On Tuesday, April 25, ESP Advisor’s founder and CEO Emily Patrolia moderated a congressional briefing with NOAA leadership. The briefing, which was hosted by the House Oceans Caucus and organized by the Oceans Caucus Foundation, convened leaders from four of the five NOAA line offices to discuss many ocean-related legislative provisions signed into law over the past year.
Panelists (in speaking order):
Nicole LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS)
Rear Admiral Chad Cary, Deputy Director of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) and NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps
Dr. Steve Thur, Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s Ocean and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
Jim Landon, Director of Law Enforcement for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
The fiscal year 2023 omnibus, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and Inflation Reduction Act all included significant new mandates and funding for NOAA. At the briefing, panelists discussed how NOAA plans to implement these provisions and provided updates on new authorizations and funding—particularly in the NDAA—that impact the agency. On the heels of the recently-passed legislation, congressional staff are actively considering how additional bills could address remaining policy gaps and funding needs around oceans and science in the United States. The Ocean Caucus briefing provided important insight into what else is needed.
Our summary of relevant legislation passed in 2022 can be found here.