[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 4 (Monday, January 8, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S69-S75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COORDINATED OCEAN MONITORING AND RESEARCH ACT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 265, S. 1425.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1425) to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and 
     Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting 
clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

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

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.
Sec. 5. Financing and agreements.
Sec. 6. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 7. Public-private use policy.
Sec. 8. Repeal of independent cost estimate.
Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 10. Reports and research plans.
Sec. 11. Strategic research plan.
Sec. 12. Stakeholder input on monitoring.
Sec. 13. Research activities.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

       Section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12302. PURPOSES.

       ``The purposes of this subtitle are--
       ``(1) to establish and sustain a national integrated System 
     of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, 
     comprised of Federal and non-Federal components coordinated 
     at the national level by the Council and at the regional 
     level by a network of regional coastal observing systems, and 
     that includes in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean 
     observation and modeling capabilities, technologies, data 
     management systems, communication systems, and product 
     development systems, and is designed to address regional and 
     national needs for ocean and coastal information, to gather 
     specific data on key coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes 
     variables, and to ensure timely and sustained dissemination 
     and availability of these data--
       ``(A) to the public;
       ``(B) to support national defense, search and rescue 
     operations, marine commerce, navigation safety, weather, 
     climate, and marine forecasting, energy siting and 
     production, economic development, ecosystem-based marine, 
     coastal, and Great Lakes resource management, public safety, 
     and public outreach and education;
       ``(C) to promote greater public awareness and stewardship 
     of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and 
     the general public welfare;
       ``(D) to provide easy access to ocean, coastal, and Great 
     Lakes data and promote data sharing between Federal and non-
     Federal sources and promote public data sharing;
       ``(E) to enable advances in scientific understanding to 
     support the sustainable use, conservation, management, and 
     understanding of healthy ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
     resources; and
       ``(F) to monitor and model changes in ocean chemistry;
       ``(2) to improve the Nation's capability to measure, track, 
     observe, understand, and predict events related directly and 
     indirectly to weather and climate change, natural climate 
     variability, and interactions between the oceanic and 
     atmospheric environments, including the Great Lakes; and
       ``(3) to authorize activities--
       ``(A) to promote basic and applied research to develop, 
     test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and 
     ocean observation technologies, including advanced observing 
     technologies needed to address critical data gaps, modeling 
     systems, other scientific and technological capabilities to 
     improve the understanding of weather and climate, ocean-
     atmosphere dynamics, global climate change, and the physical, 
     chemical, and biological dynamics of the ocean, coastal and 
     Great Lakes environments; and
       ``(B) to conserve healthy and restore degraded coastal 
     ecosystems.''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

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

     SEC. 4. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM.

       (a) System Elements.--
       (1) In general.--Section 12304(b) of the Integrated Coastal 
     and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) 
     is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--In order to fulfill the purposes of this 
     subtitle, the System shall be national in scope and consist 
     of--
       ``(A) Federal assets to fulfill national and international 
     observation missions and priorities;
       ``(B) non-Federal assets, including a network of regional 
     coastal observing systems identified under subsection (c)(4), 
     to fulfill regional and national observation missions and 
     priorities;
       ``(C) data management, communication, and modeling systems 
     for the timely integration and dissemination of data and 
     information products from the System;
       ``(D) a product development system to transform 
     observations into products in a format that may be readily 
     used and understood; and
       ``(E) a research and development program conducted under 
     the guidance of the Council, consisting of--
       ``(i) basic and applied research and technology 
     development--

       ``(I) to improve understanding of coastal and ocean systems 
     and their relationships to human activities; and
       ``(II) to ensure improvement of operational assets and 
     products, including related infrastructure, observing 
     technologies, and information and data processing and 
     management technologies;

       ``(ii) an advanced observing technology development program 
     to fill gaps in technology;
       ``(iii) large scale computing resources and research to 
     advance modeling of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes 
     processes;
       ``(iv) models to improve regional weather forecasting 
     capabilities and regional weather forecasting products; and
       ``(v) reviews of data collection procedures across regions 
     and programs to make recommendations for data collection 
     standards across the System to meet national ocean, coastal, 
     and Great Lakes observation, applied research, and weather 
     forecasting needs.''.
       (2) Availability of data.--Section 12304(b)(3) of such Act 
     (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``for research 
     and for use in the development of products to address 
     societal needs'' before the period at the end.
       (3) Coordination of non-federal assets.--Section 
     12304(b)(4) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) is amended--
       (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Non-federal'' 
     and inserting ``Coordination of non-federal''; and
       (B) by striking ``or by'' and inserting ``, the regional 
     coastal observing system, or''.
       (b) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional 
     Coordination.--Section 12304(c) of the Integrated Coastal and 
     Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(c)) is 
     amended by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Interagency ocean observation committee.--
       ``(A) Establishment.--The Council shall establish or 
     designate a committee, which shall be known as the 
     Interagency Ocean Observation Committee.
       ``(B) Duties.--The Interagency Ocean Observation Committee 
     shall--
       ``(i) prepare annual and long-term plans for consideration 
     and approval by the Council for the integrated design, 
     operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of the 
     System to meet the objectives of this chapter and the System 
     Plan;
       ``(ii) develop and transmit to Congress, along with the 
     budget submitted by the President to Congress pursuant to 
     section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, an annual 
     coordinated, comprehensive budget--

       ``(I) to operate all elements of the System identified in 
     subsection (b); and
       ``(II) to ensure continuity of data streams from Federal 
     and non-Federal assets;

       ``(iii) establish requirements for observation data 
     variables to be gathered by both Federal and non-Federal 
     assets and identify, in consultation with regional 
     information coordination entities, priorities for System 
     observations;
       ``(iv) establish and define protocols and standards for 
     System data processing, management, collection, configuration 
     standards, formats, and communication for new and existing 
     assets throughout the Integrated Ocean Observing System 
     network;
       ``(v) develop contract requirements for each regional 
     coastal observing system--

       ``(I) to establish eligibility for integration into the 
     System;

[[Page S70]]

       ``(II) to ensure compliance with all applicable standards 
     and protocols established by the Council; and
       ``(III) to ensure that regional observations are integrated 
     into the System on a sustained basis;

       ``(vi) identify gaps in observation coverage or needs for 
     capital improvements of both Federal assets and non-Federal 
     assets;
       ``(vii) subject to the availability of appropriations, 
     establish through 1 or more participating Federal agencies, 
     in consultation with the System advisory committee 
     established under subsection (d), a competitive matching 
     grant or other programs--

       ``(I) to promote intramural and extramural research and 
     development of new, innovative, and emerging observation 
     technologies including testing and field trials; and
       ``(II) to facilitate the migration of new, innovative, and 
     emerging scientific and technological advances from research 
     and development to operational deployment;

       ``(viii) periodically--

       ``(I) review the System Plan; and
       ``(II) submit to the Council such recommendations as the 
     Interagency Ocean Observation Committee may have for 
     improvements to the System Plan;

       ``(ix) ensure collaboration among Federal agencies 
     participating in the activities of the Interagency Ocean 
     Observation Committee; and
       ``(x) perform such additional duties as the Council may 
     delegate.
       ``(3) Lead federal agency.--
       ``(A) In general.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration shall function as the lead Federal agency for 
     the implementation and administration of the System.
       ``(B) Consultation required.--In carrying out this 
     paragraph, the Administrator shall consult with the Council, 
     the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, other Federal 
     agencies that maintain portions of the System, and the 
     regional coastal observing systems.
       ``(C) Requirements.--In carrying out this paragraph, the 
     Administrator shall--
       ``(i) establish and operate an Integrated Ocean Observing 
     System Program Office within the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration--

       ``(I) that utilizes, to the extent necessary, personnel 
     from member agencies participating on the Interagency Ocean 
     Observation Committee; and
       ``(II) oversees daily operations and coordination of the 
     System;

       ``(ii) implement policies, protocols, and standards 
     approved by the Council and delegated by the Interagency 
     Ocean Observation Committee;
       ``(iii) promulgate program guidelines--

       ``(I) to certify and integrate regional associations into 
     the System; and
       ``(II) to provide regional coastal and ocean observation 
     data that meet the needs of user groups from the respective 
     regions;

       ``(iv) have the authority to enter into and oversee 
     contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements with 
     non-Federal assets, including regional information 
     coordination entities, to support the purposes of this 
     chapter on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate;
       ``(v) implement and maintain a merit-based, competitive 
     funding process to support non-Federal assets, including the 
     development and maintenance of a network of regional coastal 
     observing systems, and develop and implement a process for 
     the periodic review and evaluation of the regional 
     associations;
       ``(vi) provide opportunities for competitive contracts and 
     grants for demonstration projects to design, develop, 
     integrate, deploy, maintain, and support components of the 
     System;
       ``(vii) establish and maintain efficient and effective 
     administrative procedures for the timely allocation of funds 
     among contractors, grantees, and non-Federal assets, 
     including regional associations;
       ``(viii) develop and implement a process for the periodic 
     review and evaluation of the regional coastal observing 
     systems;
       ``(ix) formulate an annual process by which gaps in 
     observation coverage or needs for capital improvements of 
     Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the System are--

       ``(I) identified by the regional associations described in 
     the System Plan, the Administrator, or other members of the 
     System; and
       ``(II) submitted to the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee;

       ``(x) develop and be responsible for a data management and 
     communication system, in accordance with standards and 
     protocols established by the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee, by which all data collected by the System 
     regarding ocean and coastal waters of the United States 
     including the Great Lakes, are processed, stored, integrated, 
     and made available to all end-user communities;
       ``(xi) not less frequently than once each year, submit to 
     the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee a report on the 
     accomplishments, operational needs, and performance of the 
     System to contribute to the annual and long-term plans 
     prepared pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(i);
       ``(xii) develop and periodically update a plan to 
     efficiently integrate into the System new, innovative, or 
     emerging technologies that have been demonstrated to be 
     useful to the System and which will fulfill the purposes of 
     this chapter and the System Plan; and
       ``(xiii) work with users and Regional Associations to 
     develop products to enable real-time data sharing for 
     decision makers, including with respect to weather 
     forecasting and modeling, search and rescue operations, 
     corrosive seawater forecasts, water quality monitoring and 
     communication, and harmful algal bloom forecasting.
       ``(4) Regional coastal observing systems.--
       ``(A) In general.--A regional coastal observing system 
     operated by a Regional Association described in the System 
     Plan may not be certified or established under this subtitle 
     unless it--
       ``(i) has been or shall be certified or established by 
     contract or agreement by the Administrator;
       ``(ii) meets--

       ``(I) the certification standards and compliance procedure 
     guidelines issued by the Administrator; and
       ``(II) the information needs of user groups in the region 
     while adhering to national standards;

       ``(iii) demonstrates an organizational structure, that 
     under funding limitations is capable of--

       ``(I) gathering required System observation data;
       ``(II) supporting and integrating all aspects of coastal 
     and ocean observing and information programs within a region; 
     and
       ``(III) reflecting the needs of State, local, and tribal 
     governments, commercial interests, and other users and 
     beneficiaries of the System and other requirements specified 
     under this subtitle and the System Plan;

       ``(iv) identifies--

       ``(I) gaps in observation coverage needs for capital 
     improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the 
     System; and
       ``(II) other recommendations to assist in the development 
     of the annual and long-term plans prepared pursuant to 
     paragraph (2)(B)(i) and transmits such information to the 
     Interagency Ocean Observation Committee via the Program 
     Office established under paragraph (3)(C)(i);

       ``(v) develops and operates under a strategic operational 
     plan that will ensure the efficient and effective 
     administration of programs and assets to support daily data 
     observations for integration into the System, pursuant to the 
     standards approved by the Council;
       ``(vi) works cooperatively with governmental and 
     nongovernmental entities at all levels to identify and 
     provide information products of the System for multiple users 
     within the service area of the regional coastal observing 
     system; and
       ``(vii) complies with all financial oversight requirements 
     established by the Administrator, including requirements 
     relating to audits.
       ``(B) Participation.--For the purposes of this title, 
     employees of Federal agencies are permitted to be members of 
     the governing body for the regional coastal observing systems 
     and may participate in the functions of the regional 
     information coordination entities.''.
       (c) System Advisory Committee.--Section 12304(d) of the 
     Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 
     (33 U.S.C. 3603(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or the Interagency 
     Ocean Observing Committee.'' and inserting ``or the Council 
     under this subtitle''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, data sharing,'' 
     after ``data management'';
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
     and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(D) additional priorities, including--
       ``(i) a national surface current mapping network designed 
     to improve fine scale sea surface mapping using high 
     frequency radar technology and other emerging technologies to 
     address national priorities, including Coast Guard search and 
     rescue operation planning and harmful algal bloom forecasting 
     and detection that--

       ``(I) is comprised of existing high frequency radar and 
     other sea surface current mapping infrastructure operated by 
     national programs and regional associations;
       ``(II) incorporates new high frequency radar assets or 
     other fine scale sea surface mapping technology assets, and 
     other assets needed to fill gaps in coverage on United States 
     coastlines; and
       ``(III) follows a deployment plan that prioritizes closing 
     gaps in high frequency radar infrastructure in the United 
     States, starting with areas demonstrating significant sea 
     surface current data needs, especially in areas where 
     additional data will improve Coast Guard search and rescue 
     models;

       ``(ii) fleet acquisition for autonomous underwater and 
     surface vehicles for deployment and data integration to 
     fulfill the purposes of this Act;
       ``(iii) an integrative survey program for application of 
     manned and unmanned vehicles to the real-time or near real-
     time collection and transmission of sea floor, water column, 
     and sea surface data on biology, chemistry, geology, physics, 
     and hydrography;
       ``(iv) remote sensing and data assimilation to develop new 
     analytical methodologies to assimilate data from the 
     Integrated Ocean Observing System into hydrodynamic models;
       ``(v) integrated, multi-State monitoring to assess sources, 
     movement, and fate of sediments in coastal regions;
       ``(vi) a multi-region marine sound monitoring system to 
     be--

       ``(I) planned in consultation with the Interagency Ocean 
     Observation Committee, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, the Department of the Navy, and academic 
     research institutions; and
       ``(II) developed, installed, and operated in coordination 
     with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
     Department of the Navy, and academic research institutions; 
     and

       ``(E) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or 
     the Council.'';
       (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ``The Administrator 
     may stagger the terms of the System advisory committee 
     members.'' before ``Members''; and
       (E) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the Interagency 
     Ocean Observing Committee''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Observing'' and 
     inserting ``Observation''.
       (d) Civil Liability.--Section 12304(e) of the Integrated 
     Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
     3603(e)) is amended--

[[Page S71]]

       (1) by striking ``information coordination entity'' and 
     inserting ``coastal observing system''; and
       (2) by striking ``non-Federal asset or regional information 
     coordination entity,'' and inserting ``regional coastal 
     observing system,''.

     SEC. 5. FINANCING AND AGREEMENTS.

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

     SEC. 6. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3606) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

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

     SEC. 7. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

       Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3607) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

       ``The Council shall maintain a policy that defines 
     processes for making decisions about the roles of the Federal 
     Government, the States, regional information coordination 
     entities, the academic community, and the private sector in 
     providing to end-user communities environmental information, 
     products, technologies, and services related to the System. 
     The Administrator shall ensure that National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration adheres to the decision making 
     process developed by the Council regarding the roles of the 
     Federal Government, the States, the regional coastal 
     observing systems, the academic communities, and the private 
     sector in providing the end-user communities environmental 
     information, data products, technologies, and services 
     related to the System.''.

     SEC. 8. REPEAL OF INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE.

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

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3610) is amended by 
     striking ``2013'' and inserting ``2019''.

     SEC. 10. REPORTS AND RESEARCH PLANS.

       Section 12404(c) of the Federal Ocean Acidification 
     Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(c)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Economic vulnerability report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and 
     Research Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Subcommittee 
     shall transmit to appropriate committees of Congress a report 
     that--
       ``(i) is named `The Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community 
     Vulnerability Assessment';
       ``(ii) identifies gaps in ocean acidification monitoring by 
     public, academic, and private assets in the network of 
     regional coastal observing systems;
       ``(iii) identifies geographic areas which have gaps in 
     ocean acidification research;
       ``(iv) identifies United States coastal communities, 
     including fishing communities, low-population rural 
     communities, tribal and subsistence communities, and island 
     communities, that may be impacted by ocean acidification;
       ``(v) identifies impacts of changing ocean carbonate 
     chemistry on the communities described in clause (iv), 
     including impacts from changes in ocean and coastal marine 
     resources that are not managed by the Federal Government;
       ``(vi) identifies gaps in understanding of the impacts of 
     ocean acidification on economically or commercially important 
     species, particularly those which support United States 
     commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries and 
     aquaculture;
       ``(vii) identifies habitats that may be particularly 
     vulnerable to corrosive sea water, including areas 
     experiencing multiple stressors such as hypoxia, 
     sedimentation, and harmful algal blooms;
       ``(viii) identifies areas in which existing Integrated 
     Ocean Observing System assets, including buoys and gliders, 
     may be leveraged as platforms for the deployment of new 
     sensors or other applicable observing technologies; and
       ``(ix) is written in collaboration with the agencies 
     responsible for carrying out this Act.
       ``(B) Form of report.--
       ``(i) Initial report.--The initial report required under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the information described in 
     clauses (i) through (ix) on a national level.
       ``(ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report required under 
     subparagraph (A) after the initial report--

       ``(I) may describe the information described in clauses (i) 
     through (ix) on a national level; or
       ``(II) may consist of separate reports for each region of 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

       ``(iii) Regional reports.--If the Subcommittee opts to 
     prepare a report required under subparagraph (A) as separate 
     regional reports under clause (ii)(II), the Subcommittee 
     shall submit a report for each region of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration not less frequently than once 
     during each 5-year reporting period.
       ``(C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
     paragraph and in paragraph (5), the term `appropriate 
     committees of Congress' means the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Natural Resources of 
     the House of Representatives.
       ``(5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of the submission of the initial report 
     under paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee shall transmit to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress a report that develops 
     a plan to deploy new sensors or other applicable observing 
     technologies--
       ``(A) based on such initial report;
       ``(B) prioritized by--
       ``(i) the threat to coastal economies and ecosystems;
       ``(ii) gaps in data; and
       ``(iii) research needs; and
       ``(C) that leverage existing platforms, where possible.''.

     SEC. 11. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.

       (a) Contents.--Section 12405(b) of the Federal Ocean 
     Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
     3704(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) make recommendations for research to be conducted, 
     including in the social sciences and economics, to address 
     the key knowledge gaps identified in the economic 
     vulnerability report conducted under section 12404(c)(4).''.
       (b) Program Elements.--Section 12405(c) of the Federal 
     Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 
     U.S.C. 3704(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(6) Research to understand combined effects of changes in 
     ocean chemistry, sediment delivery, hypoxia, and harmful 
     algal blooms and the impact these processes have on each 
     other, and how these multiple stressors impact living marine 
     resources and coastal ecosystems.
       ``(7) Applied research to identify adaptation strategies 
     for species impacted by changes in ocean chemistry including 
     vegetation-based systems, shell recycling, species and 
     genetic diversity, applied technologies, aquaculture 
     methodologies, and management recommendations.''.

     SEC. 12. STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON MONITORING.

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

     SEC. 13. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

       Section 12407(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification 
     Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is 
     amended to read as follows:

[[Page S72]]

       ``(a) Research Activities.--The Director of the National 
     Science Foundation shall continue to carry out research 
     activities on ocean acidification which shall support 
     competitive, merit-based, peer-reviewed proposals for 
     research, observatories and monitoring of ocean acidification 
     and its impacts, including--
       ``(1) impacts on marine organisms and marine ecosystems;
       ``(2) impacts on ocean, coastal, and estuarine 
     biogeochemistry;
       ``(3) the development of methodologies and technologies to 
     evaluate ocean acidification and its impacts; and
       ``(4) impacts of multiple stressors on ecosystems 
     exhibiting hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, or sediment 
     delivery, combined with changes in ocean chemistry.''.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Wicker 
amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to, the committee-
reported substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill, as 
amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 1869) was agreed to, as follows:

 (Purpose: To authorize an annual appropriation of $40,200,000 through 
    fiscal year 2021 to carry out the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
        Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.)

       On page 58, strike lines 1 through 4 and insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce $40,200,000, for each of the fiscal years 2018 
     through 2021, which shall be used--
       (1) to fulfill the purposes set forth in section 12302 of 
     the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 
     2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601); and
       (2) to support activities identified in the annual 
     coordinated National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
     System budget developed by the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee and submitted to Congress.

  The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 1425), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 1425

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

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

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.
Sec. 5. Financing and agreements.
Sec. 6. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 7. Public-private use policy.
Sec. 8. Repeal of independent cost estimate.
Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 10. Reports and research plans.
Sec. 11. Strategic research plan.
Sec. 12. Stakeholder input on monitoring.
Sec. 13. Research activities.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

       Section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12302. PURPOSES.

       ``The purposes of this subtitle are--
       ``(1) to establish and sustain a national integrated System 
     of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, 
     comprised of Federal and non-Federal components coordinated 
     at the national level by the Council and at the regional 
     level by a network of regional coastal observing systems, and 
     that includes in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean 
     observation and modeling capabilities, technologies, data 
     management systems, communication systems, and product 
     development systems, and is designed to address regional and 
     national needs for ocean and coastal information, to gather 
     specific data on key coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes 
     variables, and to ensure timely and sustained dissemination 
     and availability of these data--
       ``(A) to the public;
       ``(B) to support national defense, search and rescue 
     operations, marine commerce, navigation safety, weather, 
     climate, and marine forecasting, energy siting and 
     production, economic development, ecosystem-based marine, 
     coastal, and Great Lakes resource management, public safety, 
     and public outreach and education;
       ``(C) to promote greater public awareness and stewardship 
     of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and 
     the general public welfare;
       ``(D) to provide easy access to ocean, coastal, and Great 
     Lakes data and promote data sharing between Federal and non-
     Federal sources and promote public data sharing;
       ``(E) to enable advances in scientific understanding to 
     support the sustainable use, conservation, management, and 
     understanding of healthy ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
     resources; and
       ``(F) to monitor and model changes in ocean chemistry;
       ``(2) to improve the Nation's capability to measure, track, 
     observe, understand, and predict events related directly and 
     indirectly to weather and climate change, natural climate 
     variability, and interactions between the oceanic and 
     atmospheric environments, including the Great Lakes; and
       ``(3) to authorize activities--
       ``(A) to promote basic and applied research to develop, 
     test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and 
     ocean observation technologies, including advanced observing 
     technologies needed to address critical data gaps, modeling 
     systems, other scientific and technological capabilities to 
     improve the understanding of weather and climate, ocean-
     atmosphere dynamics, global climate change, and the physical, 
     chemical, and biological dynamics of the ocean, coastal and 
     Great Lakes environments; and
       ``(B) to conserve healthy and restore degraded coastal 
     ecosystems.''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

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

     SEC. 4. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM.

       (a) System Elements.--
       (1) In general.--Section 12304(b) of the Integrated Coastal 
     and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) 
     is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(1) In general.--In order to fulfill the purposes of this 
     subtitle, the System shall be national in scope and consist 
     of--
       ``(A) Federal assets to fulfill national and international 
     observation missions and priorities;
       ``(B) non-Federal assets, including a network of regional 
     coastal observing systems identified under subsection (c)(4), 
     to fulfill regional and national observation missions and 
     priorities;
       ``(C) data management, communication, and modeling systems 
     for the timely integration and dissemination of data and 
     information products from the System;
       ``(D) a product development system to transform 
     observations into products in a format that may be readily 
     used and understood; and
       ``(E) a research and development program conducted under 
     the guidance of the Council, consisting of--
       ``(i) basic and applied research and technology 
     development--

       ``(I) to improve understanding of coastal and ocean systems 
     and their relationships to human activities; and
       ``(II) to ensure improvement of operational assets and 
     products, including related infrastructure, observing 
     technologies, and information and data processing and 
     management technologies;

       ``(ii) an advanced observing technology development program 
     to fill gaps in technology;
       ``(iii) large scale computing resources and research to 
     advance modeling of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes 
     processes;
       ``(iv) models to improve regional weather forecasting 
     capabilities and regional weather forecasting products; and
       ``(v) reviews of data collection procedures across regions 
     and programs to make recommendations for data collection 
     standards across the System to meet national ocean, coastal, 
     and Great Lakes observation, applied research, and weather 
     forecasting needs.''.
       (2) Availability of data.--Section 12304(b)(3) of such Act 
     (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``for research 
     and for use in the development of products to address 
     societal needs'' before the period at the end.
       (3) Coordination of non-federal assets.--Section 
     12304(b)(4) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) is amended--

[[Page S73]]

       (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Non-federal'' 
     and inserting ``Coordination of non-federal''; and
       (B) by striking ``or by'' and inserting ``, the regional 
     coastal observing system, or''.
       (b) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional 
     Coordination.--Section 12304(c) of the Integrated Coastal and 
     Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(c)) is 
     amended by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(2) Interagency ocean observation committee.--
       ``(A) Establishment.--The Council shall establish or 
     designate a committee, which shall be known as the 
     Interagency Ocean Observation Committee.
       ``(B) Duties.--The Interagency Ocean Observation Committee 
     shall--
       ``(i) prepare annual and long-term plans for consideration 
     and approval by the Council for the integrated design, 
     operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of the 
     System to meet the objectives of this chapter and the System 
     Plan;
       ``(ii) develop and transmit to Congress, along with the 
     budget submitted by the President to Congress pursuant to 
     section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, an annual 
     coordinated, comprehensive budget--

       ``(I) to operate all elements of the System identified in 
     subsection (b); and
       ``(II) to ensure continuity of data streams from Federal 
     and non-Federal assets;

       ``(iii) establish requirements for observation data 
     variables to be gathered by both Federal and non-Federal 
     assets and identify, in consultation with regional 
     information coordination entities, priorities for System 
     observations;
       ``(iv) establish and define protocols and standards for 
     System data processing, management, collection, configuration 
     standards, formats, and communication for new and existing 
     assets throughout the Integrated Ocean Observing System 
     network;
       ``(v) develop contract requirements for each regional 
     coastal observing system--

       ``(I) to establish eligibility for integration into the 
     System;
       ``(II) to ensure compliance with all applicable standards 
     and protocols established by the Council; and
       ``(III) to ensure that regional observations are integrated 
     into the System on a sustained basis;

       ``(vi) identify gaps in observation coverage or needs for 
     capital improvements of both Federal assets and non-Federal 
     assets;
       ``(vii) subject to the availability of appropriations, 
     establish through 1 or more participating Federal agencies, 
     in consultation with the System advisory committee 
     established under subsection (d), a competitive matching 
     grant or other programs--

       ``(I) to promote intramural and extramural research and 
     development of new, innovative, and emerging observation 
     technologies including testing and field trials; and
       ``(II) to facilitate the migration of new, innovative, and 
     emerging scientific and technological advances from research 
     and development to operational deployment;

       ``(viii) periodically--

       ``(I) review the System Plan; and
       ``(II) submit to the Council such recommendations as the 
     Interagency Ocean Observation Committee may have for 
     improvements to the System Plan;

       ``(ix) ensure collaboration among Federal agencies 
     participating in the activities of the Interagency Ocean 
     Observation Committee; and
       ``(x) perform such additional duties as the Council may 
     delegate.
       ``(3) Lead federal agency.--
       ``(A) In general.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration shall function as the lead Federal agency for 
     the implementation and administration of the System.
       ``(B) Consultation required.--In carrying out this 
     paragraph, the Administrator shall consult with the Council, 
     the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, other Federal 
     agencies that maintain portions of the System, and the 
     regional coastal observing systems.
       ``(C) Requirements.--In carrying out this paragraph, the 
     Administrator shall--
       ``(i) establish and operate an Integrated Ocean Observing 
     System Program Office within the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration--

       ``(I) that utilizes, to the extent necessary, personnel 
     from member agencies participating on the Interagency Ocean 
     Observation Committee; and
       ``(II) oversees daily operations and coordination of the 
     System;

       ``(ii) implement policies, protocols, and standards 
     approved by the Council and delegated by the Interagency 
     Ocean Observation Committee;
       ``(iii) promulgate program guidelines--

       ``(I) to certify and integrate regional associations into 
     the System; and
       ``(II) to provide regional coastal and ocean observation 
     data that meet the needs of user groups from the respective 
     regions;

       ``(iv) have the authority to enter into and oversee 
     contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements with 
     non-Federal assets, including regional information 
     coordination entities, to support the purposes of this 
     chapter on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate;
       ``(v) implement and maintain a merit-based, competitive 
     funding process to support non-Federal assets, including the 
     development and maintenance of a network of regional coastal 
     observing systems, and develop and implement a process for 
     the periodic review and evaluation of the regional 
     associations;
       ``(vi) provide opportunities for competitive contracts and 
     grants for demonstration projects to design, develop, 
     integrate, deploy, maintain, and support components of the 
     System;
       ``(vii) establish and maintain efficient and effective 
     administrative procedures for the timely allocation of funds 
     among contractors, grantees, and non-Federal assets, 
     including regional associations;
       ``(viii) develop and implement a process for the periodic 
     review and evaluation of the regional coastal observing 
     systems;
       ``(ix) formulate an annual process by which gaps in 
     observation coverage or needs for capital improvements of 
     Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the System are--

       ``(I) identified by the regional associations described in 
     the System Plan, the Administrator, or other members of the 
     System; and
       ``(II) submitted to the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee;

       ``(x) develop and be responsible for a data management and 
     communication system, in accordance with standards and 
     protocols established by the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee, by which all data collected by the System 
     regarding ocean and coastal waters of the United States 
     including the Great Lakes, are processed, stored, integrated, 
     and made available to all end-user communities;
       ``(xi) not less frequently than once each year, submit to 
     the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee a report on the 
     accomplishments, operational needs, and performance of the 
     System to contribute to the annual and long-term plans 
     prepared pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(i);
       ``(xii) develop and periodically update a plan to 
     efficiently integrate into the System new, innovative, or 
     emerging technologies that have been demonstrated to be 
     useful to the System and which will fulfill the purposes of 
     this chapter and the System Plan; and
       ``(xiii) work with users and Regional Associations to 
     develop products to enable real-time data sharing for 
     decision makers, including with respect to weather 
     forecasting and modeling, search and rescue operations, 
     corrosive seawater forecasts, water quality monitoring and 
     communication, and harmful algal bloom forecasting.
       ``(4) Regional coastal observing systems.--
       ``(A) In general.--A regional coastal observing system 
     operated by a Regional Association described in the System 
     Plan may not be certified or established under this subtitle 
     unless it--
       ``(i) has been or shall be certified or established by 
     contract or agreement by the Administrator;
       ``(ii) meets--

       ``(I) the certification standards and compliance procedure 
     guidelines issued by the Administrator; and
       ``(II) the information needs of user groups in the region 
     while adhering to national standards;

       ``(iii) demonstrates an organizational structure, that 
     under funding limitations is capable of--

       ``(I) gathering required System observation data;
       ``(II) supporting and integrating all aspects of coastal 
     and ocean observing and information programs within a region; 
     and
       ``(III) reflecting the needs of State, local, and tribal 
     governments, commercial interests, and other users and 
     beneficiaries of the System and other requirements specified 
     under this subtitle and the System Plan;

       ``(iv) identifies--

       ``(I) gaps in observation coverage needs for capital 
     improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the 
     System; and
       ``(II) other recommendations to assist in the development 
     of the annual and long-term plans prepared pursuant to 
     paragraph (2)(B)(i) and transmits such information to the 
     Interagency Ocean Observation Committee via the Program 
     Office established under paragraph (3)(C)(i);

       ``(v) develops and operates under a strategic operational 
     plan that will ensure the efficient and effective 
     administration of programs and assets to support daily data 
     observations for integration into the System, pursuant to the 
     standards approved by the Council;
       ``(vi) works cooperatively with governmental and 
     nongovernmental entities at all levels to identify and 
     provide information products of the System for multiple users 
     within the service area of the regional coastal observing 
     system; and
       ``(vii) complies with all financial oversight requirements 
     established by the Administrator, including requirements 
     relating to audits.
       ``(B) Participation.--For the purposes of this title, 
     employees of Federal agencies are permitted to be members of 
     the governing body for the regional coastal observing systems 
     and may participate in the functions of the regional 
     information coordination entities.''.
       (c) System Advisory Committee.--Section 12304(d) of the 
     Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 
     (33 U.S.C. 3603(d)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or the Interagency 
     Ocean Observing Committee.'' and inserting ``or the Council 
     under this subtitle''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2)--

[[Page S74]]

       (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, data sharing,'' 
     after ``data management'';
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
     and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(D) additional priorities, including--
       ``(i) a national surface current mapping network designed 
     to improve fine scale sea surface mapping using high 
     frequency radar technology and other emerging technologies to 
     address national priorities, including Coast Guard search and 
     rescue operation planning and harmful algal bloom forecasting 
     and detection that--

       ``(I) is comprised of existing high frequency radar and 
     other sea surface current mapping infrastructure operated by 
     national programs and regional associations;
       ``(II) incorporates new high frequency radar assets or 
     other fine scale sea surface mapping technology assets, and 
     other assets needed to fill gaps in coverage on United States 
     coastlines; and
       ``(III) follows a deployment plan that prioritizes closing 
     gaps in high frequency radar infrastructure in the United 
     States, starting with areas demonstrating significant sea 
     surface current data needs, especially in areas where 
     additional data will improve Coast Guard search and rescue 
     models;

       ``(ii) fleet acquisition for autonomous underwater and 
     surface vehicles for deployment and data integration to 
     fulfill the purposes of this Act;
       ``(iii) an integrative survey program for application of 
     manned and unmanned vehicles to the real-time or near real-
     time collection and transmission of sea floor, water column, 
     and sea surface data on biology, chemistry, geology, physics, 
     and hydrography;
       ``(iv) remote sensing and data assimilation to develop new 
     analytical methodologies to assimilate data from the 
     Integrated Ocean Observing System into hydrodynamic models;
       ``(v) integrated, multi-State monitoring to assess sources, 
     movement, and fate of sediments in coastal regions;
       ``(vi) a multi-region marine sound monitoring system to 
     be--

       ``(I) planned in consultation with the Interagency Ocean 
     Observation Committee, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, the Department of the Navy, and academic 
     research institutions; and
       ``(II) developed, installed, and operated in coordination 
     with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
     Department of the Navy, and academic research institutions; 
     and

       ``(E) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or 
     the Council.'';
       (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ``The Administrator 
     may stagger the terms of the System advisory committee 
     members.'' before ``Members''; and
       (E) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the Interagency 
     Ocean Observing Committee''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Observing'' and 
     inserting ``Observation''.
       (d) Civil Liability.--Section 12304(e) of the Integrated 
     Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
     3603(e)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``information coordination entity'' and 
     inserting ``coastal observing system''; and
       (2) by striking ``non-Federal asset or regional information 
     coordination entity,'' and inserting ``regional coastal 
     observing system,''.

     SEC. 5. FINANCING AND AGREEMENTS.

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

     SEC. 6. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3606) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

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

     SEC. 7. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

       Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3607) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

       ``The Council shall maintain a policy that defines 
     processes for making decisions about the roles of the Federal 
     Government, the States, regional information coordination 
     entities, the academic community, and the private sector in 
     providing to end-user communities environmental information, 
     products, technologies, and services related to the System. 
     The Administrator shall ensure that National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration adheres to the decision making 
     process developed by the Council regarding the roles of the 
     Federal Government, the States, the regional coastal 
     observing systems, the academic communities, and the private 
     sector in providing the end-user communities environmental 
     information, data products, technologies, and services 
     related to the System.''.

     SEC. 8. REPEAL OF INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE.

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

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Commerce $40,200,000, for each of the fiscal years 2018 
     through 2021, which shall be used--
       (1) to fulfill the purposes set forth in section 12302 of 
     the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 
     2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601); and
       (2) to support activities identified in the annual 
     coordinated National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
     System budget developed by the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee and submitted to Congress.

     SEC. 10. REPORTS AND RESEARCH PLANS.

       Section 12404(c) of the Federal Ocean Acidification 
     Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(c)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Economic vulnerability report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and 
     Research Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Subcommittee 
     shall transmit to appropriate committees of Congress a report 
     that--
       ``(i) is named `The Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community 
     Vulnerability Assessment';
       ``(ii) identifies gaps in ocean acidification monitoring by 
     public, academic, and private assets in the network of 
     regional coastal observing systems;
       ``(iii) identifies geographic areas which have gaps in 
     ocean acidification research;
       ``(iv) identifies United States coastal communities, 
     including fishing communities, low-population rural 
     communities, tribal and subsistence communities, and island 
     communities, that may be impacted by ocean acidification;
       ``(v) identifies impacts of changing ocean carbonate 
     chemistry on the communities described in clause (iv), 
     including impacts from changes in ocean and coastal marine 
     resources that are not managed by the Federal Government;
       ``(vi) identifies gaps in understanding of the impacts of 
     ocean acidification on economically or commercially important 
     species, particularly those which support United States 
     commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries and 
     aquaculture;
       ``(vii) identifies habitats that may be particularly 
     vulnerable to corrosive sea water, including areas 
     experiencing multiple stressors such as hypoxia, 
     sedimentation, and harmful algal blooms;
       ``(viii) identifies areas in which existing Integrated 
     Ocean Observing System assets, including buoys and gliders, 
     may be leveraged as platforms for the deployment of new 
     sensors or other applicable observing technologies; and

[[Page S75]]

       ``(ix) is written in collaboration with the agencies 
     responsible for carrying out this Act.
       ``(B) Form of report.--
       ``(i) Initial report.--The initial report required under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the information described in 
     clauses (i) through (ix) on a national level.
       ``(ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report required under 
     subparagraph (A) after the initial report--

       ``(I) may describe the information described in clauses (i) 
     through (ix) on a national level; or
       ``(II) may consist of separate reports for each region of 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

       ``(iii) Regional reports.--If the Subcommittee opts to 
     prepare a report required under subparagraph (A) as separate 
     regional reports under clause (ii)(II), the Subcommittee 
     shall submit a report for each region of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration not less frequently than once 
     during each 5-year reporting period.
       ``(C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
     paragraph and in paragraph (5), the term `appropriate 
     committees of Congress' means the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Natural Resources of 
     the House of Representatives.
       ``(5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of the submission of the initial report 
     under paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee shall transmit to 
     the appropriate committees of Congress a report that develops 
     a plan to deploy new sensors or other applicable observing 
     technologies--
       ``(A) based on such initial report;
       ``(B) prioritized by--
       ``(i) the threat to coastal economies and ecosystems;
       ``(ii) gaps in data; and
       ``(iii) research needs; and
       ``(C) that leverage existing platforms, where possible.''.

     SEC. 11. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.

       (a) Contents.--Section 12405(b) of the Federal Ocean 
     Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
     3704(b)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) make recommendations for research to be conducted, 
     including in the social sciences and economics, to address 
     the key knowledge gaps identified in the economic 
     vulnerability report conducted under section 12404(c)(4).''.
       (b) Program Elements.--Section 12405(c) of the Federal 
     Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 
     U.S.C. 3704(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(6) Research to understand combined effects of changes in 
     ocean chemistry, sediment delivery, hypoxia, and harmful 
     algal blooms and the impact these processes have on each 
     other, and how these multiple stressors impact living marine 
     resources and coastal ecosystems.
       ``(7) Applied research to identify adaptation strategies 
     for species impacted by changes in ocean chemistry including 
     vegetation-based systems, shell recycling, species and 
     genetic diversity, applied technologies, aquaculture 
     methodologies, and management recommendations.''.

     SEC. 12. STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON MONITORING.

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

     SEC. 13. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

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

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