the heading and inserting “activities through fiscal year 2014”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(3) Priority activities for fiscal years 2015 through 2020—In addition to the amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2020 $18,000,000 for competitive grants for the following:
“(A) University research on the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species.
“(B) University research on oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks.
“(C) University research on the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms.
“(D) University research, education, training, and extension services and activities focused on regional or national priority issues identified in the strategic plan under section 204(c)(1).
“(E) Fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance, and not supplant, existing core program funding.”
Limitations— Section 212(b)(1) (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
“(1) Administration
“(A) In general—There may not be used for administration of programs under this title in a fiscal year more than 5.5 percent of the lesser of—
“(i) the amount authorized to be appropriated under this title for the fiscal year; or
“(ii) the amount appropriated under this title for the fiscal year.
“(B) Critical staffing requirements—The Director shall use the authority under subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, to meet any critical staffing requirement while implementing the activities authorized in this title. The costs associated with that exercise of authority shall not be counted toward the cap under subparagraph (A).”
Distribution of funds— Section 212(c) (33 U.S.C. 1131(c)) is amended by inserting “, the year in which base funding was set,” after “2003”.
Conforming amendment— Section 212(b)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(2)) is amended by inserting “or (a)(3)” after “(a)(2)”.