Jim Saxton: “Mr. Speaker, S. 2327 establishes a Commission on Ocean Policy and requires that the President submit a biennial report…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 2327 establishes a Commission on Ocean Policy and requires that the President submit a biennial report to the Congress detailing Federal ocean and coastal activities. Both the House and Senate adopted similar legislation in the 105th Congress, but no final measure was cleared for the President's signature. In this Congress, I joined with the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), and others to introduce H.R. 4410, the House companion bill to this bill. The commission which will be created will consist of 16 members, 12 of which are members nominated by the House and Senate leadership. Members must be knowledgeable in coastal and ocean activities and represent geographically diverse districts. The commission will hold public meetings in coastal regions and gather input on a draft report from the public, the governors of coastal States, and the appropriate congressional committees. The commission will prepare a report that includes a review of existing and planned ocean and coastal activities of Federal entities and make recommendations for modifications to the United States laws, regulations, and administrative structure of executive agencies necessary to improve the understanding, management, conservation, and use of, and access to, ocean and coastal resources.”