[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4638-S4644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 2499. Mr. McCONNELL proposed an amendment to the bill S. 178, to 
condemn gross human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims in 
Xinjiang, and calling for an end to arbitrary detention, torture, and 
harassment of these communities inside and outside China; as follows:

        In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted, insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Coronavirus Relief Fair 
     Unemployment Compensation Act of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF THE FEDERAL PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT 
                   COMPENSATION PROGRAM.

       (a) Extension.--Section 2104(e)(2) of the Relief for 
     Workers Affected by Coronavirus

[[Page S4639]]

     Act (contained in subtitle A of title II of division A of the 
     CARES Act (Public Law 116-136)) is amended by striking ``July 
     31, 2020'' and inserting ``December 31, 2020''.
       (b) Improvements to Accuracy of Payments.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2104(b) of the Relief for Workers 
     Affected by Coronavirus Act (contained in subtitle A of title 
     II of division A of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``of $600'' and 
     inserting ``equal to the amount specified in paragraph (3)''; 
     and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Amount of federal pandemic unemployment 
     compensation.--
       ``(A) In general.--The amount specified in this paragraph 
     is the following amount with respect to an individual:
       ``(i) For weeks of unemployment beginning after the date on 
     which an agreement is entered into under this section and 
     ending on or before July 31, 2020, $600.
       ``(ii) For weeks of unemployment beginning after the last 
     week under clause (i) and ending before December 31, 2020, an 
     amount equal to one of the following, as determined by the 
     State for all individuals:

       ``(I) $200.
       ``(II) An amount (not to exceed $500) equal to--

       ``(aa) two-thirds of the individual's average weekly wages; 
     minus
       ``(bb) the individual's base amount (determined prior to 
     any reductions or offsets).
       ``(B) Base amount.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     term `base amount' means, with respect to an individual, an 
     amount equal to--
       ``(i) for weeks of unemployment under the pandemic 
     unemployment assistance program under section 2102, the 
     amount determined under subsection (d)(1)(A)(i) or (d)(2) of 
     such section 2102, as applicable; or
       ``(ii) for all other weeks of unemployment, the amount 
     determined under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection.
       ``(C) Average weekly wages.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of 
     this paragraph, the term `average weekly wages' means, with 
     respect to an individual, the following:

       ``(I) If the State computes the individual weekly 
     unemployment compensation benefit amount based on an 
     individual's average weekly wages in a base period, an amount 
     equal to the individual's average weekly wages used in such 
     computation.
       ``(II) If the State computes the individual weekly 
     unemployment compensation benefit amount based on high 
     quarter wages or a formula using wages across some but not 
     all quarters in a base period, an amount equal to \1/13\ of 
     such high quarter wages or average wages of the applicable 
     quarters used in the computation for the individual.
       ``(III) If the State uses computations other than the 
     computations under subclause (I) or (II) for the individual 
     weekly unemployment compensation benefit amount, or for 
     computations of the weekly benefit amount under the pandemic 
     unemployment assistance program under section 2102, as 
     described in subsection (d)(1)(A)(i) or (d)(2) of such 
     section 2102, for which subclause (I) or (II) do not apply, 
     an amount equal to \1/52\ of the sum of all base period 
     wages.

       ``(ii) Special rule.--If more than one of the methods of 
     computation under subclauses (I), (II), and (III) of clause 
     (i) are applicable to a State, then such term shall mean the 
     amount determined under the applicable subclause of clause 
     (i) that results in the highest amount of average weekly 
     wages.''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Pandemic unemployment assistance.--Section 2102(d) of 
     the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act (contained 
     in subtitle A of title II of division A of the CARES Act 
     (Public Law 116-136)) is amended by inserting ``with respect 
     to the individual'' after ``section 2104'' in each of 
     paragraphs (1)(A)(ii) and (2).
       (B) Pandemic emergency unemployment compensation.--Section 
     2107 of the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act 
     (contained in subtitle A of title II of division A of the 
     CARES Act (Public Law 116-136)) is amended--
       (i) in subsection (a)(4)(A)(ii), by inserting ``with 
     respect to the individual'' after ``section 2104''; and
       (ii) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``with respect to 
     the individual'' after ``section 2104''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the 
     Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act (contained in 
     subtitle A of title II of division A of the CARES Act (Public 
     Law 116-136)).
       (d) Emergency Designation.--
       (1) In general.--The amounts provided by this section and 
     the amendments made by this section are designated as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the 
     Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)).
       (2) Designation in senate.--In the Senate, this section and 
     the amendments made by this section are designated as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 4112(a) of H. Con. 
     Res. 71 (115th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the 
     budget for fiscal year 2018.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2500. Mr. SULLIVAN (for Ms. Cantwell) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 529, to establish a national program to identify and reduce 
losses from landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation 
Program, and for other purposes; as follows:

       Beginning on page 42, strike line 21 and all that follows 
     through page 43, line 5, and insert the following:
       (h) Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2021 and 2024--
       (1) there is authorized out of funds appropriated to the 
     United States Geological Survey, $25,000,000 to carry out 
     this section;
       (2) there is authorized out of funds appropriated to the 
     National Science Foundation, $11,000,000 to carry out this 
     section; and
       (3) there is authorized out of funds appropriated to the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, $1,000,000 
     to carry out this section.
       On page 51, strike lines 7 through 9 and insert the 
     following:
       (e) Funding.--For each of the fiscal years 2021 through 
     2024, there is authorized out of funds appropriated to the 
     Secretary $20,000,000 to carry out this section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2501. Mr. SULLIVAN (for Mr. Wicker) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 914, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
Observation System Act of 2009, to clarify the authority of the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
with respect to post-storm assessments, and to require the 
establishment of a National Water Center, 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 
     ``Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

 TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION 
                           SYSTEM ACT OF 2009

Sec. 101. Purposes.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
Sec. 103. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.
Sec. 104. Financing and agreements.
Sec. 105. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 106. Public-private use policy.
Sec. 107. Repeal of independent cost estimate.
Sec. 108. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 109. Reports and research plans.
Sec. 110. Strategic research plan.
Sec. 111. Stakeholder input on monitoring.
Sec. 112. Research activities.

      TITLE II--NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS

Sec. 201. Named Storm Event Model and post-storm assessments.

              TITLE III--WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING

Sec. 301. Water prediction and forecasting.

 TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION 
                           SYSTEM ACT OF 2009

     SEC. 101. 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 ocean, coastal, 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 to ensure the Nation can respond to opportunities 
     to enhance food, economic, and national security; and
       ``(F) to monitor and model changes in the oceans and Great 
     Lakes, including with respect to chemistry, harmful algal 
     blooms, hypoxia, water levels, and other phenomena;
       ``(2) to improve the Nation's capability to measure, track, 
     observe, understand, and predict events related directly and 
     indirectly

[[Page S4640]]

     to weather and climate, natural climate variability, and 
     interactions between the oceanic and atmospheric 
     environments, including the Great Lakes;
       ``(3) to sustain, upgrade, and modernize the Nation's ocean 
     and Great Lakes observing infrastructure to detect changes 
     and ensure delivery of reliable and timely information; and
       ``(4) 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 such as unmanned maritime systems 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. 102. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section 7902'' and 
     inserting ``section 8932'';
       (2) 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 a regional coastal observing system, the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the agencies 
     participating in the Interagency Ocean Observation 
     Committee'';
       (3) 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 
     observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data 
     and information that meet the needs of user groups from the 
     respective regions.''; and
       (4) in paragraph (7), by striking ``National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration'' and inserting ``Administrator''.

     SEC. 103. 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) observing, modeling, data management, and 
     communication systems for the timely integration and 
     dissemination of data and information products from the 
     System, including 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;
       ``(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 such as unmanned maritime systems, 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 ocean, coastal, 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.
       (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 subtitle 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 coastal 
     observing systems, 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 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 Federal agencies participating in 
     the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, 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 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 that--

       ``(I) utilizes, to the extent necessary, personnel from 
     Federal agencies participating in 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 coastal observing 
     systems, to support the purposes of this subtitle 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 national network of regional 
     coastal observing systems, and develop and implement a 
     process for the

[[Page S4641]]

     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 coastal observing systems;
       ``(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 subtitle 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 
     described in the System Plan as a regional association 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 through the Program 
     Office established under paragraph (3)(C)(i);

       ``(v) develops and operates under a strategic 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 subtitle, 
     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 coastal 
     observing systems.''.
       (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;
       (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 coastal observing systems;
       ``(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 unmanned maritime systems for 
     deployment and data integration to fulfill the purposes of 
     this subtitle;
       ``(iii) an integrative survey program for application of 
     unmanned maritime systems 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 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'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``coastal observing system''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``contract, lease, grant, or cooperative 
     agreement under subsection (c)(3)(D)'' and inserting ``a 
     memorandum of agreement of certification under subsection 
     (c)(3)(C)(iii)''.
       (e) Conforming Amendments.--The Integrated Coastal and 
     Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) 
     is amended by striking ``regional information coordination 
     entities'' each place it appears and inserting ``regional 
     coastal observing systems''.

     SEC. 104. 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.--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. 105. 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 March 30, 2022, and 
     every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall prepare, 
     and the President acting through the Council shall approve 
     and transmit to 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 department or agency represented on the Council to 
     enhance, expand,

[[Page S4642]]

     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) unmanned maritime systems 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 coastal observing systems 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, if any, 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. 106. 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 coastal observing systems, 
     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 the 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 community, and the private 
     sector in providing end-user communities environmental 
     information, data products, technologies, and services 
     related to the System.''.

     SEC. 107. 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. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3610) is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 12311. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
     of Commerce to support the integrated oceans observations 
     under this subtitle--
       ``(1) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
       ``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
       ``(3) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
       ``(4) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
       ``(5) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.

     SEC. 109. 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 Observations and 
     Research Act of 2020, and every 6 years thereafter, the 
     Subcommittee shall transmit to the 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 island communities, 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 National 
     Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System assets, 
     including unmanned maritime systems, may be leveraged as 
     platforms for the deployment of new sensors or other 
     applicable observing technologies;
       ``(ix) is written in collaboration with Federal agencies 
     responsible for carrying out this subtitle, including 
     representatives of --

       ``(I) the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Office 
     for Coastal Management of the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration;
       ``(II) regional coastal observing systems established under 
     section 12304(c)(4);
       ``(III) regional ocean acidification networks; and
       ``(IV) sea grant programs (as defined in section 203 of the 
     National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1122)); and

       ``(x) is written in consultation with experts, including 
     subsistence users, academia, and stakeholders familiar with 
     the economic, social, ecological, geographic, and resource 
     concerns of coastal communities in the United States.
       ``(B) Form of report.--
       ``(i) Initial report.--The initial report required under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the information described in 
     clauses (i) through (viii) of that subparagraph 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 (viii) of that subparagraph 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 6-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 such as unmanned maritime systems--
       ``(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. 110. 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 Ocean Chemistry 
     Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment 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 the combined impact of changes 
     in ocean chemistry and other stressors, including sediment 
     delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms, on each other 
     and on living marine resources, including aquaculture 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.''.
       (c) Participation.--Section 12405(e) of the Federal Ocean 
     Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
     3704(e)) is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``, 
     tribal governments, and subsistence users'' after ``groups''.
       (d) Revised Strategic Research Plan.--Not later than one 
     year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint 
     Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National 
     Science and Technology Council shall submit to Congress a 
     revised strategic research plan under section 12405 of the 
     Federal Ocean Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 
     2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) that includes the matters required by 
     the amendments made by this section.

     SEC. 111. 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;

[[Page S4643]]

       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) includes an ongoing mechanism that allows industry 
     members, coastal stakeholders, fishery management councils 
     and commissions, non-Federal resource managers, community 
     acidification networks, indigenous knowledge groups, 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 and its 
     impacts.''.

     SEC. 112. 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, observation, and monitoring of ocean acidification 
     and its impacts, including--
       ``(1) impacts on marine organisms, including species 
     cultured for aquaculture, 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.''.

      TITLE II--NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS

     SEC. 201. NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS.

       (a) Amendments to the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 
     2009.--Section 12312 of the Omnibus Public Land Management 
     Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3611) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting the following: ``, except that the term shall not 
     apply with respect to a State or territory that has an 
     operational wind and flood loss allocation system.'';
       (B) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``sustained'' before 
     ``winds''; and
       (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``that threaten any 
     portion of a coastal State'' and inserting ``for which post-
     storm assessments are conducted'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) by striking ``540 days after the date of the enactment 
     of the Consumer Option for an Alternative System to Allocate 
     Losses Act of 2012'' and inserting ``December 31, 2020''; and
       (II) by striking ``by regulation'';

       (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``every'' and 
     inserting ``an''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Public review.--The Administrator shall seek input 
     and suggestions from the public before the Named Storm Event 
     Model, or any modification to the Named Storm Event Model, 
     takes effect.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
       (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) Data collection.--
       ``(i) In general.--Upon identification of a named storm 
     under subparagraph (A), and pursuant to the protocol 
     established under subsection (c), the Administrator may 
     deploy sensors to enhance the collection of covered data in 
     the areas in coastal States that the Administrator determines 
     are at the highest risk of experiencing geophysical events 
     that would cause indeterminate losses.
       ``(ii) Rule of construction.--If the Administrator takes 
     action under clause (i), that action may not be construed as 
     indicating that a post-storm assessment will be developed for 
     any coastal State in which that action is taken.
       ``(C) Identification of indeterminate losses in coastal 
     states.--Not later than 30 days after the first date on which 
     sustained winds of not less than 39 miles per hour are 
     measured in a coastal State during a named storm identified 
     under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall notify the Administrator with respect to the existence 
     of any indeterminate losses in that coastal State resulting 
     from that named storm.'';
       (iii) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated--

       (I) by striking ``identification of a named storm under 
     subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``confirmation of 
     indeterminate losses identified under subparagraph (C) with 
     respect to a named storm''; and
       (II) by striking ``assessment for such named storm'' and 
     inserting ``assessment for each coastal State that suffered 
     such indeterminate losses as a result of the named storm'';

       (iv) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated--

       (I) by striking ``an identification of a named storm is 
     made under subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``any 
     indeterminate losses are identified under subparagraph (C)''; 
     and
       (II) by striking ``for such storm under subparagraph (B)'' 
     and inserting ``under subparagraph (D) for any coastal State 
     that suffered such indeterminate losses''; and

       (v) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(F) Separate post-storm assessments for a single named 
     storm.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator may conduct a separate 
     post-storm assessment for each coastal State in which 
     indeterminate losses are identified under subparagraph (C).
       ``(ii) Timeline.--If the Administrator conducts a separate 
     post-storm assessment under clause (i), the Administrator 
     shall complete the assessment based on the dates of actions 
     that the Administrator takes under subparagraph (D).''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``540 days after the date 
     of the enactment of the Consumer Option for an Alternative 
     System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2020'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, in the discretion of 
     the Administrator,'' after ``of sensors as may''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ``and expend'' after 
     ``receive''.
       (b) Amendments to the National Flood Insurance Act of 
     1968.--Section 1337 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 
     1968 (42 U.S.C. 4057) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting the following: ``, except that the term shall not 
     apply with respect to a State or territory that has an 
     operational wind and flood loss allocation system.''; and
       (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``sustained'' after 
     ``maximum'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``establish by rule'' and 
     inserting ``publish for comment in the Federal Register''; 
     and
       (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting after ``Elevation 
     Certificate'' the following: ``, or other data or information 
     used to determine a property's current risk of flood, as 
     determined by the Administrator,'';
       (3) in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i), by striking ``the issuance 
     of the rule establishing the COASTAL Formula'' and inserting 
     ``publication of the COASTAL Formula in the Federal Register 
     as required by subsection (b)(1)'';
       (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 
     12312(b)(2)(C)'' and inserting ``section 12312(b)(2)(E)'';
       (5) in subsection (h)--
       (A) by inserting ``that issues a standard flood insurance 
     policy under the national flood insurance program'' after 
     ``company''; and
       (B) by striking ``or the COASTAL Formula'' and inserting 
     ``, the COASTAL Formula, or any other loss allocation or 
     post-storm assessment arising under the laws or ordinances of 
     any State'';
       (6) in subsection (i), by striking ``after the date on 
     which the Administrator issues the rule establishing the 
     COASTAL Formula under subsection (b)'' and inserting ``60 
     days after publication of the COASTAL Formula in the Federal 
     Register as required by subsection (b)(1)''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to create a cause of action under this Act.''.

              TITLE III--WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING

     SEC. 301. WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING.

       (a) National Water Center.--
       (1) Establishment.--
       (A) In general.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
     and Atmosphere shall establish a center--
       (i) to serve as the research and operational center of 
     excellence for hydrologic analyses, forecasting, and related 
     decision support services within the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service; 
     and
       (ii) to facilitate collaboration across Federal and State 
     departments and agencies, academia, and the private sector on 
     matters relating to water resources.
       (B) Designation.--The center established under subparagraph 
     (A) shall be known as the ``National Water Center''.
       (2) Functions.--The functions of the National Water Center 
     shall include the following:
       (A) Improving understanding of water resources, stakeholder 
     needs regarding water resources, and identifying science and 
     services gaps relating to water resources.
       (B) Developing and implementing advanced water resources 
     modeling capabilities.
       (C) Facilitating the transition of hydrologic research into 
     operations.
       (D) Delivering analyses, forecasts, and inundation 
     information and guidance for all hydrologic events in the 
     United States, including flash flooding, riverine flooding, 
     and water resources outlooks.
       (E) In coordination with warning coordination 
     meteorologists, providing decision-support services to inform 
     emergency management and water resources decisions.
       (b) National Instructions.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, acting 
     through the Director of the National Weather Service, shall 
     make public an operations and services policy directive for 
     the National Water Center.
       (2) Contents.--The directive required by paragraph (1) 
     shall include national instructions to perform the functions 
     of the National Water Center, including the following:

[[Page S4644]]

       (A) Operational staff responsibilities.
       (B) Guidelines for content, format, and provision of 
     hydrologic and inundation products developed by the National 
     Water Center.
       (C) Procedures for cooperation and coordination between the 
     National Water Center, the National Weather Service National 
     Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather 
     Service River Forecast Centers, and National Weather Service 
     Weather Forecast Offices.
       (c) Total Water Prediction.--The Under Secretary, acting 
     through the Director of the Office of Water Prediction of the 
     National Weather Service, shall--
       (1) initiate and lead research and development activities 
     to develop operational water resource prediction and related 
     decision support products;
       (2) collaborate with, and provide decision support 
     regarding total water prediction to--
       (A) the relevant Federal agencies represented on the 
     National Science and Technology Council, Committee on 
     Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability and the 
     Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction;
       (B) State water resource agencies; and
       (C) State and local emergency management agencies; and
       (3) in carrying out the responsibilities described in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2), collaboratively develop capabilities 
     necessary for total water predictive capacity, including 
     observations, modeling, data management, supercomputing, 
     social science, and communications.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out the activities under this 
     section amounts as follows:
       (1) $44,500,000 for fiscal year 2021.
       (2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
       (3) $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2023.
       (4) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
       (e) Derivation of Funds.--Amounts made available to carry 
     out this section shall be derived from amounts appropriated 
     or otherwise made available to the National Weather Service 
     and the National Ocean Service.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2502. Mr. SULLIVAN proposed an amendment to the bill S. 850, to 
extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service 
organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans; as 
follows:

       Strike section 3 and insert the following:

     SEC. 3. MAKING PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM 
                   FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''.
       (b) Report Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than five years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on cost savings, 
     performance, and satisfaction of individuals, with respect 
     to--
       (A) the transport by the Secretary of individuals under 
     subsection (a) of section 111A of title 38, United States 
     Code; and
       (B) the program the establishment of which was facilitated 
     under subsection (b) of such section.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include an assessment of the effect of emerging health care 
     modalities, including telehealth and VA Video Connect, on--
       (A) the transport of individuals described in paragraph 
     (1)(A);
       (B) the satisfaction of such individuals with services 
     described in section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code; 
     and
       (C) the program described in paragraph (1)(B).
       (3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       (A) Telehealth.--
       (i) In general.--The term ``telehealth'' means the use of 
     electronic information and telecommunications technologies to 
     support and promote long-distance clinical health care, 
     patient and professional health-related education, public 
     health, and health administration.
       (ii) Technologies.--For purposes of clause (i), 
     telecommunications technologies include videoconferencing, 
     the internet, streaming media, and terrestrial and wireless 
     communications.
       (B) VA video connect.--The term ``VA Video Connect'' means 
     the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to connect 
     veterans with their health care team from anywhere, using 
     encryption to ensure a secure and private session.
       (c) Technical Correction.--Section 111A(b) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``veterans' 
     service organizations'' and inserting ``veterans service 
     organizations''.

                          ____________________