Summary: Global Change Research Improvement Act of 2007 [sic]- Title I: Amendment of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 - (Sec. 103) Amends the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to: (1) rename the Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences as the Committee on Global Change Research; and (2) replace the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology with the National Science and Technology Council established by Executive Order 12881, November 23, 1993. Defines "global change" to mean human-induced or natural changes in the global environment (including climate change and other phenomena affecting land productivity, oceans and coastal areas, freshwater resources, atmospheric chemistry, biodiversity, and ecological systems) that may alter the capacity of Earth to sustain life.(Sec. 104) Requires the Committee to include at least one representative from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the Department of Commerce. Requires Committee representatives to be each member agency's Deputy Secretary or such Deputy Secretary's designee. Authorizes the Committee to establish subcommittees and working groups. Requires the Committee to work with authorities to ensure that the United States Global Change Research Program (GCRP) is designed to produce information needed to develop policies to reduce the impacts of global change.(Sec. 105) Renames the National Global Change Research Plan as the National Global Change Research and Assessment Plan. Requires the Chairman of the Council, through the Committee, to develop a strategic plan for the GCRP for the 10-year period beginning in 2008 and submit the plan to Congress within a year after this Act's enactment.Requires such plan to: (1) include a detailed plan for research, assessment, information management, public participation, outreach, and budget; (2) be updated every five years; (3) provide information to decision makers and end users for the formulation of effective decisions and strategies for measuring, predicting, mitigating, and adapting to global change; (4) describe development of regional scenarios, assessment of model predictability, and assessment of climate change impacts among activities required to achieve goals and priorities and propose measures to address gaps and growing needs for such activities; (5) make recommendations for the coordination of the global change research and assessment activities of the United States with activities of other nations and international organizations; (6) detail budget requirements for federal global change research and assessment activities to be conducted under the plan; (7) include a process for identifying information needed by decision makers to develop policies to plan for and address projected impacts of global change; (8) identify and sustain the observing systems currently employed in collecting data relevant to global and regional climate change research and prioritize additional systems that may be needed to ensure adequate data collection and monitoring of global change; (9) identify existing capabilities and gaps in climate prediction and scenario-based modeling capabilities for forecasting and projecting climate impacts at local and regional levels and propose measures to address such gaps; (10) describe specific activities designed to facilitate outreach and data and information exchange with regional, state, and local governments; and (11) identify and describe U.S. ecosystems and geographic regions that are likely to experience similar impacts of global change or are likely to share similar vulnerabilities to global change.Revises the Plan's research elements. Requires the Plan to provide recommendations for collaboration within the federal government and among nations to establish a common assessment and modeling framework that may be used in both research and operations to project, predict, and assess the vulnerability of natural and managed ecosystems and of human society in the context of other environmental and social changes.Requires the Chairman of the Council to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council under which the latter shall: (1) evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; (2) provide information and advice obtained from the United States and international sources, and recommend priorities for future global and regional climate research and assessment; and (3) address such other studies on emerging priorities.Requires the Secretary of Commerce to execute an agreement with the National Research Council to: (1) examine existing research, potential risks (including adverse impacts to the marine environment), and the effectiveness of ocean iron fertilization or other coastal and ocean carbon sequestration technologies; and (2) identify domestic and international regulatory mechanisms and regulatory gaps for controlling the deployment of such technologies and provide recommendations for addressing such regulatory gaps.(Sec. 106) Requires the President to establish a Global Change Research Coordination Office to: (1) manage, in conjunction with the Committee, interagency coordination and program integration of global change research activities and budget requests; (2) ensure that the activities and programs of each federal agency participating in the GCRP address the goals and objectives identified in the strategic research plan and interagency implementation plans; (3) arrange funding for partnership projects that address the GCRP's critical research objectives or operational goals; (4) review and provide recommendations on all annual appropriation requests from participating agencies; (5) provide technical and administrative support to the Committee; (6) serve as a point of contact for technical and programmatic information on federal climate change activities; and (7) conduct public outreach. Authorizes interagency funding of the Office and requires the Director to report to specified congressional committees on such funding.(Sec. 107) Requires the President to: (1) provide an opportunity to the Committee and the Office to review and comment of the budget estimate of each agency involved in global change research in the context of the Plan; and (2) submit an integrated budget plan at the time of the annual budget request to Congress.(Sec. 108) Requires: (1) the Committee to develop a list of priority areas for research and development on climate change that are not being adequately addressed by federal agencies; and (2) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to transmit the list to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for funding through the Science and Technology Policy Institute. Authorizes funding to be appropriated to the NSF for research in those priority areas.(Sec. 109) Requires the President to periodically submit to Congress a single, integrated, comprehensive assessment on information being developed under such Act.(Sec. 110) Repeals a declaration that such Act does not preclude or delay federal planning or action to address the threats of stratospheric ozone depletion or global climate change.(Sec. 111) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to report to specified congressional committees on the strategy to restore the decommissioned and scaled down climate sensors scheduled for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System and the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R Series.(Sec. 112) Requires the NSF to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration to conduct: (1) an independent review of the implementation of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 and the National Climate Service and the extent to which scientific communications and findings are inappropriately subject to nonscientific policy considerations; and (2) an independent review of the process undertaken by the GCRP in developing the strategic plan and the national assessments that evaluates the extent to which the scientific communications and findings were inappropriately subjected to nonscientific policy considerations. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013.(Sec. 113) Requires the President to establish guidelines and implement a plan that requires specified agencies to adopt policies to ensure the integrity of scientific communications. (Sec. 114) Requires the Administrator of NOAA to implement a program to address aging work force issues in climate science, global change, and certain other research focuses. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013.Title II: National Climate Service - (Sec. 201) Renames the National Climate Program Act as the National Climate Service Act of 2007. Amends such Act to direct the Secretary to establish within NOAA a National Climate Service that includes a national center and a network of regional and local facilities for operational climate monitoring and prediction. Requires the Service to produce and deliver authoritative, timely, and usable information about climate change, climate variability, trends, and impacts. Sets forth the minimum services to be conducted by the Service and the minimum components of a plan of action for the Service to be submitted by the Secretary. Requires the Administrator to appoint a Director of the Service to serve as a liaison to the GCRP to ensure the transition of research into services and to provide services to meet the needs of research.Requires the Administrator to appoint a National Climate Service Advisory Council to: (1) advise the Director of key priorities in climate-related issues; and (2) be responsible for ensuring the coordination across regional and national concerns and the assessment of evolving information needs. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and specified congressional committees on the activities conducted pursuant to such Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 to the Secretary for such Act.Title III: Technology Assessment - (Sec. 301) Amends the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 to establish within the legislative branch a Science and Technology Assessment Service, consisting of a Science and Technology Board and a Director, to coordinate and develop information for Congress relating to the uses and application of technology to address current national science and technology policy issues. Authorizes science and technology assessment activities undertaken by such Service to be initiated upon the request of specified congressional committee chairpersons, the Board, or the Director. Requires such Service to report annually to Congress on technology assessment techniques and identification of technological areas and programs requiring future analysis. Authorizes appropriations.Title IV: Climate Change Technology - (Sec. 401) Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to authorize the Secretary to perform research to develop enhanced measurements, calibrations, standards, and technologies to enable the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG). Requires: (1) the Secretary to develop standards and measurement technologies to calculate GHG emissions and reductions for which no accurate or reliable measurement technology exists; (2) the Director of the Institute to establish a research program on climate change standards and processes; (3) the Institute's National Measurement Laboratories to conduct specified research on developing material and manufacturing processes designed for energy efficiency and reduced GHG emissions, developing environmentally friendly green chemical processes to be used by industry, and enhancing building performance; and (4) the Director to utilize the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program to establish a program to satisfy the needs for accreditation in measuring GHG production. (Sec. 404) Authorizes the Director, through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program, to develop a program to support the implementation of new green manufacturing technologies and techniques by small business manufacturers. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013.Title V: Abrupt Climate Change - (Sec. 501) Requires the Secretary to establish within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of NOAA a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2013.

global change research improvement act title amendment global change research_act sec amends global change research_act rename committee earth environmental sciences committee global change research replace federal coordinating council science engineering technology national_science_and_technology_council established executive order november defines global change mean human induced natural changes global environment including climate change phenomena affecting land productivity oceans coastal areas freshwater resources atmospheric chemistry biodiversity ecological systems alter capacity earth sustain requires committee include representative national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist department_of_commerce requires committee representatives member agency deputy secretary deputy secretary designee authorizes committee establish subcommittees working groups requires committee work authorities ensure united_states global change research program designed produce information needed develop policies reduce impacts global renames national global change research plan national global change research assessment plan requires chairman council committee develop strategic plan year period beginning submit plan congress year act enactment requires plan include detailed plan research assessment information management public participation outreach budget updated years provide information decision makers end users formulation effective decisions strategies measuring predicting mitigating adapting global change describe development regional scenarios assessment model predictability assessment climate change impacts activities required achieve goals priorities propose measures address gaps growing needs activities recommendations coordination global change research assessment activities united_states activities nations international organizations detail budget requirements federal global change research assessment activities conducted plan include process identifying information needed decision makers develop policies plan address projected impacts global change identify sustain observing systems currently employed collecting data relevant global regional climate change research prioritize additional systems needed ensure adequate data collection monitoring global change identify existing capabilities gaps climate prediction scenario based modeling capabilities forecasting climate impacts local regional levels propose measures address gaps describe specific activities designed facilitate outreach data information exchange regional state local governments identify describe ecosystems geographic regions likely experience similar impacts global change likely share similar vulnerabilities global change revises plan research elements requires plan provide recommendations collaboration federal_government nations establish common assessment modeling framework research operations project predict assess vulnerability natural managed ecosystems human society context environmental social changes requires chairman council enter agreement national_research_council shall evaluate scientific content plan provide information advice obtained united_states international sources recommend priorities future global regional climate research assessment address studies emerging priorities requires secretary commerce execute agreement national_research_council examine existing research potential risks including adverse impacts marine environment effectiveness ocean iron fertilization coastal ocean carbon sequestration technologies identify domestic international regulatory mechanisms regulatory gaps controlling deployment technologies provide recommendations addressing regulatory requires president establish global change research coordination office manage conjunction committee interagency coordination program integration global change research activities budget requests ensure activities programs federal agency participating address goals objectives identified strategic research plan interagency implementation plans arrange funding partnership projects address critical research objectives operational goals review provide recommendations annual appropriation requests participating agencies provide technical administrative support committee serve point contact technical programmatic information federal climate change activities conduct public outreach authorizes interagency funding office requires director report specified congressional committees requires president provide opportunity committee office review comment budget estimate agency involved global change research context plan submit integrated budget plan time annual budget request requires committee develop list priority areas research development climate change adequately addressed federal agencies director office_of_science_and_technology_policy transmit list national_science_foundation nsf funding science_and_technology policy institute authorizes funding appropriated nsf research priority requires president periodically submit congress single integrated comprehensive assessment information developed repeals declaration act preclude delay federal planning action address threats stratospheric ozone depletion global climate requires administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa report specified congressional committees strategy restore decommissioned scaled climate sensors scheduled national polar operational environmental satellite system operational environmental satellites requires nsf contract national_academy_of_public_administration conduct independent review implementation global change research_act national_climate_service extent scientific communications findings inappropriately subject policy considerations independent review process undertaken developing strategic plan national assessments evaluates extent scientific communications findings inappropriately subjected policy considerations authorizes appropriations fy2009 requires president establish guidelines implement plan requires specified agencies adopt policies ensure integrity scientific communications sec requires administrator noaa implement program address aging work force issues climate science global change certain research focuses authorizes appropriations fy2009 national_climate_service sec renames national climate program act national_climate_service act amends act direct secretary establish noaa national_climate_service includes national center network regional local facilities operational climate monitoring prediction requires service produce deliver authoritative timely usable information climate change climate variability trends impacts sets forth minimum services conducted service minimum components plan action service submitted secretary requires administrator appoint director service serve liaison ensure transition research services provide services meet needs research requires administrator appoint national_climate_service advisory_council advise director key priorities climate related issues responsible ensuring coordination regional national concerns assessment evolving information needs requires secretary report president specified congressional committees activities conducted pursuant act authorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2013 secretary act title iii technology assessment sec amends national science_and_technology policy organization priorities act establish legislative branch science_and_technology assessment service consisting science_and_technology board director coordinate develop information congress relating uses application technology address current national science_and_technology policy issues authorizes science_and_technology assessment activities undertaken service initiated request specified congressional committee chairpersons board director requires service report annually congress technology assessment techniques identification technological areas programs requiring future analysis authorizes appropriations title climate change technology sec amends national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act authorize secretary perform research develop enhanced measurements standards technologies enable reduction greenhouse gases ghg requires secretary develop standards measurement technologies calculate ghg emissions reductions accurate reliable measurement technology exists director institute establish research program climate change standards processes institute national measurement laboratories conduct specified research developing material manufacturing processes designed energy efficiency reduced ghg emissions developing environmentally friendly green chemical processes industry enhancing building performance director utilize national voluntary laboratory accreditation program establish program satisfy needs accreditation measuring ghg production sec authorizes director manufacturing extension partnership program develop program support implementation new green manufacturing technologies techniques small business manufacturers authorizes appropriations fy2009 climate change sec requires secretary establish office oceanic atmospheric research noaa program scientific research climate change authorizes appropriations fy2009 fy2013


Summary: Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish: (1) a hazardous materials cooperative research program; and (2) an independent governing board to select cooperative research projects and studies of hazardous materials transportation to be carried out under the program that will yield results immediately applicable to risk analysis and mitigation or that will strengthen the ability of first responders to respond to accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials.

hazardous materials cooperative research_act directs secretary transportation establish hazardous materials cooperative research program independent governing_board select cooperative research projects studies hazardous materials transportation carried program yield results immediately applicable risk analysis mitigation strengthen ability responders respond accidents involving transportation hazardous materials


Summary: Climate Change Safeguards for Natural Resources Conservation Act - Requires the President to establish: (1) a national Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to protect, restore, and conserve natural resources to enable them to become more resilient, adapt to, and withstand the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification and to identity opportunities to mitigate those impacts; and (2) a Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Panel to serve as a forum for interagency consultation on and the coordination of the development and implementation of such Strategy. Requires each agency represented on the Panel to complete and revise every five years an adaptation plan implementing such Strategy. Directs the Chair of the Council of Environmental Quality to: (1) chair the Panel; (2) advise the President on the Strategy and agency adaptation plans; and (3) coordinate agency natural resources actions in response to climate change and ocean acidification. Requires the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to: (1) establish a coordinated process for developing and providing science and information needed to assess and address the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on natural resources; (2) undertake a climate change and ocean acidification impact survey; and (3) establish a Science Advisory Board to advise the Secretaries on state-of-the-art science regarding the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on natural resources and on scientific strategies and mechanisms for protecting, restoring, and conserving natural resources. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS); (2) establish a National Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Corridors Information Program; and (3) develop a Habitat and Corridors Information System. Establishes in the Treasury the Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Account. Requires each state, to be eligible for funding from such Account, to prepare and update every five years a natural resources adaptation plan to address the potential impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on its natural resources and coastal areas. Provides for the allocation of such Account funds for specified state and federal natural resources adaptation activities.

climate change safeguards natural resources conservation act_-_requires president establish national natural resources climate change adaptation strategy protect restore conserve natural resources enable resilient adapt withstand impacts climate change ocean acidification identity opportunities mitigate impacts natural resources climate change adaptation panel serve forum interagency consultation coordination development implementation strategy requires agency represented panel complete revise years adaptation plan implementing strategy directs chair council environmental quality chair panel advise president strategy agency adaptation plans coordinate agency natural resources actions response climate change ocean acidification requires secretaries_of_commerce interior establish coordinated process developing providing science information needed assess address impacts climate change ocean acidification natural resources undertake climate change ocean acidification impact survey establish science_advisory_board advise secretaries state art science impacts climate change ocean acidification natural resources scientific strategies mechanisms protecting restoring conserving natural resources requires secretary interior establish national climate change wildlife science center geological survey usgs establish national fish wildlife habitat corridors information program develop habitat corridors information system establishes treasury natural resources climate change adaptation account requires state eligible funding account prepare update years natural resources adaptation plan address potential impacts climate change ocean acidification natural resources coastal areas provides allocation account funds specified state federal natural resources adaptation activities


Summary: National Climate Service Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Climate Program Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a National Climate Service that includes a national center and a network of regional and local facilities for operational climate observation, modeling, and research. Requires the Service to: (1) inform the public about climate impacts; (2) serve as a clearinghouse and technical access point to stakeholders for information on climate, climate impacts, and adaptation, and relevant comprehensive databases of information; (3) provide education on climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and application of climate information in decisionmaking; (4) design decision-support tools that facilitate use of climate information in stakeholders' near-term operations and long-term planning; (5) facilitate user access to climate experts for technical assistance in the use of climate information and to inform the climate forecast community of their information needs; (6) provide researcher, modeler, and observations experts access to users to help guide direction of their activities; and (7) propose and evaluate adaptation strategies for climate variability and change. Sets forth the Service's functions, including establishing an atmospheric monitoring and verification program utilizing aircraft, satellite, ground sensors, ocean and coastal observing systems, and modeling capabilities to monitor, measure, and verify greenhouse gas concentrations and emissions throughout the oceans and atmosphere. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on a plan of action for the Service. Requires the Administrator of NOAA to appoint a Director of the Service. Requires the Director to appoint members of a National Climate Service Advisory Council to promote coordination across regional, national, and international concerns and assess information needs.

national_climate_service act requires secretary commerce establish climate program_office national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa national_climate_service includes national center network regional local facilities operational climate observation modeling research requires service inform public climate impacts serve clearinghouse technical access point stakeholders information climate climate impacts adaptation relevant comprehensive databases information provide education climate impacts vulnerabilities application climate information decisionmaking design decision support tools facilitate use climate information stakeholders near term operations long term planning facilitate user access climate experts technical assistance use climate information inform climate forecast community information needs provide observations experts access users help guide direction activities propose evaluate adaptation strategies climate variability change sets forth service functions including establishing atmospheric monitoring verification program utilizing aircraft satellite ground sensors ocean coastal observing systems modeling capabilities monitor measure verify greenhouse gas concentrations emissions oceans atmosphere requires secretary report specified congressional committees plan action service requires administrator noaa appoint director service requires director appoint members national_climate_service advisory_council promote coordination regional national international concerns assess information needs


Summary: National Climate Service Act of 2009 - Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish the National Climate Service within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to: (1) analyze the effects of weather and climate on communities; (2) carry out observations, data collection, and monitoring of atmospheric and oceanic conditions; (3) provide information and technical support for government efforts to assess and respond to climate variability and change; (4) develop systems for the management and dissemination of data, information, and assessments; and (5) conduct research to improve forecasting, characterization, and understanding of weather and climate variability and change and its effects on communities. Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) establish a Climate Service Office; (2) operate the National Climate Service through a national center, the Climate Service Office, and a network of regional and local facilities; (3) maintain a network of six Regional Climate Centers; (4) maintain a network of offices as part of Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program; (4) establish a Climate Service Advisory Committee; (5) establish Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Teams to conduct applied regional climate research and projects to address the needs of local and regional decision makers for information and tools to develop adaptation and response plans to climate variability and change; and (6) report to Congress on climate products and services currently delivered by an NOAA office or partner organization to user groups and stakeholders and the new products and services needed. Repeals the National Climate Program Act.

national_climate_service act requires secretary commerce oceans atmosphere establish national_climate_service national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa analyze effects weather climate communities carry observations data collection monitoring atmospheric oceanic conditions provide information technical support government efforts assess respond climate variability change develop systems management dissemination data information assessments conduct research improve forecasting characterization understanding weather climate variability change effects communities requires secretary establish climate service office operate national_climate_service national center climate service office network regional local facilities maintain network regional climate centers maintain network offices integrated sciences assessments program establish climate service advisory_committee establish regional integrated sciences assessments teams conduct applied regional climate research projects address needs local regional decision makers information tools develop adaptation response plans climate variability change report congress climate products services currently delivered noaa office partner organization user groups stakeholders new products services needed repeals national climate program act


Summary: Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to designate as protected outdoor research reserves for the purpose of conducting long-term environmental research on the impacts of human activities on the natural environment: (1) Savannah River National Environmental Research Park; (2) Idaho National Environmental Research Park; (3) Los Alamos National Environmental Research Park; (4) Fermi Lab National Environmental Research Park; (5) Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park; and (6) Nevada National Environmental Research Park. Requires each site to support environmental research and monitoring activities to characterize and monitor site conditions and serve as control areas for comparison with environmental impacts of DOE land management, energy technology development, remediation, and other site activities outside the Park areas. Authorizes areas of research and monitoring on the sites to include: (1) ecology of the site and the region; (2) population biology and ecology; (3) radioecology; (4) effects of climate variability and change on ecosystems; (5) ecosystem science; (6) pollution fate and transport research; (7) surface and groundwater modeling; (8) student training; and (9) environmental impacts of development and use of energy generation technologies, including renewable energy technologies. Requires DOE to enter into a cooperative agreement with a university, community college, or consortium of institutions of higher education with expertise in ecology and environmental science of the region in which the Park is located to ensure the independence of the research, monitoring, public education, and outreach activities. Requires each site to support an outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities conducted and to educate students at various levels in environmental science. Requires DOE to designate a National Environmental Research Park Coordinator within the Department of Energy Office of Science to: (1) coordinate research activities among the Parks; (2) ensure that information on best practices for research, education, and outreach activities is shared among the sites; and (3) serve as liaison to other federal agencies to facilitate collaborative work at the Parks. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014. Authorizes the Parks to be utilized to provide educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes program authorized in the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act.

requires department_of_energy doe designate protected outdoor research reserves purpose conducting long term environmental research impacts human activities natural environment river national environmental research park idaho national environmental research park national environmental research park lab national environmental research park oak ridge national environmental research park nevada national environmental research park requires site support environmental research monitoring activities characterize monitor site conditions serve control areas comparison environmental impacts doe land management energy technology development remediation site activities outside park areas authorizes areas research monitoring sites include ecology site region population biology ecology effects climate variability change ecosystems ecosystem science pollution transport research surface groundwater modeling student training environmental impacts development use energy generation technologies including renewable energy technologies requires doe enter cooperative agreement university community college consortium institutions higher education expertise ecology environmental science region park located ensure independence research monitoring public education outreach activities requires site support outreach program inform public diverse ecological activities conducted educate students levels environmental science requires doe designate national environmental research park coordinator department_of_energy office_of_science coordinate research activities parks ensure information best practices research education outreach activities shared sites serve liaison federal agencies facilitate collaborative work parks authorizes appropriations fy2010 fy2014 authorizes parks utilized provide educational opportunities summer institutes program authorized department_of_energy science education enhancement_act


Summary: Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2010 - Establishes a National Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Corridors Information Program for the purposes of: (1) supporting states and Indian tribes in the development of a geographic information system database of fish and wildlife habitat and corridors that would inform planning and development decisions; and (2) facilitating the use of such databases, including the Habitat and Corridors Information System, by federal, state, local, and tribal decisionmakers to incorporate qualitative and quantitative information on such habitat and corridors at the earliest possible stage. Requires the development of a Habitat and Corridors Information System, as described in this Act. Bars certain information regarding the human remains of persons of Indian ancestry, or traditional or cultural resources, items, uses, or activities from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), if specified determinations are made regarding such disclosure. Directs the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish a Wildlife Corridors Stewardship and Protection Grant Program to fund projects by eligible applicants to advance important wildlife corridor stewardship and protection. States that it is U.S. policy, where appropriate, to manage important wildlife corridors in a manner that will preserve and protect their natural condition. Includes important wildlife corridors as "areas of critical environmental concern." Requires coordination of important wildlife corridors under National Forest System land and resource management plans. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA): (1) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, in determining the amount and rate of payments involving foregone income of a producer, to accord great significance to a practice that promotes wildlife corridor management; and (2) in carrying out any USDA-administered conservation program, to encourage the stewardship of habitat in important wildlife corridors and the use of conservation practices that benefit important wildlife corridors identified as such by a state.

wildlife corridors conservation act establishes national fish wildlife habitat corridors information program purposes supporting states indian tribes development geographic information system database fish wildlife habitat corridors inform planning development decisions facilitating use databases including habitat corridors information system federal state local tribal incorporate qualitative quantitative information habitat corridors earliest possible stage requires development habitat corridors information system described act bars certain information human remains persons indian traditional cultural resources items uses activities disclosure freedom information act foia specified determinations disclosure directs national_fish_and_wildlife_foundation establish wildlife corridors stewardship protection grant program fund projects eligible applicants advance important wildlife corridor stewardship protection states policy appropriate manage important wildlife corridors manner preserve protect natural condition includes important wildlife corridors areas critical environmental concern requires coordination important wildlife corridors national_forest_system land resource management plans authorizes secretary agriculture usda environmental quality incentives program determining rate payments involving income producer accord great significance practice promotes wildlife corridor management carrying usda administered conservation program encourage stewardship habitat important wildlife corridors use conservation practices benefit important wildlife corridors identified state


Summary: Ocean and Coastal Adaptation Planning Act - Directs the Administrators of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to jointly establish four Institutes for Ocean and Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification to: (1) assess, prepare for, and adapt to the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on ocean and coastal areas and resources, including the Great Lakes; and (2) create centers of excellence to document and predict coastal and ocean effects of climate change and ocean acidification and to serve as principal national and international resources for technical expertise on adaptation strategies. Requires the Administrators to jointly select and award a grant to one institution of higher education to serve as such an Institute in each of four regions: (1) the Great Lakes Region; (2) the Northeast Region; (3) the Southeast and Gulf Coast Region; and (4) the Western and Pacific Region.

ocean coastal adaptation planning act_-_directs administrators national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa environmental_protection_agency epa jointly establish institutes ocean coastal adaptation climate change ocean acidification assess prepare adapt impacts climate change ocean acidification ocean coastal areas resources including great_lakes create centers_of_excellence document predict coastal ocean effects climate change ocean acidification serve principal national international resources technical expertise adaptation strategies requires administrators jointly select award grant institution higher education serve institute regions great_lakes region northeast region southeast gulf_coast region western pacific region


Summary: Representation for Farmers Act - Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to modify the provision governing the composition of the membership of the Science Advisory Board to provide for the appointment of up to three Board members based on a recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA).

representation farmers act_-_amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act modify provision governing composition membership science_advisory_board provide appointment board members based recommendation secretary agriculture usda


Summary: National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture in the National Marine Fisheries Service at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) headquarters and at satellite offices in each of NOAA's regional fisheries offices. Requires the Office to establish a Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain in the Office an aquaculture database, and (2) make the database available to the public but protect proprietary information of owners and operators of offshore aquaculture facilities. Requires, for permit issuance, a regional programmatic environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for each Regional Fishery Management Council and a separate environmental review under NEPA. Prohibits engaging in offshore aquaculture without a permit under this Act and authorizes the Secretary to issue such permits. Requires the Secretary to: (1) assess application and annual fees with respect to such permits that are sufficient to pay the costs of issuing, monitoring, and enforcing such permits, and (2) assess resource rental fees to recover from permittees a reasonable portion of the value of the use under the permits of ocean resources held in public trust. Directs the Secretary to establish and conduct a research program to guide the sustainable development of offshore aquaculture, including regarding: (1) industry expansion that ensures ecological sustainability and functional ecosystems and fisheries, and (2) cost-effective solutions to environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Requires a related competitive, peer-reviewed grant program. Prohibits permit issuance: (1) for a species having a fishery management plan under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) or in a Regional Fishery Management Council's jurisdiction unless all relevant Councils recommend approval, or (2) if opposed by the nearest coastal state. Regulates the relationship of this Act to the Magnuson Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act. Regulates the assessment and liability for natural resource damages associated with offshore aquaculture.

national sustainable offshore aquaculture act directs secretary commerce establish office sustainable offshore aquaculture national_marine_fisheries_service national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa headquarters satellite offices noaa regional fisheries offices requires office establish sustainable offshore aquaculture advisory_board directs secretary establish maintain office aquaculture database database available public protect proprietary information owners operators offshore aquaculture facilities requires permit issuance regional programmatic environmental impact statement national_environmental_policy_act nepa regional_fishery_management_council separate environmental review nepa prohibits engaging offshore aquaculture permit act authorizes secretary issue permits requires secretary assess application annual fees respect permits sufficient pay costs issuing monitoring enforcing permits assess resource rental fees recover permittees reasonable portion value use permits ocean resources held public trust directs secretary establish conduct research program guide sustainable development offshore aquaculture including industry expansion ensures ecological sustainability functional ecosystems fisheries cost effective solutions environmental socioeconomic impacts requires related competitive peer reviewed grant program prohibits permit issuance species having fishery management plan magnuson-stevens_fishery_conservation_and_management_act magnuson act regional_fishery_management_council jurisdiction relevant councils recommend approval opposed nearest coastal state regulates relationship act magnuson act outer_continental_shelf_lands_act coastal_zone_management_act regulates assessment liability natural resource damages associated offshore aquaculture


Summary: Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award multiyear grants to consortia: (1) to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices through recycling, reuse, reduction of the use of hazardous materials, and life-cycle extension; and (2) through such research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling. Provides for the protection of proprietary information of trade secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this Act. Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on: (1) opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing the recyclability of electronic devices and making electronic devises safer and more environmentally friendly; (2) the risks posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and disposal of unwanted electronic devices; (3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices; and (4) regulatory or statutory barriers that may prevent the adoption or implementation of best management practices or technological innovations that may arise from the research and training programs established in this Act. Requires such reports to: (1) identify gaps in the current research and training programs in addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling; and (2) recommend areas where additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment. Requires the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices: (1) for the training of engineers and other students; and (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. Requires: (1) the Administrator to conduct outreach to minority serving institutions to provide information about the grants, and (2) such grants to be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution to broaden the engineering or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to: (1) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices, and (2) develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and physical property characterization requirements for the database.

electronic device recycling research development act_-_requires administrator environmental_protection_agency epa award multiyear grants consortia conduct research create innovative practical approaches manage environmental impacts electronic devices recycling reuse reduction use hazardous materials life cycle extension research contribute professional development scientists engineers technicians fields electronic device manufacturing design recycling provides protection proprietary information trade secrets provided person entity pursuant act requires administrator enter arrangement national_academy_of_sciences report congress opportunities barriers increasing electronic devices making electronic devises safer environmentally friendly risks posed storage transport recycling disposal unwanted electronic devices current status research training programs promote environmental design electronic devices increase devices regulatory statutory barriers prevent adoption implementation best management practices technological innovations arise research training programs established act requires reports identify gaps current research training programs addressing opportunities barriers risks relating electronic device recycling recommend areas additional research development resources needed reduce impact unwanted electronic devices environment requires administrator award grants institutions higher education develop curricula incorporates principles environmental design development electronic devices training engineers students support continuing education professionals electronic device manufacturing design recycling industries requires administrator conduct outreach minority serving institutions provide information grants grants activities enhance ability institution broaden engineering professional continuing education curriculum include environmental engineering design principles consideration product related electronic devices increasing devices requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist establish initiative develop comprehensive physical property database environmentally friendly alternative materials use electronic devices develop strategic plan establish priorities physical property characterization requirements database


Summary: EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2012 - Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. (The Board provides scientific advice to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA].) Revises the procedures for providing advice and comments to the Administrator by: (1) including risk or hazard assessments in the regulatory proposals and documents made available to the Board, and (2) requiring advice and comments to be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register. Revises the operation of Board member committees and investigative panels to: (1) require that they operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements (including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board) contained in this Act; (2) deny them authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board; and (3) prohibit direct reporting to EPA. Adds guidelines for the conduct of Board advisory activities, including concerning: (1) avoidance of making policy determinations or recommendations, (2) communication of uncertainties, (3) dissenting members' views, and (4) periodic reviews to ensure that such activities address the most important scientific issues affecting EPA.

epa science_advisory_board reform_act amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act revise process selecting members science_advisory_board guidelines participation board advisory activities terms office board provides scientific advice administrator environmental_protection_agency epa revises procedures providing advice comments administrator including risk hazard assessments regulatory proposals documents available board requiring advice comments included record proposal published federal_register revises operation board member committees investigative panels require operate accordance membership participation policy requirements including new requirements public participation advisory activities board contained act deny authority decisions behalf board prohibit direct reporting epa adds guidelines conduct board advisory activities including concerning avoidance making policy determinations recommendations communication dissenting members views periodic reviews ensure activities address important scientific issues affecting epa


Summary: Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2012 - Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to: (1) declare that additional research is required into increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing treatment works through alternative approaches, including non-structural alternatives, decentralized approaches, water use efficiency, and actions to reduce energy consumption or extract energy from wastewater; (2) require each water resources research and technology institute to arrange for research that fosters the exploration of new ideas that expand understanding of water resources (currently, of water-related phenomena); (3) direct the Secretary of the Interior to report to specified congressional committees annually on each institute's compliance with matching fund requirements and provisions permitting the use of funds only to reimburse direct cost expenditures incurred for the conduct of the water resources research program; (4) require the Secretary to conduct his or her evaluation of each institute's research and effectiveness as an institution for planning, conducting, and arranging for research at least once every five (currently, three) years; and (5) authorize appropriations for such institutes through FY2017.

water resources research amendments act amends water_resources_research_act declare additional research required increasing effectiveness efficiency new existing treatment works alternative approaches including non structural alternatives decentralized approaches water use efficiency actions reduce energy consumption extract energy wastewater require water resources research technology institute arrange research fosters exploration new ideas expand understanding water resources currently water related phenomena direct secretary interior report specified congressional committees annually institute compliance matching fund requirements provisions permitting use funds reimburse direct cost expenditures incurred conduct water resources research program require secretary conduct evaluation institute research effectiveness institution planning conducting arranging research currently years authorize appropriations institutes fy2017


Summary:
EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise requirements for the Science Advisory Board, which gives scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and address public disclosure of scientific and technical information that the EPA uses as a basis for agency actions.

Emphasizes that the Board provides such advice independently.

Revises the process of selecting members of the Board. Requires at least 10% of Board membership to represent state, local, or tribal governments. Excludes from membership any federally registered lobbyists.

Directs the Board to ensure that:

 the points of view represented on the Board are fairly balanced among the members, persons with substantial and relevant expertise are not excluded from the Board because of affiliation with or representation of entities that might have a potential interest in the Board's advisory activities, and members do not participate in advisory activities that involve review or application of their own work. Revises Board terms of office.

Revises the procedures for providing advice and comments to the EPA by: (1) including draft risk or hazard assessments in the regulatory proposals and documents made available to the Board, and (2) requiring advice and comments to be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register. Revises the operation of Board member committees and investigative panels to: (1) require that they operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements (including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board) contained in this Act; (2) deny them authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board; and (3) prohibit direct reporting to EPA. Revises requirements for public participation and transparency. Requires the EPA and the Board to make all reports and relevant scientific information available to the public concurrently when that information is made available to the Board. Adds guidelines for the conduct of Board advisory activities, including: (1) avoidance of making policy determinations or recommendations, (2) communication of uncertainties, (3) dissenting members' views, and (4) periodic reviews to ensure that such activities address the most important scientific issues affecting EPA. (Sec. 3) Prohibits this Act from being construed as supplanting the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act or the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

epa science_advisory_board reform_act sec amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act revise requirements science_advisory_board gives scientific advice environmental_protection_agency epa address public disclosure scientific technical information epa uses basis agency actions emphasizes board provides advice independently revises process selecting members board requires board membership represent state local tribal governments excludes membership federally registered lobbyists directs board ensure points view represented board fairly balanced members persons substantial relevant expertise excluded board affiliation representation entities potential interest board advisory activities members participate advisory activities involve review application work revises board terms office revises procedures providing advice comments epa including draft risk hazard assessments regulatory proposals documents available board requiring advice comments included record proposal published federal_register revises operation board member committees investigative panels require operate accordance membership participation policy requirements including new requirements public participation advisory activities board contained act deny authority decisions behalf board prohibit direct reporting epa revises requirements public participation transparency requires epa board reports relevant scientific information available public concurrently information available board adds guidelines conduct board advisory activities including avoidance making policy determinations recommendations communication dissenting members views periodic reviews ensure activities address important scientific issues affecting epa sec prohibits act construed requirements federal_advisory_committee_act ethics_in_government_act


Summary:
EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study Improvement Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conducting the study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, with respect to which a request for information was issued in November 2012, to:

 prior to issuance and dissemination of any final or interim report summarizing EPA research on such relationship, consider such reports to be Highly Influential Scientific Assessments requiring peer review in accordance with specified EPA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policy documents; require the reports to meet the standards and procedures for the dissemination of influential scientific, financial, or statistical information set forth in the EPA's Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by the Environmental Protection Agency, developed in response to guidelines issued by OMB under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001; and ensure that identification of the possible impacts included in such reports be accompanied by objective estimates of the probability, uncertainty, and consequence of each identified impact, taking into account the risk management practices of states and industry, and that estimates or descriptions of probability, uncertainty, and consequence are as quantitative as possible given the validity, accuracy, precision, and other quality attributes of the underlying data and analyses, but no more quantitative than the data and analyses can support. Requires public release of the final report by September 30, 2016.

epa hydraulic fracturing study improvement act_-_requires administrator environmental_protection_agency epa conducting study potential impacts hydraulic fracturing drinking water resources respect request information issued november prior issuance dissemination final interim report summarizing epa research relationship consider reports highly scientific assessments requiring peer_review accordance specified epa office_of_management_and_budget omb policy documents require reports meet standards procedures dissemination scientific financial statistical information set forth epa guidelines ensuring maximizing quality objectivity utility integrity information disseminated environmental_protection_agency developed response guidelines issued omb treasury general government appropriations act fiscal year ensure identification possible impacts included reports accompanied objective estimates probability uncertainty consequence identified impact taking account risk management practices states industry estimates descriptions probability uncertainty consequence quantitative possible given validity accuracy precision quality attributes underlying data analyses quantitative data analyses support requires public release final report september


Summary: Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 - Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating a covered action unless all scientific and technical information relied on to support such action is specifically identified and publicly available online in a manner sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results. Includes as a covered action a risk, exposure, or hazard assessment, criteria document, standard, limitation, regulation, regulatory impact analysis, or guidance.

secret science reform_act amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act prohibit environmental_protection_agency epa proposing finalizing disseminating covered action scientific technical information relied support action specifically identified publicly available online manner sufficient independent analysis substantial reproduction research results includes covered action risk exposure hazard assessment criteria document standard limitation regulation regulatory impact analysis guidance


Summary:
Arctic Research, Monitoring, and Observing Act of 2013 - Amends the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 to direct the Arctic Research Commission to award merit-based grants to federal, state, local, or tribal governments and academic and private organizations to conduct research on or related to the Arctic in accordance with the national Arctic research program plan.

Authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with appropriate agencies or organizations to administer grants made pursuant to this Act for Arctic research, including reimbursement from funds of the Commission to administer such grants.

Revises the requirements for compensation of Commission members not presently employed by the federal government or any state or local government.

Instructs the Commission to adopt conflict of interest and recusal requirements that apply to decisions of the Commission and to all Commission members as if each member is an affected individual within the meaning of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Requires disclosure of any financial interest in or relationship to a party that is applying for funding from the Commission held by the Commission member.

Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, with respect to the North Pacific Research Board, to: (1) increase the maximum percentage of funds provided to the Secretary of Commerce for grants to conduct marine research in the north Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean that may be used for support for the Board and to administer such grants; (2) authorize the Secretary to accept funds from a source other than the U.S. government to be used by the Board for such grants; and (3) direct the Board to adopt conflict of interest provisions similar to those required of the Commission by this Act.

Revises the administration of the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund to: (1) reduce by half the amount of interest earned and covered into the Fund and make available such amount without further appropriation to the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service for high priority deferred maintenance and modernization of facilities to enhance visitors' experience; (2) increase to 25% the amount made available to carry out marine research activities in the North Pacific; and (3) require 25% of such amounts to be made available to the Commission to carry out Arctic research and monitoring and 10% to fund the Alaska Ocean Observing System as provided in this Act.

Requires the North Pacific Research Board, the Commission, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System to meet at least once annually to promote coordination among research programs and projects and report annually on the status of the research conducted pursuant to this Act.

arctic research monitoring observing act amends arctic research policy act direct arctic research commission award merit based grants federal state local tribal governments academic private organizations conduct research related arctic accordance national arctic research program plan authorizes commission enter agreements appropriate agencies organizations administer grants pursuant act arctic research including reimbursement funds commission administer grants revises requirements compensation commission members presently employed federal_government state local government instructs commission adopt conflict interest recusal requirements apply decisions commission commission members member affected individual meaning magnuson-stevens_fishery_conservation_and_management_act requires disclosure financial interest relationship party applying funding commission held commission member amends department_of_the_interior_and_related_agencies_appropriations_act respect north pacific research board increase maximum percentage funds provided secretary commerce grants conduct marine research north pacific_ocean bering_sea arctic_ocean support board administer grants authorize secretary accept funds source government board grants direct board adopt conflict interest provisions similar required commission act revises administration environmental improvement restoration fund reduce half interest earned covered fund available appropriation national_park_service fish_and_wildlife_service bureau_of_land_management blm forest_service high priority deferred maintenance modernization facilities enhance visitors experience increase available carry marine research activities north pacific require amounts available commission carry arctic research monitoring fund alaska ocean observing system provided act requires north pacific research board commission alaska ocean observing system meet annually promote coordination research programs projects report annually status research conducted pursuant act


Summary: Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2013 - Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to: (1) declare that additional research is required into increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing treatment works through alternative approaches, including non-structural alternatives, decentralized approaches, energy use efficiency, water use efficiency, and actions to extract energy from wastewater; (2) require each water resources research and technology institute to arrange for research that fosters the exploration of new ideas that expand understanding of water resources (currently, of water-related phenomena); (3) direct the Secretary of the Interior to report to specified congressional committees annually on each institute's compliance with matching fund requirements and provisions permitting the use of funds only to reimburse direct cost expenditures incurred for the conduct of the water resources research program; and (4) authorize appropriations for such institutes through FY2018.

water resources research amendments act amends water_resources_research_act declare additional research required increasing effectiveness efficiency new existing treatment works alternative approaches including non structural alternatives decentralized approaches energy use efficiency water use efficiency actions extract energy wastewater require water resources research technology institute arrange research fosters exploration new ideas expand understanding water resources currently water related phenomena direct secretary interior report specified congressional committees annually institute compliance matching fund requirements provisions permitting use funds reimburse direct cost expenditures incurred conduct water resources research program authorize appropriations institutes fy2018


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 5, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014 - Reauthorizes, revises, and expands the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to have a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

(Sec. 4) Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, acting through the Task Force, to: (1) maintain, enhance, and periodically review a national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program; and (2) develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive research plan and action strategy to address marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia (a condition where low dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems causes stress or death to organisms).

Expands the Task Force's functions, including: (1) expediting and coordinating the interagency review process by ensuring timely review and dispersal of required reports and assessments; and (2) promoting the development of new technologies for predicting, monitoring, and mitigating harmful algal bloom and hypoxia conditions.

Gives the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the primary responsibility for administering the Program.

Establishes the Under Secretary's duties in administering the program, including the following:

 preparing work and spending plans; administering grant funding; coordinating with and working with regional, state, and tribal and local government agencies; coordinating with the Secretary of State to support international efforts; identifying additional research, development, and demonstration needs; coordinating and augmenting education programs; providing resources to train state and local coastal and water resource managers; and supporting regional efforts to control and mitigate outbreaks. Requires the Under Secretary to carry out marine and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events response activities.

Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) research the ecology and impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms; (2) forecast and monitor event response to freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes, rivers, estuaries, and reservoirs; and (3) ensure that activities carried under this Act focus on new approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative of existing research and development programs authorized by this Act or any other law.

(Sec. 7) Requires the Administrator, through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force, to report to appropriate congressional committees and the President on the progress made by activities directed by the Task Force and carried out or funded by the EPA and other state and federal partners toward attainment of the goals of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008 within 12 months after this Act's enactment and biennially thereafter.

 (Sec. 8) Requires the Task Force to: (1) submit within 18 months to Congress and the President an integrated assessment that examines the causes, consequences, and approaches to reduce hypoxia and harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes; and (2) develop and submit to Congress a plan, based on the assessment, for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia and harmful algal blooms.

measure amended reported house june summary version repeated harmful algal bloom hypoxia_research control amendments act reauthorizes revises expands harmful algal bloom hypoxia_research control act sec requires inter agency task_force harmful algal blooms hypoxia representative centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc sec requires secretary commerce oceans atmosphere acting task_force maintain enhance periodically review national harmful algal bloom hypoxia program develop submit congress comprehensive research plan action strategy address marine freshwater harmful algal blooms hypoxia condition low dissolved oxygen aquatic systems causes stress death organisms expands task_force functions including expediting coordinating interagency review process ensuring timely review dispersal required reports assessments promoting development new technologies predicting monitoring mitigating harmful algal bloom hypoxia conditions gives national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa primary responsibility administering program establishes secretary duties administering program including following preparing work spending plans administering grant funding coordinating working regional state tribal local government agencies coordinating secretary state support international efforts identifying additional research development demonstration needs coordinating augmenting education programs providing resources train state local coastal water resource managers supporting regional efforts control mitigate outbreaks requires secretary carry marine great_lakes harmful algal bloom hypoxia events response activities requires administrator environmental_protection_agency epa research ecology impacts freshwater harmful algal blooms forecast monitor event response freshwater harmful algal blooms lakes rivers estuaries reservoirs ensure activities carried act focus new approaches addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms duplicative existing research development programs authorized act law sec requires administrator mississippi_river gulf_of_mexico watershed nutrient task_force report appropriate congressional committees president progress activities directed task_force carried funded epa state federal partners attainment goals gulf hypoxia action plan months act enactment biennially sec requires task_force submit months congress president integrated assessment examines causes consequences approaches reduce hypoxia harmful algal blooms great_lakes develop submit congress plan based assessment reducing mitigating controlling hypoxia harmful algal blooms


Summary:
Arctic Research, Monitoring, and Observing Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 to direct the Arctic Research Commission to establish (under current law, assist in establishing) a national Arctic research program plan to implement the Arctic research policy.

 Directs the Commission to award merit-based grants to federal, state, local, or tribal governments and academic and private organizations to conduct research on or related to the Arctic in accordance with the national Arctic research program plan.

Authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with appropriate agencies or organizations to administer grants made pursuant to this Act for Arctic research, including reimbursement from funds of the Commission to administer such grants.

Instructs the Commission to adopt conflict of interest and recusal requirements which shall apply to decisions of the Commission and to all Commission members which at a minimum are substantially equivalent to those requirements set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as if each member is an affected individual within the meaning of such Act. Requires disclosure of any financial interest in or relationship to a party that is applying for funding from the Commission held by the Commission member.

(Sec. 3) Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, with respect to the North Pacific Research Board, to: (1) authorize the Board to adopt rules of procedure and establish committees as necessary to carry out the purposes of the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund, (2) require all of the Board's decisions to be made by majority vote of the full board in regular session, (3) direct the Board to adopt the same conflict of interest requirements as those for the Commission, and (4) allow the Secretary of Commerce to accept funds from a source other than the federal government for use by the Board to carry out its functions.

arctic research monitoring observing act sec amends arctic research policy act direct arctic research commission establish current law assist establishing national arctic research program plan implement arctic research policy directs commission award merit based grants federal state local tribal governments academic private organizations conduct research related arctic accordance national arctic research program plan authorizes commission enter agreements appropriate agencies organizations administer grants pursuant act arctic research including reimbursement funds commission administer grants instructs commission adopt conflict interest recusal requirements shall apply decisions commission commission members minimum substantially equivalent requirements set forth magnuson-stevens_fishery_conservation_and_management_act member affected individual meaning act requires disclosure financial interest relationship party applying funding commission held commission member sec amends department_of_the_interior_and_related_agencies_appropriations_act respect north pacific research board authorize board adopt rules procedure establish committees necessary carry purposes environmental improvement restoration fund require board decisions majority vote board regular session direct board adopt conflict interest requirements commission allow secretary commerce accept funds source federal_government use board carry functions


Summary:
EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. (The Board provides scientific advice to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA].) Prohibits federally registered lobbyists from being appointed to the Board.

Revises the procedures for providing advice and comments to the Administrator by: (1) including risk or hazard assessments in the regulatory proposals and documents made available to the Board, and (2) requiring advice and comments to be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register. Revises the operation of Board member committees and investigative panels to: (1) require that they operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements (including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board) contained in this Act; (2) deny them authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board; and (3) prohibit direct reporting to EPA. Adds guidelines for the conduct of Board advisory activities, including concerning: (1) avoidance of making policy determinations or recommendations, (2) communication of uncertainties, (3) dissenting members' views, and (4) periodic reviews to ensure that such activities address the most important scientific issues affecting EPA. Prohibits this Act from being construed as supplanting the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act or the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

epa science_advisory_board reform_act amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act revise process selecting members science_advisory_board guidelines participation board advisory activities terms office board provides scientific advice administrator environmental_protection_agency epa prohibits federally registered lobbyists appointed board revises procedures providing advice comments administrator including risk hazard assessments regulatory proposals documents available board requiring advice comments included record proposal published federal_register revises operation board member committees investigative panels require operate accordance membership participation policy requirements including new requirements public participation advisory activities board contained act deny authority decisions behalf board prohibit direct reporting epa adds guidelines conduct board advisory activities including concerning avoidance making policy determinations recommendations communication dissenting members views periodic reviews ensure activities address important scientific issues affecting epa prohibits act construed requirements federal_advisory_committee_act ethics_in_government_act


Summary:
Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2015

 Prohibits the executive branch of the government from:

 exempting or deferring from removal, by executive order, regulation, or any other means, categories of aliens considered under the immigration laws to be unlawfully present in the United States; treating such aliens as if they were lawfully present or had a lawful immigration status; or treating them other than as unauthorized aliens. States that such prohibition shall not apply:

 to the extent prohibited by the Constitution; upon the request of federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies for purposes of maintaining aliens in the United States to be tried for crimes or to be trial witnesses; or for humanitarian purposes where the aliens are at imminent risk of serious bodily harm or death. Declares that any executive branch action intending to circumvent the objectives of this Act shall be null and void and without legal effect.

States that this Act shall take effect as if enacted on November 20, 2014, and shall apply to requests submitted on or after that date for: (1) work authorization; or (2) exemption from, or deferral of, removal.

preventing executive overreach immigration act prohibits executive branch government exempting deferring removal executive order regulation means categories aliens considered immigration laws unlawfully present united_states treating aliens lawfully present lawful immigration status treating unauthorized aliens states prohibition shall apply extent prohibited constitution request federal state local law enforcement agencies purposes maintaining aliens united_states tried crimes trial witnesses humanitarian purposes aliens imminent risk bodily harm death declares executive branch action intending circumvent objectives act shall null void legal effect states act shall effect enacted november shall apply requests submitted date work authorization exemption deferral removal


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 2, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Secret Science Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating a covered action unless all scientific and technical information relied on to support such action is the best available science, specifically identified, and publicly available in a manner sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results. A covered action includes a risk, exposure, or hazard assessment, criteria document, standard, limitation, regulation, regulatory impact analysis, or guidance. Scientific and technical information includes: (1) materials, data, and associated protocols necessary to understand, assess, and extend conclusions; (2) computer codes and models involved in the creation and analysis of the information; (3) recorded factual materials; and (4) detailed descriptions of how to access and use the information.

This Act may not be construed as requiring the EPA to disseminate scientific and technical information, or superseding any nondiscretionary statutory requirement.

The EPA may not spend more than $1 million per fiscal year on carrying out this Act.

measure amended reported house march summary version repeated secret science reform_act sec bill amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act prohibit environmental_protection_agency epa proposing finalizing disseminating covered action scientific technical information relied support action best available science specifically identified publicly available manner sufficient independent analysis substantial reproduction research results covered action includes risk exposure hazard assessment criteria document standard limitation regulation regulatory impact analysis guidance scientific technical information includes materials data associated protocols necessary understand assess extend conclusions computer codes models involved creation analysis information recorded factual materials detailed descriptions access use information act construed requiring epa disseminate scientific technical information superseding nondiscretionary statutory requirement epa spend million fiscal year carrying act


Summary:
Agriculture Delivering Vastly Improved Science at the EPA Now Act or the ADVISE Now Act

This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to require the Environmental Protection Agency and its Science Advisory Board to establish a standing agriculture-related committee (as the Act currently requires without a deadline) within 30 days of enactment of this bill.

If an agriculture committee is not established by this deadline, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall establish and appoint members to such a committee within 15 days.

If such a contingent establishment occurs, USDA shall have the continuing authority to appoint members to it.

agriculture delivering improved science epa act advise act bill amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act require environmental_protection_agency science_advisory_board establish standing agriculture related committee act currently requires deadline days enactment bill agriculture committee established deadline department_of_agriculture usda shall establish appoint members committee days contingent establishment occurs usda shall continuing authority appoint members


Summary:
EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. The Board provides scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill requires the Board to independently provide that advice. Federally registered lobbyists may not be appointed to the Board.

The EPA must provide draft risk or hazard assessments in its regulatory proposals and documents to the Board. The Board's advice and comments must be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register.

The Board's member committees and investigative panels must operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements contained in this Act, including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board. The member committees and investigative panels do not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board and may not report directly to the EPA. The Board must: (1) strive to avoid making policy determinations or recommendations, (2) communicate uncertainties, (3) encourage dissenting members to make their views known, (4) conduct periodic reviews to ensure that its activities address the most important scientific issues affecting the EPA, and (5) respond to Congress fully and in a timely manner. This Act may not be construed as supplanting the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act or the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

epa science_advisory_board reform_act bill amends environmental research development demonstration authorization act revise process selecting members science_advisory_board guidelines participation board advisory activities terms office board provides scientific advice environmental_protection_agency epa bill requires board independently provide advice federally registered lobbyists appointed board epa provide draft risk hazard assessments regulatory proposals documents board board advice comments included record proposal published federal_register board member committees investigative panels operate accordance membership participation policy requirements contained act including new requirements public participation advisory activities board member committees investigative panels authority decisions behalf board report directly epa board strive avoid making policy determinations recommendations communicate encourage dissenting members views known conduct periodic reviews ensure activities address important scientific issues affecting epa respond congress fully timely manner act construed requirements federal_advisory_committee_act ethics_in_government_act


Summary:
This bill establishes a U.S. Green Bank that provides financial support to assist regional, state, and local institutions finance: (1) clean energy (e.g. solar or wind energy) projects, or (2) energy efficiency projects that reduce energy use or substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Department of the Treasury must issue Green Bonds to provide the bank with: (1) an initial capitalization of $10 billion; and (2) additional capitalization, upon the bank's request, of no more than $50 billion in aggregate at any one time.

Treasury must also establish a revolving Green Bank Establishment Fund.

bill establishes green bank provides financial support assist regional state local institutions finance clean energy solar wind energy projects energy efficiency projects reduce energy use substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions department_of_the_treasury issue green bonds provide bank initial capitalization billion additional capitalization bank request billion aggregate time treasury establish revolving green bank establishment fund


Summary: Genomic Research and Accessibility Act - Prohibits patents from being obtained for a nucleotide sequence, or its functions or correlations, or the naturally occurring products it specifies.

research accessibility act prohibits patents obtained functions naturally occurring products specifies


Summary: Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to prohibit U.S. courts from recognizing, enforcing, or otherwise validating any assertion of rights by an individual (currently, by a designated Cuban national) of a mark, trade name, or commercial name that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated by the Cuban government unless the original owner of such mark or name, or such owner's bona fide successor, has expressly consented. Applies such prohibition only if the individual asserting the rights knew or had reason to know at the time of acquiring the rights asserted that the mark or name was the same or substantially similar to the mark or name used in connection with the business or assets that were confiscated.

amends department_of_commerce_and_related_agencies_appropriations_act prohibit courts recognizing enforcing validating assertion rights individual currently designated cuban national mark trade commercial connection business assets confiscated cuban government original owner mark owner bona fide successor expressly consented applies prohibition individual asserting rights knew reason know time acquiring rights asserted mark substantially similar mark connection business assets confiscated


Summary: Curb Illegal Downloading on College Campuses Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to use the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to support efforts by institutions of higher education and other nonprofit institutions and agencies to establish pilot programs and initiatives on college campuses to reduce illegal downloading of copyrighted content, thereby improving the security and integrity of campus computer networks and saving telecommunications bandwidth costs, while ensuring the availability of such bandwidth for research and educational purposes.

curb illegal downloading college campuses act authorizes secretary education use fund_for_the_improvement_of_postsecondary_education support efforts institutions higher education nonprofit institutions agencies establish pilot programs initiatives college campuses reduce illegal downloading copyrighted content improving security integrity campus computer networks saving telecommunications costs ensuring availability research educational purposes


Summary: Authorizes the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to accept any application or other filing made by an applicant for, or owner of, a patent or trademark after the applicable deadline, as the Director considers appropriate, if the applicant or owner files a petition within 30 days after such deadline showing that the delay was unintentional. Deems such a petition denied if the Director has not made a decision within 60 days. Provides that the Director's decision is not subject to judicial review. Deems that the 30-day period to file a petition after the deadline begins on the date of enactment of this Act for trademark applicants or owners.

authorizes director united_states patent trademark_office uspto accept application filing applicant owner patent trademark applicable deadline director considers appropriate applicant owner files petition days deadline showing delay unintentional deems petition denied director decision days provides director decision subject judicial review deems day period file petition deadline begins date enactment act trademark applicants owners