article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. Section 302 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892) is amended-- (1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: ``(3) Hydrographic data.--The term `hydrographic data' means information that-- ``(A) is acquired through-- ``(i) hydrographic, bathymetric, photogrammetric, lidar, radar, remote sensing, or shoreline and other ocean- and coastal- related surveying; ``(ii) geodetic, geospatial, or geomagnetic measurements; ``(iii) tide, water level, and current observations; or ``(iv) other methods; and ``(B) is used in providing hydrographic services.''; (2) by amending paragraph (4)(A) to read as follows: ``(A) the management, maintenance, interpretation, certification, and dissemination of bathymetric, hydrographic, shoreline, geodetic, geospatial, geomagnetic, and tide, water level, and current information, including the production of nautical charts, nautical information databases, and other products derived from hydrographic data;''; and (3) by striking paragraph (5). SEC. 3. FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Section 303 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892a) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) by striking ``the Act of 1947,'' and inserting ``the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.)''; and (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``data;'' and inserting ``data and provide hydrographic services;''; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) by striking ``the Act of 1947,'' and inserting ``the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.)''; (B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``title IX of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949; and'' and inserting ``subchapter VI of chapter 10 of title 40, United States Code;''; (C) in paragraph (4) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(5) may create, support, and maintain a Joint Hydrographic Institute.''; and (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: ``(c) Acquisition of Hydrographic Data and Provide Hydrographic Services.--To the extent that it does not detract from the promotion of safe and efficient navigation, the Administrator may acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services to-- ``(1) support the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources; ``(2) save and protect life and property; ``(3) support the resumption of commerce in response to emergencies, natural disasters, and man-made disasters; and ``(4) meet homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs, including carrying out mission assignments (as that term is defined in section 641 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 741).''. SEC. 4. HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES REVIEW PANEL. Section 305 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892c) is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)(1)(A) by striking ``Director'' and inserting ``Co-directors''; (2) in subsections (c)(1)(C), (c)(3), and (e) by striking ``Secretary'' each place it appears and inserting ``Administrator''; and (3) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: ``(d) Compensation.--Voting members of the panel shall be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses, including travel and per diem, incurred in the performance of duties for the panel.''. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended to read as follows: ``SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator the following: ``(1) To carry out nautical mapping and charting functions under sections 303 and 304, except for conducting hydrographic surveys-- ``(A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; ``(B) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; ``(C) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and ``(D) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. ``(2) To contract for hydrographic surveys under section 303(b)(1), including the leasing or time chartering of vessels-- ``(A) $32,130,000 for fiscal year 2009; ``(B) $32,760,000 for fiscal year 2010; ``(C) $33,390,000 for fiscal year 2011; and ``(D) $34,020,000 for fiscal year 2012. ``(3) To operate hydrographic survey vessels owned by the United States and operated by the Administration-- ``(A) $25,900,000 for fiscal year 2009; ``(B) $26,400,000 for fiscal year 2010; ``(C) $26,900,000 for fiscal year 2011; and ``(D) $27,400,000 for fiscal year 2012. ``(4) To carry out geodetic functions under this title-- ``(A) $32,640,000 for fiscal year 2009; ``(B) $32,280,000 for fiscal year 2010; ``(C) $33,920,000 for fiscal year 2011; and ``(D) $34,560,000 for fiscal year 2012. ``(5) To carry out tide and current measurement functions under this title-- ``(A) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; ``(B) $27,500,000 for fiscal year 2010; ``(C) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and ``(D) $28,500,000 for fiscal year 2012. ``(6) To acquire a replacement hydrographic survey vessel capable of staying at sea continuously for at least 30 days $75,000,000.''. SEC. 6. ADDITION OF SHORT TITLE TO EXISTING LAW. The Act of August 6, 1947 (chapter 504; 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE. ``This Act may be cited as the `Coast and Geodetic Survey Act'.''. Passed the House of Representatives March 31, 2008. Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, Clerk.
summary: Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008 - Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to revise the definition of "hydrographic data" to include information acquired through lidar, radar, remote sensing, shoreline and other ocean- and coastal-related surveying, and water level observations. Revises the definition of "hydrographic services" to include shoreline and water level information. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide hydrographic services. Modifies requirements regarding the awarding of contracts for the acquisition of hydrographic data. Authorizes the Administrator to create and maintain a Joint Hydrographic Institute. Authorizes the Administrator to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services to support the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources, save and protect life and property, support commerce resumption after emergencies and disasters, and meet homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs, including carrying out mission assignments. (Current law only authorizes the Administrator to use hydrographic data and services to support the conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources.) Modifies membership and compensation provisions regarding the Hydrographic Services Review Panel. Authorizes appropriations to carry out nautical mapping and charting, contract for hydrographic surveys, operate hydrographic survey vessels, carry out geodetic functions, carry out tide and current measurement, and acquire a replacement hydrographic survey vessel. Amends the Act of August 6, 1947, to give it the name "Coast and Geodetic Survey Act."