Title X — Hydrographic Services and Other Matters

115th Congress · Approved Dec 4, 2018 · 132 Stat. 4192

TITLE X Hydrographic Services and Other Matters

SEC. 1001. Reauthorization of Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.

(a)

Reauthorizations.— Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended—

(1)

in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking “ There are” and inserting the following:

“(a) In General.—There are”

(2)

in subsection (a) (as designated by paragraph (1))—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ surveys—” and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting “ surveys, $70,814,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.”;

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking “ vessels—” and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting “ vessels, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.”;

(C)

in paragraph (3), by striking “ Administration—” and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting “ Administration, $29,932,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.”;

(D)

in paragraph (4), by striking “ title—” and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting “ title, $26,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.”; and

(E)

in paragraph (5), by striking “ title—” and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting “ title, $30,564,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.”; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

“(b) Arctic Programs.—Of the amount authorized by this section for each fiscal year—

“(1) $10,000,000 is authorized for use in the Arctic—

“(A) to acquire hydrographic data;

“(B) to provide hydrographic services;

“(C) to conduct coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation;

“(D) to improve the management of coastal change; and

“(E) to reduce risks of harm to subsistence and coastal communities associated with increased international maritime traffic; and

“(2) $2,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the Arctic necessary to delineate the United States extended Continental Shelf.”

(b)

Limitation on Administrative Expenses for Surveys.— Section 306 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 892d) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“(c) Limitation on Administrative Expenses for Surveys.—Of amounts authorized by this section for each fiscal year for contract hydrographic surveys, not more than 5 percent is authorized for administrative costs associated with contract management.”

SEC. 1002. System for Tracking and Reporting All-Inclusive Cost of Hydrographic Surveys.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall—

(1)

develop and implement a system to track and report the full cost to the Department of Commerce of hydrographic data collection, including costs relating to vessel acquisition, vessel repair, and administration of contracts to procure data;

(2)

evaluate measures for comparing cost per unit effort in addition to measures of cost per nautical square mile; and

(3)

submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report on which additional measures for comparing cost per unit effort the Secretary intends to use and the rationale for such use.

(b)

Development of Strategy for Increased Contracting With Nongovernmental Entities for Hydrographic Data Collection.— Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary completes the activities required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a strategy for how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will increase contracting with nongovernmental entities for hydrographic data collection in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (Public Law 111–11; 33 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

SEC. 1003. Homeport of Certain Research Vessels.

(a)

Acceptance of Funds Authorized.— The Secretary of Commerce may accept non-Federal funds for the purpose of the construction of a new port facility, including obtaining such cost estimates, designs, and permits as may be necessary to facilitate the homeporting of the R/V FAIRWEATHER in accordance with title II of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107–77; 115 Stat. 775) at a location that during such homeporting shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

(b)

Strategic Plan Required.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a strategic plan for implementing subsection (a).

(c)

Acceptance of Funds Authorized.— The Secretary may accept non-Federal funds for the purpose of the construction of a new port facility, including obtaining such cost estimates, designs, and permits as may be necessary to facilitate the homeporting of a new, existing, or reactivated research vessel in the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, at a location that during such homeporting shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

(d)

Strategic Plan Required.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for construction or acquisition of the facilities needed to allow for an oceanographic research vessel to be homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida. The strategic plan shall include an estimate of funding needed to construct such facilities.

Title X — Hydrographic Services and Other Matters