S. 2511 generally would codify current practices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) related to the acquisition of unmanned vehicles, known as drones, for oceanic research. Other sections of the bill would require NOAA to regularly assess publicly and commercially available unmanned vehicles and centralize the agency’s acquisition of such vehicles.
Using information from NOAA, CBO estimates that implementing S. 2511 would cost $5 million over the 2019-2023 period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Such spending would be for additional employees to research the purchase of new unmanned vehicles.
Enacting the bill could affect direct spending; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. However, CBO estimates that the net effect on direct spending would be negligible. Enacting S. 2511 would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting S. 2511 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
S. 2511 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
