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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 27, 2003
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Oceanography Amendments Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to establish as a permanent program (previously conducted in FY 1992 and 1993) a Coastal Ocean Program to augment and integrate existing research capabilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Administration) with other research capabilities.Establishes in the Administration a Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (Great Lakes Lab), a Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, and an Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Authorizes the Great Lakes Lab to support, in partnership with the University of Michigan, a Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystem Research.Establishes a National Undersea Research Program in the Administration and requires the Secretary of Commerce to appoint its director.Establishes an Ocean Exploration Program in the Administration. Authorizes the Secretary (in conjunction with specified entities) to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other activities to survey, inventory, monitor and assess little known areas of the marine environment; (2) promote the development of oceanographic research; (3) conduct public education and outreach activities that improve the public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes; and (4) accept donations for such purposes.Specifies requirements the Secretary must meet before designating a Regional Coastal Observation Technology System.Authorizes the Secretary to coordinate and designate units of a Coastal Observation Technology System to collect data necessary to carry out the missions of the Administration. Requires the Secretary to use such data to develop forecast models to support coastal and fishery management, safe and efficient marine navigation, weather and climate prediction, and other appropriate activities.
People & committees
Rep. Saxton, Jim [R-NJ-3] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards.
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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