[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 29, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2104-S2114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 204. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Thune) proposed an amendment to the 
bill H.R. 353, 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; as follows:

       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     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.

     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

[[Page S2105]]

     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

[[Page S2106]]

     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.''.

[[Page S2107]]

  


            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

[[Page S2108]]

     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,

[[Page S2109]]

     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

[[Page S2110]]

     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.

[[Page S2111]]

       (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.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 205. Mr. McCONNELL (for Ms. Cantwell) proposed an amendment to 
amendment SA 204 proposed by Mr. McConnell (for Mr. Thune) to the bill 
H.R. 353, 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; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

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

     SEC. _01. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Tsunami Warning, 
     Education, and Research Act of 2017''.

     SEC. _02. 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. _03. 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. _04. 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

[[Page S2112]]

     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. _05. 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.

[[Page S2113]]

       ``(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. _06. 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. _07. 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. _08. 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:


[[Page S2114]]


``Sec. 808. Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.
``Sec. 809. Authorization of appropriations.''.

     SEC. _09. 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. _10. 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. _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 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. _12. 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.).

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