S. 910 — what changed
National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2020
From Reported in Senate to Engrossed in Senate. 3 sections amended between Reported in Senate and Engrossed in Senate.
Section 1 Short title
changed
This Act may be cited as the “National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2019”.2020”.
Sec. 3 Modification of Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship
In general— Section 208(b) (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)) is amended by striking “may” and inserting “shall”.
Placements in Congress— Such section is further amended—
in the first sentence, by striking “The Secretary” and inserting the following:
“(1) In general—The Secretary”
in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (1), in the second sentence, by striking “A fellowship” and inserting the following:
“(2) Placement priorities
“(A) In general—In each year in which the Secretary awards a legislative fellowship under this subsection, when considering the placement of fellows, the Secretary shall prioritize placement of fellows in the following:
“(i) Positions in offices of, or with Members on, committees of Congress that have jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“(ii) Positions in offices of Members of Congress that have a demonstrated interest in ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources.
“(B) Equitable distribution—In placing fellows in offices described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure that placements are equitably distributed among the political parties.
“(3) Duration—A fellowship”
removed
Administrative costs— Section 208(c) (33 U.S.C. 1127(c)) is amended to read as follows:
removed
“(c) Restriction on use of funds
removed
“(1) In general—Amounts available for fellowships under this section, including amounts accepted under section 204(c)(4)(F) or appropriated under section 212 to implement this section, shall be used only for award of such fellowships and administrative costs of implementing this section.
removed
“(2) Limitation on administrative costs—Not more than 3 percent of amounts made available for fellowships under subsection (b) may be used by a sea grant college or sea grant institute for fringe or other necessary costs of administering the fellowships.
removed
“(3) Allowable uses—Amounts provided to a fellow under subsection (b) may be used by the fellow for the costs of academic travel, including travel costs relating to returning to the home institution of higher education of the fellow to complete degree requirements.”
renumbered
was (5)
Effective date— The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the first calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
renumbered
was (6)
Sense of Congress concerning Federal hiring of former fellows— It is the sense of Congress that in recognition of the competitive nature of the fellowship under section 208(b) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1127(b)), and of the exceptional qualifications of fellowship awardees, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, should encourage participating Federal agencies to consider opportunities for fellowship awardees at the conclusion of their fellowships for workforce positions appropriate for their education and experience.
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—
“(A) $87,520,000 for fiscal year 2020;
“(B) $91,900,000 for fiscal year 2021;
“(C) $96,500,000 for fiscal year 2022;
changed
“(D) $101,325,000 for fiscal year 2023;2023; and
changed
“(E) $111,710,813 $105,700,000 for fiscal year 2024; and2024.”
removed
“(F) $117,296,353 for fiscal year 2025.”
by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
changed
“(2) Priority activities for fiscal years 2020 through 2025—In 2024—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 through 2025 2024 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.