S. 910 — what changed
National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2020
From Engrossed in Senate to Enrolled Bill. 2 sections amended between Engrossed in Senate and Enrolled Bill.
Sec. 8 Direct hire authority; Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
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In general— During fiscal year 2019 2021 and any fiscal year thereafter, the head of any Federal agency may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and 3328 of that title, a qualified candidate described in subsection (b) directly to a position with the Federal agency for which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards.
Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship— Subsection (a) applies with respect to a former recipient of a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship under section 208(b) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)) who—
earned a graduate or post-graduate degree in a field related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources or policy from an accredited institution of higher education; and
successfully fulfilled the requirements of the fellowship within the executive or legislative branch of the United States Government.
Limitation— The direct hire authority under this section shall be exercised with respect to a specific qualified candidate not later than 2 years after the date that the candidate completed the fellowship described in subsection (b).
Sec. 9 Authorization of appropriations for National Sea Grant College Program
In general— Section 212(a) (33 U.S.C. 1131(a)) is amended—
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
“(1) In general—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this title—
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“(A) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2020;2021;
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“(B) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2021;2022;
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“(C) $96,500,000 for fiscal year 2022;2023;
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“(D) $101,325,000 for fiscal year 2023; 2024; and
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“(E) $105,700,000 for fiscal year 2024.”2025.”
by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
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“(2) Priority activities for fiscal years 2020 2021 through 2024—In 2025—In addition to the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 2021 through 2024 2025 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 coastal resilience and United States working waterfronts and other regional or national priority issues identified in the strategic plan under section 204(c)(1).
“(E) University research and extension on sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies.
“(F) Fishery research and extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance, and not supplant, existing core program funding.”
Modification of limitations on amounts for administration— Paragraph (1) of section 212(b) (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)) 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
“(i) In general—The Director shall use the authority under subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, and under section 210 of this title, to meet any critical staffing requirement while carrying out the activities authorized under this title.
“(ii) Exception from cap—For purposes of subparagraph (A), any costs incurred as a result of an exercise of authority as described in clause (i) shall not be considered an amount used for administration of programs under this title in a fiscal year.”
Allocation of funding—
In general— Section 204(d)(3) (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)(3)) is amended—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “With respect to sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes” and inserting “With respect to sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, sea grant programs, and sea grant projects”; and
in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “funding among sea grant colleges and sea grant institutes” and inserting “funding among sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, sea grant programs, and sea grant projects”.
Repeal of requirements concerning distribution of excess amounts— Section 212 (33 U.S.C. 1131) is amended—
by striking subsection (c); and
by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively.