'^4(^4 PUBLIC LAW 105-160—MAR. 6, 1998 112 STAT. 25 "(1) A sea grant college or sea grant institute shall meet the following qualifications— "(A) have an existing broad base of competence in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; "(B) make a long-term commitment to the objective in section 202(b), as determined by the Secretary; "(C) cooperate with other sea grant colleges and institutes and other persons to solve problems or meet needs relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; "(D) have received financial assistance under section 205 of this title (33 U.S.C. 1124); "(E) be recognized for excellence in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources (including marine resources msinagement and science), as determined by the Secretary; and "(F) meet such other qualifications as the Secretary, in consultation with the panel, considers necessary or appropriate, "(2) The Secretary may designate an institution, or an association or alliamce of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant college if the institution, association, or alliance— "(A) meets the qualifications in paragraph (1); and "(B) maintains a program of resegirch, advisory services, training, and education in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. "(3) The Secretary may designate an institution, or an association or alliance of two or more such institutions, as a sea grant institute if the institution, association, or alliance— "(A) meets the qualifications in paragraph (1); and "(B) maintains a program which includes, at a minimum, research and advisory services. "(b) EXISTING DESIGNEES. —Any institution, or association or alliance of two or more such institutions, designated as a sea grant college or awarded institutional program status by the Director prior to the date of enactment of the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998, shall not have to reapply for designation as a sea grant college or sea grant institute, respectively, after the date of enactment of the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998, if the Director determines that the institution, or association or alliance of institutions, meets the qualifications in subsection (a). "(c) SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF DESIGNATION. —The Secretary may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or terminate any designation under subsection (a). "(d) DUTIES. —Subject to any regulations prescribed or guidelines established by the Secretary, it shall be the responsibility of each sea grsint college and sea grant institute—. "(1) to develop and implement, in consultation with the Secretary and the panel, a program that is consistent with the guidelines and priorities established under section 204(c); and "(2) to conduct a merit review of all proposals for grants and contracts to be awarded under section 205.". SEC. 8. SEA GRANT REVIEW PANEL. (a) Section 209(a) (33 U.S.C. 1128(a)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
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