S. 1218: Oceans and Human Health Act

108th Congress · introduced 2003-06-10 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2003-06-10 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Oceans and Human Health Act

Plain summary

Oceans and Human Health Act - (Sec. 2) Provides for coordination and support of Federal interagency ocean science programs, including research on and monitoring of the role of oceans in human health. (Sec. 3) Directs the President, through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), to coordinate and support a national interagency oceans in human health research program to improve understanding of the role of oceans in human health. Directs the NSTC to submit to Congress a plan for coordinated action under the national research program. Requires the NSTC to report annually to the President and Congress on program activities. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), as part of the interagency program , to establish an Oceans and Human Health Initiative to coordinate and implement NOAA research and activities related to the role of the oceans, the coasts, and the Great Lakes in human health. Authorizes the Secretary to establish an advisory panel. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to: (1) one or more national centers of excellence to strengthen NOAA's oceans and human health programs and activities; and (2) support distinguished scholars from academic institutions, industry, State governments, or other Federal agencies for collaborative work with NOAA scientists and facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide grants for critical research and projects on oceans and human health; and (2) establish an oceans in human health traineeship program for scientists at the beginning of their careers. (Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to design and implement a national information and outreach program on potential ocean-related human health risks, including those associated with seafood. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary for: (1) FY 2005 through 2008, for the NOAA Oceans and Human Health Initiative; and (2) FY 2005 through 2007, for the public information and outreach program on potential ocean-related human health risks.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Oceans and Human Health Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC] · 10 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 1218, Oceans and Human Health Act (2003-08-04); CBO cost estimate: S. 1218, Oceans and Human Health Act (2003-08-04)

Cosponsors on this site

Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Ballot initiative: A proposed law or constitutional amendment that citizens place on the ballot by gathering enough voter signatures, so voters decide it directly. About half the states allow some form of it.
Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108s1218.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/s>

Record fed-us-cong108-s1218 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108