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1 1 (January 4, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govebdg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Inforrnirt~ the k~jkIatve debaflvs si~we 1914 9 Updated January 4, 2021 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) FY2021 Budget Request and Appropriations The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) mission is to understand and predict changes in weather, climate, oceans, andcoasts; to share that information with others; and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems andresources.NOAA's work is divided among sixline offices: National EnvironmentalSatellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS); National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS); National Ocean Service (NOS); NationalWeather Service (NWS); Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR); and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). NOAA also has an overall Mission Support (MS) office, which provides planning, administrative, financial, information technology, and other services to NOAA's line offices. Congress generally funds NOAA, an agency of the Department ofCommerce (DOC), in the annual Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Congress provides NOAA with discretionary and mandatory appropriations. Discretionary appropriations support two broad accounts-operations, research, and facilities (ORF) and procurement, acquisition, and construction (PAC)-as well as several relatively small accounts. Mandatory appropriations generally provide a small percentage of total NOA A appropriations and are disbursed to a variety of funds that supportprograms in NOS, NMFS, and OMAO. This CRS product examines discretionary funding for ORF and PAC for FY2021 and potential issues for Congress, such as NOAA's proposed changes to certain grant programs, satellite programs, the agency's role in space commerce, and the Promote and Develop American Fishery Products and Research Pertaining to American Fisheries Fund (P&D Fund). Agency Funding NOAA requested a total of $4.86 billion in discretionary direct obligations for ORF and PAC for FY2021, including $4.63 billion in appropriations (Table 1). Direct obligations include annual appropriations, transfers, andrecoveries fromprior-year obligations. Under P.L. 116-260, Congress provided $5.65 billion for ORF and PAC direct obligations, $149.4 (2.7%) greater than the FY2020 enacted level and $794.7 million (16.4%) greaterthan theFY2021 request. As part of the $5.65 billion total, Congress provided $5.37 billion in appropriations. Over the last 10 years, enacted NOAA ORF and PAC direct obligations (in nominal dollars) peaked in FY2018 (Figure 1). Since FY2012, the amounts enacted in the PAC accounthave ranged from about 27% to 41% of the total enacted direct obligations (e.g., for FY2021, PAC is 27.4% of the total). Figure I. NOAA Discretionary ORF and PAC Direct Obligations, FY20 12-FY202I ($ in billions, nominal) $6.0 $5.0 - $3.0 $10 soiD FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 - NOAA Requested Direct Obligations E Enacted Direct Obligations Sources: CRS,from NOAA budget justifications and congressional explanatory statements. Notes: ORF = operations, research, and facilities; PAC = procu rement, acquisition, and construction. Direct obligations include annual appropriations, transfers, and recoveriesfromprioryear obligations. Amounts do not include supplemental appropriations. Issues for Congress Accordingto NOAA'sFY2021 budgetsummary, the reques ted budget supports priorities to (1) reduce the impacts of extreme weather and water events, (2) expand the American Blue Economy, and (3) advance space innovation. Proposed Grant Programs Funding Changes For FY2021, NOAA proposed funding increases to 20 activities (primarily goods and services fromfederal and nonfederal entities) under ORF and PAC, totaling over $159.6 million. NOAA also requested a reduction to or elimination of 105 activities, totaling $976.4 million. Grants, subsidies, and contributions (GSC) made up a majority ($573.2 million, 58.7%) of the proposed reduction. GSC includes grants awarded to nonfederal entities, such as states, universities, and corporations. The proposed decreases to GSCrepresentedbetween 0.3% (NESDIS) and 34.5% (OAR) of the line offices' FY2021 base amounts. NOAA's other requests would decrease services from nonfederal entities, advisory services, contracts with federal entities, personnel compensation and benefits, travel, and other program adjustments. NOA A propo sed similar changes in the previous three fiscal years. Under the explanatory statement accompanying P.L. 116-260, Congress maintains FY2020 levels orincreases funding for grant programs andretains the H.Rept. 116-455 language stating support for NOAA's ongoing collaboration with https://crs reports.congress.gov

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