[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 914 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
S.914
One Hundred Sixteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday,
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty
An Act
To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act
of 2009, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to post-storm
assessments, and to require the establishment of a National Water
Center, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

37bf4f672d28bbbde77982affc0d5a6a9d194c16f6fb3e60cf88cc267dd4a220

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Coordinated Ocean
Observations and Research Act of 2020''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

5b51481f52ba71a152ddf94dedc3ceb194badc4674da7635ff1603e657767a8d

6e75240d2e167e6cdb5bf6c0592ebbd6cd565e6dfca965b8c5cd4d96804ae971

TITLE III

-WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING

Section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12302. PURPOSES.
``The purposes of this subtitle are--
``(1) to establish and sustain a national integrated System of
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, comprised of
Federal and non-Federal components coordinated at the national
level by the Council and at the regional level by a network of
regional coastal observing systems, and that includes in situ,
remote, and other coastal and ocean observation and modeling
capabilities, technologies, data management systems, communication
systems, and product development systems, and is designed to
address regional and national needs for ocean and coastal
information, to gather specific data on key ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes variables, and to ensure timely and sustained
dissemination and availability of these data--
``(A) to the public;
``(B) to support national defense, search and rescue
operations, marine commerce, navigation safety, weather,
climate, and marine forecasting, energy siting and production,
economic development, ecosystem-based marine, coastal, and
Great Lakes resource management, public safety, and public
outreach and education;
``(C) to promote greater public awareness and stewardship
of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and
the general public welfare;
``(D) to provide easy access to ocean, coastal, and Great
Lakes data and promote data sharing between Federal and non-
Federal sources and promote public data sharing;
``(E) to enable advances in scientific understanding to
support the sustainable use, conservation, management, and
understanding of healthy ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
resources to ensure the Nation can respond to opportunities to
enhance food, economic, and national security; and
``(F) to monitor and model changes in the oceans and Great
Lakes, including with respect to chemistry, harmful algal
blooms, hypoxia, water levels, and other phenomena;
``(2) to improve the Nation's capability to measure, track,
observe, understand, and predict events related directly and
indirectly to weather and climate, natural climate variability, and
interactions between the oceanic and atmospheric environments,
including the Great Lakes;
``(3) to sustain, upgrade, and modernize the Nation's ocean and
Great Lakes observing infrastructure to detect changes and ensure
delivery of reliable and timely information; and
``(4) to authorize activities--
``(A) to promote basic and applied research to develop,
test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and
ocean observation technologies, including advanced observing
technologies such as unmanned maritime systems needed to
address critical data gaps, modeling systems, other scientific
and technological capabilities to improve the understanding of
weather and climate, ocean-atmosphere dynamics, global climate
change, and the physical, chemical, and biological dynamics of
the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environments; and
``(B) to conserve healthy and restore degraded coastal
ecosystems.''.

c19918fbc0444abafee6fca4002e72a332f0531b6652225c61f15ca19ee84eef

TITLE I

-REAUTHORIZATION OF INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION

Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section 7902'' and
inserting ``section 8932'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``integrated into the System
and are managed through States, regional organizations,
universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the private
sector'' and inserting ``managed through States, regional
organizations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the
private sector and integrated into the System by a regional coastal
observing system, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, or the agencies participating in the Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee'';
(3) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
``(6) Regional coastal observing system.--The term `regional
coastal observing system' means an organizational body that is
certified or established by contract or memorandum by the lead
Federal agency designated in section 12304(c)(3) and coordinates
State, Federal, local, tribal, and private interests at a regional
level with the responsibility of engaging the private and public
sectors in designing, operating, and improving regional coastal
observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data and
information that meet the needs of user groups from the respective
regions.''; and
(4) in paragraph (7), by striking ``National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration'' and inserting ``Administrator''.

11ffa459920c14bfe58894f7f888adec72db7f3dbacb88324011dcb35a677a94

(a) System Elements.--
(1) In general.--Section 12304(b) of the Integrated Coastal and
Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) is amended
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--In order to fulfill the purposes of this
subtitle, the System shall be national in scope and consist of--
``(A) Federal assets to fulfill national and international
observation missions and priorities;
``(B) non-Federal assets, including a network of regional
coastal observing systems identified under subsection (c)(4),
to fulfill regional and national observation missions and
priorities;
``(C) observing, modeling, data management, and
communication systems for the timely integration and
dissemination of data and information products from the System,
including reviews of data collection procedures across regions
and programs to make recommendations for data collection
standards across the System to meet national ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes observation, applied research, and weather
forecasting needs;
``(D) a product development system to transform
observations into products in a format that may be readily used
and understood; and
``(E) a research and development program conducted under
the guidance of the Council, consisting of--
``(i) basic and applied research and technology
development--
``(I) to improve understanding of coastal and ocean
systems and their relationships to human activities;
and
``(II) to ensure improvement of operational assets
and products, including related infrastructure,
observing technologies such as unmanned maritime
systems, and information and data processing and
management technologies;
``(ii) an advanced observing technology development
program to fill gaps in technology;
``(iii) large scale computing resources and research to
advance modeling of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
processes;
``(iv) models to improve regional weather forecasting
capabilities and regional weather forecasting products; and
``(v) reviews of data collection procedures across
regions and programs to make recommendations for data
collection standards across the System to meet national
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observation, applied
research, and weather forecasting needs.''.
(2) Availability of data.--Section 12304(b)(3) of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3603(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``for research and for
use in the development of products to address societal needs''
before the period at the end.
(b) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional Coordination.--
Section 12304(c) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(c)) is amended by striking paragraphs (2),
(3), and (4), and inserting the following:
``(2) Interagency ocean observation committee.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Council shall establish or
designate a committee, which shall be known as the `Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee'.
``(B) Duties.--The Interagency Ocean Observation Committee
shall--
``(i) prepare annual and long-term plans for
consideration and approval by the Council for the
integrated design, operation, maintenance, enhancement, and
expansion of the System to meet the objectives of this
subtitle and the System Plan;
``(ii) develop and transmit to Congress, along with the
budget submitted by the President to Congress pursuant to
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, an annual
coordinated, comprehensive budget--
``(I) to operate all elements of the System
identified in subsection (b); and
``(II) to ensure continuity of data streams from
Federal and non-Federal assets;
``(iii) establish requirements for observation data
variables to be gathered by both Federal and non-Federal
assets and identify, in consultation with regional coastal
observing systems, priorities for System observations;
``(iv) establish and define protocols and standards for
System data processing, management, collection,
configuration standards, formats, and communication for new
and existing assets throughout the System network;
``(v) develop contract requirements for each regional
coastal observing system--
``(I) to establish eligibility for integration into
the System;
``(II) to ensure compliance with all applicable
standards and protocols established by the Council; and
``(III) to ensure that regional observations are
integrated into the System on a sustained basis;
``(vi) identify gaps in observation coverage or needs
for capital improvements of both Federal assets and non-
Federal assets;
``(vii) subject to the availability of appropriations,
establish through 1 or more Federal agencies participating
in the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, in
consultation with the System advisory committee established
under subsection (d), a competitive matching grant or other
programs--
``(I) to promote intramural and extramural research
and development of new, innovative, and emerging
observation technologies including testing and field
trials; and
``(II) to facilitate the migration of new,
innovative, and emerging scientific and technological
advances from research and development to operational
deployment;
``(viii) periodically--
``(I) review the System Plan; and
``(II) submit to the Council such recommendations
as the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee may have
for improvements to the System Plan;
``(ix) ensure collaboration among Federal agencies
participating in the Interagency Ocean Observation
Committee; and
``(x) perform such additional duties as the Council may
delegate.
``(3) Lead federal agency.--
``(A) In general.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall function as the lead Federal agency for
the implementation and administration of the System.
``(B) Consultation required.--In carrying out this
paragraph, the Administrator shall consult with the Council,
the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, other Federal
agencies that maintain portions of the System, and the regional
coastal observing systems.
``(C) Requirements.--In carrying out this paragraph, the
Administrator shall--
``(i) establish and operate an Integrated Ocean
Observing System Program Office within the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration that--
``(I) utilizes, to the extent necessary, personnel
from Federal agencies participating in the Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee; and
``(II) oversees daily operations and coordination
of the System;
``(ii) implement policies, protocols, and standards
approved by the Council and delegated by the Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee;
``(iii) promulgate program guidelines--
``(I) to certify and integrate regional
associations into the System; and
``(II) to provide regional coastal and ocean
observation data that meet the needs of user groups
from the respective regions;
``(iv) have the authority to enter into and oversee
contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements with
non-Federal assets, including regional coastal observing
systems, to support the purposes of this subtitle on such
terms as the Administrator deems appropriate;
``(v) implement and maintain a merit-based, competitive
funding process to support non-Federal assets, including
the development and maintenance of a national network of
regional coastal observing systems, and develop and
implement a process for the periodic review and evaluation
of the regional associations;
``(vi) provide opportunities for competitive contracts
and grants for demonstration projects to design, develop,
integrate, deploy, maintain, and support components of the
System;
``(vii) establish and maintain efficient and effective
administrative procedures for the timely allocation of
funds among contractors, grantees, and non-Federal assets,
including regional coastal observing systems;
``(viii) develop and implement a process for the
periodic review and evaluation of the regional coastal
observing systems;
``(ix) formulate an annual process by which gaps in
observation coverage or needs for capital improvements of
Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the System are--
``(I) identified by the regional associations
described in the System Plan, the Administrator, or
other members of the System; and
``(II) submitted to the Interagency Ocean
Observation Committee;
``(x) develop and be responsible for a data management
and communication system, in accordance with standards and
protocols established by the Interagency Ocean Observation
Committee, by which all data collected by the System
regarding ocean and coastal waters of the United States
including the Great Lakes, are processed, stored,
integrated, and made available to all end-user communities;
``(xi) not less frequently than once each year, submit
to the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee a report on
the accomplishments, operational needs, and performance of
the System to contribute to the annual and long-term plans
prepared pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(i);
``(xii) develop and periodically update a plan to
efficiently integrate into the System new, innovative, or
emerging technologies that have been demonstrated to be
useful to the System and which will fulfill the purposes of
this subtitle and the System Plan; and
``(xiii) work with users and regional associations to
develop products to enable real-time data sharing for
decision makers, including with respect to weather
forecasting and modeling, search and rescue operations,
corrosive seawater forecasts, water quality monitoring and
communication, and harmful algal bloom forecasting.
``(4) Regional coastal observing systems.--
``(A) In general.--A regional coastal observing system
described in the System Plan as a regional association may not
be certified or established under this subtitle unless it--
``(i) has been or shall be certified or established by
contract or agreement by the Administrator;
``(ii) meets--
``(I) the certification standards and compliance
procedure guidelines issued by the Administrator; and
``(II) the information needs of user groups in the
region while adhering to national standards;
``(iii) demonstrates an organizational structure, that
under funding limitations is capable of--
``(I) gathering required System observation data;
``(II) supporting and integrating all aspects of
coastal and ocean observing and information programs
within a region; and
``(III) reflecting the needs of State, local, and
tribal governments, commercial interests, and other
users and beneficiaries of the System and other
requirements specified under this subtitle and the
System Plan;
``(iv) identifies--
``(I) gaps in observation coverage needs for
capital improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal
assets of the System; and
``(II) other recommendations to assist in the
development of the annual and long-term plans prepared
pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(i) and transmits such
information to the Interagency Ocean Observation
Committee through the Program Office established under
paragraph (3)(C)(i);
``(v) develops and operates under a strategic plan that
will ensure the efficient and effective administration of
programs and assets to support daily data observations for
integration into the System, pursuant to the standards
approved by the Council;
``(vi) works cooperatively with governmental and
nongovernmental entities at all levels to identify and
provide information products of the System for multiple
users within the service area of the regional coastal
observing system; and
``(vii) complies with all financial oversight
requirements established by the Administrator, including
requirements relating to audits.
``(B) Participation.--For the purposes of this subtitle,
employees of Federal agencies are permitted to be members of
the governing body for the regional coastal observing systems
and may participate in the functions of the regional coastal
observing systems.''.
(c) System Advisory Committee.--Section 12304(d) of the Integrated
Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(d)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or the Interagency Ocean
Observing Committee.'' and inserting ``or the Council under this
subtitle''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, data sharing,''
after ``data management'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the
following:
``(D) additional priorities, including--
``(i) a national surface current mapping network
designed to improve fine scale sea surface mapping using
high frequency radar technology and other emerging
technologies to address national priorities, including
Coast Guard search and rescue operation planning and
harmful algal bloom forecasting and detection that--
``(I) is comprised of existing high frequency radar
and other sea surface current mapping infrastructure
operated by national programs and regional coastal
observing systems;
``(II) incorporates new high frequency radar assets
or other fine scale sea surface mapping technology
assets, and other assets needed to fill gaps in
coverage on United States coastlines; and
``(III) follows a deployment plan that prioritizes
closing gaps in high frequency radar infrastructure in
the United States, starting with areas demonstrating
significant sea surface current data needs, especially
in areas where additional data will improve Coast Guard
search and rescue models;
``(ii) fleet acquisition for unmanned maritime systems
for deployment and data integration to fulfill the purposes
of this subtitle;
``(iii) an integrative survey program for application
of unmanned maritime systems to the real-time or near real-
time collection and transmission of sea floor, water
column, and sea surface data on biology, chemistry,
geology, physics, and hydrography;
``(iv) remote sensing and data assimilation to develop
new analytical methodologies to assimilate data from the
System into hydrodynamic models;
``(v) integrated, multi-State monitoring to assess
sources, movement, and fate of sediments in coastal
regions;
``(vi) a multi-region marine sound monitoring system to
be--
``(I) planned in consultation with the Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the Department of the Navy,
and academic research institutions; and
``(II) developed, installed, and operated in
coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Department of the Navy, and
academic research institutions; and
``(E) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or
the Council.'';
(D) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ``The Administrator
may stagger the terms of the System advisory committee
members.'' before ``Members''; and
(E) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the
Interagency Ocean Observing Committee''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Observing'' and
inserting ``Observation''.
(d) Civil Liability.--Section 12304(e) of the Integrated Coastal
and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(e)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``information coordination entity'' each place
it appears and inserting ``coastal observing system''; and
(2) by striking ``contract, lease, grant, or cooperative
agreement under subsection (c)(3)(D)'' and inserting ``a memorandum
of agreement of certification under subsection (c)(3)(C)(iii)''.
(e) Conforming Amendments.--The Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by
striking ``regional information coordination entities'' each place it
appears and inserting ``regional coastal observing systems''.

f0e43f668bc2e6c3b2fba6dfb2abec2b147ed55de2f1d27fcc111823a7eaed8f

Section 12305(a) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3604(a)) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may execute an
agreement, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, with any State
or subdivision thereof, any Federal agency, any public or private
organization, or any individual to carry out activities under this
subtitle.''.

78bfac6ebeffe17f422f9c223a5a4902e7270ed7d5544868b889afb17d757358

Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3606) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
``(a) Requirement.--Not later than March 30, 2022, and every 5
years thereafter, the Administrator shall prepare, and the President
acting through the Council shall approve and transmit to Congress, a
report on progress made in implementing this subtitle.
``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall
include--
``(1) a description of activities carried out under this
subtitle and the System Plan;
``(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the System,
including an evaluation of progress made by the Council to achieve
the goals identified under the System Plan;
``(3) the identification of Federal and non-Federal assets as
determined by the Council that have been integrated into the
System, including assets essential to the gathering of required
observation data variables necessary to meet the respective
missions of Council agencies;
``(4) a review of procurements, planned or initiated, by each
department or agency represented on the Council to enhance, expand,
or modernize the observation capabilities and data products
provided by the System, including data management and communication
subsystems;
``(5) a summary of the existing gaps in observation
infrastructure and monitoring data collection, including--
``(A) priorities considered by the System advisory
committee;
``(B) the national sea surface current mapping network;
``(C) coastal buoys;
``(D) ocean chemistry monitoring;
``(E) marine sound monitoring; and
``(F) unmanned maritime systems technology gaps;
``(6) an assessment regarding activities to integrate Federal
and non-Federal assets, nationally and on the regional level, and
discussion of the performance and effectiveness of regional coastal
observing systems to coordinate regional observation operations;
``(7) a description of benefits of the program to users of data
products resulting from the System (including the general public,
industries, scientists, resource managers, emergency responders,
policy makers, and educators);
``(8) recommendations, if any, concerning--
``(A) modifications to the System; and
``(B) funding levels for the System in subsequent fiscal
years; and
``(9) the results of a periodic external independent
programmatic audit of the System.''.

0c5d2d94e23df693e8507128374d7354706c6da4694442d207c2c8722bffe7ec

Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3607) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.
``The Council shall maintain a policy that defines processes for
making decisions about the roles of the Federal Government, the States,
regional coastal observing systems, the academic community, and the
private sector in providing to end-user communities environmental
information, products, technologies, and services related to the
System. The Administrator shall ensure that the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration adheres to the decision making process
developed by the Council regarding the roles of the Federal Government,
the States, the regional coastal observing systems, the academic
community, and the private sector in providing end-user communities
environmental information, data products, technologies, and services
related to the System.''.

929dcf22a6bd76a73adcf1e601afcbf9c35642dac32c8eae0d1a2946f7209f82

(a) In General.--The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by striking
section 12309 (33 U.S.C. 3608).
(b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item related to section
12309.

3b9a14a90e21178cfccd7d0413c9bf6be4beab766785de5da560cb8c6baa5229

Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3610) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12311. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce to support the integrated oceans observations under this
subtitle--
``(1) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
``(3) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
``(4) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
``(5) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.

4d7e9ef2324b97efd45805ba0663e3d4e3921fb6ecc181f677e106778666b77b

Section 12404(c) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(c)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(4) Economic vulnerability report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and
Research Act of 2020, and every 6 years thereafter, the
Subcommittee shall transmit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report that--
``(i) is named the `Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community
Vulnerability Assessment';
``(ii) identifies gaps in ocean acidification
monitoring by public, academic, and private assets in the
network of regional coastal observing systems;
``(iii) identifies geographic areas which have gaps in
ocean acidification research;
``(iv) identifies United States coastal communities,
including island communities, fishing communities, low-
population rural communities, tribal and subsistence
communities, and island communities, that may be impacted
by ocean acidification;
``(v) identifies impacts of changing ocean carbonate
chemistry on the communities described in clause (iv),
including impacts from changes in ocean and coastal marine
resources that are not managed by the Federal Government;
``(vi) identifies gaps in understanding of the impacts
of ocean acidification on economically or commercially
important species, particularly those which support United
States commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries and
aquaculture;
``(vii) identifies habitats that may be particularly
vulnerable to corrosive sea water, including areas
experiencing multiple stressors such as hypoxia,
sedimentation, and harmful algal blooms;
``(viii) identifies areas in which existing National
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System assets,
including unmanned maritime systems, may be leveraged as
platforms for the deployment of new sensors or other
applicable observing technologies;
``(ix) is written in collaboration with Federal
agencies responsible for carrying out this subtitle,
including representatives of--
``(I) the National Marine Fisheries Service and the
Office for Coastal Management of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration;
``(II) regional coastal observing systems
established under section 12304(c)(4);
``(III) regional ocean acidification networks; and
``(IV) sea grant programs (as defined in section
203 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33
U.S.C. 1122)); and
``(x) is written in consultation with experts,
including subsistence users, academia, and stakeholders
familiar with the economic, social, ecological, geographic,
and resource concerns of coastal communities in the United
States.
``(B) Form of report.--
``(i) Initial report.--The initial report required
under subparagraph (A) shall include the information
described in clauses (i) through (viii) of that
subparagraph on a national level.
``(ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report required under
subparagraph (A) after the initial report--
``(I) may describe the information described in
clauses (i) through (viii) of that subparagraph on a
national level; or
``(II) may consist of separate reports for each
region of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(iii) Regional reports.--If the Subcommittee opts to
prepare a report required under subparagraph (A) as
separate regional reports under clause (ii)(II), the
Subcommittee shall submit a report for each region of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration not less
frequently than once during each 6-year reporting period.
``(C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this
paragraph and in paragraph (5), the term `appropriate
committees of Congress' means the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives,
and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
``(5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the submission of the initial report under
paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee shall transmit to the
appropriate committees of Congress a report that develops a plan to
deploy new sensors or other applicable observing technologies such
as unmanned maritime systems--
``(A) based on such initial report;
``(B) prioritized by--
``(i) the threat to coastal economies and ecosystems;
``(ii) gaps in data; and
``(iii) research needs; and
``(C) that leverage existing platforms, where possible.''.

032aa220ee4704c617f9c8d50b46faa625455db2901cbe7fea1802d5afaedfa1

(a) Contents.--Section 12405(b) of the Federal Ocean Acidification
Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) make recommendations for research to be conducted,
including in the social sciences and economics, to address the key
knowledge gaps identified in the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community
Vulnerability Assessment conducted under section 12404(c)(4).''.
(b) Program Elements.--Section 12405(c) of the Federal Ocean
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(c))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Research to understand the combined impact of changes in
ocean chemistry and other stressors, including sediment delivery,
hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms, on each other and on living
marine resources, including aquaculture and coastal ecosystems.
``(7) Applied research to identify adaptation strategies for
species impacted by changes in ocean chemistry including
vegetation-based systems, shell recycling, species and genetic
diversity, applied technologies, aquaculture methodologies, and
management recommendations.''.
(c) Participation.--Section 12405(e) of the Federal Ocean
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(e))
is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``, tribal governments,
and subsistence users'' after ``groups''.
(d) Revised Strategic Research Plan.--Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean
Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council
shall submit to Congress a revised strategic research plan under
section 12405 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) that includes the matters
required by the amendments made by this section.

f5aa273f57d66de7f87110a0cf60445ad8f5588d7e42125b7da424775b282a77

Section 12406(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) includes an ongoing mechanism that allows industry
members, coastal stakeholders, fishery management councils and
commissions, non-Federal resource managers, community acidification
networks, indigenous knowledge groups, and scientific experts to
provide input on monitoring needs that are necessary to support on
the ground management, decision making, and adaptation related to
ocean acidification and its impacts.''.

a2af31d9cb8da2a8fea311ddb009c10fa82441601f0da4d1884546dd37bd4983

Section 12407(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Research Activities.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall continue to carry out research activities on ocean
acidification which shall support competitive, merit-based, peer-
reviewed proposals for research, observation, and monitoring of ocean
acidification and its impacts, including--
``(1) impacts on marine organisms, including species cultured
for aquaculture, and marine ecosystems;
``(2) impacts on ocean, coastal, and estuarine biogeochemistry;
``(3) the development of methodologies and technologies to
evaluate ocean acidification and its impacts; and
``(4) impacts of multiple stressors on ecosystems exhibiting
hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, or sediment delivery, combined with
changes in ocean chemistry.''.

477e6130f679543dafceba96e4900c3a3071a7783508795cc1d29875897e838e

(a) Amendments to the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.--
Section 12312 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (33
U.S.C. 3611) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting the following: ``, except that the term shall not
apply with respect to a State or territory that has an
operational wind and flood loss allocation system.'';
(B) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``sustained'' before
``winds''; and
(C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``that threaten any
portion of a coastal State'' and inserting ``for which post-
storm assessments are conducted'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by striking ``540 days after the date of the
enactment of the Consumer Option for an Alternative
System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012'' and inserting
``December 31, 2020''; and
(II) by striking ``by regulation'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``every'' and
inserting ``an''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Public review.--The Administrator shall seek input
and suggestions from the public before the Named Storm Event
Model, or any modification to the Named Storm Event Model,
takes effect.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) Data collection.--
``(i) In general.--Upon identification of a named storm
under subparagraph (A), and pursuant to the protocol
established under subsection (c), the Administrator may
deploy sensors to enhance the collection of covered data in
the areas in coastal States that the Administrator
determines are at the highest risk of experiencing
geophysical events that would cause indeterminate losses.
``(ii) Rule of construction.--If the Administrator
takes action under clause (i), that action may not be
construed as indicating that a post-storm assessment will
be developed for any coastal State in which that action is
taken.
``(C) Identification of indeterminate losses in coastal
states.--Not later than 30 days after the first date on which
sustained winds of not less than 39 miles per hour are measured
in a coastal State during a named storm identified under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
notify the Administrator with respect to the existence of any
indeterminate losses in that coastal State resulting from that
named storm.'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated--
(I) by striking ``identification of a named storm
under subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``confirmation
of indeterminate losses identified under subparagraph
(C) with respect to a named storm''; and
(II) by striking ``assessment for such named
storm'' and inserting ``assessment for each coastal
State that suffered such indeterminate losses as a
result of the named storm'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated--
(I) by striking ``an identification of a named
storm is made under subparagraph (A)'' and inserting
``any indeterminate losses are identified under
subparagraph (C)''; and
(II) by striking ``for such storm under
subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``under subparagraph
(D) for any coastal State that suffered such
indeterminate losses''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Separate post-storm assessments for a single named
storm.--
``(i) In general.--The Administrator may conduct a
separate post-storm assessment for each coastal State in
which indeterminate losses are identified under
subparagraph (C).
``(ii) Timeline.--If the Administrator conducts a
separate post-storm assessment under clause (i), the
Administrator shall complete the assessment based on the
dates of actions that the Administrator takes under
subparagraph (D).''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``540 days after the date
of the enactment of the Consumer Option for an Alternative
System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012'' and inserting
``December 31, 2020'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, in the discretion of
the Administrator,'' after ``of sensors as may''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ``and expend'' after
``receive''.
(b) Amendments to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.--
Section 1337 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
4057) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting the following: ``, except that the term shall not
apply with respect to a State or territory that has an
operational wind and flood loss allocation system.''; and
(B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``sustained'' after
``maximum'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``establish by rule'' and
inserting ``publish for comment in the Federal Register''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting after ``Elevation
Certificate'' the following: ``, or other data or information
used to determine a property's current risk of flood, as
determined by the Administrator,'';
(3) in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i), by striking ``the issuance of
the rule establishing the COASTAL Formula'' and inserting
``publication of the COASTAL Formula in the Federal Register as
required by subsection (b)(1)'';
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 12312(b)(2)(C)''
and inserting ``section 12312(b)(2)(E)'';
(5) in subsection (h)--
(A) by inserting ``that issues a standard flood insurance
policy under the national flood insurance program'' after
``company''; and
(B) by striking ``or the COASTAL Formula'' and inserting
``, the COASTAL Formula, or any other loss allocation or post-
storm assessment arising under the laws or ordinances of any
State'';
(6) in subsection (i), by striking ``after the date on which
the Administrator issues the rule establishing the COASTAL Formula
under subsection (b)'' and inserting ``60 days after publication of
the COASTAL Formula in the Federal Register as required by
subsection (b)(1)''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to create a cause of action under this Act.''.

7060972500bf11d0925afff65f881a72e8dceff49d67d5de0611d094a5fe445e

TITLE II

-NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS

(a) National Water Center.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere shall establish a center--
(i) to serve as the research and operational center of
excellence for hydrologic analyses, forecasting, and
related decision support services within the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National
Weather Service; and
(ii) to facilitate collaboration across Federal and
State departments and agencies, academia, and the private
sector on matters relating to water resources.
(B) Designation.--The center established under subparagraph
(A) shall be known as the ``National Water Center''.
(2) Functions.--The functions of the National Water Center
shall include the following:
(A) Improving understanding of water resources, stakeholder
needs regarding water resources, and identifying science and
services gaps relating to water resources.
(B) Developing and implementing advanced water resources
modeling capabilities.
(C) Facilitating the transition of hydrologic research into
operations.
(D) Delivering analyses, forecasts, and inundation
information and guidance for all hydrologic events in the
United States, including flash flooding, riverine flooding, and
water resources outlooks.
(E) In coordination with warning coordination
meteorologists, providing decision-support services to inform
emergency management and water resources decisions.
(b) National Instructions.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, acting through the
Director of the National Weather Service, shall make public an
operations and services policy directive for the National Water
Center.
(2) Contents.--The directive required by paragraph (1) shall
include national instructions to perform the functions of the
National Water Center, including the following:
(A) Operational staff responsibilities.
(B) Guidelines for content, format, and provision of
hydrologic and inundation products developed by the National
Water Center.
(C) Procedures for cooperation and coordination between the
National Water Center, the National Weather Service National
Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service
River Forecast Centers, and National Weather Service Weather
Forecast Offices.
(c) Total Water Prediction.--The Under Secretary, acting through
the Director of the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather
Service, shall--
(1) initiate and lead research and development activities to
develop operational water resource prediction and related decision
support products;
(2) collaborate with, and provide decision support regarding
total water prediction to--
(A) the relevant Federal agencies represented on the
National Science and Technology Council, Committee on
Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability and the
Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction;
(B) State water resource agencies; and
(C) State and local emergency management agencies; and
(3) in carrying out the responsibilities described in
paragraphs (1) and (2), collaboratively develop capabilities
necessary for total water predictive capacity, including
observations, modeling, data management, supercomputing, social
science, and communications.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the activities under this section amounts as
follows:
(1) $44,500,000 for fiscal year 2021.
(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
(3) $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2023.
(4) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
(e) Derivation of Funds.--Funds to carry out this section shall be
derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated to the National
Weather Service and the National Ocean Service that are enacted after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.

152821c03bd9bb2012b20e78d1db6b3a58c87c1c18bb76c6a4722a3b7d7418c1

Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 — S. 914

Other Sections

TITLE III

TITLE I

TITLE II

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