Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Expands the interagency oceans and human health research program established under the Oceans and Human Health Act to: (1) direct the President, through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), to deliver information, products, and services to reduce public health risks and enhance health benefits from the ocean; and (2) include within the term "oceans" the Great Lakes and related coastal areas.
Directs the NSTC, through the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, to submit to Congress, within 2 years after enactment of this Act and every 10 years thereafter, an update of the 2007 Interagency Oceans and Human Health Research Implementation Plan that defines the roles of specified federal agencies to avoid duplication of activities.
Adds monitoring, surveillance, forecasting, mitigation, prevention, and outreach goals to federal research priorities. Extends the program's scope to atmospheric and biological sciences, food-borne diseases, corals, shellfish, and marine ecosystem and animal health predictive models.
Authorizes coordination with interagency working groups of the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, through the NSTC, to monitor and reduce marine public health problems, including climate change. Authorizes development of new technologies for detecting and reducing hazards to human health from ocean sources.
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Oceans and Human Health Program to coordinate and implement research and activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Revises the mission and scope of NOAA centers of excellence.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3570 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3570
To promote ocean and human health and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 6, 2011
Mrs. Capps (for herself, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Pingree of Maine, and Mr.
Keating) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote ocean and human health and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF OCEANS AND HUMAN HEALTH ACT.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Oceans and Human
Health Reauthorization Act of 2011''.
(b) Amendment of Oceans and Human Health Act.--Except as otherwise
expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is
expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other
provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of the Oceans and Human Health Act (33 U.S.C. 3101 et
seq.).
SEC. 2. INTERAGENCY OCEANS AND HUMAN HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Coordination.--Section 902(a) (33 U.S.C. 3101(a)) is amended by
striking ``oceans in human health.'' and inserting ``oceans in human
health and deliver information, products, and services to assist the
Nation in reducing public health risks, and enhancing health benefits,
from the ocean.''.
(b) Implementation Plan.--Section 902(b) (33 U.S.C. 3101(b)) is
amended--
(1) by striking the matter preceding paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(b) Implementation Plan.--Within 2 years after the date of the
enactment of the Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2011,
and every 10 years thereafter, the National Science and Technology
Council, through the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy, shall revise and update the 2007 `Interagency Oceans and Human
Health Research Implementation Plan' and submit the updated plan to the
Congress. The updated Plan shall define the roles of Federal agencies
and departments in order to avoid duplication of activities and
coordinate efforts in support of the research program. Nothing in this
subsection is intended to duplicate or supersede the activities of the
Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia established
under section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and
Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note). The updated Plan shall build
on and complement the ongoing research, monitoring, surveillance, and
outreach activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the National Science Foundation, the National
Institutes of Health (including the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration,
and other Federal departments and agencies, and shall--'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``prediction'' and inserting
``monitoring, surveillance, prediction forecasting, and
mitigation'';
(B) by inserting ``and chemical'' after
``biological''; and
(C) by striking ``treatments'' and inserting
``products for the prevention and treatment'';
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``training'' and all that
follows and inserting ``Federal oceans and human health
research centers, training, and support for scientists, and
participation in national and international research and
outreach efforts, including outreach to the public health and
medical communities, and the public;'';
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``preventive'' and
inserting ``preventing'';
(5) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``the National Ocean
Council,'' after ``the Ocean Research Advisory Panel,''; and
(6) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:
``(7) estimate funding needed for research, surveillance,
prediction, education, and outreach activities to be conducted
within and supported by Federal agencies under the program.''.
(c) Program Scope.--Section 902(c) (33 U.S.C. 3101(c)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the
following:
``(1) Interdisciplinary research among the ocean,
atmospheric, biological, and medical sciences, and coordinated
research and activities to improve understanding of processes
within the ocean that may affect human health and to explore
the potential contribution of marine organisms to medicine and
research, including--
``(A) vector-, water-, and food-borne diseases of
humans and marine organisms, including marine mammals,
corals, fish, and shellfish;
``(B) human health effects associated with harmful
algal blooms and hypoxia (in collaboration with the
Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and
Hypoxia);
``(C) marine-derived pharmaceuticals and other
natural products;
``(D) marine organisms and habitats as models for
biomedical research and as indicators of human health
and well being and marine environmental health;
``(E) marine environmental microbiology linked to
human health;
``(F) human health effects associated with legacy
and emerging chemicals of concern, including
bioaccumulative and endocrine-disrupting chemical
contaminants;
``(G) predictive models of public health risks
based on indicators and assessments of marine ecosystem
health and marine animal health; and
``(H) social, economic, and behavioral studies of
relationships between the condition of oceans, coasts,
and the Great Lakes and human health and well-being,
risk communication, and decision-making processes.
``(2) Coordination with appropriate interagency working
groups of the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, or
its successor body, through the National Science and Technology
Council, to ensure that any integrated ocean and coastal
observing system provides information necessary to monitor and
reduce marine public health problems, including climate change
information, health-related data on biological populations, and
detection of toxins and contaminants in marine waters and
seafood.''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``genomics and
proteomics'' and inserting ``genomics, proteomics,
metabolomics, and other related sciences'';
(B) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:
``(C) in situ, laboratory, and remote sensors--
``(i) to detect, quantify, and predict the
presence, distribution, concentration,
toxicity, or virulence of infectious microbes,
harmful algae, toxins, and chemical
contaminants in ocean waters, sediments,
organisms, and seafood; and
``(ii) to identify new genetic resources
for biomedical purposes;''; and
(C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``equipment
and technologies'' and inserting ``equipment,
technologies, and methodologies used in human health,
and other fields, for application to oceans and human
health objectives''.
(d) Biennial Report.--Section 902(d) (33 U.S.C. 3101(d)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``Annual'' in the heading and inserting
``Biennial'';
(2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Beginning with the first year
occurring more than 24 months after the date of
enactment of the Act, the'' and inserting ``The'';
(B) by striking ``each year an annual'' and
inserting ``alternate years a biennial''; and
(C) by striking ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``2
fiscal years'';
(3) in paragraph (1), by striking ``fiscal year;'' and
inserting ``2 fiscal years;'';
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``that preceding fiscal
year;'' and inserting ``the preceding 2 fiscal years;'' and
(5) in paragraph (5), by striking ``action'' and inserting
``action, funding needs,''.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION OCEANS AND
HUMAN HEALTH PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Section 903(a) (33 U.S.C. 3102(a)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(a) Program.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the interagency oceans and
human health research program, the Secretary of Commerce shall
establish an Oceans and Human Health Program to coordinate and
implement research and activities of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration related to the role of the oceans,
the coasts, and the Great Lakes in human health. The program
shall link National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
research programs with operational activities focused on--
``(A) forecasting to provide early warning and
prediction of near-term and long-term health risks;
``(B) surveillance, monitoring and diagnosis to
recognize emerging threats to public health;
``(C) assessment of risk perception, management
needs, and response actions; and
``(D) developing ocean health products and
services.
``(2) Coordination with other agencies' efforts.--The
Secretary shall consult with other Federal agencies conducting
integrated oceans and human health research, monitoring, and
disease surveillance activities and research in related areas,
including the National Science Foundation, the National
Institutes of Health (including the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences), the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other
agencies and departments and shall coordinate the development
of a strategic implementation plan with defined goals and
benchmarks for the program.
``(3) Administration.--To the extent practical based on
appropriations, the Oceans and Human Health Program may provide
support for--
``(A) centralized program and research
coordination;
``(B) an external advisory panel;
``(C) one or more National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration national centers of excellence that may
include diagnostic laboratories to provide processing
of marine organism samples;
``(D) transitioning scientific discoveries from
research activities into applications;
``(E) research grants; and
``(F) distinguished scholars and training.''.
(b) Advisory Panel.--Section 903(b) (33 U.S.C. 3102(b)) is amended
by striking ``sciences.'' and inserting ``sciences, including public
health professionals, veterinarians, and other health professionals.''.
(c) National Centers.--Section 903(c) (33 U.S.C. 3102(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``for''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) The centers shall focus on areas related to agency
missions and the program scope (as defined in section
902(c)).''.
(d) Extramural Research Grants.--Section 903(d) (33 U.S.C. 3102(d))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Grants under this subsection shall support research
and activities within the program scope (as defined in section
902(c)).''.
(e) Training Program.--Section 903(e) (33 U.S.C. 3102(e)) is
amended--
(1) by striking the heading and inserting ``(e) Training
Program--'';
(2) by striking ``program to provide traineeships,
training,'' and inserting ``competitive program to provide
training, exposure,''; and
(3) by striking ``initiative.'' and inserting ``Oceans and
Human Health Program.''.
(f) Distinguished Scholars; Cooperative Agreements; Coordination;
etc.--Section 903 (33 U.S.C. 3102) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Distinguished Scholars.--The Secretary of Commerce may
establish a competitive program to recognize highly distinguished
external scientists in any area of oceans and human health research and
to involve those scientists in collaborative work with the NOAA Oceans
and Human Health Program.
``(g) Agreements.--The Secretary of Commerce may execute and
perform such contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements as
may be necessary to carry out this section.
``(h) Coordination.--
``(1) Integrated ocean observing system.--The Secretary
shall ensure that the Oceans and Human Health Program and the
National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System work
together to develop and deploy instruments for sensing and
predicting ocean changes linked to health, develop early
warning systems that detect biological and chemical indicators,
and support the data management and analysis functions to
develop forecasts for ocean conditions that threaten health.
``(2) Harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.--The Secretary
shall ensure that the Oceans and Human Health Program and
Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Program work together to
coordinate and avoid duplication of activities.
``(3) Other programs.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
Program also coordinates its efforts across the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to link and support
ocean and human health-related research and programs.
``(i) Report to Congress.--Within 6 months after the date of
enactment of the Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2011,
the Secretary shall report to the Congress on how the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration plans to implement the recommendations
of its Science Advisory Board Working Group on Oceans and Health.
``(j) Operational Parameters.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce shall operate
the Oceans and Human Health Program as an interdisciplinary
research, development, and application program spanning the
agency and in partnership with the external scientific and
health communities.
``(2) Resources.--To achieve this vision and maximize
potential for leveraging appropriations, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration may--
``(A) apply for, accept, use, and spend Federal,
State, and private funds and in-kind contributions as
necessary to further the mission of the program without
regard to section 3302(b) of title 31, United States
Code, and without regard to the source or of the period
of availability of such funds;
``(B) apply for and hold patents either solely or
in partnership with others and receive royalties from
patents or licenses; and
``(C) share personnel and facilities with public
and private partners as well as provide and accept
reimbursement for the sharing of such personnel and
facilities.''.
SEC. 4. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND OUTREACH.
(a) In General.--Section 904(a) (33 U.S.C. 3103(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``National Sea Grant program, relevant
National Ocean Service and National Marine Fisheries Service
research programs'' and inserting ``all relevant the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs and
institutions of higher education,''; and
(2) by striking ``Initiative'' and inserting ``Program''.
(b) Report.--Section 904(b) (33 U.S.C. 3103(b)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(b) Report.--
``(1) In general.--As part of this program, the Secretary
of Commerce shall submit to Congress a biennial report
describing--
``(A) projects, products, and programs funded under
the Oceans and Human Health Program;
``(B) the work of the Advisory Panel;
``(C) how the Oceans and Human Health Program is
meeting the goals and objectives of its strategic plan;
and
``(D) any recommendations the Secretary may have
for improving or expanding the Oceans and Human Health
Program.
``(2) Combined reports.--The report required by paragraph
(1) may be the same as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration input for the interagency report required by
section 902(d).''.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 905 (33 U.S.C. 3104) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Initiative,'', ``initiative'', and
``Initiative.'', and inserting ``Program,'', ``Program'', and
``Program.'', respectively;
(2) by striking ``$60,000,000 for fiscal years 2005 through
2008'' and inserting ``$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011
through 2015''; and
(3) by striking ``grant and traineeship'' and inserting
``grant, distinguished scholars, and training''.
SEC. 6. OCEANS DEFINED TO INCLUDE THE GREAT LAKES.
The Act is amended by adding after section 905 (33 U.S.C. 3104) the
following:
``SEC. 906. OCEANS DEFINED.
``In this title, the term `oceans' includes the Great Lakes, and
the coastal areas appertaining thereto.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
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