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S 318

Government Efficiency

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Adams and 24 co-sponsors

NSF must submit within 1 year a plan to modernize the U.S. Academic Research Fleet's telecom, networking, and cybersecurity, coordinating NSF, ONR, nonfederal owners, and users.

Roll call Ayes-34 Nays-11
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Bill Summary · S 318

S. 318 — ANCHOR Act (Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act)

Note: The primary documents provided for S. 318 are a Senate report (No. 119–64) and the full bill text that describe the ANCHOR Act (improving cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet). The initial header in your prompt (title: “Eliminates court surcharges and fees; repealer”) appears to be inconsistent with the documents supplied. This summary reflects the ANCHOR Act materials.

Purpose

Require the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director to develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to improve telecommunications, networking, and cybersecurity for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF). The intent is to assess needs, estimate costs, propose timelines, and recommend funding/organizational approaches to modernize and secure college- and university-operated oceanographic research vessels.

Key provisions

  • Deadline: NSF Director must submit the plan no later than 1 year after enactment.
  • Required plan elements:
    • Assessment of telecommunications and networking needs consistent with each vessel’s scientific mission (bandwidth, speed targets, shore connectivity).
    • Cybersecurity assessment in line with CISA and NIST guidance, tailored to vessel ownership and research functions.
    • Cost estimates for hardware and services (e.g., satellite communications, shipboard/shore high-performance computing, enterprise hardware, software) and incremental personnel/training/logistics costs.
    • Timeline(s) for implementing upgrades under different funding scenarios.
    • Options for common solutions (consortial licensing, centralized cybersecurity/telecom/data-management facilities).
    • A spending plan developed in consultation with non‑Federal vessel owners and users identifying contributions by NSF, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), non‑Federal owners, and users.
  • Required considerations:
    • Network support for telemedicine/mental health, real‑time streaming for remote participation, data offload for disaster recovery, remote maintenance and vendor support, K–12 outreach.
    • Alignment with JASON report recommendations ("Cybersecurity at NSF Major Facilities" JSR‑21‑10E), international information-security standards (encryption, incident detection/handling), access to cybersecurity personnel/training, and handling of controlled/unclassified/classified information.

Who is affected

  • U.S. Academic Research Fleet vessels (UNOLS-designated, U.S.-flagged vessels operated by universities/labs; NSF funds ~70% of fleet usage).
  • NSF (reporting and coordination role), ONR, NOAA, CISA, NIST and other federal agencies consulted.
  • Non‑Federal vessel owners/operators, university research communities, vessel crews, and external users of ARF resources.
  • Vendors and service providers for maritime communications, cybersecurity, and HPC.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced: Jan 29, 2025 (Sen. Padilla, with Sen. Sullivan).
  • Committee: Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Committee reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute (May 21, 2025; report filed Sept 29, 2025 — S. Rept. 119–64).
  • Senate action: Passed with amendment by Unanimous Consent (Oct 8, 2025); message sent to House; received in House Oct 10, 2025.
  • Bill requires the NSF plan within 1 year of enactment.

Potential impact

  • Strengthens resilience and data-capacity of academic oceanographic research by modernizing shipboard communications and cybersecurity posture.
  • Facilitates telemedicine and crew welfare, real‑time remote scientific collaboration, and improved data management/recovery.
  • Implementation will likely require budgeting decisions and coordinated funding contributions across NSF, ONR, and non‑federal partners; the plan is intended to outline options but does not itself appropriate funds.
  • Aligning ARF practices with federal cybersecurity standards may increase operational costs for some vessel owners but reduce long‑term operational and security risks.

Notes

  • CBO cost estimates referenced in the report were truncated in the source materials provided; the bill itself mandates planning and assessment but does not specify appropriations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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