Senate Passes National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization

September 26, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. The Sea Grant program addresses the ocean, coastal and Great Lakes issues of today while helping to develop the next generation of American ocean researchers and policymakers.

The Senate companion bill, S. 3160, was originally introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and was co-sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

H.R. 5618 would reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program through fiscal year 2014. The Sea Grant program provides education, training, and technical assistance programs that promote the understanding and management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources at the local, regional, and national levels. The program was last reauthorized in the 107th Congress. 
 
###