January 2024 On The Hill Updates

Government funding came down to the wire again this month when Congress passed another stopgap funding bill (a continuing resolution or "CR") that will fund the government into March. The spending bills that most directly impact the ocean community, including those that fund the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), now expire at midnight on March 8. 

MTS REFLECTS ON A YEAR OF INNOVATION AND GROWTH IN 2023

As we approach the end of another eventful year, I am thrilled to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable growth and successes that have shaped MTS in 2023. One of the most significant accomplishments has been the successful integration of the MATE ROV Competition into our diverse lineup of programs. This strategic move has not only expanded our outreach but has also fostered a new dimension of innovation and learning within the field of marine technology. It also expands our community deep into the next generation of technical professionals. We are now shaping future generations of marine technologists while supporting those already in the field.

On August 1, 2023, 18 ocean experts began their appointment as members of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The 18 ORAP members include representatives from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, ocean industries, state, tribal, territorial or local governments, and academia. Among the 18 individuals chosen is Chris Ostrander, Marine Technology Society (MTS) Chief Executive Officer.