What This Bill Does
This bill changes the rules so that certain workers can keep doing their jobs during a government funding lapse (a period when Congress has not approved money for agencies to spend). Specifically, it says that people working on the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecasting System can continue their web services and server processing work because it protects human safety and property.
Who It Affects
Officers and employees who work on web services and server processing for the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System at the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Key Provisions
• Services related to web services and server processing for the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System are considered emergency services that protect human life and property, meaning workers can continue these services during a funding lapse. (Sec. 2)
• This change applies to any funding lapse that begins on or after the date this law is passed. (Sec. 2)
What Changes
If this becomes law, workers maintaining the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecasting System's websites and computer servers can keep working without pay during government funding lapses because their work is classified as essential for protecting people and property.
Important Definitions
None defined in bill text.
Effective Date
Any lapse in appropriations beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 2)
I
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 325
To amend the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control
Act of 1998 to clarify that during a lapse in appropriations certain
services relating to the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecasting
System are excepted services under the Anti-Deficiency Act, and for
other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 12, 2023
Mr. DONALDS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research
and Control Act of 1998 to clarify that during a lapse
in appropriations certain services relating to the Harmful
Algal Bloom Operational Forecasting System are ex-
cepted services under the Anti-Deficiency Act, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
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tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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•HR 325 IH
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Harmful Algal Bloom
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Essential Forecasting Act’’.
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SEC. 2. DESIGNATING CERTAIN HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM
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SERVICES AS EXCEPTED SERVICES UNDER
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THE ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT.
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(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 603A of the Harmful
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Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of
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1998 is amended by adding at the end the following sub-
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section:
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‘‘(j) ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT APPLIED TO HARMFUL
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ALGAL BLOOM SERVICES.—Any services by an officer or
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employee under this chapter relating to web services and
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server processing for the Harmful Algal Bloom Oper-
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ational Forecast System of the National Centers for
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Coastal Ocean Science and the National Oceanic and At-
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mospheric Administration shall be deemed, for purposes
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of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, services
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for emergencies involving the safety of human life or the
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protection of property.’’.
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(b) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
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section (a) shall apply to any lapse in appropriations be-
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ginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
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Æ
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