US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title V — Other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Matters

116th Congress · Approved Dec 23, 2020 · 134 Stat. 1153

TITLE V Other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Matters

SEC. 501. Charting and Survey Services.

(a)
In General.— Not later than 270 days after the development of the strategy required by section 1002(b) of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 892a note), the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into not fewer than 2 multi-year contracts with 1 or more private entities for the performance of charting and survey services by vessels.
(b)
Charting and Surveys in the Arctic.— In soliciting and engaging the services of vessels under subsection (a), the Secretary shall particularly emphasize the need for charting and surveys in the Arctic.

SEC. 502. Co-Location Agreements.

(a)
In General.— During fiscal years 2021 through 2030, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may execute noncompetitive co-location agreements for real property and incidental goods and services with entities described in subsection (b) for periods of not more than 20 years, if each such agreement is supported by a price reasonableness analysis.
(b)
Entities Described.— An entity described in this subsection is—
(1)
the government of any State, territory, possession, or locality of the United States;
(2)
any Tribal organization (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
(3)
any subdivision of—
(A)
a government described in paragraph (1); or
(B)
an organization described in paragraph (2); or
(4)
any organization that is—
(A)
organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States; and
(B)
described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(c)
Collaboration Agreements.— Upon the execution of an agreement authorized by subsection (a) with an entity, the Administrator may enter into agreements with the entity to collaborate or engage in projects or programs on matters of mutual interest for periods not to exceed the term of the agreement. The cost of such agreements shall be apportioned equitably, as determined by the Administrator.
(d)
Savings Clause.— Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(1)
to affect the authority of the Administrator of General Services; or
(2)
to grant the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration any additional authority to enter into a lease without approval of the General Services Administration.

SEC. 503. Satellite and Data Management.

Section 301 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8531) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (c)(1), by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following:

“(D) improve—

“(i) weather and climate forecasting and predictions; and

“(ii) the understanding, management, and exploration of the ocean.”

; and

(2)
in subsection (d)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
by striking “ data and satellite systems” and inserting “ data, satellite, and other observing systems”; and
(ii)
by striking “ to carry out” and all that follows and inserting the following:

“(A) basic, applied, and advanced research projects and ocean exploration missions to meet the objectives described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (c)(1); or

“(B) any other type of project to meet other mission objectives, as determined by the Under Secretary.”

(B)
in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking “ satellites” and all that follows and inserting “ systems, including satellites, instrumentation, ground stations, data, and data processing;”; and
(C)
in paragraph (3), by striking “ 2023” and inserting “ 2030”.

SEC. 504. Improvements Relating to Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(a)
Reporting.— Subtitle C of title XXXV of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (33 U.S.C. 894 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in section 3541(b)(3)(B) (33 U.S.C. 894(b)(3)(B)), by striking “ can be confidentially reported” and inserting “ can be reported on a restricted or unrestricted basis”; and
(2)
in section 3542(b)(5)(B) (33 U.S.C. 894a(b)(5)(B)), by striking “ can be confidentially reported” and inserting “ can be reported on a restricted or unrestricted basis”.
(b)
Investigative Requirement.— Such subtitle is amended—
(1)
by redesignating sections 3546 and 3547 as sections 3548 and 3549, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after section 3545 the following:

“SEC. 3546. INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENT.

“(a) Requirement to Investigate.—

“(1) In general.—The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall ensure that each allegation of sexual harassment reported under section 3541 and each allegation of sexual assault reported under section 3542 is investigated thoroughly and promptly.

“(2) Sense of congress on commencement of investigation.—It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should ensure that an investigation of alleged sexual harassment reported under section 3541 or sexual assault reported under section 3542 commences not later than 48 hours after the time at which the allegation was reported.

“(b) Notification of Delay.—In any case in which the time between the reporting of alleged sexual harassment or sexual assault under section 3541 or 3542, respectively, and commencement of an investigation of the allegation exceeds 48 hours, the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives of the delay.

“SEC. 3547. CRIMINAL REFERRAL.

“If the Secretary of Commerce finds, pursuant to an investigation under section 3546, evidence that a crime may have been committed, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, including the appropriate United States Attorney.”

(c)
Clerical Amendment.— The table of contents in section 2(b) of such Act is amended by striking the items relating to sections 3546 and 3547 and inserting the following new items:

“Sec. 3546. Investigation requirement.

“Sec. 3547. Criminal referral.

“Sec. 3548. Annual report on sexual assaults in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“Sec. 3549. Sexual assault defined.”.