§ 892b. Quality assurance program
(a)
Definition
For purposes of this section, the term “hydrographic product” means any publicly or commercially available product produced by a non-Federal entity that includes or displays hydrographic data.
(b)
Program
(1)
In general
The Administrator—
(A)
by not later than 2 years after December 19, 2002, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, develop and implement a quality assurance program that is equally available to all applicants, under which the Administrator may certify hydrographic products that satisfy the standards promulgated by the Administrator under section
892a
(a)(3) of this title;
(2)
Limitation on fee amount
Any fee under paragraph (1)(C) shall not exceed the costs of conducting the quality assurance testing, evaluation, or studies necessary to determine whether the hydrographic product satisfies the standards adopted under section
892a
(a)(3) of this title, including the cost of administering such a program.
(c)
Limitation on liability
The Government of the United States shall not be liable for any negligence by a person that produces hydrographic products certified under this section.
(d)
Hydrographic Services Account
(1)
Establishment
There is established in the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the “Hydrographic Services Account”.
(e)
Limitation on new fees and increases in existing fees for hydrographic services
After November 13, 1998, the Administrator may not—