WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2004 – Environment, Technology, and Standards Subcommittee Chairman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Representative Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) yesterday introduced the Administration’s proposed organic act for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which would codify the agency’s role and responsibilities. Upon their introduction of the bill, Chairman Ehlers delivered the following statement on the floor of the House of Representatives:

“Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased, along with my colleague from Maryland, Mr. Gilchrest, to introduce the President’s bill to establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As Chairmen of the House subcommittees with jurisdiction over NOAA, we are introducing this bill as a courtesy to the President.

“NOAA was created by Executive Order in 1970. Since that time Congress has not passed a comprehensive law describing the mission of the agency. On April 20, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy released its long awaited Preliminary Report with recommendations for a coordinated national ocean policy. One of its key recommendations is that Congress should pass an organic act for NOAA. I have already introduced my bill creating such an organic act (H.R.4546). This bill Mr. Gilchrest and I are introducing today is the Administration’s response to the recommendation.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Gilchrest and the Members of Science Committee and the Resources Committee as we consider comprehensive legislation for NOAA.”

Gilchrest said, “Because NOAA does not have a single organic act that requires the agency budget, as a whole, to be authorized on an annual basis and because many NOAA programs are authorized under different public laws and committees of jurisdiction, NOAA programs may be authorized at different times. NOAA’s functions, in the contexts of many laws with varying purposes, are difficult to oversee and for the agency to fulfill under these circumstances. In light of these challenges, NOAA has done well, and by crafting an organic act for the agency, the Administration has taken the first important step toward the leadership we need to strengthen NOAA’s role. I look forward to working with Rep. Ehlers and my colleagues on both the Resources and Science Committees and the Administration with this important legislation and on continuing to pursue and create greater central coordination of ocean policy issues.”

Earlier this week Ehlers introduced his own version of a NOAA organic act (H.R.4546), which differs from the Administration’s proposal in its scope and specificity. The Ehlers’ bill was developed based on recommendations from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and other groups with expertise in oceans and atmosphere policy issues.

The Ehlers’ bill would:

• Align NOAA’s functions in a manner designed to improve coordination between programs, and it would support the development of ocean and coastal observing systems;
  
• Establish a new leadership position at NOAA, a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology to serve as the point person to coordinate the research and science activities of the agency; and
  
• Codify the NOAA Science Advisory Board, a group that provides expert science advice to NOAA and the Congress on ocean and atmosphere issues.
  

The Science Committee is planning to hold a hearing on Ehlers’ bill in July.

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