[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15698-15702]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2015

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 237, H.R. 34.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 34) to authorize and strengthen the tsunami 
     detection, forecast, warning, research, and mitigation 
     program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, and for other purposes.

  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.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Tsunami Warning, Education, 
     and Research Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act 
     (Public Law 109-424; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).

     SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF PURPOSES OF TSUNAMI WARNING AND 
                   EDUCATION ACT.

       Section 3 (33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``research,'' after 
     ``warnings,'';
       (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
       ``(2) to enhance and modernize the existing United States 
     Tsunami Warning System to increase the accuracy of forecasts 
     and warnings, to ensure full coverage of tsunami threats to 
     the United States with a network of detection assets, and to 
     reduce false alarms;'';
       (3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) to improve and develop standards and guidelines for 
     mapping, modeling, and assessment efforts to improve tsunami 
     detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation, 
     resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;'';
       (4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as 
     paragraphs (5), (6), and (8), respectively;
       (5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) to improve research efforts related to improving 
     tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, 
     mitigation, resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;'';
       (6) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
       (A) by striking ``and increase'' and inserting ``, 
     increase, and develop uniform standards and guidelines for''; 
     and
       (B) by inserting ``, including the warning signs of locally 
     generated tsunami'' after ``approaching'';
       (7) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking ``, 
     including the Indian Ocean; and'' and inserting a semicolon; 
     and
       (8) by inserting after paragraph (6), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(7) to foster resilient communities in the face of 
     tsunami and other similar coastal hazards; and''.

     SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 4 (33 U.S.C. 
     3203) is amended by striking ``Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, 
     and Gulf of Mexico region'' and inserting ``Atlantic Ocean 
     region, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico''.
       (b) Components.--Subsection (b) of such section 4 is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``established'' and 
     inserting ``supported or maintained'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as 
     paragraphs (9) through (11), respectively;
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively;
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) to the degree practicable, maintain not less than 80 
     percent of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of 
     Tsunamis buoy array at operational capacity to optimize data 
     reliability;''.
       (5) by amending paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph 
     (3), to read as follows:
       ``(5) provide tsunami forecasting capability based on 
     models and measurements, including tsunami inundation models 
     and maps for use in increasing the preparedness of 
     communities and safeguarding port and harbor operations, that 
     incorporate inputs, including--
       ``(A) the United States and global ocean and coastal 
     observing system;
       ``(B) the global Earth observing system;
       ``(C) the global seismic network;
       ``(D) the Advanced National Seismic system;
       ``(E) tsunami model validation using historical and 
     paleotsunami data;
       ``(F) digital elevation models and bathymetry; and
       ``(G) newly developing tsunami detection methodologies 
     using satellites and airborne remote sensing;'';
       (6) by inserting after paragraph (7), as redesignated by 
     paragraph (3), the following:
       ``(8) include a cooperative effort among the 
     Administration, the United States Geological Survey, and the 
     National Science Foundation under which the Director of the 
     United States Geological Survey and the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation shall--
       ``(A) provide rapid and reliable seismic information to the 
     Administrator from international and domestic seismic 
     networks; and

[[Page 15699]]

       ``(B) support seismic stations installed before the date of 
     the enactment of the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research 
     Act of 2015 to supplement coverage in areas of sparse 
     instrumentation;''.
       (7) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
       (A) by inserting ``, including graphical warning 
     products,'' after ``warnings'';
       (B) by inserting ``, territories,'' after ``States''; and
       (C) by inserting ``and Wireless Emergency Alerts'' after 
     ``Hazards Program''; and
       (8) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
       (A) by inserting ``provide and'' before ``allow''; and
       (B) by inserting ``and commercial and Federal undersea 
     communications cables'' after ``observing technologies''.
       (c) Tsunami Warning System.--Subsection (c) of such section 
     4 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(c) Tsunami Warning System.--The program under this 
     section shall operate a tsunami warning system that--
       ``(1) is capable of forecasting tsunami, including 
     forecasting tsunami arrival time and inundation estimates, 
     anywhere in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and 
     providing adequate warnings;
       ``(2) is capable of forecasting and providing adequate 
     warnings, including tsunami arrival time and inundation 
     models where applicable, in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, 
     including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are 
     determined--
       ``(A) to be geologically active, or to have significant 
     potential for geological activity; and
       ``(B) to pose significant risks of tsunami for States along 
     the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or 
     Gulf of Mexico; and
       ``(3) supports other international tsunami forecasting and 
     warning efforts.''.
       (d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--Subsection (d) of such 
     section 4 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall support or 
     maintain centers to support the tsunami warning system 
     required by subsection (c). The Centers shall include--
       ``(A) the National Tsunami Warning Center, located in 
     Alaska, which is primarily responsible for Alaska and the 
     continental United States;
       ``(B) the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in 
     Hawaii, which is primarily responsible for Hawaii, the 
     Caribbean, and other areas of the Pacific not covered by the 
     National Center; and
       ``(C) any additional forecast and warning centers 
     determined by the National Weather Service to be necessary.
       ``(2) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of the 
     centers supported or maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following:
       ``(A) Continuously monitoring data from seismological, deep 
     ocean, coastal sea level, and tidal monitoring stations and 
     other data sources as may be developed and deployed.
       ``(B) Evaluating earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic 
     eruptions that have the potential to generate tsunami.
       ``(C) Evaluating deep ocean buoy data and tidal monitoring 
     stations for indications of tsunami resulting from 
     earthquakes and other sources.
       ``(D) To the extent practicable, utilizing a range of 
     models, including ensemble models, to predict tsunami, 
     including arrival times, flooding estimates, coastal and 
     harbor currents, and duration.
       ``(E) Using data from the Integrated Ocean Observing System 
     of the Administration in coordination with regional 
     associations to calculate new inundation estimates and 
     periodically update existing inundation estimates.
       ``(F) Ensuring supercomputing resources of the National 
     Centers for Environmental Prediction are available to run, as 
     rapidly as possible, such computer models as are needed for 
     purposes of the tsunami warning system operated pursuant to 
     subsection (c).
       ``(G) Disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning bulletins 
     to Federal, State, tribal, and local government officials and 
     the public.
       ``(H) Coordinating with the tsunami hazard mitigation 
     program conducted under section 5 to ensure ongoing sharing 
     of information between forecasters and emergency management 
     officials.
       ``(I) Evaluating and recommending procedures for ports and 
     harbors at risk of tsunami inundation, including review of 
     readiness, response, and communication strategies to ensure 
     coordination and data sharing with the Coast Guard.
       ``(J) Making data gathered under this Act and post-warning 
     analyses conducted by the National Weather Service or other 
     relevant Administration offices available to the public.
       ``(K) Integrating and modernizing the program operated 
     under this section with advances in tsunami science to 
     improve performance without compromising service.
       ``(3) Fail-safe warning capability.--The tsunami warning 
     centers supported or maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) 
     shall maintain a fail-safe warning capability and perform 
     back-up duties for each other.
       ``(4) Coordination with national weather service.--The 
     Administrator shall coordinate with the forecast offices of 
     the National Weather Service, the centers supported or 
     maintained pursuant to paragraph (1), and such program 
     offices of the Administration as the Administrator or the 
     coordinating committee consider appropriate to ensure that 
     regional and local forecast offices--
       ``(A) have the technical knowledge and capability to 
     disseminate tsunami warnings for the communities they serve;
       ``(B) leverage connections with local emergency management 
     officials for optimally disseminating tsunami warnings and 
     forecasts; and
       ``(C) implement mass communication tools in effect on the 
     day before the date of the enactment of the Tsunami Warning, 
     Education, and Research Act of 2015 used by the National 
     Weather Service on such date and newer mass communication 
     technologies as they are developed as a part of the Weather-
     Ready Nation program of the Administration, or otherwise, for 
     the purpose of timely and effective delivery of tsunami 
     warnings.
       ``(5) Uniform operating procedures.--The Administrator 
     shall--
       ``(A) develop uniform operational procedures for the 
     centers supported or maintained pursuant to paragraph (1), 
     including the use of software applications, checklists, 
     decision support tools, and tsunami warning products that 
     have been standardized across the program supported under 
     this section;
       ``(B) ensure that processes and products of the warning 
     system operated pursuant to subsection (c)--
       ``(i) reflect industry best practices when practicable;
       ``(ii) conform to the maximum extent practicable with 
     internationally recognized standards for information 
     technology; and
       ``(iii) conform to the maximum extent practicable with 
     other warning products and practices of the National Weather 
     Service;
       ``(C) ensure that future adjustments to operational 
     protocols, processes, and warning products--
       ``(i) are made consistently across the warning system 
     operated pursuant to subsection (c); and
       ``(ii) are applied in a uniform manner across such warning 
     system;
       ``(D) establish a systematic method for information 
     technology product development to improve long-term 
     technology planning efforts; and
       ``(E) disseminate guidelines and metrics for evaluating and 
     improving tsunami forecast models.
       ``(6) Available resources.--The Administrator, through the 
     National Weather Service, shall ensure that resources are 
     available to fulfill the obligations of this Act. This 
     includes ensuring supercomputing resources are available to 
     run such computer models as are needed for purposes of the 
     tsunami warning system operated pursuant to subsection 
     (c).''.
       (e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--
     Subsection (e) of such section 4 is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--In 
     carrying out this section, the Administrator shall--
       ``(1) develop requirements for the equipment used to 
     forecast tsunami, including--
       ``(A) provisions for multipurpose detection platforms;
       ``(B) reliability and performance metrics; and
       ``(C) to the maximum extent practicable, requirements for 
     the integration of equipment with other United States and 
     global ocean and coastal observation systems, the global 
     Earth observing system of systems, the global seismic 
     networks, and the Advanced National Seismic System;
       ``(2) develop and execute a plan for the transfer of 
     technology from ongoing research conducted as part of the 
     program supported or maintained under section 6 into the 
     program under this section; and
       ``(3) ensure that the Administration's operational tsunami 
     detection equipment is properly maintained.''.
       (f) Federal Cooperation.--Subsection (f) of such section 4 
     is amended to read as follows:
       ``(f) Federal Cooperation.--When deploying and maintaining 
     tsunami detection technologies under the program under this 
     section, the Administrator shall--
       ``(1) identify which assets of other Federal agencies are 
     necessary to support such program; and
       ``(2) work with each agency identified under paragraph 
     (1)--
       ``(A) to acquire the agency's assistance; and
       ``(B) to prioritize the necessary assets.''.
       (g) Unnecessary Provisions.--Such section 4 is further 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (g) and (i) through (k); and
       (2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
       (h) Congressional Notifications.--Subsection (g) of such 
     section, as redesignated by subsection (g)(2), is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such 
     subparagraphs 2 ems to the right;
       (2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated 
     by paragraph (1), by striking ``The Administrator'' and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator'';
       (3) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
     by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
     by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) the occurrence of a significant tsunami warning.''; 
     and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Contents.--In a case in which notice is submitted 
     under paragraph (1) within 90 days of

[[Page 15700]]

     a significant tsunami warning described in subparagraph (C) 
     of such paragraph, such notice shall include brief 
     information and analysis of--
       ``(A) the accuracy of the tsunami model used;
       ``(B) the specific deep ocean or other monitoring equipment 
     that detected the incident, as well as the deep ocean or 
     other monitoring equipment that did not detect the incident 
     due to malfunction or otherwise;
       ``(C) the effectiveness of the warning communication 
     procedures including the integration of warnings with State, 
     territory, local, and tribal partners in the affected area 
     under the jurisdiction of the National Weather Service; and
       ``(D) such other findings as the Administrator considers 
     appropriate.''.

     SEC. 5. MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 5 (33 U.S.C. 3204) is amended by 
     striking subsections (a) through (d) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) Program Required.--The Administrator shall, in 
     consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency and the heads of such other agencies as the 
     Administrator considers relevant, conduct a community-based 
     tsunami hazard mitigation program to improve tsunami 
     preparedness and resiliency of at-risk areas in the United 
     States and the territories of the United States.
       ``(b) Program Components.--The Program conducted pursuant 
     to subsection (a) shall include the following:
       ``(1) Technical and financial assistance to coastal States, 
     territories, tribes, and local governments to develop and 
     implement activities under this section.
       ``(2) Integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation 
     programs into ongoing State-based hazard warning, resilience 
     planning, and risk management activities, including 
     predisaster planning, emergency response, evacuation 
     planning, disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and community 
     development and redevelopment planning programs in affected 
     areas.
       ``(3) Activities to promote the adoption of tsunami 
     resilience, preparedness, warning, and mitigation measures by 
     Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local governments 
     and nongovernmental entities, including educational and risk 
     communication programs to discourage development in high-risk 
     areas.
       ``(4) Activities to support the development of regional 
     tsunami hazard and risk assessments. Such regional risk 
     assessments may include the following:
       ``(A) The sources, sizes, and other relevant historical 
     data of tsunami in the region, including paleotsunami data.
       ``(B) Inundation models and maps of critical infrastructure 
     and socioeconomic vulnerability in areas subject to tsunami 
     inundation.
       ``(C) Maps of evacuation areas and evacuation routes, 
     including, when appropriate, traffic studies that evaluate 
     the viability of evacuation routes.
       ``(D) Evaluations of the size of populations that will 
     require evacuation, including populations with special 
     evacuation needs.
       ``(E) Evaluations and technical assistance for vertical 
     evacuation structure planning for communities where models 
     indicate limited or no ability for timely evacuation, 
     especially in areas at risk of near shore generated tsunami.
       ``(F) Evaluation of at-risk ports and harbors.
       ``(G) Evaluation of the effect of tsunami currents on the 
     foundations of closely-spaced, coastal high-rise structures.
       ``(5) Activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports 
     and harbors, including the following:
       ``(A) Evaluation and recommendation of procedures for ports 
     and harbors in the event of a distant or near-field tsunami.
       ``(B) A review of readiness, response, and communication 
     strategies to ensure coordination and data sharing with the 
     Coast Guard.
       ``(6) Activities to support the development of community-
     based outreach and education programs to ensure community 
     readiness and resilience, including the following:
       ``(A) The development, implementation, and assessment of 
     technical training and public education programs, including 
     education programs that address unique characteristics of 
     distant and near-field tsunami.
       ``(B) The development of decision support tools.
       ``(C) The incorporation of social science research into 
     community readiness and resilience efforts.
       ``(D) The development of evidence-based education 
     guidelines.
       ``(7) Dissemination of guidelines and standards for 
     community planning, education, and training products, 
     programs, and tools, including--
       ``(A) standards for--
       ``(i) mapping products;
       ``(ii) inundation models; and
       ``(iii) effective emergency exercises; and
       ``(B) recommended guidance for at-risk port and harbor 
     tsunami warning, evacuation, and response procedures in 
     coordination with the Coast Guard.
       ``(c) Authorized Activities.--In addition to activities 
     conducted under subsection (b), the program conducted 
     pursuant to subsection (a) may include the following:
       ``(1) Multidisciplinary vulnerability assessment research, 
     education, and training to help integrate risk management and 
     resilience objectives with community development planning and 
     policies.
       ``(2) Risk management training for local officials and 
     community organizations to enhance understanding and 
     preparedness.
       ``(3) Interagency, Federal, State, tribal, and territorial 
     intergovernmental tsunami response exercise planning and 
     implementation in high risk areas.
       ``(4) Development of practical applications for existing or 
     emerging technologies, such as modeling, remote sensing, 
     geospatial technology, engineering, and observing systems, 
     including the integration of tsunami sensors into Federal and 
     commercial submarine telecommunication cables if practicable.
       ``(5) Risk management, risk assessment, and resilience data 
     and information services, including--
       ``(A) access to data and products derived from observing 
     and detection systems; and
       ``(B) development and maintenance of new integrated data 
     products to support risk management, risk assessment, and 
     resilience programs.
       ``(6) Risk notification systems that coordinate with and 
     build upon existing systems and actively engage 
     decisionmakers, State, local, tribal, and territorial 
     governments and agencies, business communities, 
     nongovernmental organizations, and the media.
       ``(7) Formation of regional coastal risk management 
     coalitions of Federal, State, local and tribal governments, 
     community groups, academic institutions, and non-governmental 
     groups to advance the goals of this section for communities 
     facing common coastal hazards and risks. Such coalitions may 
     enter into an agreement with an organization described in 
     section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 
     establish a nonprofit foundation in order to accept gifts and 
     donations to support of the goals of this section.
       ``(d) Coordinating Committee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
     coordinating committee to assist the Administrator in the 
     conduct of the program required by subsection (a).
       ``(2) Composition.--The coordinating committee shall be 
     composed of members as follows:
       ``(A) Representatives of States and territories most at 
     risk from tsunami, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon, 
     California, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa.
       ``(B) Such other members as the Administrator considers 
     appropriate to represent Federal, State, tribal, territorial, 
     and local governments.
       ``(3) Subcommittees.--The Administrator may approve the 
     formation of subcommittees to address specific program 
     components or regional issues.
       ``(4) Responsibilities.--The coordinating committee shall--
       ``(A) provide feedback on how funds should be prioritized 
     to carry out the program required by subsection (a);
       ``(B) ensure that areas described in section 4(c) in the 
     United States and its territories have the opportunity to 
     participate in the program;
       ``(C) provide recommendations to the Administrator on how 
     to improve and continuously advance the TsunamiReady program 
     of the National Weather Service, particularly on ways to make 
     communities more tsunami resilient through the use of 
     inundation maps and models and other hazard mitigation 
     practices;
       ``(D) ensure that all components of the program required by 
     subsection (a) are integrated with ongoing State based hazard 
     warning, risk management, and resilience activities, 
     including--
       ``(i) integrating activities with emergency response plans, 
     disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and community 
     development programs in affected areas; and
       ``(ii) integrating information to assist in tsunami 
     evacuation route planning.
       ``(5) Exemption from faca termination requirement.--Section 
     14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 14) 
     shall not apply to the committee established and maintained 
     pursuant to paragraph (1).
       ``(e) No Preemption With Respect to Designation of At-risk 
     Areas.--The establishment of national standards for 
     inundation models under this section shall not prevent 
     States, territories, tribes, and local governments from 
     designating additional areas as being at risk based on 
     knowledge of local conditions.
       ``(f) No New Regulatory Authority.--Nothing in this Act may 
     be construed as establishing new regulatory authority for any 
     Federal agency.''.
       (b) Report on Accreditation of TsunamiReady Program.--Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives a report on which authorities and activities 
     would be needed to have the TsunamiReady program of the 
     National Weather Service accredited by the Emergency 
     Management Accreditation Program.

     SEC. 6. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       Section 6 (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
       (1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``The 
     Administrator shall'' and all that follows through 
     ``establish or maintain'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, in consultation 
     with such other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and 
     territorial governments, and academic institutions as the 
     Administrator considers appropriate, the coordinating 
     committee under section 5(d), and the panel under section 
     8(a), support or maintain'';
       (2) in subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1), by 
     striking ``and assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical 
     forecast modeling. Such research program shall--'' and 
     inserting

[[Page 15701]]

     the following: ``assessment for tsunami tracking and 
     numerical forecast modeling, and standards development.
       ``(b) Responsibilities.--The research program supported or 
     maintained pursuant to subsection (a) shall--''; and
       (3) in subsection (b), as designated by paragraph (2)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) consider other appropriate and cost effective 
     research to mitigate the impact of tsunami, including the 
     improvement of near-field and distant tsunami detection and 
     forecasting capabilities, which may include use of a new 
     generation of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of 
     Tsunamis array, integration of tsunami sensors into 
     commercial and Federal telecommunications cables, and other 
     real-time tsunami monitoring systems and supercomputer 
     capacity of the Administration to develop a rapid tsunami 
     forecast for all United States coastlines;'';
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``include'' and inserting ``conduct''; and
       (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
       ``(4) develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami 
     maps, numerical tsunami models, digital elevation models, and 
     forecasts; and''; and
       (E) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by subparagraph (C), 
     by striking ``to the scientific community'' and inserting 
     ``to the public''.

     SEC. 7. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK.

       Section 7 (33 U.S.C. 3206) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) Support for Development of an International Tsunami 
     Warning System.--The Administrator shall, in coordination 
     with the Secretary of State and in consultation with such 
     other agencies as the Administrator considers relevant, 
     provide technical assistance and training to the 
     Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United 
     Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, 
     the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, 
     and such other international entities as the Administrator 
     considers appropriate, as part of the international efforts 
     to develop a fully functional global tsunami forecast and 
     warning system comprised of regional tsunami warning 
     networks.'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``shall'' and inserting 
     ``may''; and
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``establishing'' and 
     inserting ``supporting''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``establish'' and inserting ``support''; 
     and
       (ii) by striking ``establishing'' and inserting 
     ``supporting''.

     SEC. 8. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.

       (a) In General.--The Act is further amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 8 (33 U.S.C. 3207) as section 
     9; and
       (2) by inserting after section 7 (33 U.S.C. 3206) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 8. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.

       ``(a) Designation.--The Administrator shall designate an 
     existing working group within the Science Advisory Board of 
     the Administration to serve as the Tsunami Science and 
     Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice to the 
     Administrator on matters regarding tsunami science, 
     technology, and regional preparedness.
       ``(b) Membership.--
       ``(1) Composition.--The working group designated under 
     subsection (a) shall be composed of no fewer than 7 members 
     selected by the Administrator from among individuals from 
     academia or State agencies who have academic or practical 
     expertise in physical sciences, social sciences, information 
     technology, coastal resilience, emergency management, or such 
     other disciplines as the Administrator considers appropriate.
       ``(2) Federal employment.--No member of the working group 
     designated pursuant to subsection (a) may be a Federal 
     employee.
       ``(c) Responsibilities.--Not less frequently than once 
     every 4 years, the working group designated under subsection 
     (a) shall--
       ``(1) review the activities of the Administration, and 
     other Federal activities as appropriate, relating to tsunami 
     research, detection, forecasting, warning, mitigation, 
     resiliency, and preparation; and
       ``(2) submit to the Administrator and such others as the 
     Administrator considers appropriate--
       ``(A) the findings of the working group with respect to the 
     most recent review conducted pursuant to paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) such recommendations for legislative or 
     administrative action as the working group considers 
     appropriate to improve Federal tsunami research, detection, 
     forecasting, warning, mitigation, resiliency, and 
     preparation.
       ``(d) Reports to Congress.--Not less frequently than once 
     every 4 years, the Administrator shall submit to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
     of the House of Representatives a report on the findings and 
     recommendations received by the Administrator under 
     subsection (c)(2).''.

     SEC. 9. REPORTS.

       (a) Report on Implementation of Tsunami Warning and 
     Education Act.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the implementation of the Tsunami 
     Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A detailed description of the progress made in 
     implementing sections 4(d)(6), 5(b)(6), and 6(b)(4) of the 
     Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
       (B) A description of the ways that tsunami warnings and 
     warning products issued by the Tsunami Forecasting and 
     Warning Program established under section 4 of the Tsunami 
     Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203) can be 
     standardized and streamlined with warnings and warning 
     products for hurricanes, coastal storms, and other coastal 
     flooding events.
       (b) Report on National Efforts That Support Rapid Response 
     Following Near-shore Tsunami Events.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the 
     Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly, in coordination 
     with the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 
     Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 
     Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and the heads of such 
     other Federal agencies as the Administrator considers 
     appropriate, submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
     a report on the national efforts in effect on the day before 
     the date of the enactment of this Act that support and 
     facilitate rapid emergency response following a domestic 
     near-shore tsunami event to better understand domestic 
     effects of earthquake derived tsunami on people, 
     infrastructure, and communities in the United States.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A description of scientific or other measurements 
     collected on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
     Act to quickly identify and quantify lost or degraded 
     infrastructure or terrestrial formations.
       (B) A description of scientific or other measurements that 
     would be necessary to collect to quickly identify and 
     quantify lost or degraded infrastructure or terrestrial 
     formations.
       (C) Identification and evaluation of Federal, State, local, 
     tribal, territorial, and military first responder and search 
     and rescue operation centers, bases, and other facilities as 
     well as other critical response assets and infrastructure, 
     including search and rescue aircraft, located within near-
     shore and distant tsunami inundation areas on the day before 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (D) An evaluation of near-shore tsunami response plans in 
     areas described in subparagraph (C) in effect on the day 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act, and how those 
     response plans would be affected by the loss of search and 
     rescue and first responder infrastructure described in such 
     subparagraph.
       (E) A description of redevelopment plans and reports in 
     effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
     Act for communities in areas that are at high-risk for near-
     shore tsunami, as well identification of States or 
     communities that do not have redevelopment plans.
       (F) Recommendations to enhance near-shore tsunami 
     preparedness and response plans, including recommended 
     responder exercises, predisaster planning, and mitigation 
     needs.
       (G) Such other data and analysis information as the 
     Administrator and the Secretary of Homeland Security consider 
     appropriate.
       (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives.

     SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 9 of the Act, as redesignated by section 8(a)(1) of 
     this Act, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) $27,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
     2021, of which--
       ``(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated 
     for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted at the 
     State level under the tsunami hazard mitigation program under 
     section 5; and
       ``(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated 
     shall be for the tsunami research program under section 6.''.

     SEC. 11. OUTREACH RESPONSIBILITIES.

       The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, in coordination with State and local 
     emergency managers, shall develop and carry out formal 
     outreach activities to improve tsunami education and 
     awareness and foster the development of resilient 
     communities. Outreach activities may include--
       (1) the development of outreach plans to ensure the close 
     integration of tsunami warning centers supported or 
     maintained pursuant to

[[Page 15702]]

     section 4(d) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 
     U.S.C. 3203(d)) with local Weather Forecast Offices of the 
     National Weather Service and emergency managers;
       (2) working with appropriate local Weather Forecast Offices 
     to ensure they have the technical knowledge and capability to 
     disseminate tsunami warnings to the communities they serve; 
     and
       (3) evaluating the effectiveness of warnings and of 
     coordination with local Weather Forecast Offices after 
     significant tsunami events.

     SEC. 12. REPEAL OF DUPLICATE PROVISIONS OF LAW.

       (a) Repeal.--The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
     Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479) 
     is amended by striking title VIII (relating to tsunami 
     warning and education).
       (b) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to repeal, or affect in any way, Public Law 109-
     424.

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Thune 
amendment at the desk be agreed to; that the committee-reported 
amendment, as amended, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read 
a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 2709) was agreed to.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and the bill to be read a 
third time.
  The bill was read the third time.
  The bill (H.R. 34), as amended, was passed.

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