[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 146 (Tuesday, October 6, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7163-S7167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 2709. Mr. DAINES (for Mr. Thune) proposed an amendment to the bill
H.R. 34, to authorize and strengthen the tsunami detection, forecast,
warning, research, and mitigation program of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes; as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted, add the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Tsunami Warning, Education,
and Research Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this
Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act
(Public Law 109-424; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF PURPOSES OF TSUNAMI WARNING AND
EDUCATION ACT.
Section 3 (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. 4. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 4 (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 4 (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;
``(G) newly developing tsunami detection methodologies
using satellites and airborne remote sensing; and
``(H) any other data the Administrator determines is
necessary;'';
(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 2015 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 4
(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;
[[Page S7164]]
``(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 4
(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 5 to ensure ongoing sharing
of information between forecasters and emergency management
officials.
``(H) In coordination with the Coast Guard, 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.
``(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 5(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 2015 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 4 (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 4 (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 4 (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
4 (33 U.S.C. 3203(g)), as redesignated by subsection (g)(3),
is amended--
(1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``30''
and inserting ``90'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such
subparagraphs 2 ems to the right;
(3) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated
by paragraph (2), by striking ``The Administrator'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The Administrator'';
(4) 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
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Contents.--In a case in which notice is submitted
under paragraph (1) within 90 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.''.
[[Page S7165]]
SEC. 5. MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 5 (33 U.S.C. 3204) is amended by
striking subsections (a) through (d) and inserting the
following:
``(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) 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) 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.
``(4) 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.
``(5) 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.
``(6) 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.
``(7) 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.
``(c) Authorized Activities.--In addition to activities
conducted under subsection (b), 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) 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.
``(d) Coordinating Committee.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall maintain a
coordinating committee to assist the Administrator in the
conduct of the program required by subsection (a).
``(2) Composition.--The coordinating committee shall be
composed of members as follows:
``(A) Representatives from each of the States and
territories most at risk from tsunami, including Alaska,
Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam,
American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas Islands.
``(B) Such other members as the Administrator considers
appropriate to represent Federal, State, tribal, territorial,
and local governments.
``(3) Subcommittees.--The Administrator may approve the
formation of subcommittees to address specific program
components or regional issues.
``(4) Responsibilities.--The coordinating committee shall--
``(A) provide feedback on how funds should be prioritized
to carry out the program required by subsection (a);
``(B) ensure that areas described in section 4(c) in the
United States and its territories have the opportunity to
participate in the program;
``(C) provide recommendations to the Administrator on how
to improve and continuously advance the TsunamiReady program
of the National Weather Service, particularly on ways to make
communities more tsunami resilient through the use of
inundation maps and models and other hazard mitigation
practices;
``(D) ensure that all components of the program required by
subsection (a) are integrated with ongoing State based hazard
warning, risk management, and resilience activities,
including--
``(i) integrating activities with emergency response plans,
disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and community
development programs in affected areas; and
``(ii) integrating information to assist in tsunami
evacuation route planning.
``(5) Exemption from faca.--The provisions of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
committee established and maintained under paragraph (1).
``(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.''.
(b) 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. 6. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 6 (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 5(d), and the panel under section
8(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,
[[Page S7166]]
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. 7. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK.
Section 7 (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. 8. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) In General.--The Act is further amended--
(1) by redesignating section 8 (33 U.S.C. 3207) as section
9; and
(2) by inserting after section 7 (33 U.S.C. 3206) the
following:
``SEC. 8. 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 manage 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).''.
SEC. 9. 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 (33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A detailed description of the progress made in
implementing sections 4(d)(6), 5(b)(6), and 6(b)(4) of the
Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
(B) A description of the ways that tsunami warnings and
warning products issued by the Tsunami Forecasting and
Warning Program established under section 4 of the Tsunami
Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203) can 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 and the
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 9 of the Act, as redesignated by section 8(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) $27,000,000 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 5; and
``(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section 6.''.
SEC. 11. 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 4(d) of the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203(d)) 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. 12. MODIFICATION OF COASTAL OCEAN PROGRAM.
Section 201(c) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Authorization
[[Page S7167]]
Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567; 106 Stat. 4280) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1) In general.--'' before ``Of the
sums'' and indenting appropriately; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Regional coastal risk management coalitions.--The
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration may form regional coastal risk management
coalitions comprised of representatives of Federal, State,
local, and tribal governments, community groups, academic
institutions, and nongovernmental groups to advance the goals
of this section for communities facing common coastal hazards
and risks. Such coalitions may enter into an agreement with
an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a nonprofit
foundation in order to accept gifts and donations to support
the goals of this subsection.''.
SEC. 13. REPEAL OF DUPLICATE PROVISIONS OF LAW.
(a) Repeal.--The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479)
is amended by striking title VIII (relating to tsunami
warning and education).
(b) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to repeal, or affect in any way, Public Law 109-
424.
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