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Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) commended the passage of the Commercial Engagement through Ocean Technology Act (CENOTE - S.2511) through the House of Representatives today. 

"This bill will benefit many of south Mississippi's industries related to marine research and development. By establishing a framework for NOAA and allowing public and private defense and non-defense industries to come together, we will expand the usage of unmanned maritime systems and provide more support for Mississippi's Blue Economy. I am glad to see this bicameral and bipartisan legislation move forward today,"Palazzo said.

This bicameral, bipartisan, and bicoastal legislation advances the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) use of unmanned maritime systems by directing the agency to coordinate with the private and academic sectors and the Navy on evaluating unmanned maritime systems technology and their utility in science and management.

In March, Congressman Palazzo, along with Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), introduced the House version of the Senate bill which was introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). 

Palazzo spoke in support of the legislation on the House floor today. You can watch his remarks here. 

A full summary of the bill can be found here here.