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H.R. 3835: To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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H.R. 3835: To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

109th Congress · introduced 2005-09-20 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · Latest: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2005-09-20 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Saxton, Jim [R-NJ-3] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Subcommittee Hearings Held. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. 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

To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Plain summary

National Ocean Exploration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a coordinated national ocean exploration program that promotes collaboration with existing NOAA programs, including those authorized under this Act. Directs the NOAA Administrator to: (1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other scientific activities to survey, inventory, observe, and assess little-known areas of the marine environment; (2) give priority to deep ocean regions, focusing on marine systems holding potential for important scientific discoveries; and (3) promote development of improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and data collection systems. Requires NOAA to convene an ocean exploration technology and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy to: (1) facilitate the transfer of new exploration technology to the program; (2) improve the availability of communications infrastructure (including satellite) to the program; (3) develop a data management information processing system for information obtained under the program; and (4) conduct public education and outreach activities that improve the public understanding of ocean science, resources, and processes. Authorizes NOAA, the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies to participate in interagency financing in carrying out program activities. NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of NOAA to establish and maintain an undersea research program conducted through a national headquarters, a network of regional undersea research centers, and a national technology institute.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), 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

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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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: Rep. Saxton, Jim [R-NJ-3] · 8 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)

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 (1)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong109-hr3835 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109