[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 353 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.353

                     One Hundred Fifteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
          the third day of January, two thousand and seventeen


                                 An Act


 
To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather 
   research through a focused program of investment on affordable and 
     attainable advances in observational, computing, and modeling 
 capabilities to support substantial improvement in weather forecasting 
   and prediction of high impact weather events, to expand commercial 
opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Research 
and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

   TITLE I--UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 101. Public safety priority.
Sec. 102. Weather research and forecasting innovation.
Sec. 103. Tornado warning improvement and extension program.
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program.
Sec. 105. Weather research and development planning.
Sec. 106. Observing system planning.
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments.
Sec. 108. Annual report on computing resources prioritization.
Sec. 109. United States Weather Research program.
Sec. 110. Authorization of appropriations.

        TITLE II--SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTING INNOVATION

Sec. 201. Improving subseasonal and seasonal forecasts.

            TITLE III--WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION

Sec. 301. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite and 
          data management.
Sec. 302. Commercial weather data.
Sec. 303. Unnecessary duplication.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION

Sec. 401. Environmental Information Services Working Group.
Sec. 402. Interagency weather research and forecast innovation 
          coordination.
Sec. 403. Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and National 
          Weather Service exchange program.
Sec. 404. Visiting fellows at National Weather Service.
Sec. 405. Warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast 
          offices of National Weather Service.
Sec. 406. Improving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
          communication of hazardous weather and water events.
Sec. 407. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Ready 
          All Hazards Award Program.
Sec. 408. Department of Defense weather forecasting activities.
Sec. 409. National Weather Service; operations and workforce analysis.
Sec. 410. Report on contract positions at National Weather Service.
Sec. 411. Weather impacts to communities and infrastructure.
Sec. 412. Weather enterprise outreach.
Sec. 413. Hurricane hunter aircraft.
Sec. 414. Study on gaps in NEXRAD coverage and recommendations to 
          address such gaps.

      TITLE V--TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. References to the Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
Sec. 503. Expansion of purposes of Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
Sec. 504. Modification of tsunami forecasting and warning program.
Sec. 505. Modification of national tsunami hazard mitigation program.
Sec. 506. Modification of tsunami research program.
Sec. 507. Global tsunami warning and mitigation network.
Sec. 508. Tsunami science and technology advisory panel.
Sec. 509. Reports.
Sec. 510. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 511. Outreach responsibilities.
Sec. 512. Repeal of duplicate provisions of law.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
    In this Act:
        (1) Seasonal.--The term ``seasonal'' means the time range 
    between 3 months and 2 years.
        (2) State.--The term ``State'' means a State, a territory, or 
    possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or the 
    District of Columbia.
        (3) Subseasonal.--The term ``subseasonal'' means the time range 
    between 2 weeks and 3 months.
        (4) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means the 
    Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
        (5) Weather industry and weather enterprise.--The terms 
    ``weather industry'' and ``weather enterprise'' are interchangeable 
    in this Act, and include individuals and organizations from public, 
    private, and academic sectors that contribute to the research, 
    development, and production of weather forecast products, and 
    primary consumers of these weather forecast products.

  TITLE I--UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT

    SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.
    In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall prioritize 
improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, and warnings 
for the protection of life and property and for the enhancement of the 
national economy.
    SEC. 102. WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION.
    (a) Program.--The Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research shall conduct a program to develop improved 
understanding of and forecast capabilities for atmospheric events and 
their impacts, placing priority on developing more accurate, timely, 
and effective warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that 
endanger life and property.
    (b) Program Elements.--The program described in subsection (a) 
shall focus on the following activities:
        (1) Improving the fundamental understanding of weather 
    consistent with section 101, including the boundary layer and other 
    processes affecting high impact weather events.
        (2) Improving the understanding of how the public receives, 
    interprets, and responds to warnings and forecasts of high impact 
    weather events that endanger life and property.
        (3) Research and development, and transfer of knowledge, 
    technologies, and applications to the National Weather Service and 
    other appropriate agencies and entities, including the United 
    States weather industry and academic partners, related to--
            (A) advanced radar, radar networking technologies, and 
        other ground-based technologies, including those emphasizing 
        rapid, fine-scale sensing of the boundary layer and lower 
        troposphere, and the use of innovative, dual-polarization, 
        phased-array technologies;
            (B) aerial weather observing systems;
            (C) high performance computing and information technology 
        and wireless communication networks;
            (D) advanced numerical weather prediction systems and 
        forecasting tools and techniques that improve the forecasting 
        of timing, track, intensity, and severity of high impact 
        weather, including through--
                (i) the development of more effective mesoscale models;
                (ii) more effective use of existing, and the 
            development of new, regional and national cloud-resolving 
            models;
                (iii) enhanced global weather models; and
                (iv) integrated assessment models;
            (E) quantitative assessment tools for measuring the impact 
        and value of data and observing systems, including Observing 
        System Simulation Experiments (as described in section 107), 
        Observing System Experiments, and Analyses of Alternatives;
            (F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions essential to 
        accurately characterizing atmospheric composition and 
        predicting meteorological processes, including cloud 
        microphysical, precipitation, and atmospheric electrification 
        processes, to more effectively understand their role in severe 
        weather; and
            (G) additional sources of weather data and information, 
        including commercial observing systems.
        (4) A technology transfer initiative, carried out jointly and 
    in coordination with the Director of the National Weather Service, 
    and in cooperation with the United States weather industry and 
    academic partners, to ensure continuous development and transition 
    of the latest scientific and technological advances into operations 
    of the National Weather Service and to establish a process to 
    sunset outdated and expensive operational methods and tools to 
    enable cost-effective transfer of new methods and tools into 
    operations.
    (c) Extramural Research.--
        (1) In general.--In carrying out the program under this 
    section, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Research shall collaborate with and support the non-Federal weather 
    research community, which includes institutions of higher 
    education, private entities, and nongovernmental organizations, by 
    making funds available through competitive grants, contracts, and 
    cooperative agreements.
        (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that not 
    less than 30 percent of the funds for weather research and 
    development at the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
    should be made available for the purpose described in paragraph 
    (1).
    (d) Annual Report.--Each year, concurrent with the annual budget 
request submitted by the President to Congress under section 1105 of 
title 31, United States Code, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
description of current and planned activities under this section.
    SEC. 103. TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION PROGRAM.
    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall establish a 
tornado warning improvement and extension program.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of such program shall be to reduce the loss of 
life and economic losses from tornadoes through the development and 
extension of accurate, effective, and timely tornado forecasts, 
predictions, and warnings, including the prediction of tornadoes beyond 
1 hour in advance.
    (c) Program Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research, in coordination with the Director of the National 
Weather Service, shall develop a program plan that details the specific 
research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as 
corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the program 
goal.
    (d) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--Following completion of the 
plan, the Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator 
for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and in coordination with the 
Director of the National Weather Service, shall, not less frequently 
than once each year, submit to Congress a proposed budget corresponding 
with the activities identified in the plan.
    SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and such academic entities as the 
Administrator considers appropriate, shall maintain a project to 
improve hurricane forecasting.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of the project maintained under subsection (a) 
shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and 
warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the 
economy, with a focus on--
        (1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and track 
    of hurricanes;
        (2) improving the forecast and communication of storm surges 
    from hurricanes; and
        (3) incorporating risk communication research to create more 
    effective watch and warning products.
    (c) Project Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, acting through the 
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and in 
consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service, shall 
develop a plan for the project maintained under subsection (a) that 
details the specific research, development, and technology transfer 
activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary 
to achieve the goal set forth in subsection (b).
    SEC. 105. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.
    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Under 
Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and in coordination with the Director of the 
National Weather Service and the Assistant Administrator for Satellite 
and Information Services, shall issue a research and development and 
research to operations plan to restore and maintain United States 
leadership in numerical weather prediction and forecasting that--
        (1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals, 
    objectives, and progress of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration in carrying out the program conducted under section 
    102;
        (2) identifies and prioritizes specific research and 
    development activities, and performance metrics, weighted to meet 
    the operational weather mission of the National Weather Service to 
    achieve a weather-ready Nation;
        (3) describes how the program will collaborate with 
    stakeholders, including the United States weather industry and 
    academic partners; and
        (4) identifies, through consultation with the National Science 
    Foundation, the United States weather industry, and academic 
    partners, research necessary to enhance the integration of social 
    science knowledge into weather forecast and warning processes, 
    including to improve the communication of threat information 
    necessary to enable improved severe weather planning and 
    decisionmaking on the part of individuals and communities.
    SEC. 106. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING.
    The Under Secretary shall--
        (1) develop and maintain a prioritized list of observation data 
    requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting capabilities 
    to protect life and property to the maximum extent practicable;
        (2) consistent with section 107, utilize Observing System 
    Simulation Experiments, Observing System Experiments, Analyses of 
    Alternatives, and other appropriate assessment tools to ensure 
    continuous systemic evaluations of the observing systems, data, and 
    information needed to meet the requirements of paragraph (1), 
    including options to maximize observational capabilities and their 
    cost-effectiveness;
        (3) identify current and potential future data gaps in 
    observing capabilities related to the requirements listed under 
    paragraph (1); and
        (4) determine a range of options to address gaps identified 
    under paragraph (3).
    SEC. 107. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS.
    (a) In General.--In support of the requirements of section 106, the 
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall 
undertake Observing System Simulation Experiments, or such other 
quantitative assessments as the Assistant Administrator considers 
appropriate, to quantitatively assess the relative value and benefits 
of observing capabilities and systems. Technical and scientific 
Observing System Simulation Experiment evaluations--
        (1) may include assessments of the impact of observing 
    capabilities on--
            (A) global weather prediction;
            (B) hurricane track and intensity forecasting;
            (C) tornado warning lead times and accuracy;
            (D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm 
        outbreaks; and
            (E) prediction of storms that have the potential to cause 
        extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from 6 hours to 1 
        week; and
        (2) shall be conducted in cooperation with other appropriate 
    entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration, other Federal agencies, the United States weather 
    industry, and academic partners to ensure the technical and 
    scientific merit of results from Observing System Simulation 
    Experiments or other appropriate quantitative assessment 
    methodologies.
    (b) Requirements.--Observing System Simulation Experiments shall 
quantitatively--
        (1) determine the potential impact of proposed space-based, 
    suborbital, and in situ observing systems on analyses and 
    forecasts, including potential impacts on extreme weather events 
    across all parts of the Nation;
        (2) evaluate and compare observing system design options; and
        (3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various 
    observing systems and combinations of observing systems in 
    providing data necessary to protect life and property.
    (c) Implementation.--Observing System Simulation Experiments--
        (1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of major 
    Government-owned or Government-leased operational observing 
    systems, including polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite 
    systems, with a lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000; and
        (2) shall be conducted prior to the purchase of any major new 
    commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more than 
    $500,000,000.
    (d) Priority Observing System Simulation Experiments.--
        (1) Global navigation satellite system radio occultation.--Not 
    later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
    Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall 
    complete an Observing System Simulation Experiment to assess the 
    value of data from Global Navigation Satellite System Radio 
    Occultation.
        (2) Geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation.--
    Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this 
    Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Research shall complete an Observing System Simulation Experiment 
    to assess the value of data from a geostationary hyperspectral 
    sounder global constellation.
    (e) Results.--Upon completion of all Observing System Simulation 
Experiments, the Assistant Administrator shall make available to the 
public the results an assessment of related private and public sector 
weather data sourcing options, including their availability, 
affordability, and cost-effectiveness. Such assessments shall be 
developed in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, United States 
Code.
    SEC. 108. ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPUTING RESOURCES PRIORITIZATION.
    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act 
and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Under 
Secretary, acting through the Chief Information Officer of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in coordination with the 
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the 
Director of the National Weather Service, shall produce and make 
publicly available a report that explains how the Under Secretary 
intends--
        (1) to continually support upgrades to pursue the fastest, most 
    powerful, and cost-effective high performance computing 
    technologies in support of its weather prediction mission;
        (2) to ensure a balance between the research to operations 
    requirements to develop the next generation of regional and global 
    models as well as highly reliable operational models;
        (3) to take advantage of advanced development concepts to, as 
    appropriate, make next generation weather prediction models 
    available in beta-test mode to operational forecasters, the United 
    States weather industry, and partners in academic and Government 
    research; and
        (4) to use existing computing resources to improve advanced 
    research and operational weather prediction.
    SEC. 109. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM.
    Section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567; 15 U.S.C. 313 note) is 
amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
        ``(5) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
    Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
    and Technology of the House of Representatives, not less frequently 
    than once each year, a report, including--
            ``(A) a list of ongoing research projects;
            ``(B) project goals and a point of contact for each 
        project;
            ``(C) the five projects related to weather observations, 
        short-term weather, or subseasonal forecasts within Office of 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Research that are closest to 
        operationalization;
            ``(D) for each project referred to in subparagraph (C)--
                ``(i) the potential benefit;
                ``(ii) any barrier to operationalization; and
                ``(iii) the plan for operationalization, including 
            which line office will financially support the project and 
            how much the line office intends to spend;
        ``(6) establish teams with staff from the Office of Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service to oversee 
    the operationalization of research products developed by the Office 
    of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
        ``(7) develop mechanisms for research priorities of the Office 
    of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be informed by the relevant 
    line offices within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration, the relevant user community, and the weather 
    enterprise;
        ``(8) develop an internal mechanism to track the progress of 
    each research project within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Research and mechanisms to terminate a project that is not 
    adequately progressing;
        ``(9) develop and implement a system to track whether 
    extramural research grant goals were accomplished;
        ``(10) provide facilities for products developed by the Office 
    of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be tested in operational 
    simulations, such as test beds; and
        ``(11) encourage academic collaboration with the Office of 
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service 
    by facilitating visiting scholars.'';
        (2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
    by striking ``Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
    this Act, the'' and inserting ``The''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Subseasonal Defined.--In this section, the term `subseasonal' 
means the time range between 2 weeks and 3 months.''.
    SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    (a) Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018.--For each of fiscal years 2017 and 
2018, there are authorized to be appropriated to Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research--
        (1) $111,516,000 to carry out this title, of which--
            (A) $85,758,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and 
        cooperative institutes; and
            (B) $25,758,000 is authorized for weather and air chemistry 
        research programs; and
        (2) an additional amount of $20,000,000 for the joint 
    technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4).
    (b) Limitation.--No additional funds are authorized to carry out 
this title and the amendments made by this title.

       TITLE II--SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTING INNOVATION

    SEC. 201. IMPROVING SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTS.
    Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 
15 U.S.C. 313 note) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a)'' and inserting ``(a) 
    Findings.--'';
        (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)'' and inserting ``(b) 
    Policy.--''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Functions.--The Under Secretary, acting through the Director 
of the National Weather Service and the heads of such other programs of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Under 
Secretary considers appropriate, shall--
        ``(1) collect and utilize information in order to make usable, 
    reliable, and timely foundational forecasts of subseasonal and 
    seasonal temperature and precipitation;
        ``(2) leverage existing research and models from the weather 
    enterprise to improve the forecasts under paragraph (1);
        ``(3) determine and provide information on how the forecasted 
    conditions under paragraph (1) may impact--
            ``(A) the number and severity of droughts, fires, 
        tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, heat waves, coastal inundation, 
        winter storms, high impact weather, or other relevant natural 
        disasters;
            ``(B) snowpack; and
            ``(C) sea ice conditions; and
        ``(4) develop an Internet clearinghouse to provide the 
    forecasts under paragraph (1) and the information under paragraphs 
    (1) and (3) on both national and regional levels.
    ``(d) Communication.--The Director of the National Weather Service 
shall provide the forecasts under paragraph (1) of subsection (c) and 
the information on their impacts under paragraph (3) of such subsection 
to the public, including public and private entities engaged in 
planning and preparedness, such as National Weather Service Core 
partners at the Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local levels of 
government.
    ``(e) Cooperation.--The Under Secretary shall build upon existing 
forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships, including--
        ``(1) by designating research and monitoring activities related 
    to subseasonal and seasonal forecasts as a priority in one or more 
    solicitations of the Cooperative Institutes of the Office of 
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
        ``(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth System 
    Prediction Capability; and
        ``(3) by consulting with the Secretary of Defense and the 
    Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the highest priority 
    subseasonal and seasonal forecast needs to enhance national 
    security.
    ``(f) Forecast Communication Coordinators.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall foster effective 
    communication, understanding, and use of the forecasts by the 
    intended users of the information described in subsection (d). This 
    may include assistance to States for forecast communication 
    coordinators to enable local interpretation and planning based on 
    the information.
        ``(2) Requirements.--For each State that requests assistance 
    under this subsection, the Under Secretary may--
            ``(A) provide funds to support an individual in that 
        State--
                ``(i) to serve as a liaison among the National Oceanic 
            and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal departments 
            and agencies, the weather enterprise, the State, and 
            relevant interests within that State; and
                ``(ii) to receive the forecasts and information under 
            subsection (c) and disseminate the forecasts and 
            information throughout the State, including to county and 
            tribal governments; and
            ``(B) require matching funds of at least 50 percent, from 
        the State, a university, a nongovernmental organization, a 
        trade association, or the private sector.
        ``(3) Limitation.--Assistance to an individual State under this 
    subsection shall not exceed $100,000 in a fiscal year.
    ``(g) Cooperation From Other Federal Agencies.--Each Federal 
department and agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the Under 
Secretary in carrying out this section.
    ``(h) Reports.--
        ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
    the enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation 
    Act of 2017, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
    Representatives a report, including--
            ``(A) an analysis of the how information from the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on subseasonal and 
        seasonal forecasts, as provided under subsection (c), is 
        utilized in public planning and preparedness;
            ``(B) specific plans and goals for the continued 
        development of the subseasonal and seasonal forecasts and 
        related products described in subsection (c); and
            ``(C) an identification of research, monitoring, observing, 
        and forecasting requirements to meet the goals described in 
        subparagraph (B).
        ``(2) Consultation.--In developing the report under paragraph 
    (1), the Under Secretary shall consult with relevant Federal, 
    regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies, research 
    institutions, and the private sector.
    ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
        ``(1) Foundational forecast.--The term `foundational forecast' 
    means basic weather observation and forecast data, largely in raw 
    form, before further processing is applied.
        ``(2) National weather service core partners.--The term 
    `National Weather Service core partners' means government and 
    nongovernment entities which are directly involved in the 
    preparation or dissemination of, or discussions involving, 
    hazardous weather or other emergency information put out by the 
    National Weather Service.
        ``(3) Seasonal.--The term `seasonal' means the time range 
    between 3 months and 2 years.
        ``(4) State.--The term `State' means a State, a territory, or 
    possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or the 
    District of Columbia.
        ``(5) Subseasonal.--The term `subseasonal' means the time range 
    between 2 weeks and 3 months.
        ``(6) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means the 
    Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
        ``(7) Weather industry and weather enterprise.--The terms 
    `weather industry' and `weather enterprise' are interchangeable in 
    this section and include individuals and organizations from public, 
    private, and academic sectors that contribute to the research, 
    development, and production of weather forecast products, and 
    primary consumers of these weather forecast products.
    ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of fiscal years 
2017 and 2018, there are authorized out of funds appropriated to the 
National Weather Service, $26,500,000 to carry out the activities of 
this section.''.

            TITLE III--WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION

    SEC. 301. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SATELLITE 
      AND DATA MANAGEMENT.
    (a) Short-Term Management of Environmental Observations.--
        (1) Microsatellite constellations.--
            (A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall complete and 
        operationalize the Constellation Observing System for 
        Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-1 and Climate-2 (COSMIC) 
        in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
        Act--
                (i) by deploying constellations of microsatellites in 
            both the equatorial and polar orbits;
                (ii) by integrating the resulting data and research 
            into all national operational and research weather forecast 
            models; and
                (iii) by ensuring that the resulting data of National 
            Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's COSMIC-1 and 
            COSMIC-2 programs are free and open to all communities.
            (B) Annual reports.--Not less frequently than once each 
        year until the Under Secretary has completed and 
        operationalized the program described in subparagraph (A) 
        pursuant to such subparagraph, the Under Secretary shall submit 
        to Congress a report on the status of the efforts of the Under 
        Secretary to carry out such subparagraph.
        (2) Integration of ocean and coastal data from the integrated 
    ocean observing system.--In National Weather Service Regions where 
    the Director of the National Weather Service determines that ocean 
    and coastal data would improve forecasts, the Director, in 
    consultation with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator of the 
    National Ocean Service, shall--
            (A) integrate additional coastal and ocean observations, 
        and other data and research, from the Integrated Ocean 
        Observing System (IOOS) into regional weather forecasts to 
        improve weather forecasts and forecasting decision support 
        systems; and
            (B) support the development of real-time data sharing 
        products and forecast products in collaboration with the 
        regional associations of such system, including contributions 
        from the private sector, academia, and research institutions to 
        ensure timely and accurate use of ocean and coastal data in 
        regional forecasts.
        (3) Existing monitoring and observation-capability.--The Under 
    Secretary shall identify degradation of existing monitoring and 
    observation capabilities that could lead to a reduction in forecast 
    quality.
        (4) Specifications for new satellite systems or data determined 
    by operational needs.--In developing specifications for any 
    satellite systems or data to follow the Joint Polar Satellite 
    System, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, and any 
    other satellites, in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
    of this Act, the Under Secretary shall ensure the specifications 
    are determined to the extent practicable by the recommendations of 
    the reports under subsection (b) of this section.
    (b) Independent Study on Future of National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Satellite Systems and Data.--
        (1) Agreement.--
            (A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall seek to enter 
        into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to 
        perform the services covered by this subsection.
            (B) Timing.--The Under Secretary shall seek to enter into 
        the agreement described in subparagraph (A) before September 
        30, 2018.
        (2) Study.--
            (A) In general.--Under an agreement between the Under 
        Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences under this 
        subsection, the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a 
        study on matters concerning future satellite data needs.
            (B) Elements.--In conducting the study under subparagraph 
        (A), the National Academy of Sciences shall--
                (i) develop recommendations on how to make the data 
            portfolio of the Administration more robust and cost-
            effective;
                (ii) assess the costs and benefits of moving toward a 
            constellation of many small satellites, standardizing 
            satellite bus design, relying more on the purchasing of 
            data, or acquiring data from other sources or methods;
                (iii) identify the environmental observations that are 
            essential to the performance of weather models, based on an 
            assessment of Federal, academic, and private sector weather 
            research, and the cost of obtaining the environmental data;
                (iv) identify environmental observations that improve 
            the quality of operational and research weather models in 
            effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act;
                (v) identify and prioritize new environmental 
            observations that could contribute to existing and future 
            weather models; and
                (vi) develop recommendations on a portfolio of 
            environmental observations that balances essential, 
            quality-improving, and new data, private and nonprivate 
            sources, and space-based and Earth-based sources.
            (C) Deadline and report.--In carrying out the study under 
        subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences shall 
        complete and transmit to the Under Secretary a report 
        containing the findings of the National Academy of Sciences 
        with respect to the study not later than 2 years after the date 
        on which the Administrator enters into an agreement with the 
        National Academy of Sciences under paragraph (1)(A).
        (3) Alternate organization.--
            (A) In general.--If the Under Secretary is unable within 
        the period prescribed in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) to 
        enter into an agreement described in subparagraph (A) of such 
        paragraph with the National Academy of Sciences on terms 
        acceptable to the Under Secretary, the Under Secretary shall 
        seek to enter into such an agreement with another appropriate 
        organization that--
                (i) is not part of the Federal Government;
                (ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and
                (iii) has expertise and objectivity comparable to that 
            of the National Academy of Sciences.
            (B) Treatment.--If the Under Secretary enters into an 
        agreement with another organization as described in 
        subparagraph (A), any reference in this subsection to the 
        National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a reference to 
        the other organization.
        (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to 
    be appropriated, out of funds appropriated to National 
    Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, to carry 
    out this subsection $1,000,000 for the period encompassing fiscal 
    years 2018 through 2019.
    SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL WEATHER DATA.
    (a) Data and Hosted Satellite Payloads.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may enter into agreements 
for--
        (1) the purchase of weather data through contracts with 
    commercial providers; and
        (2) the placement of weather satellite instruments on cohosted 
    government or private payloads.
    (b) Strategy.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation 
    with the Under Secretary, shall submit to the Committee on 
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
    Representatives a strategy to enable the procurement of quality 
    commercial weather data. The strategy shall assess the range of 
    commercial opportunities, including public-private partnerships, 
    for obtaining surface-based, aviation-based, and space-based 
    weather observations. The strategy shall include the expected cost-
    effectiveness of these opportunities as well as provide a plan for 
    procuring data, including an expected implementation timeline, from 
    these nongovernmental sources, as appropriate.
        (2) Requirements.--The strategy shall include--
            (A) an analysis of financial or other benefits to, and 
        risks associated with, acquiring commercial weather data or 
        services, including through multiyear acquisition approaches;
            (B) an identification of methods to address planning, 
        programming, budgeting, and execution challenges to such 
        approaches, including--
                (i) how standards will be set to ensure that data is 
            reliable and effective;
                (ii) how data may be acquired through commercial 
            experimental or innovative techniques and then evaluated 
            for integration into operational use;
                (iii) how to guarantee public access to all forecast-
            critical data to ensure that the United States weather 
            industry and the public continue to have access to 
            information critical to their work; and
                (iv) in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, 
            United States Code, methods to address potential 
            termination liability or cancellation costs associated with 
            weather data or service contracts; and
            (C) an identification of any changes needed in the 
        requirements development and approval processes of the 
        Department of Commerce to facilitate effective and efficient 
        implementation of such strategy.
        (3) Authority for agreements.--The Assistant Administrator for 
    National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service may 
    enter into multiyear agreements necessary to carry out the strategy 
    developed under this subsection.
    (c) Pilot Program.--
        (1) Criteria.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall publish data and 
    metadata standards and specifications for space-based commercial 
    weather data, including radio occultation data, and, as soon as 
    possible, geostationary hyperspectral sounder data.
        (2) Pilot contracts.--
            (A) Contracts.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall, through an 
        open competition, enter into at least one pilot contract with 
        one or more private sector entities capable of providing data 
        that meet the standards and specifications set by the Under 
        Secretary for providing commercial weather data in a manner 
        that allows the Under Secretary to calibrate and evaluate the 
        data for its use in National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration meteorological models.
            (B) Assessment of data viability.--Not later than the date 
        that is 3 years after the date on which the Under Secretary 
        enters into a contract under subparagraph (A), the Under 
        Secretary shall assess and submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        the results of a determination of the extent to which data 
        provided under the contract entered into under subparagraph (A) 
        meet the criteria published under paragraph (1) and the extent 
        to which the pilot program has demonstrated--
                (i) the viability of assimilating the commercially 
            provided data into National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
            Administration meteorological models;
                (ii) whether, and by how much, the data add value to 
            weather forecasts; and
                (iii) the accuracy, quality, timeliness, validity, 
            reliability, usability, information technology security, 
            and cost-effectiveness of obtaining commercial weather data 
            from private sector providers.
        (3) Authorization of appropriations.--For each of fiscal years 
    2017 through 2020, there are authorized to be appropriated for 
    procurement, acquisition, and construction at National 
    Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, $6,000,000 
    to carry out this subsection.
    (d) Obtaining Future Data.--If an assessment under subsection 
(c)(2)(B) demonstrates the ability of commercial weather data to meet 
data and metadata standards and specifications published under 
subsection (c)(1), the Under Secretary shall--
        (1) where appropriate, cost-effective, and feasible, obtain 
    commercial weather data from private sector providers;
        (2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for any 
    future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
    meteorological space system, consider whether there is a suitable, 
    cost-effective, commercial capability available or that will be 
    available to meet any or all of the observational requirements by 
    the planned operational date of the system;
        (3) if a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability is or 
    will be available as described in paragraph (2), determine whether 
    it is in the national interest to develop a governmental 
    meteorological space system; and
        (4) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
    Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
    and Technology of the House of Representatives a report detailing 
    any determination made under paragraphs (2) and (3).
    (e) Data Sharing Practices.--The Under Secretary shall continue to 
meet the international meteorological agreements into which the Under 
Secretary has entered, including practices set forth through World 
Meteorological Organization Resolution 40.
    SEC. 303. UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION.
    In meeting the requirements under this title, the Under Secretary 
shall avoid unnecessary duplication between public and private sources 
of data and the corresponding expenditure of funds and employment of 
personnel.

                 TITLE IV--FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION

    SEC. 401. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SERVICES WORKING GROUP.
    (a) Establishment.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Science Advisory Board shall continue to maintain a 
standing working group named the Environmental Information Services 
Working Group (in this section referred to as the ``Working Group'')--
        (1) to provide advice for prioritizing weather research 
    initiatives at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
    to produce real improvement in weather forecasting;
        (2) to provide advice on existing or emerging technologies or 
    techniques that can be found in private industry or the research 
    community that could be incorporated into forecasting at the 
    National Weather Service to improve forecasting skill;
        (3) to identify opportunities to improve--
            (A) communications between weather forecasters, Federal, 
        State, local, tribal, and other emergency management personnel, 
        and the public; and
            (B) communications and partnerships among the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the private and 
        academic sectors; and
        (4) to address such other matters as the Science Advisory Board 
    requests of the Working Group.
    (b) Composition.--
        (1) In general.--The Working Group shall be composed of leading 
    experts and innovators from all relevant fields of science and 
    engineering including atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics, 
    meteorology, hydrology, social science, risk communications, 
    electrical engineering, and computer sciences. In carrying out this 
    section, the Working Group may organize into subpanels.
        (2) Number.--The Working Group shall be composed of no fewer 
    than 15 members. Nominees for the Working Group may be forwarded by 
    the Working Group for approval by the Science Advisory Board. 
    Members of the Working Group may choose a chair (or co-chairs) from 
    among their number with approval by the Science Advisory Board.
    (c) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the 
Working Group shall transmit to the Science Advisory Board for 
submission to the Under Secretary a report on progress made by National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in adopting the Working Group's 
recommendations. The Science Advisory Board shall transmit this report 
to the Under Secretary. Within 30 days of receipt of such report, the 
Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a copy of such report.
    SEC. 402. INTERAGENCY WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECAST INNOVATION 
      COORDINATION.
    (a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall establish an Interagency Committee for 
Advancing Weather Services to improve coordination of relevant weather 
research and forecast innovation activities across the Federal 
Government. The Interagency Committee shall--
        (1) include participation by the National Aeronautics and Space 
    Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, National 
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its constituent 
    elements, the National Science Foundation, and such other agencies 
    involved in weather forecasting research as the President 
    determines are appropriate;
        (2) identify and prioritize top forecast needs and coordinate 
    those needs against budget requests and program initiatives across 
    participating offices and agencies; and
        (3) share information regarding operational needs and 
    forecasting improvements across relevant agencies.
    (b) Co-Chair.--The Federal Coordinator for Meteorology shall serve 
as a co-chair of this panel.
    (c) Further Coordination.--The Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall take such other steps as are necessary to 
coordinate the activities of the Federal Government with those of the 
United States weather industry, State governments, emergency managers, 
and academic researchers.
    SEC. 403. OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND NATIONAL 
      WEATHER SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
    (a) In General.--The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and the Director of National Weather Service may 
establish a program to detail Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research personnel to the National Weather Service and National Weather 
Service personnel to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of this program is to enhance forecasting 
innovation through regular, direct interaction between the Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research's world-class scientists and the 
National Weather Service's operational staff.
    (c) Elements.--The program shall allow up to 10 Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research staff and National Weather Service staff to 
spend up to 1 year on detail. Candidates shall be jointly selected by 
the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and 
the Director of the National Weather Service.
    (d) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the 
Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a report on participation in 
such program and shall highlight any innovations that come from this 
interaction.
    SEC. 404. VISITING FELLOWS AT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Weather Service may 
establish a program to host postdoctoral fellows and academic 
researchers at any of the National Centers for Environmental 
Prediction.
    (b) Goal.--This program shall be designed to provide direct 
interaction between forecasters and talented academic and private 
sector researchers in an effort to bring innovation to forecasting 
tools and techniques to the National Weather Service.
    (c) Selection and Appointment.--Such fellows shall be competitively 
selected and appointed for a term not to exceed 1 year.
    SEC. 405. WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGISTS AT WEATHER FORECAST 
      OFFICES OF NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
    (a) Designation of Warning Coordination Meteorologists.--
        (1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather Service 
    shall designate at least one warning coordination meteorologist at 
    each weather forecast office of the National Weather Service.
        (2) No additional employees authorized.--Nothing in this 
    section shall be construed to authorize or require a change in the 
    authorized number of full time equivalent employees in the National 
    Weather Service or otherwise result in the employment of any 
    additional employees.
        (3) Performance by other employees.--Performance of the 
    responsibilities outlined in this section is not limited to the 
    warning coordination meteorologist position.
    (b) Primary Role of Warning Coordination Meteorologists.--The 
primary role of the warning coordination meteorologist shall be to 
carry out the responsibilities required by this section.
    (c) Responsibilities.--
        (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), consistent with the 
    analysis described in section 409, and in order to increase impact-
    based decision support services, each warning coordination 
    meteorologist designated under subsection (a) shall--
            (A) be responsible for providing service to the geographic 
        area of responsibility covered by the weather forecast office 
        at which the warning coordination meteorologist is employed to 
        help ensure that users of products of the National Weather 
        Service can respond effectively to improve outcomes from 
        weather events;
            (B) liaise with users of products and services of the 
        National Weather Service, such as the public, media outlets, 
        users in the aviation, marine, and agricultural communities, 
        and forestry, land, and water management interests, to evaluate 
        the adequacy and usefulness of the products and services of the 
        National Weather Service;
            (C) collaborate with such weather forecast offices and 
        State, local, and tribal government agencies as the Director 
        considers appropriate in developing, proposing, and 
        implementing plans to develop, modify, or tailor products and 
        services of the National Weather Service to improve the 
        usefulness of such products and services;
            (D) ensure the maintenance and accuracy of severe weather 
        call lists, appropriate office severe weather policy or 
        procedures, and other severe weather or dissemination 
        methodologies or strategies; and
            (E) work closely with State, local, and tribal emergency 
        management agencies, and other agencies related to disaster 
        management, to ensure a planned, coordinated, and effective 
        preparedness and response effort.
        (2) Other staff.--The Director may assign a responsibility set 
    forth in paragraph (1) to such other staff as the Director 
    considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility.
    (d) Additional Responsibilities.--
        (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a warning 
    coordination meteorologist designated under subsection (a) may--
            (A) work with a State agency to develop plans for promoting 
        more effective use of products and services of the National 
        Weather Service throughout the State;
            (B) identify priority community preparedness objectives;
            (C) develop plans to meet the objectives identified under 
        paragraph (2); and
            (D) conduct severe weather event preparedness planning and 
        citizen education efforts with and through various State, 
        local, and tribal government agencies and other disaster 
        management-related organizations.
        (2) Other staff.--The Director may assign a responsibility set 
    forth in paragraph (1) to such other staff as the Director 
    considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility.
    (e) Placement With State and Local Emergency Managers.--
        (1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the Director of 
    the National Weather Service may place a warning coordination 
    meteorologist designated under subsection (a) with a State or local 
    emergency manager if the Director considers doing so is necessary 
    or convenient to carry out this section.
        (2) Treatment.--If the Director determines that the placement 
    of a warning coordination meteorologist placed with a State or 
    local emergency manager under paragraph (1) is near a weather 
    forecast office of the National Weather Service, such placement 
    shall be treated as designation of the warning coordination 
    meteorologist at such weather forecast office for purposes of 
    subsection (a).
    SEC. 406. IMPROVING NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
      COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS.
    (a) Purpose of System.--For purposes of the assessment required by 
subsection (b)(1)(A), the purpose of National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding 
hazardous weather and water events shall be risk communication to the 
general public that informs action to prevent loss of life and 
property.
    (b) Assessment of System.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall--
            (A) assess the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration system for issuing watches and warnings 
        regarding hazardous weather and water events; and
            (B) submit to Congress a report on the findings of the 
        Under Secretary with respect to the assessment conducted under 
        subparagraph (A).
        (2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph (1)(A) 
    shall include the following:
            (A) An evaluation of whether the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration system for issuing watches and 
        warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events meets the 
        purpose described in subsection (a).
            (B) Development of recommendations for--
                (i) legislative and administrative action to improve 
            the system described in paragraph (1)(A); and
                (ii) such research as the Under Secretary considers 
            necessary to address the focus areas described in paragraph 
            (3).
        (3) Focus areas.--The assessment required by paragraph (1)(A) 
    shall focus on the following:
            (A) Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous 
        weather or water events to the public that are most likely to 
        result in action to mitigate the risk.
            (B) Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous 
        weather or water events to the public as broadly and rapidly as 
        practicable.
            (C) Ways to preserve the benefits of the existing watches 
        and warnings system.
            (D) Ways to maintain the utility of the watches and 
        warnings system for Government and commercial users of the 
        system.
        (4) Consultation.--In conducting the assessment required by 
    paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall--
            (A) consult with such line offices within the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Under Secretary 
        considers relevant, including the National Ocean Service, the 
        National Weather Service, and the Office of Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Research;
            (B) consult with individuals in the academic sector, 
        including individuals in the field of social and behavioral 
        sciences, and other weather services;
            (C) consult with media outlets that will be distributing 
        the watches and warnings;
            (D) consult with non-Federal forecasters that produce 
        alternate severe weather risk communication products;
            (E) consult with emergency planners and responders, 
        including State and local emergency management agencies, and 
        other government users of the watches and warnings system, 
        including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Office 
        of Personnel Management, the Coast Guard, and such other 
        Federal agencies as the Under Secretary determines rely on 
        watches and warnings for operational decisions; and
            (F) make use of the services of the National Academy of 
        Sciences, as the Under Secretary considers necessary and 
        practicable, including contracting with the National Research 
        Council to review the scientific and technical soundness of the 
        assessment required by paragraph (1)(A), including the 
        recommendations developed under paragraph (2)(B).
        (5) Methodologies.--In conducting the assessment required by 
    paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall use such methodologies 
    as the Under Secretary considers are generally accepted by the 
    weather enterprise, including social and behavioral sciences.
    (c) Improvements to System.--
        (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall, based on the 
    assessment required by subsection (b)(1)(A), make such 
    recommendations to Congress to improve the system as the Under 
    Secretary considers necessary--
            (A) to improve the system for issuing watches and warnings 
        regarding hazardous weather and water events; and
            (B) to support efforts to satisfy research needs to enable 
        future improvements to such system.
        (2) Requirements regarding recommendations.--In carrying out 
    paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall ensure that any 
    recommendation that the Under Secretary considers a major change--
            (A) is validated by social and behavioral science using a 
        generalizable sample;
            (B) accounts for the needs of various demographics, 
        vulnerable populations, and geographic regions;
            (C) accounts for the differences between types of weather 
        and water hazards;
            (D) responds to the needs of Federal, State, and local 
        government partners and media partners; and
            (E) accounts for necessary changes to Federally operated 
        watch and warning propagation and dissemination infrastructure 
        and protocols.
    (d) Watches and Warnings Defined.--
        (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in this 
    section, the terms ``watch'' and ``warning'', with respect to a 
    hazardous weather and water event, mean products issued by the 
    Administration, intended for consumption by the general public, to 
    alert the general public to the potential for or presence of the 
    event and to inform action to prevent loss of life and property.
        (2) Exception.--ln this section, the terms ``watch'' and 
    ``warning'' do not include technical or specialized meteorological 
    and hydrological forecasts, outlooks, or model guidance products.
    SEC. 407. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION WEATHER 
      READY ALL HAZARDS AWARD PROGRAM.
    (a) Program.--The Director of the National Weather Service is 
authorized to establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program. This award 
program shall provide annual awards to honor individuals or 
organizations that use or provide National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or transmitters to 
save lives and protect property. Individuals or organizations that 
utilize other early warning tools or applications also qualify for this 
award.
    (b) Goal.--This award program draws attention to the life-saving 
work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather 
Ready All Hazards Program, as well as emerging tools and applications, 
that provide real-time warning to individuals and communities of severe 
weather or other hazardous conditions.
    (c) Program Elements.--
        (1) Nominations.--Nominations for this award shall be made 
    annually by the Weather Field Offices to the Director of the 
    National Weather Service. Broadcast meteorologists, weather radio 
    manufacturers and weather warning tool and application developers, 
    emergency managers, and public safety officials may nominate 
    individuals or organizations to their local Weather Field Offices, 
    but the final list of award nominees must come from the Weather 
    Field Offices.
        (2) Selection of awardees.--Annually, the Director of the 
    National Weather Service shall choose winners of this award whose 
    timely actions, based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or transmitters 
    or other early warning tools and applications, saved lives or 
    property, or demonstrated public service in support of weather or 
    all hazard warnings.
        (3) Award ceremony.--The Director of the National Weather 
    Service shall establish a means of making these awards to provide 
    maximum public awareness of the importance of National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, and such other warning 
    tools and applications as are represented in the awards.
    SEC. 408. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WEATHER FORECASTING ACTIVITIES.
    Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives a report analyzing the 
impacts of the proposed Air Force divestiture in the United States 
Weather Research and Forecasting Model, including--
        (1) the impact on--
            (A) the United States weather forecasting capabilities;
            (B) the accuracy of civilian regional forecasts;
            (C) the civilian readiness for traditional weather and 
        extreme weather events in the United States; and
            (D) the research necessary to develop the United States 
        Weather Research and Forecasting Model; and
        (2) such other analysis relating to the divestiture as the 
    Under Secretary considers appropriate.
    SEC. 409. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE; OPERATIONS AND WORKFORCE 
      ANALYSIS.
    The Under Secretary shall contract or continue to partner with an 
external organization to conduct a baseline analysis of National 
Weather Service operations and workforce.
    SEC. 410. REPORT ON CONTRACT POSITIONS AT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the use of contractors at the National Weather Service for 
the most recently completed fiscal year.
    (b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include, 
with respect to the most recently completed fiscal year, the following:
        (1) The total number of full-time equivalent employees at the 
    National Weather Service, disaggregated by each equivalent level of 
    the General Schedule.
        (2) The total number of full-time equivalent contractors at the 
    National Weather Service, disaggregated by each equivalent level of 
    the General Schedule that most closely approximates their duties.
        (3) The total number of vacant positions at the National 
    Weather Service on the day before the date of enactment of this 
    Act, disaggregated by each equivalent level of the General 
    Schedule.
        (4) The five most common positions filled by full-time 
    equivalent contractors at the National Weather Service and the 
    equivalent level of the General Schedule that most closely 
    approximates the duties of such positions.
        (5) Of the positions identified under paragraph (4), the 
    percentage of full-time equivalent contractors in those positions 
    that have held a prior position at the National Weather Service or 
    another entity in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
        (6) The average full-time equivalent salary for Federal 
    employees at the National Weather Service for each equivalent level 
    of the General Schedule.
        (7) The average salary for full-time equivalent contractors 
    performing at each equivalent level of the General Schedule at the 
    National Weather Service.
        (8) A description of any actions taken by the Under Secretary 
    to respond to the issues raised by the Inspector General of the 
    Department of Commerce regarding the hiring of former National 
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees as contractors at 
    the National Weather Service such as the issues raised in the 
    Investigative Report dated June 2, 2015 (OIG-12-0447).
    (c) Annual Publication.--For each fiscal year after the fiscal year 
covered by the report required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary 
shall, not later than 180 days after the completion of the fiscal year, 
publish on a publicly accessible Internet website the information 
described in paragraphs (1) through (8) of subsection (b) for such 
fiscal year.
    SEC. 411. WEATHER IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
    (a) Review.--
        (1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather Service 
    shall review existing research, products, and services that meet 
    the specific needs of the urban environment, given its unique 
    physical characteristics and forecasting challenges.
        (2) Elements.--The review required by paragraph (1) shall 
    include research, products, and services with the potential to 
    improve modeling and forecasting capabilities, taking into account 
    factors including varying building heights, impermeable surfaces, 
    lack of tree canopy, traffic, pollution, and inter-building wind 
    effects.
    (b) Report and Assessment.--Upon completion of the review required 
by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the research, products, and services of the National Weather 
Service, including an assessment of such research, products, and 
services that is based on the review, public comment, and recent 
publications by the National Academy of Sciences.
    SEC. 412. WEATHER ENTERPRISE OUTREACH.
    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary may establish mechanisms for 
outreach to the weather enterprise--
        (1) to assess the weather forecasts and forecast products 
    provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 
    and
        (2) to determine the highest priority weather forecast needs of 
    the community described in subsection (b).
    (b) Outreach Community.--In conducting outreach under subsection 
(a), the Under Secretary shall contact leading experts and innovators 
from relevant stakeholders, including the representatives from the 
following:
        (1) State or local emergency management agencies.
        (2) State agriculture agencies.
        (3) Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
    Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) and 
    Native Hawaiians (as defined in section 6207 of the Elementary and 
    Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517)).
        (4) The private aerospace industry.
        (5) The private earth observing industry.
        (6) The operational forecasting community.
        (7) The academic community.
        (8) Professional societies that focus on meteorology.
        (9) Such other stakeholder groups as the Under Secretary 
    considers appropriate.
    SEC. 413. HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT.
    (a) Backup Capability.--The Under Secretary shall acquire backup 
for the capabilities of the WP-3D Orion and G-IV hurricane aircraft of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that is sufficient 
to prevent a single point of failure.
    (b) Authority to Enter Agreements.--In order to carry out 
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall negotiate and enter into 1 or 
more agreements or contracts, to the extent practicable and necessary, 
with governmental and non-governmental entities.
    (c) Future Technology.--The Under Secretary shall continue the 
development of Airborne Phased Array Radar under the United States 
Weather Research Program.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of fiscal years 2017 
through 2020, support for implementing subsections (a) and (b) is 
authorized out of funds appropriated to the Office of Marine and 
Aviation Operations.
    SEC. 414. STUDY ON GAPS IN NEXRAD COVERAGE AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO 
      ADDRESS SUCH GAPS.
    (a) Study on Gaps in NEXRAD Coverage.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall complete a 
    study on gaps in the coverage of the Next Generation Weather Radar 
    of the National Weather Service (``NEXRAD'').
        (2) Elements.--In conducting the study required under paragraph 
    (1), the Secretary shall--
            (A) identify areas in the United States where limited or no 
        NEXRAD coverage has resulted in--
                (i) instances in which no or insufficient warnings were 
            given for hazardous weather events, including tornadoes; or
                (ii) degraded forecasts for hazardous weather events 
            that resulted in fatalities, significant injuries, or 
            substantial property damage; and
            (B) for the areas identified under subparagraph (A)--
                (i) identify the key weather effects for which 
            prediction would improve with improved radar detection;
                (ii) identify additional sources of observations for 
            high impact weather that were available and operational for 
            such areas on the day before the date of the enactment of 
            this Act, including dense networks of x-band radars, 
            Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (commonly known as 
            ``TDWR''), air surveillance radars of the Federal Aviation 
            Administration, and cooperative network observers;
                (iii) assess the feasibility and advisability of 
            efforts to integrate and upgrade Federal radar capabilities 
            that are not owned or controlled by the National Oceanic 
            and Atmospheric Administration, including radar 
            capabilities of the Federal Aviation Administration and the 
            Department of Defense;
                (iv) assess the feasibility and advisability of 
            incorporating State-operated and other non-Federal radars 
            into the operations of the National Weather Service;
                (v) identify options to improve hazardous weather 
            detection and forecasting coverage; and
                (vi) provide the estimated cost of, and timeline for, 
            each of the options identified under clause (v).
        (3) Report.--Upon the completion of the study required under 
    paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
    Representatives a report that includes the findings of the 
    Secretary with respect to the study.
    (b) Recommendations to Improve Radar Coverage.--Not later than 90 
days after the completion of the study under subsection (a)(1), the 
Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the congressional committees 
referred to in subsection (a)(3) recommendations for improving 
hazardous weather detection and forecasting coverage in the areas 
identified under subsection (a)(2)(A) by integrating additional 
observation solutions to the extent practicable and meteorologically 
justified and necessary to protect public safety.
    (c) Third-party Consultation Regarding Recommendations to Improve 
Radar Coverage.--The Secretary of Commerce may seek reviews by, or 
consult with, appropriate third parties regarding the scientific 
methodology relating to, and the feasibility and advisability of 
implementing, the recommendations submitted under subsection (b), 
including the extent to which warning and forecast services of the 
National Weather Service would be improved by additional observations.

     TITLE V--TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017

    SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.
    This title may be cited as the ``Tsunami Warning, Education, and 
Research Act of 2017''.
    SEC. 502. REFERENCES TO THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT.
    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Tsunami Warning and 
Education Act enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 
109-479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
    SEC. 503. EXPANSION OF PURPOSES OF TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION 
      ACT.
    Section 803 (33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``research,'' after 
    ``warnings,'';
        (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
        ``(2) to enhance and modernize the existing United States 
    Tsunami Warning System to increase the accuracy of forecasts and 
    warnings, to ensure full coverage of tsunami threats to the United 
    States with a network of detection assets, and to reduce false 
    alarms;'';
        (3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
        ``(3) to improve and develop standards and guidelines for 
    mapping, modeling, and assessment efforts to improve tsunami 
    detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation, 
    resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;'';
        (4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as paragraphs 
    (5), (6), and (8), respectively;
        (5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
        ``(4) to improve research efforts related to improving tsunami 
    detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation, 
    resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;'';
        (6) in paragraph (5), as redesignated--
            (A) by striking ``and increase'' and inserting ``, 
        increase, and develop uniform standards and guidelines for''; 
        and
            (B) by inserting ``, including the warning signs of locally 
        generated tsunami'' after ``approaching'';
        (7) in paragraph (6), as redesignated, by striking ``, 
    including the Indian Ocean; and'' and inserting a semicolon; and
        (8) by inserting after paragraph (6), as redesignated, the 
    following:
        ``(7) to foster resilient communities in the face of tsunami 
    and other similar coastal hazards; and''.
    SEC. 504. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING PROGRAM.
    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(a)) 
is amended by striking ``Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of 
Mexico region'' and inserting ``Atlantic Ocean region, including the 
Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico''.
    (b) Components.--Subsection (b) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(b)) 
is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``established'' and inserting 
    ``supported or maintained'';
        (2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as paragraphs 
    (8) through (10), respectively;
        (3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as paragraphs 
    (3) through (7), respectively;
        (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
        ``(2) to the degree practicable, maintain not less than 80 
    percent of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis buoy 
    array at operational capacity to optimize data reliability;''.
        (5) by amending paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph 
    (3), to read as follows:
        ``(5) provide tsunami forecasting capability based on models 
    and measurements, including tsunami inundation models and maps for 
    use in increasing the preparedness of communities and safeguarding 
    port and harbor operations, that incorporate inputs, including--
            ``(A) the United States and global ocean and coastal 
        observing system;
            ``(B) the global Earth observing system;
            ``(C) the global seismic network;
            ``(D) the Advanced National Seismic system;
            ``(E) tsunami model validation using historical and 
        paleotsunami data;
            ``(F) digital elevation models and bathymetry; and
            ``(G) newly developing tsunami detection methodologies 
        using satellites and airborne remote sensing;'';
        (6) by amending paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph 
    (3), to read as follows:
        ``(7) include a cooperative effort among the Administration, 
    the United States Geological Survey, and the National Science 
    Foundation under which the Director of the United States Geological 
    Survey and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall--
            ``(A) provide rapid and reliable seismic information to the 
        Administrator from international and domestic seismic networks; 
        and
            ``(B) support seismic stations installed before the date of 
        the enactment of the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research 
        Act of 2017 to supplement coverage in areas of sparse 
        instrumentation;'';
        (7) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
            (A) by inserting ``, including graphical warning 
        products,'' after ``warnings'';
            (B) by inserting ``, territories,'' after ``States''; and
            (C) by inserting ``and Wireless Emergency Alerts'' after 
        ``Hazards Program''; and
        (8) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
            (A) by inserting ``provide and'' before ``allow''; and
            (B) by inserting ``and commercial and Federal undersea 
        communications cables'' after ``observing technologies''.
    (c) Tsunami Warning System.--Subsection (c) of section 804 (33 
U.S.C. 3203(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Tsunami Warning System.--The program under this section shall 
operate a tsunami warning system that--
        ``(1) is capable of forecasting tsunami, including forecasting 
    tsunami arrival time and inundation estimates, anywhere in the 
    Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing adequate warnings;
        ``(2) is capable of forecasting and providing adequate 
    warnings, including tsunami arrival time and inundation models 
    where applicable, in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, including the 
    Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are determined--
            ``(A) to be geologically active, or to have significant 
        potential for geological activity; and
            ``(B) to pose significant risks of tsunami for States along 
        the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf 
        of Mexico; and
        ``(3) supports other international tsunami forecasting and 
    warning efforts.''.
    (d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--Subsection (d) of section 804 (33 
U.S.C. 3203(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall support or maintain 
    centers to support the tsunami warning system required by 
    subsection (c). The Centers shall include--
            ``(A) the National Tsunami Warning Center, located in 
        Alaska, which is primarily responsible for Alaska and the 
        continental United States;
            ``(B) the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in 
        Hawaii, which is primarily responsible for Hawaii, the 
        Caribbean, and other areas of the Pacific not covered by the 
        National Center; and
            ``(C) any additional forecast and warning centers 
        determined by the National Weather Service to be necessary.
        ``(2) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of the centers 
    supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall include the 
    following:
            ``(A) Continuously monitoring data from seismological, deep 
        ocean, coastal sea level, and tidal monitoring stations and 
        other data sources as may be developed and deployed.
            ``(B) Evaluating earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic 
        eruptions that have the potential to generate tsunami.
            ``(C) Evaluating deep ocean buoy data and tidal monitoring 
        stations for indications of tsunami resulting from earthquakes 
        and other sources.
            ``(D) To the extent practicable, utilizing a range of 
        models, including ensemble models, to predict tsunami, 
        including arrival times, flooding estimates, coastal and harbor 
        currents, and duration.
            ``(E) Using data from the Integrated Ocean Observing System 
        of the Administration in coordination with regional 
        associations to calculate new inundation estimates and 
        periodically update existing inundation estimates.
            ``(F) Disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning bulletins 
        to Federal, State, tribal, and local government officials and 
        the public.
            ``(G) Coordinating with the tsunami hazard mitigation 
        program conducted under section 805 to ensure ongoing sharing 
        of information between forecasters and emergency management 
        officials.
            ``(H) In coordination with the Commandant of the Coast 
        Guard and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
        Agency, evaluating and recommending procedures for ports and 
        harbors at risk of tsunami inundation, including review of 
        readiness, response, and communication strategies, and data 
        sharing policies, to the maximum extent practicable.
            ``(I) Making data gathered under this Act and post-warning 
        analyses conducted by the National Weather Service or other 
        relevant Administration offices available to the public.
            ``(J) Integrating and modernizing the program operated 
        under this section with advances in tsunami science to improve 
        performance without compromising service.
        ``(3) Fail-safe warning capability.--The tsunami warning 
    centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall maintain 
    a fail-safe warning capability and perform back-up duties for each 
    other.
        ``(4) Coordination with national weather service.--The 
    Administrator shall coordinate with the forecast offices of the 
    National Weather Service, the centers supported or maintained under 
    paragraph (1), and such program offices of the Administration as 
    the Administrator or the coordinating committee, as established in 
    section 805(d), consider appropriate to ensure that regional and 
    local forecast offices--
            ``(A) have the technical knowledge and capability to 
        disseminate tsunami warnings for the communities they serve;
            ``(B) leverage connections with local emergency management 
        officials for optimally disseminating tsunami warnings and 
        forecasts; and
            ``(C) implement mass communication tools in effect on the 
        day before the date of the enactment of the Tsunami Warning, 
        Education, and Research Act of 2017 used by the National 
        Weather Service on such date and newer mass communication 
        technologies as they are developed as a part of the Weather-
        Ready Nation program of the Administration, or otherwise, for 
        the purpose of timely and effective delivery of tsunami 
        warnings.
        ``(5) Uniform operating procedures.--The Administrator shall--
            ``(A) develop uniform operational procedures for the 
        centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1), including 
        the use of software applications, checklists, decision support 
        tools, and tsunami warning products that have been standardized 
        across the program supported under this section;
            ``(B) ensure that processes and products of the warning 
        system operated under subsection (c)--
                ``(i) reflect industry best practices when practicable;
                ``(ii) conform to the maximum extent practicable with 
            internationally recognized standards for information 
            technology; and
                ``(iii) conform to the maximum extent practicable with 
            other warning products and practices of the National 
            Weather Service;
            ``(C) ensure that future adjustments to operational 
        protocols, processes, and warning products--
                ``(i) are made consistently across the warning system 
            operated under subsection (c); and
                ``(ii) are applied in a uniform manner across such 
            warning system;
            ``(D) establish a systematic method for information 
        technology product development to improve long-term technology 
        planning efforts; and
            ``(E) disseminate guidelines and metrics for evaluating and 
        improving tsunami forecast models.
        ``(6) Available resources.--The Administrator, through the 
    National Weather Service, shall ensure that resources are available 
    to fulfill the obligations of this Act. This includes ensuring 
    supercomputing resources are available to run, as rapidly as 
    possible, such computer models as are needed for purposes of the 
    tsunami warning system operated under subsection (c).''.
    (e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--Subsection 
(e) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(e)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--In 
carrying out this section, the Administrator shall--
        ``(1) develop requirements for the equipment used to forecast 
    tsunami, including--
            ``(A) provisions for multipurpose detection platforms;
            ``(B) reliability and performance metrics; and
            ``(C) to the maximum extent practicable, requirements for 
        the integration of equipment with other United States and 
        global ocean and coastal observation systems, the global Earth 
        observing system of systems, the global seismic networks, and 
        the Advanced National Seismic System;
        ``(2) develop and execute a plan for the transfer of technology 
    from ongoing research conducted as part of the program supported or 
    maintained under section 6 into the program under this section; and
        ``(3) ensure that the Administration's operational tsunami 
    detection equipment is properly maintained.''.
    (f) Federal Cooperation.--Subsection (f) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 
3203(f)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) Federal Cooperation.--When deploying and maintaining tsunami 
detection technologies under the program under this section, the 
Administrator shall--
        ``(1) identify which assets of other Federal agencies are 
    necessary to support such program; and
        ``(2) work with each agency identified under paragraph (1)--
            ``(A) to acquire the agency's assistance; and
            ``(B) to prioritize the necessary assets in support of the 
        tsunami forecast and warning program.''.
    (g) Unnecessary Provisions.--Section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203) is 
further amended--
        (1) by striking subsection (g);
        (2) by striking subsections (i) through (k); and
        (3) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
    (h) Congressional Notifications.--Subsection (g) of section 804 (33 
U.S.C. 3203(g)), as redesignated by subsection (g)(3), is amended--
        (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs 
    (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such subparagraphs 2 ems to 
    the right;
        (2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated by 
    paragraph (2), by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting the 
    following:
        ``(1) In general.--The Administrator'';
        (3) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by paragraph (3)--
            (A) in subparagraph (A), as redesignated by paragraph (2), 
        by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (B) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (2), 
        by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) the occurrence of a significant tsunami warning.''; 
        and
        (4) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(2) Contents.--In a case in which notice is submitted under 
    paragraph (1) within 30 days of a significant tsunami warning 
    described in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, such notice shall 
    include, as appropriate, brief information and analysis of--
            ``(A) the accuracy of the tsunami model used;
            ``(B) the specific deep ocean or other monitoring equipment 
        that detected the incident, as well as the deep ocean or other 
        monitoring equipment that did not detect the incident due to 
        malfunction or other reasons;
            ``(C) the effectiveness of the warning communication, 
        including the dissemination of warnings with State, territory, 
        local, and tribal partners in the affected area under the 
        jurisdiction of the National Weather Service; and
            ``(D) such other findings as the Administrator considers 
        appropriate.''.
    SEC. 505. MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION 
      PROGRAM.
    (a) In General.--Section 805(a) (33 U.S.C. 3204(a)) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(a) Program Required.--The Administrator, in coordination with 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the 
heads of such other agencies as the Administrator considers relevant, 
shall conduct a community-based tsunami hazard mitigation program to 
improve tsunami preparedness and resiliency of at-risk areas in the 
United States and the territories of the United States.''.
    (b) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.--Section 805 (33 
U.S.C. 3204) is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(c) Program Components.--The Program conducted under subsection 
(a) shall include the following:
        ``(1) Technical and financial assistance to coastal States, 
    territories, tribes, and local governments to develop and implement 
    activities under this section.
        ``(2) Integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation 
    programs into ongoing State-based hazard warning, resilience 
    planning, and risk management activities, including predisaster 
    planning, emergency response, evacuation planning, disaster 
    recovery, hazard mitigation, and community development and 
    redevelopment planning programs in affected areas.
        ``(3) Coordination with other Federal preparedness and 
    mitigation programs to leverage Federal investment, avoid 
    duplication, and maximize effort.
        ``(4) Activities to promote the adoption of tsunami resilience, 
    preparedness, warning, and mitigation measures by Federal, State, 
    territorial, tribal, and local governments and nongovernmental 
    entities, including educational and risk communication programs to 
    discourage development in high-risk areas.
        ``(5) Activities to support the development of regional tsunami 
    hazard and risk assessments. Such regional risk assessments may 
    include the following:
            ``(A) The sources, sizes, and other relevant historical 
        data of tsunami in the region, including paleotsunami data.
            ``(B) Inundation models and maps of critical infrastructure 
        and socioeconomic vulnerability in areas subject to tsunami 
        inundation.
            ``(C) Maps of evacuation areas and evacuation routes, 
        including, when appropriate, traffic studies that evaluate the 
        viability of evacuation routes.
            ``(D) Evaluations of the size of populations that will 
        require evacuation, including populations with special 
        evacuation needs.
            ``(E) Evaluations and technical assistance for vertical 
        evacuation structure planning for communities where models 
        indicate limited or no ability for timely evacuation, 
        especially in areas at risk of near shore generated tsunami.
            ``(F) Evaluation of at-risk ports and harbors.
            ``(G) Evaluation of the effect of tsunami currents on the 
        foundations of closely-spaced, coastal high-rise structures.
        ``(6) Activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports and 
    harbors, including the following:
            ``(A) Evaluation and recommendation of procedures for ports 
        and harbors in the event of a distant or near-field tsunami.
            ``(B) A review of readiness, response, and communication 
        strategies to ensure coordination and data sharing with the 
        Coast Guard.
        ``(7) Activities to support the development of community-based 
    outreach and education programs to ensure community readiness and 
    resilience, including the following:
            ``(A) The development, implementation, and assessment of 
        technical training and public education programs, including 
        education programs that address unique characteristics of 
        distant and near-field tsunami.
            ``(B) The development of decision support tools.
            ``(C) The incorporation of social science research into 
        community readiness and resilience efforts.
            ``(D) The development of evidence-based education 
        guidelines.
        ``(8) Dissemination of guidelines and standards for community 
    planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools, 
    including--
            ``(A) standards for--
                ``(i) mapping products;
                ``(ii) inundation models; and
                ``(iii) effective emergency exercises; and
            ``(B) recommended guidance for at-risk port and harbor 
        tsunami warning, evacuation, and response procedures in 
        coordination with the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency.
    ``(d) Authorized Activities.--In addition to activities conducted 
under subsection (c), the program conducted under subsection (a) may 
include the following:
        ``(1) Multidisciplinary vulnerability assessment research, 
    education, and training to help integrate risk management and 
    resilience objectives with community development planning and 
    policies.
        ``(2) Risk management training for local officials and 
    community organizations to enhance understanding and preparedness.
        ``(3) In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management 
    Agency, interagency, Federal, State, tribal, and territorial 
    intergovernmental tsunami response exercise planning and 
    implementation in high risk areas.
        ``(4) Development of practical applications for existing or 
    emerging technologies, such as modeling, remote sensing, geospatial 
    technology, engineering, and observing systems, including the 
    integration of tsunami sensors into Federal and commercial 
    submarine telecommunication cables if practicable.
        ``(5) Risk management, risk assessment, and resilience data and 
    information services, including--
            ``(A) access to data and products derived from observing 
        and detection systems; and
            ``(B) development and maintenance of new integrated data 
        products to support risk management, risk assessment, and 
        resilience programs.
        ``(6) Risk notification systems that coordinate with and build 
    upon existing systems and actively engage decisionmakers, State, 
    local, tribal, and territorial governments and agencies, business 
    communities, nongovernmental organizations, and the media.
    ``(e) No Preemption With Respect to Designation of At-risk Areas.--
The establishment of national standards for inundation models under 
this section shall not prevent States, territories, tribes, and local 
governments from designating additional areas as being at risk based on 
knowledge of local conditions.
    ``(f) No New Regulatory Authority.--Nothing in this Act may be 
construed as establishing new regulatory authority for any Federal 
agency.''.
    (c) Report on Accreditation of TsunamiReady Program.--Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives a report on which authorities and 
activities would be needed to have the TsunamiReady program of the 
National Weather Service accredited by the Emergency Management 
Accreditation Program.
    SEC. 506. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM.
    Section 806 (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
        (1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``The 
    Administrator shall'' and all that follows through ``establish or 
    maintain'' and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, in consultation with 
such other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and territorial 
governments, and academic institutions as the Administrator considers 
appropriate, the coordinating committee under section 805(d), and the 
panel under section 808(a), support or maintain'';
        (2) in subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1), by 
    striking ``and assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical 
    forecast modeling. Such research program shall--'' and inserting 
    the following: ``assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical 
    forecast modeling, and standards development.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--The research program supported or 
maintained under subsection (a) shall--''; and
        (3) in subsection (b), as designated by paragraph (2)--
            (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
        ``(1) consider other appropriate and cost effective solutions 
    to mitigate the impact of tsunami, including the improvement of 
    near-field and distant tsunami detection and forecasting 
    capabilities, which may include use of a new generation of the 
    Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis array, integration 
    of tsunami sensors into commercial and Federal telecommunications 
    cables, and other real-time tsunami monitoring systems and 
    supercomputer capacity of the Administration to develop a rapid 
    tsunami forecast for all United States coastlines;'';
            (B) in paragraph (3)--
                (i) by striking ``include'' and inserting ``conduct''; 
            and
                (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
            (D) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
        ``(4) develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami 
    maps, numerical tsunami models, digital elevation models, and 
    forecasts; and''; and
            (E) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by subparagraph (C), 
        by striking ``to the scientific community'' and inserting ``to 
        the public and the scientific community''.
    SEC. 507. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK.
    Section 807 (33 U.S.C. 3206) is amended--
        (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Support for Development of an International Tsunami Warning 
System.--The Administrator shall, in coordination with the Secretary of 
State and in consultation with such other agencies as the Administrator 
considers relevant, provide technical assistance, operational support, 
and training to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the 
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, the 
World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, and such other 
international entities as the Administrator considers appropriate, as 
part of the international efforts to develop a fully functional global 
tsunami forecast and warning system comprised of regional tsunami 
warning networks.'';
        (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``shall'' each place it 
    appears and inserting ``may''; and
        (3) in subsection (c)--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``establishing'' and 
        inserting ``supporting''; and
            (B) in paragraph (2)--
                (i) by striking ``establish'' and inserting 
            ``support''; and
                (ii) by striking ``establishing'' and inserting 
            ``supporting''.
    SEC. 508. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.
    (a) In General.--The Act is further amended--
        (1) by redesignating section 808 (33 U.S.C. 3207) as section 
    809; and
        (2) by inserting after section 807 (33 U.S.C. 3206) the 
    following:
    ``SEC. 808. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.
    ``(a) Designation.--The Administrator shall designate an existing 
working group within the Science Advisory Board of the Administration 
to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to 
provide advice to the Administrator on matters regarding tsunami 
science, technology, and regional preparedness.
    ``(b) Membership.--
        ``(1) Composition.--The Panel shall be composed of no fewer 
    than 7 members selected by the Administrator from among individuals 
    from academia or State agencies who have academic or practical 
    expertise in physical sciences, social sciences, information 
    technology, coastal resilience, emergency management, or such other 
    disciplines as the Administrator considers appropriate.
        ``(2) Federal employment.--No member of the Panel may be a 
    Federal employee.
    ``(c) Responsibilities.--Not less frequently than once every 4 
years, the Panel shall--
        ``(1) review the activities of the Administration, and other 
    Federal activities as appropriate, relating to tsunami research, 
    detection, forecasting, warning, mitigation, resiliency, and 
    preparation; and
        ``(2) submit to the Administrator and such others as the 
    Administrator considers appropriate--
            ``(A) the findings of the working group with respect to the 
        most recent review conducted under paragraph (1); and
            ``(B) such recommendations for legislative or 
        administrative action as the working group considers 
        appropriate to improve Federal tsunami research, detection, 
        forecasting, warning, mitigation, resiliency, and preparation.
    ``(d) Reports to Congress.--Not less frequently than once every 4 
years, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report 
on the findings and recommendations received by the Administrator under 
subsection (c)(2).''.
    (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
1(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 120 Stat. 3575) is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 808 and inserting the 
following:

``Sec. 808. Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.
``Sec. 809. Authorization of appropriations.''.
    SEC. 509. REPORTS.
    (a) Report on Implementation of Tsunami Warning and Education 
Act.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
    and Atmospheric Administration shall submit to Congress a report on 
    the implementation of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act enacted 
    as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
    Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 33 
    U.S.C. 3201 et seq.), as amended by this Act.
        (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
    include the following:
            (A) A detailed description of the progress made in 
        implementing sections 804(d)(6), 805(b), and 806(b)(4) of the 
        Tsunami Warning and Education Act the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public 
        Law 109-479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
            (B) A description of the ways that tsunami warnings and 
        warning products issued by the Tsunami Forecasting and Warning 
        Program established under section 804 of the Tsunami Warning 
        and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203), as amended by this Act, may 
        be standardized and streamlined with warnings and warning 
        products for hurricanes, coastal storms, and other coastal 
        flooding events.
    (b) Report on National Efforts That Support Rapid Response 
Following Near-shore Tsunami Events.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Secretary of 
    Homeland Security shall jointly, in coordination with the Director 
    of the United States Geological Survey, Administrator of the 
    Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Chief of the National 
    Guard Bureau, and the heads of such other Federal agencies as the 
    Administrator considers appropriate, submit to the appropriate 
    committees of Congress a report on the national efforts in effect 
    on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act that 
    support and facilitate rapid emergency response following a 
    domestic near-shore tsunami event to better understand domestic 
    effects of earthquake derived tsunami on people, infrastructure, 
    and communities in the United States.
        (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
    include the following:
            (A) A description of scientific or other measurements 
        collected on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
        Act to quickly identify and quantify lost or degraded 
        infrastructure or terrestrial formations.
            (B) A description of scientific or other measurements that 
        would be necessary to collect to quickly identify and quantify 
        lost or degraded infrastructure or terrestrial formations.
            (C) Identification and evaluation of Federal, State, local, 
        tribal, territorial, and military first responder and search 
        and rescue operation centers, bases, and other facilities as 
        well as other critical response assets and infrastructure, 
        including search and rescue aircraft, located within near-shore 
        and distant tsunami inundation areas on the day before the date 
        of the enactment of this Act.
            (D) An evaluation of near-shore tsunami response plans in 
        areas described in subparagraph (C) in effect on the day before 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, and how those response 
        plans would be affected by the loss of search and rescue and 
        first responder infrastructure described in such subparagraph.
            (E) A description of redevelopment plans and reports in 
        effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act 
        for communities in areas that are at high-risk for near-shore 
        tsunami, as well identification of States or communities that 
        do not have redevelopment plans.
            (F) Recommendations to enhance near-shore tsunami 
        preparedness and response plans, including recommended 
        responder exercises, predisaster planning, and mitigation 
        needs.
            (G) Such other data and analysis information as the 
        Administrator and the Secretary of Homeland Security consider 
        appropriate.
        (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this subsection, 
    the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
        and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
        of the Senate; and
            (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the 
        Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives.
    SEC. 510. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    Section 809 of the Act, as redesignated by section _08(a)(1) of 
this Act, is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (2) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking the period at the end and 
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(6) $25,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, 
    of which--
            ``(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated 
        for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted at the 
        State level under the tsunami hazard mitigation program under 
        section 805; and
            ``(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated 
        shall be for the tsunami research program under section 806.''.
    SEC. 511. OUTREACH RESPONSIBILITIES.
    The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, in coordination with State and local emergency 
managers, shall develop and carry out formal outreach activities to 
improve tsunami education and awareness and foster the development of 
resilient communities. Outreach activities may include--
        (1) the development of outreach plans to ensure the close 
    integration of tsunami warning centers supported or maintained 
    under section 804(d) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 
    U.S.C. 3203(d)), as amended by this Act, with local Weather 
    Forecast Offices of the National Weather Service and emergency 
    managers;
        (2) working with appropriate local Weather Forecast Offices to 
    ensure they have the technical knowledge and capability to 
    disseminate tsunami warnings to the communities they serve; and
        (3) evaluating the effectiveness of warnings and of 
    coordination with local Weather Forecast Offices after significant 
    tsunami events.
    SEC. 512. REPEAL OF DUPLICATE PROVISIONS OF LAW.
    (a) Repeal.--The Tsunami Warning and Education Act enacted by 
Public Law 109-424 (120 Stat. 2902) is repealed.
    (b) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
repeal, or affect in any way, the Tsunami Warning and Education Act 
enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 33 U.S.C. 
3201 et seq.).

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.