PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S219-220)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 8, 2009
NOAA Ocean Exploration and Undersea Research Program Act of 2009 - Requires the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) establish within NOAA a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with other federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs; (2) convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and infrastructure task force; and (3) appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board.
Requires the administrator to establish and maintain an undersea research program to increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, and coastal areas and the Great Lakes. Requires that the program be conducted through a national headquarters, a network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant NOAA regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. Requires that funding for projects conducted through the regional centers be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed process.
People & committees
Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] · R–ME
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S219-220)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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