1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2017 . 2. References to the National Sea Grant College Program Act Except as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the National Sea Grant College Program Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.). 3. Modification of Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (a) In general Section 208(b) ( 33 U.S.C. 1127(b) ) is amended by striking may and inserting shall . (b) Placements in Congress Such section is further amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking The Secretary and inserting the following: (1) In general The Secretary ; and (2) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (1) of this section, in the second sentence, by striking A fellowship and inserting the following: (2) Placement priorities (A) In general In each year in which the Secretary awards a legislative fellowship under this subsection, when considering the placement of fellows, the Secretary shall prioritize placement of fellows in the following: (i) Positions in offices of committees of Congress that have jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (ii) Positions in offices of Members of Congress who are on such committees. (iii) Positions in offices of Members of Congress that have a demonstrated interest in ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources. (B) Equitable distribution (i) Finding and recognition Congress— (I) finds that both host offices and fellows benefit when fellows have the opportunity to choose from a range of host offices from different States and regions, both chambers of Congress, and both political parties