1. The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Table of contents
Title I—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sec. 101. Short title
Sec. 102. Definitions
Sec. 103. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sec. 104. Administration leadership
Sec. 105. National Weather Service
Sec. 106. Operations and services
Sec. 107. Research and education
Sec. 108. Science Advisory Board
Sec. 109. Reports
Sec. 110. Effect of Reorganization Plan
Title II—Authorization of appropriations
Sec. 201. Short title
Sec. 202. Authorization of appropriations
Title III—Coastal Ocean Science Program
Sec. 301. Short title
Sec. 302. Coastal Ocean Science Program
Title IV—Marine research
Sec. 401. Short title
Sec. 402. Purposes
Sec. 403. Interagency marine research program
Sec. 404. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Research Initiative
Sec. 405. Authorization of appropriations
Title V—Ocean and coastal observation systems
Sec. 501. Short title
Sec. 502. Purposes
Sec. 503. Integrated ocean and coastal observing system
Sec. 504. Interagency financing
Sec. 505. Great Lakes
Sec. 506. Authorization of appropriations
Title VI—Abrupt climate change
Sec. 601. Short title
Sec. 602. Abrupt climate change research program
Sec. 603. Authorization of appropriations
Title VII—United States Weather Research Program
Sec. 701. Short title
Sec. 702. Program focus
Sec. 703. Program research priorities
Sec. 704. Interagency planning and process
Sec. 705. Reporting requirements
Sec. 706. Authorization of appropriations
<enum>I</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</header>
<section id="HFFA99ACBDDDD45889713EC562EFC5000"><enum>101.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act</quote>. </text> </section>
<section id="H9D68B6490277473A88DC74C673AFD166"><enum>102.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph id="H33A0896407A64BC091441EAB292093AC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The term <quote>Administration</quote> means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9E2E508497E54D4AA033C0DEFBBBBB7C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The term <quote>Secretary</quote> means the Secretary of Commerce.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1C42A286477C48A0A38044F968063090"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The term <quote>Administrator</quote> means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></paragraph> </section>
<section id="HE7EA341C0534459887175E223941E6AB"><enum>103.</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</header>
<subsection id="H082FC1F451A448028325FE04BED081C6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Department of Commerce an agency known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF2FA5890A13B47E4909192D084F97208"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mission</header><text>The mission of the Administration is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s ocean and atmosphere and the effects of such changes on the land environment, to conserve and manage coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes ecosystems to meet national economic, social, and environmental needs, and to educate the public about these topics.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0FD9C30CA965475DBAB14CDDBC324BAC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The functions of the Administration shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H9C39D08D244F4A73AA2351B5EDE55F11"><enum>(1)</enum><text>collecting, through observation and other means, communicating, analyzing, processing, providing, and disseminating comprehensive scientific data and information about weather and climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the space environment, and about the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, and upper reaches of estuaries;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4669AFEA7A144C46AECE4F01DA28CD57"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">operating and maintaining a system for the storage, retrieval, and dissemination of data relating to weather and climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the space environment, and about the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, and upper reaches of estuaries;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H36247E58BD8B40609E7D95EFC1F3F7C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>conducting and supporting basic and applied research and development of technology as may be necessary to carry out the functions described in this subsection;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDB187AB2C98D428D82515234006264F9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>issuing weather, water, climate, and space weather forecasts and warnings;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5FCF2B2747164664A81BFEC1D4D09025"><enum>(5)</enum><text>coordinating efforts of Federal agencies in support of national and international programs with respect to meteorological services;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H13DD4236941148D78EFC6C1830006E42" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(6)</enum><text>coordinating weather research activities of Federal agencies, as provided by law;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE665DBD18AA04C40BBA1E2D4CAB0031" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(7)</enum><text>understanding the science of Earth’s climate and related systems, and undertaking research, development, and demonstration to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond to climate variability and change;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H20F22CE66FB5462EA4D1382F9E61B289"><enum>(8)</enum><text>protecting, restoring, and managing the use of the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes through ecosystem-based research, development, demonstration, and management;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6128A28C35654BE789FEB69B3F62E96B"><enum>(9)</enum><text>coordinating efforts of Federal agencies in support of national and international programs with respect to integrated Earth observing systems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H234D293C6647443DB1516367DC32D5FD"><enum>(10)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">administering public outreach and education programs and services to increase scientific and environmental literacy about weather and climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the space environment, and the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, and upper reaches of estuaries;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8834E8288ED5437BAE4E962085EE7CF9"><enum>(11)</enum><text>cooperating, in consultation with the Secretary of State, with international organizations and scientists in bilateral and multilateral research, development, conservation, and service programs related to coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes issues; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCDEF2D4EE3B244699B66AC2377E917A1"><enum>(12)</enum><text>any other function assigned to the Administration by law.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H5AC4E61658FB44778072E21D051747EE"><enum>104.</enum><header>Administration leadership</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"></text>
<subsection id="HDD533BE5594E47A899FA86A9896415F1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="H4EC8BCE2AA9145F0A56399F95EA61D1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be, as the Administrator of the Administration, an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Administrator shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Administrator shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAA00D3FB4A8C40F5B2781E001569ABB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Administrator shall perform such functions and exercise such powers with respect to the Administration as the Secretary may prescribe, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H78E558D83C594E32868F0101C57FDECD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>general management;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H20FC25EC68BA4FEC8D2679C41FA173AE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>policy development and guidance;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0CA3EF49982D405686B39BF6FCC5F3D2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>budget formulation, guidance, and execution; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE214586D5E5E41D5865BE29F6CD88D15"><enum>(D)</enum><text>serving as the Department of Commerce official for all ocean and atmosphere issues with other elements of the Department of Commerce and with other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local governments, and the public.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF13FBF4392E449F7BE6794EDF2FB965C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Delegation of authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator may, except as otherwise prohibited by law—</text>
<subparagraph id="H20597EB9A4C347F9A84950B824382BE9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>delegate any functions, powers, or duties of the Administrator to such officers and employees of the Administration as the Administrator may designate; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE6C64E6765C14EC09145CDDC0064CDE1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>authorize such successive redelegations of such functions, powers, or duties within the Administration as the Administrator considers necessary or appropriate. </text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6A905CA9040C413EB6B057F500EFEF36"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere</header>
<paragraph id="H11BF94211CFF416B8700CE408F7FAE99"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be, as Deputy Administrator of the Administration, an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Assistant Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Assistant Secretary shall be the Administrator’s first assistant for purposes of subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code. The Assistant Secretary shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF56D5772E36946C9A5324392316BEA10"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Assistant Secretary shall perform such functions and exercise such powers as the Secretary or Administrator may prescribe and shall act as Administrator during the absence or disability of the Administrator or in the event of a vacancy in the office of Administrator.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7D822271C79044B5B79656618B314937"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere</header>
<paragraph id="H3984FD418F3D43488C579171EE59DF44"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Administration a Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Deputy Under Secretary shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Under Secretary shall be a Senior Executive Service position authorized under section 3133 of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCF0A2475EA1F477BA8CF80F4D14B2827"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Deputy Under Secretary—</text>
<subparagraph id="H35B04FA1F89B4D558F12291D9C95E67F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall serve as an advisor to the Administrator on all program and policy issues;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H83AEF60263CE43CAA9E9E73E404E8E2B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall ensure the timely and effective implementation of Administration policies and objectives;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF0A7113BB23E423DAF479F993D493C05"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in the absence or disability of the Assistant Secretary, or in the event of a vacancy in such position, shall act in that position; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFC53093DEB214F418DB553C2E1ED28A9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>shall perform such other duties as the Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6FD971B1EB714B87A04B7C4C70DACB01"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere</header>
<paragraph id="H4BF873B4300F4FA490167B007ED69C16"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There shall be in the Administration a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall be a Senior Executive Service position authorized under section 3133 of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF4003901BBC84E6EADAC8251DC82A18C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere—</text>
<subparagraph id="H87B5294EFEEE4F2580EE80CE5647EA4B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall serve as an advisor to the Administrator on program and policy issues related to environmental policy, strategic planning, and program analysis;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7B7B8DF673CA4C319C267E88C4A75C4D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall ensure the timely and effective implementation of Administration policies and objectives related to environmental policy, strategic planning, and program analysis; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA649F0E7DAE34CF6B6A335B4187EE526"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall perform such other duties as the Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe.</text></subparagraph> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC086B21ECE2F49DEA047C3B5016B3C50"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Deputy assistant secretary for international affairs</header>
<paragraph id="H06B8391B576044E19E7836046E491B70"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There shall be in the Administration a Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs shall be a Senior Executive Service position authorized under section 3133 of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H846997F1AC0B4BA9A5EF258F3811DE50"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs—</text>
<subparagraph id="H90D5ECC8BD934B67804F1212A099D9E0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall serve as an advisor to the Administrator on program and policy issues related to coordination of United States policy with respect to international oceanic and atmospheric matters, and shall focus on international environmental issues critical to the United States;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF3FBE7C007E94AA1A14DB60000D85BC4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall participate in international negotiations concerning oceanic and atmospheric matters; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC81F2F5E6EBB4BAD92BE41006D06058C"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall perform such other duties as the Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe.</text></subparagraph> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HFB3CC634C9A14ED086B4FED4BB007B75"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Deputy assistant secretary for science and technology</header>
<paragraph id="H82CCAE5D2D014F218E15AFC631A05E27"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Administration a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology, who shall coordinate and oversee the science and technology activities of the Administration and ensure that Administration decisions are informed by the results of appropriate and relevant research. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology shall be a Senior Executive Service career reserved position as defined in section 3132(a)(8) of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H627A7FF3D9ED4923B7B965A800D1524B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD7CAA4F68D354E128EC76DAA08028F4C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>coordinate research and development activities across the Administration, including coordination of research and development budgets;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H22CCD3765C824E77A884DA7F2652B0DB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>advise the Administrator on how programs can be transitioned from research to operational use;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4EACBAC65D9C4F53861EA500002089E8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide advice to the Administrator regarding science and technology issues and their relationship to Administration policies, procedures, and decisions;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0C5346D042654407A75BCD5F2863BF60"><enum>(D)</enum><text>participate in developing the Administration’s strategic plans and policies and review the science and technology aspects of those plans and policies;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H78D1450F3F374C638F397EAE7849558B"><enum>(E)</enum><text>develop and oversee guidelines for the dissemination of research and development results conducted, sponsored, or cited by the Administration to the public;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC2D5C3A97F2940F598348C41CE630918"><enum>(F)</enum><text>develop and oversee guidelines for peer review of science and technology research sponsored by the Administration;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H12F71310456946EF8DA8F4C6D5CB5187"><enum>(G)</enum><text>oversee implementation of the strategic plan for science and technology research, development, and demonstration required under section 109(b);</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAB4D8ED92DFF4D1FBDB37D6BF5FF61F7"><enum>(H)</enum><text>oversee management of research laboratories in the Administration; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2E77B1FA1CDE4F22A0BF67394938E00"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">perform such other duties as the Secretary or Administrator shall prescribe.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6A7BEB864E5043FAA2C388C6B04797B0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>An individual appointed under paragraph (1) shall be a person who has an outstanding science and technology background, including research accomplishments, scientific reputation, and public policy experience.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9E9F5939FAAD47EBA82DDF28EB9C3C44"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>Before appointing an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences, the Science Advisory Board of the Administration, and other appropriate scientific organizations.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE9FBAD763D4049C6B4C7BB405DC4790"><enum>(g)</enum><header>General counsel</header>
<paragraph id="H46FCDDDBDB0C4D8FAFFCC035FEE15D17"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Administration a General Counsel. The General Counsel shall be appointed by the Secretary. The General Counsel shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6D3BF8C0E3B84AF9A78B95C6990014B2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The General Counsel—</text>
<subparagraph id="H90B4589B79F54E6BB2E0E4BE6FE03599"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall serve as the chief legal officer of the Administration for all legal matters that arise in connection with the conduct of the functions of the Administration; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA16309434EA14D5A865571CB3C543E99"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall perform such other functions and exercise such powers as the Secretary or Administrator may prescribe.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H67F4243CFDA447C7B5829275EF834100"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Continuation of service</header><text>Any individual serving on the date of enactment of this Act in a position provided for in this Act may continue to serve in that position until a successor is appointed under this Act. Nothing in this title shall be construed to require the appointment of a successor under this Act sooner than would have been required under law as in effect before the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H91A2DF47EBC540D2B48C56FE6E238CB3"><enum>105.</enum><header>National Weather Service</header>
<subsection id="H37E94982DC4849E6B2988944C392D8CB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration a National Weather Service.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H2533D6A59D8B4F7BACB86012F7DB9BC0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mission</header><text>The mission of the National Weather Service is to provide weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and ocean areas for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HAA744FAB17A24C2D95BEB81E4F840282"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Goals</header><text>The goals of the National Weather Service shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H23972477404B4E1BB41E790011300576"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide timely and accurate weather, water, climate, and space weather forecasts; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H64849079DF6B42AF8922EAC5EC43003B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to provide timely and accurate warnings of weather, water, and climate natural hazards, and of space weather hazards.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HBD5A8932674B4C250045D57B8D6E3889"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The functions of the National Weather Service shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H898A551F444445D5A1E2152717975230"><enum>(1)</enum><text>maintaining a network of regional and local weather forecast offices;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4E029ACDE3534F618D2DAB79FC164DB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>maintaining a network of observation systems to collect weather and climate data;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5E37F41E41064C5B8DB8EE100015AC7C"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">operating national centers to deliver guidance, forecasts, warnings, and analysis about weather, water, climate, and space weather phenomena for the Administration and the public;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF7FDFFC61061454A8D16C21942428EE3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>conducting and supporting applied research to facilitate the rapid incorporation of weather and climate science advances into operational tools; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCD5C593356C844DEBE00221B44AFA661"><enum>(5)</enum><text>such other functions to serve the mission of the National Weather Service as the Administrator may prescribe.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5AA9A26097FE4A388504F28F9614D553"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Public-private partnerships</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not less than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall develop and submit to Congress a policy that defines processes for making decisions about the roles of the National Weather Service and the private sector in providing weather and climate related products, technologies, and services. The first such policy shall be completed not less than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act. At least 90 days before submitting the policy to Congress, the Secretary shall publish the policy in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days. </text></subsection></section>
<section id="H715BB05EF2A4455797B246A14C639F13"><enum>106.</enum><header>Operations and services</header>
<subsection id="H16646CCA765F4B70A7113E6E12479DA6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration operational and service programs to support routine data collection and direct services and products regarding satellite, observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD92DF00731244DAE9C02CAA1D34B294B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>To support the mission described in section 102(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 102(c), the operations and service functions of the Administration shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="HC58875386B5E4F389BB31F739591DF69" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>acquiring, managing, and operating coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes observing systems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC57263C25F10477292B88B3EA12CF652" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text>ensuring the availability of a global Earth-observing system, integrating remote sensing and in situ assets that provide critical data needed to support the mission of the Administration, and providing that data to decisionmakers and the public;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H90B21CC7EB90492698D03EB494D0BE39" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><text>developing, acquiring, and managing operational environmental satellite constellations and associated ground control and data acquisition facilities to support the mission of the Administration;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC8085F6BF9BD4688BA68BBD89FD66654"><enum>(4)</enum><text>managing and distributing atmospheric, geophysical, and marine data and data products for the Administration through national environmental data centers;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEE3217AC583E46C69C2ECE344DF86BEE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>providing for long-term stewardship of environmental data, products, and information via data processing, storage, and archive facilities;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA7E6EBD310244751B4002CD229E531F8"><enum>(6)</enum><text>promoting widespread availability of environmental data and information through full and open access and exchange to the greatest extent possible;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1273D25323284A13B000CF6CB29D2AF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>issuing licenses for private remote sensing space systems under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5E420C7B30694747B0BAE3FD87FBD669"><enum>(8)</enum><text>administering a national water level observation network, which shall include monitoring of the Great Lakes;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE809974822824B55A0A02579B44200DF"><enum>(9)</enum><text>providing charts and other information for safe navigation of the oceans and inland waters, as provided by law; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4139D93CBAC5416096FC0032D5623E3E"><enum>(10)</enum><text>such other functions to serve the operations and services mission of the Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H0EEA3DF0B4754D60AC48664C93D3466E"><enum>107.</enum><header>Research and education</header>
<subsection id="H397A754BC11C44EF99CC6049F738C46F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration programs to conduct and support research and education and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H35ACF55C2F5A43D5BDB8607B4EC524D4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To support the mission described in section 102(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 102(c), the research and education functions of the Administration shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="HAB414B8E66DA499D9FF71765C824A743"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conducting and supporting research and development of technology to improve the Administration’s capabilities in collecting, through observation and otherwise, communicating, analyzing, processing, providing, and disseminating comprehensive scientific data and information about weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H47FE7BEE33264C599BCDB4CF18EE7C30" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improving environmental prediction and management capabilities through ecosystem-based research and development;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H722833692BA7495F8622D34277E0934"><enum>(3)</enum><text>improving knowledge of Earth’s climate and related systems through research and observation for decision support;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H56037C4901E64FE691B430D411867703"><enum>(4)</enum><text>reducing uncertainty in projections of how the Earth’s climate and related systems may change in the future;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDB2FE9A4F9CD4524B2D98FD796A78400"><enum>(5)</enum><text>fostering the public’s ability to understand and integrate scientific information into considerations of national environmental issues through education and public outreach activities;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE0ED39E395CE4C9CB3A7F7BEB8FA1064"><enum>(6)</enum><text>administering the National Sea Grant College Program Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H70ED7F7333C04BE5AA892D29804BB17F"><enum>(7)</enum><text>conducting and supporting research and development of technology for exploration of the oceans;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBE0762908AD948A28E82DE29E2C25E7B"><enum>(8)</enum><text>maintaining a system of laboratories to perform the functions described in this subsection;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCC6DB75336804CD882A66787689C894E"><enum>(9)</enum><text>supporting extramural peer-reviewed competitive grant programs to assist the Administration in performing the functions described in this subsection; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H836886108D6F42B19F972987F96618F9"><enum>(10)</enum><text>such other functions to serve the research and education mission of the Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HB5C5EAA5746749799EC52707C4C9A014"><enum>108.</enum><header>Science Advisory Board</header>
<subsection id="HDD1524D36D004A51B85B6FD86C1F5ED1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be within the Administration a Science Advisory Board, which shall provide such scientific advice as may be requested by the Administrator, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Senate, or the Committee on Science or on Resources of the House of Representatives.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H193B0B83288B4845B738DF8FACCB9000"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the Science Advisory Board is to advise the Administrator and Congress on long-range and short-range strategies for research, education, and the application of science to resource management and environmental assessment and prediction.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8D8DEA053F0A4CF2BB5DD5E411F37ED0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Members</header>
<paragraph id="H95190EB3BDBE42E8BBECD4325EC982C5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall consist of not more than 15 members appointed by the Administrator to ensure a balanced representation among preeminent scientists, engineers, educators, industry, and science policy experts reflecting the full breadth of the Administration’s areas of responsibility.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB4E0266089A04E0BB9BCDE9EE8A5F8A3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Terms of service</header><text>Members shall be appointed for 3-year terms, renewable once, and shall serve at the discretion of the Administrator. An individual serving a term as a member of the Science Advisory Board on the date of enactment of this Act may complete that term, and may be reappointed once for another term of 3 years unless the term being served on such date of enactment is the second term served by that individual. Vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy, and an individual so appointed may subsequently be appointed for 2 full 3-year terms if the remainder of the unexpired term is less than one year.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB3E3F53637F345F0B7FCC66BFE8CE3F3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text>The Administrator shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the Board.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H81F93ECE1C76435E8C586605069B5201"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>Members of the Science Advisory Board shall be appointed as special Government employees, within the meaning given such term in section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD6CB0E5FE97145D4B3BEDF9BC4F6E16"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Criteria for selection</header><text>The Administrator shall develop and apply standard criteria, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance, for the selection of members of the Science Advisory Board.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H47554CC7179044F4A3F2D9C12FDFAAB5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Administrative provisions</header>
<paragraph id="H948AB36876D648E4B57B2BA9AB10B7FD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall report to the Administrator and the appropriate requesting party.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3BE1179095A3459088573E09DC992497"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administrative support</header><text>The Administrator shall provide administrative support to the Science Advisory Board.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD667810E80D94421B26D9DC400E67CFA"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall meet at least twice each year, and at other times at the call of the Administrator or the Chairperson.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H148A9AD4878141E896A49FD166FE5988"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Compensation and expenses</header><text>A member of the Science Advisory Board shall not be compensated for service on such board, but upon request by the member may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB3995952F27A4244AAFF408C4BE93C5C"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Subcommittees</header><text>The Science Advisory Board may establish such subcommittees of its members as may be necessary. The Science Advisory Board may establish task forces and working groups consisting of Board members and outside experts as may be necessary.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H17A84E85359243EA97ED7989DE673534"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Expiration</header><text>Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Science Advisory Board.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H8851B7DE83D649DDB506E149F20A602"><enum>109.</enum><header>Reports</header>
<subsection id="HCCAAB4BBF47E46899D2828143DBA623"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report on data management, archival, and distribution</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary shall develop and transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a report on the environmental data and information systems of the Administration. The report shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H4FC73D722EEC42618E46FC54200A988"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an assessment of the adequacy of the environmental data and information systems of the Administration to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6B140174B7294C9891A25D420021CB54"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide adequate capacity to manage, archive and disseminate environmental information collected and processed, or expected to be collected and processed, by the Administration and other appropriate departments and agencies;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCAA5F842BBA34C82B53220B4D9B5E4AD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>establish, develop, and maintain information bases, including necessary management systems, which will provide for consistent, efficient, and compatible transfer and use of data;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H43D72B0D443A44E5A41FF21FE4125F82"><enum>(C)</enum><text>develop effective interfaces among the environmental data and information systems of the Administration and other appropriate departments and agencies;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD1A4E2B79B1841CFA46C875C4131B725"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop and use nationally accepted formats and standards for data collected by various national and international sources; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H880E5EB53D794CB8B8BD313E12FD7F7E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>integrate and interpret data from different sources to produce information that can be used by decisionmakers in developing policies that effectively respond to national and global environmental concerns; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H91CF168E353E4269BFD4C578DB3018E7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a strategic plan to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H10D8B923E8534BBEBCB0B69B9E006D25"><enum>(A)</enum><text>set forth modernization and improvement objectives for an integrated national environmental data access and archive system for the 10 year period beginning with the year in which the plan is transmitted, including facility requirements and critical new technology components that would be necessary to meet the objectives set forth;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEABBA352272047B9AEA37E063593F2C9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>propose specific Administration programs and activities for implementing the plan;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFC256525A055462AB447E45CE4017E88"><enum>(C)</enum><text>identify the data and information management, archival, and distribution responsibilities of the Administration with respect to other Federal departments and agencies and international organizations; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF726CDB2875A45DE9277516F1B004B39"><enum>(D)</enum><text>provide an implementation schedule and estimate funding levels necessary to achieve modernization and improvement objectives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H25FA831EFF7140A98FC2C982F56DAD18"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Strategic plan for scientific research</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary shall develop and transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives a strategic plan for science and technology research, development, and demonstration at the Administration. The plan shall include an assessment of the science and technology needs of the Administration and a strategic plan for coordinating research, development, and demonstration activities across the Administration to effectively meet those needs.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H6B3DF5AE6CE347D1B57DF327746345E3"><enum>110.</enum><header>Effect of Reorganization Plan</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 shall have no further force and effect.</text></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<section id="H9B240BBB61AF4C24ACC711289E49016C"><enum>201.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 2004</quote>. </text> </section>
<section id="H8256E98C1AE247C4AB19046DE19B433B"><enum>202.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator—</text>
<paragraph id="HD575BDD7223C419A9925BA3100F3E9A8"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for Program Support—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE91A520E76794D55AF1C5914FAED2B54"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$300,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9498F5FFB98B415385E0B72CF15574E0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$306,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4B668B238A5B4462B8C42441DE452B4B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$312,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H84C4361E15014D9C8992639DC0BA0184"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the National Ocean Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1DC7FF245C6244FCBBAEDC573F1EC2EF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$490,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4850EB272FBD452E966C5B1E883F41F1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDDF938CCE6DE43A5991D02A46FC28911"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$510,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0C0CF32C14A34F96AFBBB2D9AF45293D"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8749ED5B41004B6E9E0098A4703E4039"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$414,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H120A8609E96E476EA49556AD75E7B2B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$422,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA1D7FDDFEA5A4EF5ABA3DD93C62CE395"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$430,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H87C349864BFD4DDEAA12E0B9394B43BC"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"> for the National Weather Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0640417298454D10BF73A4277BB67D14"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$836,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF8870021CE614840B588CFA2B79008B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$853,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H851148EC9E5346C38C8D2073C79EA626"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$870,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HADC5EC399EB64D348846FFD25F371748"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4544683AB1754B199E9802FA18155CD2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$897,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB00FA9346D1E4135A57DAC781D9CE2F6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$915,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H41831807D48F43229DCF864811211093"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$933,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HED724D39703544EA87C157587EA2EFD5"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the Office of Program Planning and Integration—</text>
<subparagraph id="H43C4494F337E471EBB7309318BCD67DB"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H407EE41AE1AB4C9BBB923E4561EEBD34"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFA41D873A11D4FBDABAE593C37CA14FA"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> </section>
<enum>III</enum><header>Coastal Ocean Science Program</header>
<section id="H1BFA1C2389F64117AD74913152A873D7"><enum>301.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>Coastal Ocean Science Program Act of 2004</quote>. </text> </section>
<section id="H0B7BEFC0169A4649A17CFCA200AF8792"><enum>302.</enum><header>Coastal Ocean Science Program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 201(c) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block id="HD775B8CD87F448E790A64DA1F14271BC" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HC6CAA69CF910486EA800181D12003C17"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coastal ocean science program</header>
<paragraph id="HB32D38A70BEC400F976CACBF8B2BD4D9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a Coastal Ocean Science Program that supports Great Lakes, estuarine, and coastal ocean research and assessment through competitive, peer-reviewed research programs.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB9CA321619214E30AB343E814FCE1628"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Program elements</header><text>The Coastal Ocean Science Program shall augment and integrate existing research capabilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal agencies, and the academic community. Research shall be conducted to improve predictions of ecosystem trends in coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes ecosystems, and upper reaches of estuaries; to better conserve and manage coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes ecosystems; to improve predictions of effects of coastal and Great Lakes pollution to help correct and prevent environmental degradation; to improve understanding and characterization of the role oceans play in global climate and environmental analysis; and to improve predictions of coastal hazards to protect human life, personal property, and ecosystem function.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDB24B25E01B5411880038B502F81DAAE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for implementing the Coastal Ocean Science Program such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>Marine research</header>
<section id="H5C3DA4D5456F470DBFA7A0AFBCAF412"><enum>401.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>Marine Research Act</quote>.</text></section>
<section id="H297B95EDF101494B8FCA8CD7F995FBCE"><enum>402.</enum><header>Purposes</header> <text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purposes of this title are to provide for—</text>
<paragraph id="HC9DA952CC7B9433AADEB9BBFDB87F747"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Presidential support and coordination of interagency marine research programs; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H845D3010323A4040A6EBD83B14AB0028"><enum>(2)</enum><text>development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated United States ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research and monitoring program that will assist this Nation and the world to understand, use, and respond to the interactions of humans and the marine environment.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="HAD790E2024C1482DA242A14C3CA69120"><enum>403.</enum><header>Interagency marine research program</header>
<subsection id="HE166739B8F5D42B49004D4355550E951"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The President, through the National Science and Technology Council, shall coordinate and support a national research program to improve understanding of the interactions of humans and the marine environment.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H8021275B9B094FA6B14B2EF6D6EF0355"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Implementation plan</header><text>Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Science and Technology Council, through the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall develop and submit to the Congress a plan for coordinated Federal activities under the program. Nothing in this subsection is intended to duplicate or supersede the activities of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia established under section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note). In developing the plan, the National Science and Technology Council shall consult with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. Such plan shall build on and complement the ongoing activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and other departments and agencies, and shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H2C7DE3BAD5CE4FB7926255BDDF223568"><enum>(1)</enum><text>establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year it is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal research which most effectively advance scientific understanding of the connections between humans and the marine environment, provide usable information for the protection of human life, and use the biological potential of the oceans for development of new products;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB6813EF2C161434894053F3D5F9DD7F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>describe specific activities required to achieve such goals and priorities, including the funding of competitive research grants, ocean and coastal observations, training and support for scientists, and participation in international research efforts;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9185C6DA9CFC4F41A7DA2BD759CCC03B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>identify and address, as appropriate, relevant programs and activities of the Federal agencies and departments that would contribute to the program;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H762B4487523C46248DCC4443705B8BF1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National Research Council, the Ocean Research Advisory Panel, the Commission on Ocean Policy, and other expert scientific bodies; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H427FF2339A704504B5112CDFED018003"><enum>(5)</enum><text>estimate Federal funding for research activities to be conducted under the program.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4EE3DB193EFA48C1AE00A28307E69687"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program scope</header><text>The program may include the following activities related to the interaction of humans and the marine environment:</text>
<paragraph id="H1CBE20EBEA0048FEA1BD24C4083B916B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Interdisciplinary research among the ocean and biological sciences, and coordinated research and activities to improve understanding of processes within the ocean that may affect human life and to explore the potential contribution of marine organisms to medicine and research.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5F4AE1CA30B3495A9BB27E5C5773BECB"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Coordination with the National Ocean Research Leadership Council (10 U.S.C. 7902(a)) to ensure that any integrated ocean and coastal observing system provides information necessary to support the program described in this section, including detection of contaminants in marine waters and seafood.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3B70681D9F247FCBB191DD681001EB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Development through partnerships among Federal agencies, States, or academic institutions of new technologies and approaches for detecting and reducing hazards to human life from ocean sources and to strengthen understanding of the value of marine biodiversity.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFBC32C638ECE4913B071B22825B64637"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Support for scholars, trainees, and education opportunities that encourage an interdisciplinary and international approach to exploring the diversity of life in the oceans.</text></paragraph></subsection> </section>
<section id="H69D7E69A81AB48689B7ECF12C71CE47F"><enum>404.</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Research Initiative</header>
<subsection id="H2D9E5EA92A1D4B7D9493AF71DDB75CE4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>As part of the interagency program planned and coordinated under section 403, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to establish a Marine Research Initiative to coordinate and implement research and activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration related to the program. The Marine Research Initiative is authorized to provide support for—</text>
<paragraph id="H5A6CBDE5D9BF4DF8AAD5C62340004529"><enum>(1)</enum><text>centralized program and research coordination;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB8F16DCB2FE941C1A4A4ADFE6DD6035D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>one or more National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration national centers of excellence;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7657BC2C53D641BD83ECED3EE160BD77"><enum>(3)</enum><text>research grants; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H785DF81EB6574B14B097F8322D66F090"><enum>(4)</enum><text>distinguished scholars and traineeships.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7213C533F7CF4138AE356F9953945C46"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National centers</header>
<paragraph id="HB640D7C499F14892A2CA2D962E356F30" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary is authorized to identify and provide financial support for, through a competitive process to develop within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one or more centers of excellence that strengthen the capabilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out its programs and activities related to the Marine Research Initiative.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAA47E61C0BE142B49C59CE97C222773E" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The center or centers shall focus on areas related to agency missions, including use of marine organisms as indicators for marine environmental health, ocean pollutants, marine toxins and pathogens, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, seafood testing, and biology and pathobiology of marine mammals, and on disciplines including marine genomics, marine environmental microbiology, and ecological chemistry.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBDA32FDC188744C48797437E008C409D" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In selecting centers for funding, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals with strong interdisciplinary scientific merit that encourage educational opportunities and provide for effective partnerships among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal entities, and State, academic, and industry participants.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H72DA78405A294053953012194002A6DC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Extramural research grants</header>
<paragraph id="H3F2944ED6E444FEEB71CB3118BBE7000" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary is authorized to provide grants of financial assistance to the scientific community for critical research and projects that explore the interaction of humans and the marine environment and that complement or strengthen programs and activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Officers and employees of Federal agencies may collaborate with, and participate in, such research and projects to the extent requested by the grant recipient.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1B59588FC6D04D23BC92740080DABDD" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Grants under this subsection shall be awarded through a competitive peer-reviewed process that may be conducted jointly with other agencies participating in the interagency program established in section 403.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H111632045F504B3397B2977CE56BFCC9"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Distinguished scholars and traineeships</header>
<paragraph id="H279116758FC24F6191AACA6B66DD889E" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to designate and provide financial assistance to support distinguished scholars from academic institutions, industry, State governments, or other Federal agencies for collaborative work with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists and facilities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB3AADACB10E24431A68CF4F6BCC1AB98" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to establish a program to provide traineeships, training, and experience to predoctoral and postdoctoral students and to scientists at the beginning of their careers who are interested in research on the interaction of humans and the marine environment conducted under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration initiative.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H6FCFABF708394034915FC5234DD14636"><enum>405.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header> <text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Research Initiative established under section 404, $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008. Not less than 50 percent of the amounts appropriated to carry out the Initiative for each fiscal year shall be utilized to support the programs described in subsections (c) and (d) of section 404.</text></section>
<enum>V</enum><header>Ocean and coastal observation systems</header>
<section id="H8A831B6AF0CB4F0FA2006273E0123157"><enum>501.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>Ocean and Coastal Observation Systems Act</quote>.</text></section>
<section id="H7600CA2D46AB4EFAB1C2F5CDF3CD183"><enum>502.</enum><header>Purposes</header> <text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purposes of this title are to provide for—</text>
<paragraph id="HB105B9AC2F7745FCBEA2D5510A0A5DD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>development and maintenance of an integrated system that provides for sustained ocean and coastal observations from in situ, remote, and vessel platforms, and that promotes improved comprehensive scientific data and information about the ocean and coastal environment; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H317A24CFF2114C1A9E04528B97881DC1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>implementation of a data and information system required by all components of an integrated ocean and coastal observing system and related research.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="H4056B3E292F449F5AE3572649B9BA932"><enum>503.</enum><header>Integrated ocean and coastal observing system</header>
<subsection id="HF4ED92BABDD54AE78BE71BD54B182B16"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The President, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish and maintain an integrated system of marine monitoring, data communication and management, data analysis, and research designed to provide data and information for the rapid and timely detection and prediction of changes occurring in the ocean and coastal environment that impact the Nation’s social, economic, and ecological systems. Such an integrated ocean and coastal observing system shall provide for long-term and continuous observations of the oceans and coasts for the following purposes:</text>
<paragraph id="H56252193FBA54B1EA932BE4F2DD4E6B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Improving weather forecasts and public warnings of natural disasters and coastal hazards and mitigating such disasters and hazards.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA0974282CA2A4E63BECF6F280102B6A8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Understanding, assessing, and responding to human-induced and natural processes of global change.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBCDB285A37654A949D4E4CE0EAE69111"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Conducting focused research to enhance the national understanding of coastal and global ocean systems.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFA4C1C8A92364776A43BA9F434EAA852"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Providing information that contributes to public awareness of the condition and importance of the oceans.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H71623CDFD888437FAF234B5609BD4EB5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>In carrying out responsibilities under this section, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H8A1AA0D7AB1E41C6905B48D133ACD693"><enum>(1)</enum><text>serve as the lead entity providing oversight of Federal ocean and coastal observing requirements and activities;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H59D83668135D4673A3CAFFFF23CEBFA8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>adopt and maintain plans for the design, operation, and improvement of such system;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H745DE6B64AD942CF9F22C0D767534D84"><enum>(3)</enum><text>coordinate and administer a program of research and development to support the operation of an integrated ocean and coastal observing system and advance the understanding of the oceans;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3C4CA27FB4B340D8BC880039E6D401DE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>establish a joint operations center to be maintained in conjunction with other Federal agencies;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H30A19635718F46BC00627673DE741EFB"><enum>(5)</enum><text>provide, as appropriate, support for and representation on United States delegations to international meetings on ocean and coastal observing programs and in consultation with the Secretary of State to coordinate relevant Federal activities with those of other nations;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4D64626C32A049F59CFA7CC700A97604"><enum>(6)</enum><text>promote collaboration among regional coastal observing systems established pursuant to subsection (d);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6B9870AE15BC40409CF5CFFC77EA2879"><enum>(7)</enum><text>prepare annual and long-term plans for the design and implementation of an integrated ocean and coastal observing system, including the regional coastal observing systems and taking into account the science and technology advances considered ready for operational status;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H877E1F899ABA4B00A7219E3D217006F8"><enum>(8)</enum><text>identify requirements for a common set of measurements to be collected and distributed;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE1F44BE49D1949B7A0ADFFA57E25F180"><enum>(9)</enum><text>establish standards and protocols for quality control and data management and communications, in consultation with the Joint Operations Center established pursuant to subsection (c); and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0DE121E461A141559FAAC6FDD521981E"><enum>(10)</enum><text>work with regional coastal observing entities, the National Sea Grant College Program, and other bodies as needed to assess user needs, develop data products, make effective use of existing capabilities, and incorporate new technologies, as appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8D23B5AC19DA4547BD1244C8A41297EC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Joint operations center</header><text>The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in conjunction with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security, and any other Federal agent the President considers appropriate, shall operate and maintain a joint operations center—</text>
<paragraph id="HAA1BE1463ACC4A4692B4D428068952AC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to acquire, integrate, and deploy required technologies and provide support for an ocean and coastal observing system based on annual long-term plans, developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2CF473A489184E8088C9000CE8DB9AF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to implement standards and protocols for quality control and data management and communications;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H771A4999401946438CC8848CF6C7588"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to migrate science and technology advancements from research and development to operational deployment based on the annual and long-term plans;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H588BE4E2F6FF4CBEBCFDE0B0F9455761"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to integrate and extend existing programs into an operating ocean and coastal observing system based on the annual and long-term plans;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6C636CB7183B4DA682DA0001F68143B6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to coordinate the data communication and management system; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8017917B79124D7187BE94B9E6CAFAF"><enum>(6)</enum><text>to certify that regional coastal observing systems meet the standards established in subsection (d) and to ensure a periodic process for review and recertification of the regional coastal observing systems.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3E35D5FB71414461AC2BC3D2E17E7E58"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Regional coastal observing systems</header><text></text>
<paragraph id="HC78C22F64586425ABD7D41CA38B1B19"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the Joint Operations Center, shall work with representatives of entities in each region that provide ocean data and information to users to form regional associations. The regional associations shall be responsible for the development and operation of observing systems in the coastal regions extending to the seaward boundary of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Great Lakes. Participation in a regional association may consist of legal entities, including research institutions, institutions of higher learning, for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, State, local, and regional agencies, and consortia of 2 or more such institutions or organizations, that—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBAE5B5772A164466A48E484C32CCD4E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>have demonstrated an organizational structure capable of supporting and integrating all aspects of a coastal ocean observing system within a region or subregion; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2B9FB259CA7D4C4EB7BE98482872B6DB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>have prepared an acceptable business plan, including research components, and gained documented acceptance of their intended regional or subregional jurisdiction by users and other parties of interest within the region or subregion with the objectives of—</text>
<clause id="H03F38B0190D74AE89300DD8BFEB63169"><enum>(i)</enum><text>delivering an integrated and sustained system that meets national goals;</text></clause>
<clause id="H0D38FD8AF3C74D9F8DD33D2B5963AA26"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>incorporating into the system existing and appropriate regional observations collected by Federal, State, regional, or local agencies;</text></clause>
<clause id="H5F5455AA955847EB96C06EABF7100EC"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>responding to the needs of the users, including the public, within the region;</text></clause>
<clause id="H815C4C48B9954BE6A9EDD687A8B1C2E0"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>maintaining sustained, 24-hour-a-day operations and disseminating observations in a manner that is routine, predictable and, if necessary, in real-time or near real-time;</text></clause>
<clause id="H0E5724A16859496581AB663877724500"><enum>(v)</enum><text>providing services that include the collection and dissemination of data and data management for timely access to data and information;</text></clause>
<clause id="HD5C03271313B432E821C2C13D8DF6C10"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>creating appropriate products that are delivered in a timely fashion to the public and others who use, or are affected by, the oceans;</text></clause>
<clause id="HB192B13C026A475BA56B7E1E8753FA5F"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>providing free and open access to the data collected with financial assistance under this title; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H1AEAF23FEAE74F0DB6FA51DC70E3FA1"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>adhering to national standards and protocols to ensure that data and related products can be fully exchanged among all of the regional coastal systems and will be accessible to any user in any part of the Nation.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H463E1F018BE44A1F89E5A61319EDE9D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Civil liability</header><text>For purposes of determining the civil liability under section 2671 of title 28, United States Code, any regional observing system and any employee thereof that is designated part of a regional association under this subsection shall be deemed to be an instrumentality of the United States with respect to any act or omission committed by any such system or any employee thereof in fulfilling the purposes of this title.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4146392A784F4554AC52F9F44BCA64C6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Pilot projects</header>
<paragraph id="H052FE02D5BDA49DCA5FFD7B10717CAE3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator, in consultation with the Joint Operations Center, may initiate pilot projects. A pilot project is an organized, planned set of activities designed to provide an evaluation of technology, methods, or concepts within a defined schedule and having the goal of advancing the development of the sustained, integrated ocean observing system. The pilot projects shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4B888D2BBB1E4072800359A1B05065B6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>develop protocols for coordinated implementation of the full system;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H96FDA077C0754456A508DEF0DB34FDFB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>design and implement regional coastal ocean observing systems;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC9DF87BDE67E43A38019A25FCF93F8A8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>establish mechanisms for the exchange of data between and among regions and Federal agencies;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEFB0DAF792864A55BF10BFA783761584"><enum>(D)</enum><text>specify products and services and related requirements for observations, data management, and analysis in collaboration with user groups; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDCD6709D9916431C816DE400D3B0A3E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>develop and test new technologies and techniques to more effectively meet the needs of users of the system.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF579DA36E7D34EE3B9E7215FF44B711"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Infrastructure capital projects</header><text>The pilot projects shall include one or more projects to capitalize the infrastructure for the collection, management, analysis, and distribution of data and one or more projects where the basic infrastructure and institutional mechanisms already exist for ongoing coastal observations, to fund the operations necessary for the collection of the common set of observations.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HC77A96CB3ABB458B8E89E503A4B3224"><enum>504.</enum><header>Interagency financing</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The departments and agencies represented on the joint operations center are authorized to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds appropriated to any member of the joint operations center for the purposes of carrying out any administrative or programmatic project or activity under this title.</text></section>
<section id="HD144854D812E4212AE90F483E8AC75AF"><enum>505.</enum><header>Great Lakes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Provisions of this title relating to ocean and coastal areas shall also apply to the Great Lakes.</text></section>
<section id="HD0B400A6D56747CDA186A8C89E006C44"><enum>506.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<subsection id="HD7C13F4C75F44FE881BD28AF39020088"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Observing system authorization</header><text>For development and implementation of an integrated ocean and coastal observing system under section 503, including financial assistance to regional coastal ocean observing systems and in addition to any amounts previously authorized, there are authorized to be appropriated to—</text>
<paragraph id="H8829BD1E57C04AC0A08753BDEC50938C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, such sums as may be necessary;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3BF4862DFE964B9BA67CDC46451E7DC2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the National Science Foundation, such sums as may be necessary;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H381C3BDA7B4F4BFC85E77430D9D69B28"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, such sums as may be necessary; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3D59EAE2AA6C4018806523C157F63E51"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">other Federal agencies with operational coastal or ocean monitoring systems or which provide funds to States for such systems, such sums as may be necessary.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3AAE1805CDF04149B8BFA8F3D87C1DE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regional coastal observing systems</header><text>The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall make at least 51 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a)(1) available as grants for the development and implementation of the regional coastal observing systems based on the plans adopted by the Council, which may be used to leverage non-Federal funds.</text></subsection> </section>
<enum>VI</enum><header>Abrupt climate change</header>
<section id="HAE36440082304E658F428CEAD431C723"><enum>601.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>Abrupt Climate Change Research Act of 2004</quote>.</text></section>
<section id="H725F0BD256B7427A9F7E22EEEDA62757"><enum>602.</enum><header>Abrupt climate change research program</header>
<subsection id="HAD2A3A46253147138DD4D6C66FFED1B7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of program</header><text>The Secretary of Commerce shall establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and shall carry out, a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF04FF068557D4E75ADB17480A5AD14D5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purposes of program</header><text>The purposes of the program are as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="HC6524F071D6643838CED02121F90E519"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To develop a global array of terrestrial and oceanographic indicators of paleoclimate in order to sufficiently identify and describe past instances of abrupt climate change.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7FC132694ED8447BBEE99E69B5E50066"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To improve understanding of thresholds and nonlinearities in geophysical systems related to the mechanisms of abrupt climate change.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8D766985FAD34D5A83F99121B85BD566"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To incorporate such mechanisms into advanced geophysical models of climate change.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7496026E1A7E4332A2C636FAA51A8B1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To test the output of such models against an improved global array of records of past abrupt climate changes.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2A22E4E19C05459A9C38EB8760E47895"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Abrupt climate change defined</header><text>In this section, the term <quote>abrupt climate change</quote> means a change in the climate that occurs so rapidly or unexpectedly that human or natural systems have difficulty adapting to the climate as changed.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H41B4BB93A20C4E9BBEC9A10008D3C0CD"><enum>603.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for such sums as may be necessary to carry out the research program required under section 602.</text></section>
<enum>VII</enum><header>United States Weather Research Program</header>
<section id="H3C2017DCE3A84835B2C8F426BEED6500"><enum>701.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may be cited as the <quote>United States Weather Research Program Act of 2004</quote>.</text></section>
<section id="HF964FCE2C3504E02BE838CDB82AE8341"><enum>702.</enum><header>Program focus</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The focus of the United States Weather Research Program, an interagency program established under section 108 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 313 note), shall be on—</text>
<paragraph id="H0E548727CE634D14B08040EAC2BA366B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>hurricanes, floods, and heavy precipitation, including both snow and rain;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H436AF3A4E48342349B9533DF7032F520"><enum>(2)</enum><text>building on existing investments, including those of the National Weather Service modernization effort, to dramatically accelerate improvement in weather forecasts;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H744075751EBC483E8F16042E00507C8B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>providing attention and resources in areas where progress can be made quickly and where the impact will be greatest;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2203B28C8A3F4CCBAB4B2259A303C87E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>establishing goals that can be attained by leveraging the resources of several agencies and through the collaborative scientific efforts of the operational and research communities in academia and government; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H52584329EA304344A8C43F6F7385D34E"><enum>(5)</enum><text>making research grants to universities and other research institutions.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="H55F635CB17A44C71A8F4862D8C46CE"><enum>703.</enum><header>Program research priorities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The research priorities of the United States Weather Research Program shall be in the areas of—</text>
<paragraph id="H174549C1CD914238A18D95AAFA53750"><enum>(1)</enum><text>hurricanes, to improve—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0B1F3EA263794C84A686E57F9544DF1F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>landfall location forecasts; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2E2B3A95A0D54E6D93FC7E5729D09B75"><enum>(B)</enum><text>forecasts of hurricane strength;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFFE1843C7AE44D29002B61994618B900"><enum>(2)</enum><text>heavy precipitation, to improve forecasts of both winter storms and rain storms through better prediction of timing, location, and intensity;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9B9B4765C8844B6985AE6FEEEC002C9E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>floods, to improve—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0ADCEC40C39E485883B98995A5B00B8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>flood forecasting by coupling precipitation forecasts with hydrologic prediction; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H37E5F0E6DA9749A990B8EE47CF9F7F8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>forecasting and warning systems for inland flooding related to tropical cyclones;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7DF7B9AAF72E4853AC1DB4EBEF68D02"><enum>(4)</enum><text>two-to-fourteen day forecasting, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0C30F7BCED094D850049B23F00AC3D5B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>improve short and medium range numerical weather predictions and warnings of high-impact weather events;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H14C4F991343540ED004B68F32B40CC9F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>conduct the Hemispheric Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORpex) to fill observational gaps in the Northern Hemisphere; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB93C39E8A4F843D49CD41FB04BF13294"><enum>(C)</enum><text>test and evaluate advanced data assimilation techniques in global models;</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H84775942F2C540B18181C54F00A46986"><enum>(5)</enum><text>societal and economic impacts, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF62C2E2BC296484298F814AEA00E6DC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify methods of delivering weather information effectively and recommend ways to improve weather communications;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8FFCDECF71EE4E43930110168ECB00D3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assess social and economic impacts of adverse weather ranging from disastrous to routine;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCA392660A5394B67BF1284FE1337378D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>evaluate what weather information is most useful to public and private decision makers; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H20BA61C126024AE49803DFF24C579186"><enum>(D)</enum><text>providing for research on societal and economic impact to ensure a connection between weather research and improvement of the human condition; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFBDAB15170064EE8A86C916575DCD72C"><enum>(6)</enum><text>testing research concepts in an environment identical to those used by operational meteorologists, to enable technology transfer to those operational meteorologists.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="H1982820DB5DB4B01A7DBEC1BF530A5F1"><enum>704.</enum><header>Interagency planning and process</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as the lead agency of the United States Weather Research Program, shall coordinate and consult with the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, other appropriate Federal agencies, and other appropriate entities to develop a five-year plan—</text>
<paragraph id="H951A05C64CA84FEC9763007B759390F1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describing how Federal agencies can best team with universities and other research institutions;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9BF4953C87CD451E9B976DC7B411053"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identifying social, economic, and military needs and requirements for weather information, as well as defining the research required to meet these needs;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H541045FD336E45DAA44B5B9627423DD6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>outlining methods for dissemination of weather information to user communities; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H85F95ECA918E46BAA39F5551D8B6E418"><enum>(4)</enum><text>describing best practices for transferring United States Weather Research Program research results to forecasting operations.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="HE9E496BF5C2D49F7B6AC834732F7ACB"><enum>705.</enum><header>Reporting requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report which shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="HDC572555997E42F3B1007F5C17D6A174"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the most recent five-year plan developed or updated under section 704, including the roles and funding to be provided by various Federal agencies in achieving the objectives of the plan;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H30F078F7F2EB4ECD8DC0E4ECB457EB25"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a justification of any changes to the plan since the last transmittal under this section; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAA56C74F8E614DC9AA00EFCDA956042E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a detailed assessment of the extent to which the objectives of the plan have been achieved.</text></paragraph></section>
<section id="HF52DDEE454834E3686C7C33C9EDA98A5"><enum>706.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this title such sums as may be necessary, of which at least 50 percent shall be for competitive, peer-reviewed grants to, or contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).</text> </section>