[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
Public Law 115-25
115th Congress
An Act
To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather
research through a focused program of investment on affordable and
attainable advances in observational, computing, and modeling
capabilities to support substantial improvement in weather forecasting
and prediction of high impact weather events, to expand commercial
opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other
purposes. <>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) <> Short Title.--This Act may be cited
as the ``Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT
Sec. 101. Public safety priority.
Sec. 102. Weather research and forecasting innovation.
Sec. 103. Tornado warning improvement and extension program.
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program.
Sec. 105. Weather research and development planning.
Sec. 106. Observing system planning.
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments.
Sec. 108. Annual report on computing resources prioritization.
Sec. 109. United States Weather Research program.
Sec. 110. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTING INNOVATION
Sec. 201. Improving subseasonal and seasonal forecasts.
TITLE III--WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION
Sec. 301. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite and
data management.
Sec. 302. Commercial weather data.
Sec. 303. Unnecessary duplication.
TITLE IV--FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION
Sec. 401. Environmental Information Services Working Group.
Sec. 402. Interagency weather research and forecast innovation
coordination.
Sec. 403. Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and National
Weather Service exchange program.
Sec. 404. Visiting fellows at National Weather Service.
Sec. 405. Warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast
offices of National Weather Service.
Sec. 406. Improving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
communication of hazardous weather and water events.
Sec. 407. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Ready
All Hazards Award Program.
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Sec. 408. Department of Defense weather forecasting activities.
Sec. 409. National Weather Service; operations and workforce analysis.
Sec. 410. Report on contract positions at National Weather Service.
Sec. 411. Weather impacts to communities and infrastructure.
Sec. 412. Weather enterprise outreach.
Sec. 413. Hurricane hunter aircraft.
Sec. 414. Study on gaps in NEXRAD coverage and recommendations to
address such gaps.
TITLE V--TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017
Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. References to the Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
Sec. 503. Expansion of purposes of Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
Sec. 504. Modification of tsunami forecasting and warning program.
Sec. 505. Modification of national tsunami hazard mitigation program.
Sec. 506. Modification of tsunami research program.
Sec. 507. Global tsunami warning and mitigation network.
Sec. 508. Tsunami science and technology advisory panel.
Sec. 509. Reports.
Sec. 510. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 511. Outreach responsibilities.
Sec. 512. Repeal of duplicate provisions of law.
SEC. 2. <> DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Seasonal.--The term ``seasonal'' means the time range
between 3 months and 2 years.
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means a State, a territory,
or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or
the District of Columbia.
(3) Subseasonal.--The term ``subseasonal'' means the time
range between 2 weeks and 3 months.
(4) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
(5) Weather industry and weather enterprise.--The terms
``weather industry'' and ``weather enterprise'' are
interchangeable in this Act, and include individuals and
organizations from public, private, and academic sectors that
contribute to the research, development, and production of
weather forecast products, and primary consumers of these
weather forecast products.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT
SEC. 101. <> PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.
In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall prioritize
improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, and warnings
for the protection of life and property and for the enhancement of the
national economy.
SEC. 102. <> WEATHER RESEARCH AND
FORECASTING INNOVATION.
(a) Program.--The Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research shall conduct a program to develop improved
understanding of and forecast capabilities for atmospheric events and
their impacts, placing priority on developing more accurate, timely, and
effective warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that
endanger life and property.
(b) Program Elements.--The program described in subsection (a) shall
focus on the following activities:
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(1) Improving the fundamental understanding of weather
consistent with section 101, including the boundary layer and
other processes affecting high impact weather events.
(2) Improving the understanding of how the public receives,
interprets, and responds to warnings and forecasts of high
impact weather events that endanger life and property.
(3) Research and development, and transfer of knowledge,
technologies, and applications to the National Weather Service
and other appropriate agencies and entities, including the
United States weather industry and academic partners, related
to--
(A) advanced radar, radar networking technologies,
and other ground-based technologies, including those
emphasizing rapid, fine-scale sensing of the boundary
layer and lower troposphere, and the use of innovative,
dual-polarization, phased-array technologies;
(B) aerial weather observing systems;
(C) high performance computing and information
technology and wireless communication networks;
(D) advanced numerical weather prediction systems
and forecasting tools and techniques that improve the
forecasting of timing, track, intensity, and severity of
high impact weather, including through--
(i) the development of more effective
mesoscale models;
(ii) more effective use of existing, and the
development of new, regional and national cloud-
resolving models;
(iii) enhanced global weather models; and
(iv) integrated assessment models;
(E) quantitative assessment tools for measuring the
impact and value of data and observing systems,
including Observing System Simulation Experiments (as
described in section 107), Observing System Experiments,
and Analyses of Alternatives;
(F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions essential
to accurately characterizing atmospheric composition and
predicting meteorological processes, including cloud
microphysical, precipitation, and atmospheric
electrification processes, to more effectively
understand their role in severe weather; and
(G) additional sources of weather data and
information, including commercial observing systems.
(4) A technology transfer initiative, carried out jointly
and in coordination with the Director of the National Weather
Service, and in cooperation with the United States weather
industry and academic partners, to ensure continuous development
and transition of the latest scientific and technological
advances into operations of the National Weather Service and to
establish a process to sunset outdated and expensive operational
methods and tools to enable cost-effective transfer of new
methods and tools into operations.
(c) Extramural Research.--
(1) <> In general.--In carrying out
the program under this section, the Assistant Administrator for
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall collaborate with and
support the non-Federal weather research community, which
includes
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institutions of higher education, private entities, and
nongovernmental organizations, by making funds available through
competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that not
less than 30 percent of the funds for weather research and
development at the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
should be made available for the purpose described in paragraph
(1).
(d) Annual Report.--Each year, concurrent with the annual budget
request submitted by the President to Congress under section 1105 of
title 31, United States Code, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a
description of current and planned activities under this section.
SEC. 103. <> TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND
EXTENSION PROGRAM.
(a) <> In General.--The Under Secretary, in
collaboration with the United States weather industry and academic
partners, shall establish a tornado warning improvement and extension
program.
(b) Goal.--The goal of such program shall be to reduce the loss of
life and economic losses from tornadoes through the development and
extension of accurate, effective, and timely tornado forecasts,
predictions, and warnings, including the prediction of tornadoes beyond
1 hour in advance.
(c) <> Program Plan.--Not later than
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant
Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, in coordination with
the Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop a program
plan that details the specific research, development, and technology
transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines,
necessary to achieve the program goal.
(d) <> Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--
Following completion of the plan, the Under Secretary, acting through
the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and in
coordination with the Director of the National Weather Service, shall,
not less frequently than once each year, submit to Congress a proposed
budget corresponding with the activities identified in the plan.
SEC. 104. <> HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM.
(a) <> In General.--The Under Secretary, in
collaboration with the United States weather industry and such academic
entities as the Administrator considers appropriate, shall maintain a
project to improve hurricane forecasting.
(b) Goal.--The goal of the project maintained under subsection (a)
shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings
in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy, with
a focus on--
(1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and
track of hurricanes;
(2) improving the forecast and communication of storm surges
from hurricanes; and
(3) incorporating risk communication research to create more
effective watch and warning products.
(c) <> Project Plan.--Not later than
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary,
acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research
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and in consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service,
shall develop a plan for the project maintained under subsection (a)
that details the specific research, development, and technology transfer
activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary
to achieve the goal set forth in subsection (b).
SEC. 105. <> WEATHER
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Under
Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research and in coordination with the Director of the
National Weather Service and the Assistant Administrator for Satellite
and Information Services, shall issue a research and development and
research to operations plan to restore and maintain United States
leadership in numerical weather prediction and forecasting that--
(1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals,
objectives, and progress of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration in carrying out the program conducted under
section 102;
(2) identifies and prioritizes specific research and
development activities, and performance metrics, weighted to
meet the operational weather mission of the National Weather
Service to achieve a weather-ready Nation;
(3) describes how the program will collaborate with
stakeholders, including the United States weather industry and
academic partners; and
(4) <> identifies, through
consultation with the National Science Foundation, the United
States weather industry, and academic partners, research
necessary to enhance the integration of social science knowledge
into weather forecast and warning processes, including to
improve the communication of threat information necessary to
enable improved severe weather planning and decisionmaking on
the part of individuals and communities.
SEC. 106. <> OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING.
The Under Secretary shall--
(1) <> develop and maintain a prioritized
list of observation data requirements necessary to ensure
weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and property to
the maximum extent practicable;
(2) consistent with section 107, utilize Observing System
Simulation Experiments, Observing System Experiments, Analyses
of Alternatives, and other appropriate assessment tools to
ensure continuous systemic evaluations of the observing systems,
data, and information needed to meet the requirements of
paragraph (1), including options to maximize observational
capabilities and their cost-effectiveness;
(3) identify current and potential future data gaps in
observing capabilities related to the requirements listed under
paragraph (1); and
(4) determine a range of options to address gaps identified
under paragraph (3).
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SEC. 107. <>
OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS.
(a) In General.--In support of the requirements of section 106, the
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall
undertake Observing System Simulation Experiments, or such other
quantitative assessments as the Assistant Administrator considers
appropriate, to quantitatively assess the relative value and benefits of
observing capabilities and systems. Technical and scientific Observing
System Simulation Experiment evaluations--
(1) may include assessments of the impact of observing
capabilities on--
(A) global weather prediction;
(B) hurricane track and intensity forecasting;
(C) tornado warning lead times and accuracy;
(D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm
outbreaks; and
(E) prediction of storms that have the potential to
cause extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from 6
hours to 1 week; and
(2) shall be conducted in cooperation with other appropriate
entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, other Federal agencies, the United States
weather industry, and academic partners to ensure the technical
and scientific merit of results from Observing System Simulation
Experiments or other appropriate quantitative assessment
methodologies.
(b) Requirements.--Observing System Simulation Experiments shall
quantitatively--
(1) determine the potential impact of proposed space-based,
suborbital, and in situ observing systems on analyses and
forecasts, including potential impacts on extreme weather events
across all parts of the Nation;
(2) evaluate and compare observing system design options;
and
(3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various
observing systems and combinations of observing systems in
providing data necessary to protect life and property.
(c) Implementation.--Observing System Simulation Experiments--
(1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of major
Government-owned or Government-leased operational observing
systems, including polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite
systems, with a lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000; and
(2) shall be conducted prior to the purchase of any major
new commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more
than $500,000,000.
(d) <> Priority Observing System Simulation
Experiments.--
(1) Global navigation satellite system radio occultation.--
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research shall complete an Observing System Simulation
Experiment to assess the value of data from Global Navigation
Satellite System Radio Occultation.
(2) Geostationary hyperspectral sounder global
constellation.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic
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and Atmospheric Research shall complete an Observing System
Simulation Experiment to assess the value of data from a
geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation.
(e) <> Results.--Upon completion of all
Observing System Simulation Experiments, the Assistant Administrator
shall make available to the public the results an assessment of related
private and public sector weather data sourcing options, including their
availability, affordability, and cost-effectiveness. Such assessments
shall be developed in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, United
States Code.
SEC. 108. <> ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPUTING
RESOURCES PRIORITIZATION.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act
and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the Under
Secretary, acting through the Chief Information Officer of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in coordination with the
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the
Director of the National Weather Service, shall produce and make
publicly available a report that explains how the Under Secretary
intends--
(1) to continually support upgrades to pursue the fastest,
most powerful, and cost-effective high performance computing
technologies in support of its weather prediction mission;
(2) to ensure a balance between the research to operations
requirements to develop the next generation of regional and
global models as well as highly reliable operational models;
(3) to take advantage of advanced development concepts to,
as appropriate, make next generation weather prediction models
available in beta-test mode to operational forecasters, the
United States weather industry, and partners in academic and
Government research; and
(4) to use existing computing resources to improve advanced
research and operational weather prediction.
SEC. 109. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567; 15 U.S.C. 313 note) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) <> submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives, not less frequently than once each year, a
report, including--
``(A) <> a list of ongoing research
projects;
``(B) project goals and a point of contact for each
project;
``(C) the five projects related to weather
observations, short-term weather, or subseasonal
forecasts within Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research that are closest to operationalization;
``(D) for each project referred to in subparagraph
(C)--
``(i) the potential benefit;
``(ii) any barrier to operationalization; and
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``(iii) the plan for operationalization,
including which line office will financially
support the project and how much the line office
intends to spend;
``(6) establish teams with staff from the Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service to
oversee the operationalization of research products developed by
the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
``(7) develop mechanisms for research priorities of the
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be informed by the
relevant line offices within the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the relevant user community, and the
weather enterprise;
``(8) develop an internal mechanism to track the progress of
each research project within the Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research and mechanisms to terminate a project that
is not adequately progressing;
``(9) develop and implement a system to track whether
extramural research grant goals were accomplished;
``(10) provide facilities for products developed by the
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be tested in
operational simulations, such as test beds; and
``(11) encourage academic collaboration with the Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather
Service by facilitating visiting scholars.'';
(2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the'' and inserting ``The''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Subseasonal Defined.--In this section, the term `subseasonal'
means the time range between 2 weeks and 3 months.''.
SEC. 110. <> AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018.--For each of fiscal years 2017 and
2018, there are authorized to be appropriated to Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research--
(1) $111,516,000 to carry out this title, of which--
(A) $85,758,000 is authorized for weather
laboratories and cooperative institutes; and
(B) $25,758,000 is authorized for weather and air
chemistry research programs; and
(2) an additional amount of $20,000,000 for the joint
technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4).
(b) Limitation.--No additional funds are authorized to carry out
this title and the amendments made by this title.
TITLE II--SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTING INNOVATION
SEC. 201. IMPROVING SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTS.
Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 15
U.S.C. 313 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a)'' and inserting
``(a) Findings.--'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)'' and inserting
``(b) Policy.--''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
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``(c) Functions.--The Under Secretary, acting through the Director
of the National Weather Service and the heads of such other programs of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Under
Secretary considers appropriate, shall--
``(1) collect and utilize information in order to make
usable, reliable, and timely foundational forecasts of
subseasonal and seasonal temperature and precipitation;
``(2) leverage existing research and models from the weather
enterprise to improve the forecasts under paragraph (1);
``(3) determine and provide information on how the
forecasted conditions under paragraph (1) may impact--
``(A) the number and severity of droughts, fires,
tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, heat waves, coastal
inundation, winter storms, high impact weather, or other
relevant natural disasters;
``(B) snowpack; and
``(C) sea ice conditions; and
``(4) develop an Internet clearinghouse to provide the
forecasts under paragraph (1) and the information under
paragraphs (1) and (3) on both national and regional levels.
``(d) <> Communication.--The Director of
the National Weather Service shall provide the forecasts under paragraph
(1) of subsection (c) and the information on their impacts under
paragraph (3) of such subsection to the public, including public and
private entities engaged in planning and preparedness, such as National
Weather Service Core partners at the Federal, regional, State, tribal,
and local levels of government.
``(e) Cooperation.--The Under Secretary shall build upon existing
forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships, including--
``(1) by designating research and monitoring activities
related to subseasonal and seasonal forecasts as a priority in
one or more solicitations of the Cooperative Institutes of the
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
``(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth System
Prediction Capability; and
``(3) <> by consulting with the
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to
determine the highest priority subseasonal and seasonal forecast
needs to enhance national security.
``(f) Forecast Communication Coordinators.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall foster
effective communication, understanding, and use of the forecasts
by the intended users of the information described in subsection
(d). This may include assistance to States for forecast
communication coordinators to enable local interpretation and
planning based on the information.
``(2) Requirements.--For each State that requests assistance
under this subsection, the Under Secretary may--
``(A) provide funds to support an individual in that
State--
``(i) to serve as a liaison among the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other
Federal departments and agencies, the weather
enterprise, the State, and relevant interests
within that State; and
``(ii) to receive the forecasts and
information under subsection (c) and disseminate
the forecasts and
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information throughout the State, including to
county and tribal governments; and
``(B) require matching funds of at least 50 percent,
from the State, a university, a nongovernmental
organization, a trade association, or the private
sector.
``(3) Limitation.--Assistance to an individual State under
this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 in a fiscal year.
``(g) Cooperation From Other Federal Agencies.--Each Federal
department and agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the Under
Secretary in carrying out this section.
``(h) Reports.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of the enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017, the Under Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House
of Representatives a report, including--
``(A) <> an analysis of the how
information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration on subseasonal and seasonal forecasts, as
provided under subsection (c), is utilized in public
planning and preparedness;
``(B) specific plans and goals for the continued
development of the subseasonal and seasonal forecasts
and related products described in subsection (c); and
``(C) an identification of research, monitoring,
observing, and forecasting requirements to meet the
goals described in subparagraph (B).
``(2) Consultation.--In developing the report under
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall consult with relevant
Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies,
research institutions, and the private sector.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Foundational forecast.--The term `foundational
forecast' means basic weather observation and forecast data,
largely in raw form, before further processing is applied.
``(2) National weather service core partners.--The term
`National Weather Service core partners' means government and
nongovernment entities which are directly involved in the
preparation or dissemination of, or discussions involving,
hazardous weather or other emergency information put out by the
National Weather Service.
``(3) Seasonal.--The term `seasonal' means the time range
between 3 months and 2 years.
``(4) State.--The term `State' means a State, a territory,
or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, or
the District of Columbia.
``(5) Subseasonal.--The term `subseasonal' means the time
range between 2 weeks and 3 months.
``(6) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
``(7) Weather industry and weather enterprise.--The terms
`weather industry' and `weather enterprise' are interchangeable
in this section and include individuals and organizations from
public, private, and academic sectors that contribute to the
research, development, and production of weather forecast
products, and primary consumers of these weather forecast
products.
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``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of fiscal years
2017 and 2018, there are authorized out of funds appropriated to the
National Weather Service, $26,500,000 to carry out the activities of
this section.''.
TITLE III--WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION
SEC. 301. <> NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SATELLITE AND
DATA MANAGEMENT.
(a) Short-Term Management of Environmental Observations.--
(1) Microsatellite constellations.--
(A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall complete
and operationalize the Constellation Observing System
for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-1 and Climate-2
(COSMIC) in effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of this Act--
(i) by deploying constellations of
microsatellites in both the equatorial and polar
orbits;
(ii) by integrating the resulting data and
research into all national operational and
research weather forecast models; and
(iii) by ensuring that the resulting data of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
COSMIC-1 and COSMIC-2 programs are free and open
to all communities.
(B) Annual reports.--Not less frequently than once
each year until the Under Secretary has completed and
operationalized the program described in subparagraph
(A) pursuant to such subparagraph, the Under Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the
efforts of the Under Secretary to carry out such
subparagraph.
(2) Integration of ocean and coastal data from the
integrated ocean observing system.--In
National <> Weather Service Regions where
the Director of the National Weather Service determines that
ocean and coastal data would improve forecasts, the Director, in
consultation with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator of the
National Ocean Service, shall--
(A) integrate additional coastal and ocean
observations, and other data and research, from the
Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) into regional
weather forecasts to improve weather forecasts and
forecasting decision support systems; and
(B) support the development of real-time data
sharing products and forecast products in collaboration
with the regional associations of such system, including
contributions from the private sector, academia, and
research institutions to ensure timely and accurate use
of ocean and coastal data in regional forecasts.
(3) Existing monitoring and observation-capability.--The
Under Secretary shall identify degradation of existing
monitoring and observation capabilities that could lead to a
reduction in forecast quality.
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(4) Specifications for new satellite systems or data
determined by operational needs.--In developing specifications
for any satellite systems or data to follow the Joint Polar
Satellite System, Geostationary Operational Environmental
Satellites, and any other satellites, in effect on the day
before the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary
shall ensure the specifications are determined to the extent
practicable by the recommendations of the reports under
subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Independent Study on Future of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Satellite Systems and Data.--
(1) Agreement.--
(A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall seek to
enter into an agreement with the National Academy of
Sciences to perform the services covered by this
subsection.
(B) Timing.--The Under Secretary shall seek to enter
into the agreement described in subparagraph (A) before
September 30, 2018.
(2) Study.--
(A) In general.--Under an agreement between the
Under Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences
under this subsection, the National Academy of Sciences
shall conduct a study on matters concerning future
satellite data needs.
(B) Elements.--In conducting the study under
subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences
shall--
(i) <> develop
recommendations on how to make the data portfolio
of the Administration more robust and cost-
effective;
(ii) <> assess the costs
and benefits of moving toward a constellation of
many small satellites, standardizing satellite bus
design, relying more on the purchasing of data, or
acquiring data from other sources or methods;
(iii) identify the environmental observations
that are essential to the performance of weather
models, based on an assessment of Federal,
academic, and private sector weather research, and
the cost of obtaining the environmental data;
(iv) identify environmental observations that
improve the quality of operational and research
weather models in effect on the day before the
date of enactment of this Act;
(v) identify and prioritize new environmental
observations that could contribute to existing and
future weather models; and
(vi) <> develop
recommendations on a portfolio of environmental
observations that balances essential, quality-
improving, and new data, private and nonprivate
sources, and space-based and Earth-based sources.
(C) Deadline and report.--In carrying out the study
under subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences
shall complete and transmit to the Under Secretary a
report containing the findings of the National Academy
of Sciences with respect to the study not later than 2
[[Page 103]]
years after the date on which the Administrator enters
into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences
under paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Alternate organization.--
(A) In general.--If the Under Secretary is unable
within the period prescribed in subparagraph (B) of
paragraph (1) to enter into an agreement described in
subparagraph (A) of such paragraph with the National
Academy of Sciences on terms acceptable to the Under
Secretary, the Under Secretary shall seek to enter into
such an agreement with another appropriate organization
that--
(i) is not part of the Federal Government;
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and
(iii) has expertise and objectivity comparable
to that of the National Academy of Sciences.
(B) Treatment.--If the Under Secretary enters into
an agreement with another organization as described in
subparagraph (A), any reference in this subsection to
the National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a
reference to the other organization.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated, out of funds appropriated to National
Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, to carry
out this subsection $1,000,000 for the period encompassing
fiscal years 2018 through 2019.
SEC. 302. <> COMMERCIAL WEATHER DATA.
(a) Data and Hosted Satellite Payloads.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may enter into agreements
for--
(1) <> the purchase of weather data
through contracts with commercial providers; and
(2) the placement of weather satellite instruments on
cohosted government or private payloads.
(b) Strategy.--
(1) <> In general.--Not
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Under
Secretary, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a strategy
to enable the procurement of quality commercial weather data.
The strategy shall assess the range of commercial opportunities,
including public-private partnerships, for obtaining surface-
based, aviation-based, and space-based weather
observations. <> The strategy shall include the
expected cost-effectiveness of these opportunities as well as
provide a plan for procuring data, including an expected
implementation timeline, from these nongovernmental sources, as
appropriate.
(2) Requirements.--The strategy shall include--
(A) <> an analysis of financial or
other benefits to, and risks associated with, acquiring
commercial weather data or services, including through
multiyear acquisition approaches;
(B) an identification of methods to address
planning, programming, budgeting, and execution
challenges to such approaches, including--
[[Page 104]]
(i) how standards will be set to ensure that
data is reliable and effective;
(ii) how data may be acquired through
commercial experimental or innovative techniques
and then evaluated for integration into
operational use;
(iii) how to guarantee public access to all
forecast-critical data to ensure that the United
States weather industry and the public continue to
have access to information critical to their work;
and
(iv) in accordance with section 50503 of title
51, United States Code, methods to address
potential termination liability or cancellation
costs associated with weather data or service
contracts; and
(C) an identification of any changes needed in the
requirements development and approval processes of the
Department of Commerce to facilitate effective and
efficient implementation of such strategy.
(3) Authority for agreements.--The Assistant Administrator
for National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service may enter into multiyear agreements necessary to carry
out the strategy developed under this subsection.
(c) <> Pilot Program.--
(1) <> Criteria.--Not later than 30
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under
Secretary shall publish data and metadata standards and
specifications for space-based commercial weather data,
including radio occultation data, and, as soon as possible,
geostationary hyperspectral sounder data.
(2) Pilot contracts.--
(A) Contracts.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary
shall, through an open competition, enter into at least
one pilot contract with one or more private sector
entities capable of providing data that meet the
standards and specifications set by the Under Secretary
for providing commercial weather data in a manner that
allows the Under Secretary to calibrate and evaluate the
data for its use in National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration meteorological models.
(B) <> Assessment
of data viability.--Not later than the date that is 3
years after the date on which the Under Secretary enters
into a contract under subparagraph (A), the Under
Secretary shall assess and submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives the results of a determination
of the extent to which data provided under the contract
entered into under subparagraph (A) meet the criteria
published under paragraph (1) and the extent to which
the pilot program has demonstrated--
(i) the viability of assimilating the
commercially provided data into National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration meteorological
models;
(ii) whether, and by how much, the data add
value to weather forecasts; and
(iii) the accuracy, quality, timeliness,
validity, reliability, usability, information
technology security, and cost-effectiveness of
obtaining commercial weather data from private
sector providers.
[[Page 105]]
(3) Authorization of appropriations.--For each of fiscal
years 2017 through 2020, there are authorized to be appropriated
for procurement, acquisition, and construction at National
Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service,
$6,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
(d) Obtaining Future Data.--If an assessment under subsection
(c)(2)(B) demonstrates the ability of commercial weather data to meet
data and metadata standards and specifications published under
subsection (c)(1), the Under Secretary shall--
(1) where appropriate, cost-effective, and feasible, obtain
commercial weather data from private sector providers;
(2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for any
future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
meteorological space system, consider whether there is a
suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability available or
that will be available to meet any or all of the observational
requirements by the planned operational date of the system;
(3) <> if a suitable, cost-effective,
commercial capability is or will be available as described in
paragraph (2), determine whether it is in the national interest
to develop a governmental meteorological space system; and
(4) <> submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a
report detailing any determination made under paragraphs (2) and
(3).
(e) Data Sharing Practices.--The Under Secretary shall continue to
meet the international meteorological agreements into which the Under
Secretary has entered, including practices set forth through World
Meteorological Organization Resolution 40.
SEC. 303. <> UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION.
In meeting the requirements under this title, the Under Secretary
shall avoid unnecessary duplication between public and private sources
of data and the corresponding expenditure of funds and employment of
personnel.
TITLE IV--FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION
SEC. 401. <> ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
SERVICES WORKING GROUP.
(a) Establishment.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Science Advisory Board shall continue to maintain a
standing working group named the Environmental Information Services
Working Group (in this section referred to as the ``Working Group'')--
(1) to provide advice for prioritizing weather research
initiatives at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to produce real improvement in weather
forecasting;
(2) to provide advice on existing or emerging technologies
or techniques that can be found in private industry or the
research community that could be incorporated into forecasting
at the National Weather Service to improve forecasting skill;
(3) to identify opportunities to improve--
[[Page 106]]
(A) communications between weather forecasters,
Federal, State, local, tribal, and other emergency
management personnel, and the public; and
(B) communications and partnerships among the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the
private and academic sectors; and
(4) to address such other matters as the Science Advisory
Board requests of the Working Group.
(b) Composition.--
(1) In general.--The Working Group shall be composed of
leading experts and innovators from all relevant fields of
science and engineering including atmospheric chemistry,
atmospheric physics, meteorology, hydrology, social science,
risk communications, electrical engineering, and computer
sciences. In carrying out this section, the Working Group may
organize into subpanels.
(2) Number.--The Working Group shall be composed of no fewer
than 15 members. Nominees for the Working Group may be forwarded
by the Working Group for approval by the Science Advisory Board.
Members of the Working Group may choose a chair (or co-chairs)
from among their number with approval by the Science Advisory
Board.
(c) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the
Working Group shall transmit to the Science Advisory Board for
submission to the Under Secretary a report on progress made by National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in adopting the Working Group's
recommendations. The Science Advisory Board shall transmit this report
to the Under Secretary. Within 30 days of receipt of such report, the
Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives a copy of such report.
SEC. 402. <> INTERAGENCY WEATHER RESEARCH AND
FORECAST INNOVATION COORDINATION.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish an Interagency Committee for Advancing
Weather Services to improve coordination of relevant weather research
and forecast innovation activities across the Federal Government. The
Interagency Committee shall--
(1) <> include
participation by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its constituent
elements, the National Science Foundation, and such other
agencies involved in weather forecasting research as the
President determines are appropriate;
(2) identify and prioritize top forecast needs and
coordinate those needs against budget requests and program
initiatives across participating offices and agencies; and
(3) share information regarding operational needs and
forecasting improvements across relevant agencies.
(b) Co-Chair.--The Federal Coordinator for Meteorology shall serve
as a co-chair of this panel.
(c) Further Coordination.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall take such other steps as are necessary to
coordinate the activities of the Federal Government
[[Page 107]]
with those of the United States weather industry, State governments,
emergency managers, and academic researchers.
SEC. 403. <> OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research and the Director of National Weather Service may
establish a program to detail Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
personnel to the National Weather Service and National Weather Service
personnel to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
(b) Goal.--The goal of this program is to enhance forecasting
innovation through regular, direct interaction between the Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research's world-class scientists and the
National Weather Service's operational staff.
(c) Elements.--The program shall allow up to 10 Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research staff and National Weather Service staff to
spend up to 1 year on detail. Candidates shall be jointly selected by
the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the
Director of the National Weather Service.
(d) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the
Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives a report on participation in
such program and shall highlight any innovations that come from this
interaction.
SEC. 404. <> VISITING FELLOWS AT NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Weather Service may
establish a program to host postdoctoral fellows and academic
researchers at any of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
(b) Goal.--This program shall be designed to provide direct
interaction between forecasters and talented academic and private sector
researchers in an effort to bring innovation to forecasting tools and
techniques to the National Weather Service.
(c) Selection and Appointment.--Such fellows shall be competitively
selected and appointed for a term not to exceed 1 year.
SEC. 405. <> WARNING COORDINATION
METEOROLOGISTS AT WEATHER FORECAST OFFICES
OF NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
(a) Designation of Warning Coordination Meteorologists.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather
Service shall designate at least one warning coordination
meteorologist at each weather forecast office of the National
Weather Service.
(2) No additional employees authorized.--Nothing in this
section shall be construed to authorize or require a change in
the authorized number of full time equivalent employees in the
National Weather Service or otherwise result in the employment
of any additional employees.
(3) Performance by other employees.--Performance of the
responsibilities outlined in this section is not limited to the
warning coordination meteorologist position.
[[Page 108]]
(b) Primary Role of Warning Coordination Meteorologists.--The
primary role of the warning coordination meteorologist shall be to carry
out the responsibilities required by this section.
(c) Responsibilities.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), consistent with
the analysis described in section 409, and in order to increase
impact-based decision support services, each warning
coordination meteorologist designated under subsection (a)
shall--
(A) be responsible for providing service to the
geographic area of responsibility covered by the weather
forecast office at which the warning coordination
meteorologist is employed to help ensure that users of
products of the National Weather Service can respond
effectively to improve outcomes from weather events;
(B) liaise with users of products and services of
the National Weather Service, such as the public, media
outlets, users in the aviation, marine, and agricultural
communities, and forestry, land, and water management
interests, to evaluate the adequacy and usefulness of
the products and services of the National Weather
Service;
(C) <> collaborate with such
weather forecast offices and State, local, and tribal
government agencies as the Director considers
appropriate in developing, proposing, and implementing
plans to develop, modify, or tailor products and
services of the National Weather Service to improve the
usefulness of such products and services;
(D) ensure the maintenance and accuracy of severe
weather call lists, appropriate office severe weather
policy or procedures, and other severe weather or
dissemination methodologies or strategies; and
(E) work closely with State, local, and tribal
emergency management agencies, and other agencies
related to disaster management, to ensure a planned,
coordinated, and effective preparedness and response
effort.
(2) Other staff.--The Director may assign a responsibility
set forth in paragraph (1) to such other staff as the Director
considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility.
(d) Additional Responsibilities.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a warning
coordination meteorologist designated under subsection (a) may--
(A) work with a State agency to develop plans for
promoting more effective use of products and services of
the National Weather Service throughout the State;
(B) identify priority community preparedness
objectives;
(C) develop plans to meet the objectives identified
under paragraph (2); and
(D) conduct severe weather event preparedness
planning and citizen education efforts with and through
various State, local, and tribal government agencies and
other disaster management-related organizations.
(2) Other staff.--The Director may assign a responsibility
set forth in paragraph (1) to such other staff as the Director
considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility.
(e) Placement With State and Local Emergency Managers.--
[[Page 109]]
(1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the Director
of the National Weather Service may place a warning coordination
meteorologist designated under subsection (a) with a State or
local emergency manager if the Director considers doing so is
necessary or convenient to carry out this section.
(2) <> Treatment.--If the Director
determines that the placement of a warning coordination
meteorologist placed with a State or local emergency manager
under paragraph (1) is near a weather forecast office of the
National Weather Service, such placement shall be treated as
designation of the warning coordination meteorologist at such
weather forecast office for purposes of subsection (a).
SEC. 406. IMPROVING NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDOUS
WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS.
(a) Purpose of System.--For purposes of the assessment required by
subsection (b)(1)(A), the purpose of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding
hazardous weather and water events shall be risk communication to the
general public that informs action to prevent loss of life and property.
(b) Assessment of System.--
(1) <> In general.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary
shall--
(A) assess the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration system for issuing watches and warnings
regarding hazardous weather and water events; and
(B) <> submit to Congress a report
on the findings of the Under Secretary with respect to
the assessment conducted under subparagraph (A).
(2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph (1)(A)
shall include the following:
(A) <> An evaluation of whether
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
system for issuing watches and warnings regarding
hazardous weather and water events meets the purpose
described in subsection (a).
(B) <> Development of
recommendations for--
(i) legislative and administrative action to
improve the system described in paragraph (1)(A);
and
(ii) such research as the Under Secretary
considers necessary to address the focus areas
described in paragraph (3).
(3) Focus areas.--The assessment required by paragraph
(1)(A) shall focus on the following:
(A) Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous
weather or water events to the public that are most
likely to result in action to mitigate the risk.
(B) Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous
weather or water events to the public as broadly and
rapidly as practicable.
(C) Ways to preserve the benefits of the existing
watches and warnings system.
(D) Ways to maintain the utility of the watches and
warnings system for Government and commercial users of
the system.
[[Page 110]]
(4) Consultation.--In conducting the assessment required by
paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall--
(A) consult with such line offices within the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the
Under Secretary considers relevant, including the
National Ocean Service, the National Weather Service,
and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
(B) consult with individuals in the academic sector,
including individuals in the field of social and
behavioral sciences, and other weather services;
(C) consult with media outlets that will be
distributing the watches and warnings;
(D) consult with non-Federal forecasters that
produce alternate severe weather risk communication
products;
(E) consult with emergency planners and responders,
including State and local emergency management agencies,
and other government users of the watches and warnings
system, including the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Coast
Guard, and such other Federal agencies as the Under
Secretary determines rely on watches and warnings for
operational decisions; and
(F) make use of the services of the National Academy
of Sciences, as the Under Secretary considers necessary
and practicable, including contracting with the National
Research Council to review the scientific and technical
soundness of the assessment required by paragraph
(1)(A), including the recommendations developed under
paragraph (2)(B).
(5) Methodologies.--In conducting the assessment required by
paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall use such
methodologies as the Under Secretary considers are generally
accepted by the weather enterprise, including social and
behavioral sciences.
(c) Improvements to System.--
(1) <> In general.--The Under
Secretary shall, based on the assessment required by subsection
(b)(1)(A), make such recommendations to Congress to improve the
system as the Under Secretary considers necessary--
(A) to improve the system for issuing watches and
warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events;
and
(B) to support efforts to satisfy research needs to
enable future improvements to such system.
(2) Requirements regarding recommendations.--In carrying out
paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall ensure that any
recommendation that the Under Secretary considers a major
change--
(A) is validated by social and behavioral science
using a generalizable sample;
(B) accounts for the needs of various demographics,
vulnerable populations, and geographic regions;
(C) accounts for the differences between types of
weather and water hazards;
(D) responds to the needs of Federal, State, and
local government partners and media partners; and
[[Page 111]]
(E) accounts for necessary changes to Federally
operated watch and warning propagation and dissemination
infrastructure and protocols.
(d) Watches and Warnings Defined.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in
this section, the terms ``watch'' and ``warning'', with respect
to a hazardous weather and water event, mean products issued by
the Administration, intended for consumption by the general
public, to alert the general public to the potential for or
presence of the event and to inform action to prevent loss of
life and property.
(2) Exception.--ln this section, the terms ``watch'' and
``warning'' do not include technical or specialized
meteorological and hydrological forecasts, outlooks, or model
guidance products.
SEC. 407. <> NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION WEATHER READY ALL HAZARDS
AWARD PROGRAM.
(a) Program.--The Director of the National Weather Service is
authorized to establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program. This award
program shall provide annual awards to honor individuals or
organizations that use or provide National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or transmitters to
save lives and protect property. Individuals or organizations that
utilize other early warning tools or applications also qualify for this
award.
(b) Goal.--This award program draws attention to the life-saving
work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather
Ready All Hazards Program, as well as emerging tools and applications,
that provide real-time warning to individuals and communities of severe
weather or other hazardous conditions.
(c) Program Elements.--
(1) Nominations.--Nominations for this award shall be made
annually by the Weather Field Offices to the Director of the
National Weather Service. Broadcast meteorologists, weather
radio manufacturers and weather warning tool and application
developers, emergency managers, and public safety officials may
nominate individuals or organizations to their local Weather
Field Offices, but the final list of award nominees must come
from the Weather Field Offices.
(2) Selection of awardees.--Annually, the Director of the
National Weather Service shall choose winners of this award
whose timely actions, based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or
transmitters or other early warning tools and applications,
saved lives or property, or demonstrated public service in
support of weather or all hazard warnings.
(3) Award ceremony.--The Director of the National Weather
Service shall establish a means of making these awards to
provide maximum public awareness of the importance of National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, and such
other warning tools and applications as are represented in the
awards.
[[Page 112]]
SEC. 408. <> DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WEATHER FORECASTING ACTIVITIES.
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives a report analyzing the
impacts of the proposed Air Force divestiture in the United States
Weather Research and Forecasting Model, including--
(1) the impact on--
(A) the United States weather forecasting
capabilities;
(B) the accuracy of civilian regional forecasts;
(C) the civilian readiness for traditional weather
and extreme weather events in the United States; and
(D) the research necessary to develop the United
States Weather Research and Forecasting Model; and
(2) such other analysis relating to the divestiture as the
Under Secretary considers appropriate.
SEC. 409. <> NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE; OPERATIONS AND WORKFORCE
ANALYSIS.
The Under Secretary shall contract or continue to partner with an
external organization to conduct a baseline analysis of National Weather
Service operations and workforce.
SEC. 410. <> REPORT ON CONTRACT POSITIONS AT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the use of contractors at the National Weather Service for the
most recently completed fiscal year.
(b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include,
with respect to the most recently completed fiscal year, the following:
(1) The total number of full-time equivalent employees at
the National Weather Service, disaggregated by each equivalent
level of the General Schedule.
(2) The total number of full-time equivalent contractors at
the National Weather Service, disaggregated by each equivalent
level of the General Schedule that most closely approximates
their duties.
(3) The total number of vacant positions at the National
Weather Service on the day before the date of enactment of this
Act, disaggregated by each equivalent level of the General
Schedule.
(4) The five most common positions filled by full-time
equivalent contractors at the National Weather Service and the
equivalent level of the General Schedule that most closely
approximates the duties of such positions.
(5) Of the positions identified under paragraph (4), the
percentage of full-time equivalent contractors in those
positions that have held a prior position at the National
Weather Service or another entity in National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
(6) The average full-time equivalent salary for Federal
employees at the National Weather Service for each equivalent
level of the General Schedule.
[[Page 113]]
(7) The average salary for full-time equivalent contractors
performing at each equivalent level of the General Schedule at
the National Weather Service.
(8) A description of any actions taken by the Under
Secretary to respond to the issues raised by the Inspector
General of the Department of Commerce regarding the hiring of
former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees
as contractors at the National Weather Service such as the
issues raised in the Investigative Report dated June 2, 2015
(OIG-12-0447).
(c) <> Annual Publication.--For each
fiscal year after the fiscal year covered by the report required by
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after
the completion of the fiscal year, publish on a publicly accessible
Internet website the information described in paragraphs (1) through (8)
of subsection (b) for such fiscal year.
SEC. 411. WEATHER IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Review.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather
Service shall review existing research, products, and services
that meet the specific needs of the urban environment, given its
unique physical characteristics and forecasting challenges.
(2) Elements.--The review required by paragraph (1) shall
include research, products, and services with the potential to
improve modeling and forecasting capabilities, taking into
account factors including varying building heights, impermeable
surfaces, lack of tree canopy, traffic, pollution, and inter-
building wind effects.
(b) Report and Assessment.--Upon completion of the review required
by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
on the research, products, and services of the National Weather Service,
including an assessment of such research, products, and services that is
based on the review, public comment, and recent publications by the
National Academy of Sciences.
SEC. 412. <> WEATHER ENTERPRISE OUTREACH.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary may establish mechanisms for
outreach to the weather enterprise--
(1) <> to assess the weather forecasts
and forecast products provided by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration; and
(2) <> to determine the highest
priority weather forecast needs of the community described in
subsection (b).
(b) <> Outreach Community.--In conducting
outreach under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall contact leading
experts and innovators from relevant stakeholders, including the
representatives from the following:
(1) State or local emergency management agencies.
(2) State agriculture agencies.
(3) Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304)) and Native Hawaiians (as defined in section 6207 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7517)).
(4) The private aerospace industry.
[[Page 114]]
(5) The private earth observing industry.
(6) The operational forecasting community.
(7) The academic community.
(8) Professional societies that focus on meteorology.
(9) Such other stakeholder groups as the Under Secretary
considers appropriate.
SEC. 413. <> HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT.
(a) Backup Capability.--The Under Secretary shall acquire backup for
the capabilities of the WP-3D Orion and G-IV hurricane aircraft of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that is sufficient to
prevent a single point of failure.
(b) Authority to Enter Agreements.--In order to carry out subsection
(a), the Under Secretary shall negotiate and enter into 1 or more
agreements or contracts, to the extent practicable and necessary, with
governmental and non-governmental entities.
(c) Future Technology.--The Under Secretary shall continue the
development of Airborne Phased Array Radar under the United States
Weather Research Program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of fiscal years 2017
through 2020, support for implementing subsections (a) and (b) is
authorized out of funds appropriated to the Office of Marine and
Aviation Operations.
SEC. 414. STUDY ON GAPS IN NEXRAD COVERAGE AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO
ADDRESS SUCH GAPS.
(a) Study on Gaps in NEXRAD Coverage.--
(1) <> In general.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Commerce shall complete a study on gaps in the coverage of
the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National Weather
Service (``NEXRAD'').
(2) Elements.--In conducting the study required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) identify areas in the United States where
limited or no NEXRAD coverage has resulted in--
(i) instances in which no or insufficient
warnings were given for hazardous weather events,
including tornadoes; or
(ii) degraded forecasts for hazardous weather
events that resulted in fatalities, significant
injuries, or substantial property damage; and
(B) for the areas identified under subparagraph
(A)--
(i) identify the key weather effects for which
prediction would improve with improved radar
detection;
(ii) identify additional sources of
observations for high impact weather that were
available and operational for such areas on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act,
including dense networks of x-band radars,
Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (commonly known as
``TDWR''), air surveillance radars of the Federal
Aviation Administration, and cooperative network
observers;
(iii) <> assess the
feasibility and advisability of efforts to
integrate and upgrade Federal radar capabilities
that are not owned or controlled by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including
radar capabilities of the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Department of Defense;
[[Page 115]]
(iv) assess the feasibility and advisability
of incorporating State-operated and other non-
Federal radars into the operations of the National
Weather Service;
(v) identify options to improve hazardous
weather detection and forecasting coverage; and
(vi) provide the estimated cost of, and
timeline for, each of the options identified under
clause (v).
(3) Report.--Upon the completion of the study required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report that includes the findings of the
Secretary with respect to the study.
(b) <> Recommendations to Improve Radar
Coverage.--Not later than 90 days after the completion of the study
under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the
congressional committees referred to in subsection (a)(3)
recommendations for improving hazardous weather detection and
forecasting coverage in the areas identified under subsection (a)(2)(A)
by integrating additional observation solutions to the extent
practicable and meteorologically justified and necessary to protect
public safety.
(c) Third-party Consultation Regarding Recommendations to Improve
Radar Coverage.--The Secretary of Commerce may seek reviews by, or
consult with, appropriate third parties regarding the scientific
methodology relating to, and the feasibility and advisability of
implementing, the recommendations submitted under subsection (b),
including the extent to which warning and forecast services of the
National Weather Service would be improved by additional observations.
TITLE <>
V--TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017
SEC. 501. <> SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Tsunami Warning, Education, and
Research Act of 2017''.
SEC. 502. REFERENCES TO THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to
be made to a section or other provision of the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
SEC. 503. EXPANSION OF PURPOSES OF TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION
ACT.
Section 803 (33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``research,'' after
``warnings,'';
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
[[Page 116]]
``(2) to enhance and modernize the existing United States
Tsunami Warning System to increase the accuracy of forecasts and
warnings, to ensure full coverage of tsunami threats to the
United States with a network of detection assets, and to reduce
false alarms;'';
(3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) to improve and develop standards and guidelines for
mapping, modeling, and assessment efforts to improve tsunami
detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation,
resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;'';
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as
paragraphs (5), (6), and (8), respectively;
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) to improve research efforts related to improving
tsunami detection, forecasting, warnings, notification,
mitigation, resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;'';
(6) in paragraph (5), as redesignated--
(A) by striking ``and increase'' and inserting ``,
increase, and develop uniform standards and guidelines
for''; and
(B) by inserting ``, including the warning signs of
locally generated tsunami'' after ``approaching'';
(7) in paragraph (6), as redesignated, by striking ``,
including the Indian Ocean; and'' and inserting a semicolon; and
(8) by inserting after paragraph (6), as redesignated, the
following:
``(7) to foster resilient communities in the face of tsunami
and other similar coastal hazards; and''.
SEC. 504. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(a))
is amended by striking ``Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of
Mexico region'' and inserting ``Atlantic Ocean region, including the
Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico''.
(b) Components.--Subsection (b) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(b))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``established'' and
inserting ``supported or maintained'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as
paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as
paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively;
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) to the degree practicable, maintain not less than 80
percent of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis
buoy array at operational capacity to optimize data
reliability;''.
(5) by amending paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph
(3), to read as follows:
``(5) provide tsunami forecasting capability based on models
and measurements, including tsunami inundation models and maps
for use in increasing the preparedness of communities and
safeguarding port and harbor operations, that incorporate
inputs, including--
``(A) the United States and global ocean and coastal
observing system;
[[Page 117]]
``(B) the global Earth observing system;
``(C) the global seismic network;
``(D) the Advanced National Seismic system;
``(E) tsunami model validation using historical and
paleotsunami data;
``(F) digital elevation models and bathymetry; and
``(G) newly developing tsunami detection
methodologies using satellites and airborne remote
sensing;'';
(6) by amending paragraph (7), as redesignated by paragraph
(3), to read as follows:
``(7) include a cooperative effort among the Administration,
the United States Geological Survey, and the National Science
Foundation under which the Director of the United States
Geological Survey and the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall--
``(A) provide rapid and reliable seismic information
to the Administrator from international and domestic
seismic networks; and
``(B) support seismic stations installed before the
date of the enactment of the Tsunami Warning, Education,
and Research Act of 2017 to supplement coverage in areas
of sparse instrumentation;'';
(7) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``, including graphical warning
products,'' after ``warnings'';
(B) by inserting ``, territories,'' after
``States''; and
(C) by inserting ``and Wireless Emergency Alerts''
after ``Hazards Program''; and
(8) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting ``provide and'' before ``allow'';
and
(B) by inserting ``and commercial and Federal
undersea communications cables'' after ``observing
technologies''.
(c) Tsunami Warning System.--Subsection (c) of section 804 (33
U.S.C. 3203(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Tsunami Warning System.--The program under this section shall
operate a tsunami warning system that--
``(1) is capable of forecasting tsunami, including
forecasting tsunami arrival time and inundation estimates,
anywhere in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing
adequate warnings;
``(2) is capable of forecasting and providing adequate
warnings, including tsunami arrival time and inundation models
where applicable, in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, including the
Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are determined--
``(A) to be geologically active, or to have
significant potential for geological activity; and
``(B) to pose significant risks of tsunami for
States along the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico; and
``(3) supports other international tsunami forecasting and
warning efforts.''.
(d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--Subsection (d) of section 804 (33
U.S.C. 3203(d)) is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Tsunami Warning Centers.--
[[Page 118]]
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall support or
maintain centers to support the tsunami warning system required
by subsection (c). The Centers shall include--
``(A) the National Tsunami Warning Center, located
in Alaska, which is primarily responsible for Alaska and
the continental United States;
``(B) the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in
Hawaii, which is primarily responsible for Hawaii, the
Caribbean, and other areas of the Pacific not covered by
the National Center; and
``(C) any additional forecast and warning centers
determined by the National Weather Service to be
necessary.
``(2) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of the centers
supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall include the
following:
``(A) Continuously monitoring data from
seismological, deep ocean, coastal sea level, and tidal
monitoring stations and other data sources as may be
developed and deployed.
``(B) <> Evaluating earthquakes,
landslides, and volcanic eruptions that have the
potential to generate tsunami.
``(C) <> Evaluating deep ocean
buoy data and tidal monitoring stations for indications
of tsunami resulting from earthquakes and other sources.
``(D) To the extent practicable, utilizing a range
of models, including ensemble models, to predict
tsunami, including arrival times, flooding estimates,
coastal and harbor currents, and duration.
``(E) Using data from the Integrated Ocean Observing
System of the Administration in coordination with
regional associations to calculate new inundation
estimates and periodically update existing inundation
estimates.
``(F) Disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning
bulletins to Federal, State, tribal, and local
government officials and the public.
``(G) <> Coordinating with the
tsunami hazard mitigation program conducted under
section 805 to ensure ongoing sharing of information
between forecasters and emergency management officials.
``(H) <> In coordination with
the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Administrator
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, evaluating
and recommending procedures for ports and harbors at
risk of tsunami inundation, including review of
readiness, response, and communication strategies, and
data sharing policies, to the maximum extent
practicable.
``(I) Making data gathered under this Act and post-
warning analyses conducted by the National Weather
Service or other relevant Administration offices
available to the public.
``(J) Integrating and modernizing the program
operated under this section with advances in tsunami
science to improve performance without compromising
service.
``(3) Fail-safe warning capability.--The tsunami warning
centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall
maintain a fail-safe warning capability and perform back-up
duties for each other.
[[Page 119]]
``(4) Coordination with national weather service.--The
Administrator shall coordinate with the forecast offices of the
National Weather Service, the centers supported or maintained
under paragraph (1), and such program offices of the
Administration as the Administrator or the coordinating
committee, as established in section 805(d), consider
appropriate to ensure that regional and local forecast offices--
``(A) have the technical knowledge and capability to
disseminate tsunami warnings for the communities they
serve;
``(B) leverage connections with local emergency
management officials for optimally disseminating tsunami
warnings and forecasts; and
``(C) implement mass communication tools in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of the
Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2017
used by the National Weather Service on such date and
newer mass communication technologies as they are
developed as a part of the Weather-Ready Nation program
of the Administration, or otherwise, for the purpose of
timely and effective delivery of tsunami warnings.
``(5) Uniform operating procedures.--The Administrator
shall--
``(A) develop uniform operational procedures for the
centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1),
including the use of software applications, checklists,
decision support tools, and tsunami warning products
that have been standardized across the program supported
under this section;
``(B) ensure that processes and products of the
warning system operated under subsection (c)--
``(i) reflect industry best practices when
practicable;
``(ii) conform to the maximum extent
practicable with internationally recognized
standards for information technology; and
``(iii) conform to the maximum extent
practicable with other warning products and
practices of the National Weather Service;
``(C) ensure that future adjustments to operational
protocols, processes, and warning products--
``(i) are made consistently across the warning
system operated under subsection (c); and
``(ii) are applied in a uniform manner across
such warning system;
``(D) establish a systematic method for information
technology product development to improve long-term
technology planning efforts; and
``(E) disseminate guidelines and metrics for
evaluating and improving tsunami forecast models.
``(6) Available resources.--The Administrator, through the
National Weather Service, shall ensure that resources are
available to fulfill the obligations of this Act. This includes
ensuring supercomputing resources are available to run, as
rapidly as possible, such computer models as are needed for
purposes of the tsunami warning system operated under subsection
(c).''.
[[Page 120]]
(e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--Subsection
(e) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(e)) is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Transfer of Technology; Maintenance and Upgrades.--In carrying
out this section, the Administrator shall--
``(1) <> develop requirements for the
equipment used to forecast tsunami, including--
``(A) provisions for multipurpose detection
platforms;
``(B) reliability and performance metrics; and
``(C) to the maximum extent practicable,
requirements for the integration of equipment with other
United States and global ocean and coastal observation
systems, the global Earth observing system of systems,
the global seismic networks, and the Advanced National
Seismic System;
``(2) <> develop and execute a plan for the
transfer of technology from ongoing research conducted as part
of the program supported or maintained under section 6 into the
program under this section; and
``(3) ensure that the Administration's operational tsunami
detection equipment is properly maintained.''.
(f) Federal Cooperation.--Subsection (f) of section 804 (33 U.S.C.
3203(f)) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Federal Cooperation.--When deploying and maintaining tsunami
detection technologies under the program under this section, the
Administrator shall--
``(1) identify which assets of other Federal agencies are
necessary to support such program; and
``(2) work with each agency identified under paragraph (1)--
``(A) to acquire the agency's assistance; and
``(B) to prioritize the necessary assets in support
of the tsunami forecast and warning program.''.
(g) Unnecessary Provisions.--Section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203) is further
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (g);
(2) by striking subsections (i) through (k); and
(3) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
(h) Congressional Notifications.--Subsection (g) of section 804 (33
U.S.C. 3203(g)), as redesignated by subsection (g)(3), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs
(A) and (B), respectively, and moving such subparagraphs 2 ems
to the right;
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated
by paragraph (2), by striking ``The Administrator'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The Administrator'';
(3) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by
paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) the occurrence of a significant tsunami
warning.''; and
[[Page 121]]
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) <> Contents.--In a case in which
notice is submitted under paragraph (1) within 30 days of a
significant tsunami warning described in subparagraph (C) of
such paragraph, such notice shall include, as appropriate, brief
information and analysis of--
``(A) the accuracy of the tsunami model used;
``(B) the specific deep ocean or other monitoring
equipment that detected the incident, as well as the
deep ocean or other monitoring equipment that did not
detect the incident due to malfunction or other reasons;
``(C) the effectiveness of the warning
communication, including the dissemination of warnings
with State, territory, local, and tribal partners in the
affected area under the jurisdiction of the National
Weather Service; and
``(D) such other findings as the Administrator
considers appropriate.''.
SEC. 505. MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 805(a) (33 U.S.C. 3204(a)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(a) <> Program Required.--The Administrator,
in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the heads of such other agencies as the
Administrator considers relevant, shall conduct a community-based
tsunami hazard mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness and
resiliency of at-risk areas in the United States and the territories of
the United States.''.
(b) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.--Section 805 (33
U.S.C. 3204) is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d) and
inserting the following:
``(c) Program Components.--The Program conducted under subsection
(a) shall include the following:
``(1) Technical and financial assistance to coastal States,
territories, tribes, and local governments to develop and
implement activities under this section.
``(2) Integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation
programs into ongoing State-based hazard warning, resilience
planning, and risk management activities, including predisaster
planning, emergency response, evacuation planning, disaster
recovery, hazard mitigation, and community development and
redevelopment planning programs in affected areas.
``(3) <> Coordination with other
Federal preparedness and mitigation programs to leverage Federal
investment, avoid duplication, and maximize effort.
``(4) Activities to promote the adoption of tsunami
resilience, preparedness, warning, and mitigation measures by
Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local governments and
nongovernmental entities, including educational and risk
communication programs to discourage development in high-risk
areas.
``(5) Activities to support the development of regional
tsunami hazard and risk assessments. Such regional risk
assessments may include the following:
``(A) The sources, sizes, and other relevant
historical data of tsunami in the region, including
paleotsunami data.
[[Page 122]]
``(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.
``(6) Activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports
and harbors, including the following:
``(A) <> Evaluation and recommendation of
procedures for ports and harbors in the event of a
distant or near-field tsunami.
``(B) <> A review of readiness,
response, and communication strategies to ensure
coordination and data sharing with the Coast Guard.
``(7) Activities to support the development of community-
based outreach and education programs to ensure community
readiness and resilience, including the following:
``(A) The development, implementation, and
assessment of technical training and public education
programs, including education programs that address
unique characteristics of distant and near-field
tsunami.
``(B) The development of decision support tools.
``(C) The incorporation of social science research
into community readiness and resilience efforts.
``(D) The development of evidence-based education
guidelines.
``(8) Dissemination of guidelines and standards for
community planning, education, and training products, programs,
and tools, including--
``(A) standards for--
``(i) mapping products;
``(ii) inundation models; and
``(iii) effective emergency exercises; and
``(B) recommended guidance for at-risk port and
harbor tsunami warning, evacuation, and response
procedures in coordination with the Coast Guard and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
``(d) Authorized Activities.--In addition to activities conducted
under subsection (c), the program conducted under subsection (a) may
include the following:
``(1) Multidisciplinary vulnerability assessment research,
education, and training to help integrate risk management and
resilience objectives with community development planning and
policies.
[[Page 123]]
``(2) Risk management training for local officials and
community organizations to enhance understanding and
preparedness.
``(3) <> In coordination with the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, interagency, Federal,
State, tribal, and territorial intergovernmental tsunami
response exercise planning and implementation in high risk
areas.
``(4) Development of practical applications for existing or
emerging technologies, such as modeling, remote sensing,
geospatial technology, engineering, and observing systems,
including the integration of tsunami sensors into Federal and
commercial submarine telecommunication cables if practicable.
``(5) Risk management, risk assessment, and resilience data
and information services, including--
``(A) access to data and products derived from
observing and detection systems; and
``(B) development and maintenance of new integrated
data products to support risk management, risk
assessment, and resilience programs.
``(6) Risk notification systems that coordinate with and
build upon existing systems and actively engage decisionmakers,
State, local, tribal, and territorial governments and agencies,
business communities, nongovernmental organizations, and the
media.
``(e) No Preemption With Respect to Designation of At-risk Areas.--
The establishment of national standards for inundation models under this
section shall not prevent States, territories, tribes, and local
governments from designating additional areas as being at risk based on
knowledge of local conditions.
``(f) No New Regulatory Authority.--Nothing in this Act may be
construed as establishing new regulatory authority for any Federal
agency.''.
(c) Report on Accreditation of TsunamiReady Program.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report on which authorities and activities would be
needed to have the TsunamiReady program of the National Weather Service
accredited by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.
SEC. 506. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 806 (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
(1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ``The
Administrator shall'' and all that follows through ``establish
or maintain'' and inserting the following:
``(a) <> In General.--The Administrator shall,
in consultation with such other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and
territorial governments, and academic institutions as the Administrator
considers appropriate, the coordinating committee under section 805(d),
and the panel under section 808(a), support or maintain'';
(2) in subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1), by
striking ``and assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical
forecast modeling. Such research program shall--'' and inserting
the following: ``assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical
forecast modeling, and standards development.
[[Page 124]]
``(b) Responsibilities.--The research program supported or
maintained under subsection (a) shall--''; and
(3) in subsection (b), as designated by paragraph (2)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) consider other appropriate and cost effective
solutions to mitigate the impact of tsunami, including the
improvement of near-field and distant tsunami detection and
forecasting capabilities, which may include use of a new
generation of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of
Tsunamis array, integration of tsunami sensors into commercial
and Federal telecommunications cables, and other real-time
tsunami monitoring systems and supercomputer capacity of the
Administration to develop a rapid tsunami forecast for all
United States coastlines;'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``include'' and inserting
``conduct''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
(D) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami
maps, numerical tsunami models, digital elevation models, and
forecasts; and''; and
(E) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by
subparagraph (C), by striking ``to the scientific
community'' and inserting ``to the public and the
scientific community''.
SEC. 507. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK.
Section 807 (33 U.S.C. 3206) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Support for Development of an International Tsunami Warning
System.--The Administrator <> shall, in
coordination with the Secretary of State and in consultation with such
other agencies as the Administrator considers relevant, provide
technical assistance, operational support, and training to the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, the World
Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, and such other
international entities as the Administrator considers appropriate, as
part of the international efforts to develop a fully functional global
tsunami forecast and warning system comprised of regional tsunami
warning networks.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``shall'' each place it
appears and inserting ``may''; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``establishing''
and inserting ``supporting''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``establish'' and inserting
``support''; and
(ii) by striking ``establishing'' and
inserting ``supporting''.
SEC. 508. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) In General.--The Act is further amended--
(1) by redesignating section 808 (33 U.S.C. 3207) as section
809; and
[[Page 125]]
(2) by inserting after section 807 (33 U.S.C. 3206) the
following:
``SEC. 808. <> TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.
``(a) Designation.--The Administrator shall designate an existing
working group within the Science Advisory Board of the Administration to
serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide
advice to the Administrator on matters regarding tsunami science,
technology, and regional preparedness.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Composition.--The Panel shall be composed of no fewer
than 7 members selected by the Administrator from among
individuals from academia or State agencies who have academic or
practical expertise in physical sciences, social sciences,
information technology, coastal resilience, emergency
management, or such other disciplines as the Administrator
considers appropriate.
``(2) Federal employment.--No member of the Panel may be a
Federal employee.
``(c) Responsibilities.--Not less frequently than once every 4
years, the Panel shall--
``(1) <> review the activities of the
Administration, and other Federal activities as appropriate,
relating to tsunami research, detection, forecasting, warning,
mitigation, resiliency, and preparation; and
``(2) submit to the Administrator and such others as the
Administrator considers appropriate--
``(A) the findings of the working group with respect
to the most recent review conducted under paragraph (1);
and
``(B) <> such
recommendations for legislative or administrative action
as the working group considers appropriate to improve
Federal tsunami research, detection, forecasting,
warning, mitigation, resiliency, and preparation.
``(d) <> Reports to Congress.--Not less
frequently than once every 4 years, the Administrator shall submit to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report on the findings and recommendations received by
the Administrator under subsection (c)(2).''.
(b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 120 Stat. 3575) is
amended by striking the item relating to section 808 and inserting the
following:
``Sec. 808. Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.
``Sec. 809. Authorization of appropriations.''.
SEC. 509. REPORTS.
(a) Report on Implementation of Tsunami Warning and Education Act.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration shall submit to Congress a report
on the implementation of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act
enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-
[[Page 126]]
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act
of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.), as amended
by this Act.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A detailed description of the progress made in
implementing sections 804(d)(6), 805(b), and 806(b)(4)
of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 33
U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
(B) A description of the ways that tsunami warnings
and warning products issued by the Tsunami Forecasting
and Warning Program established under section 804 of the
Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203), as
amended by this Act, may be standardized and streamlined
with warnings and warning products for hurricanes,
coastal storms, and other coastal flooding events.
(b) Report on National Efforts That Support Rapid Response Following
Near-shore Tsunami Events.--
(1) <> In general.--Not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Administrator and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
jointly, in coordination with the Director of the United States
Geological Survey, Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and
the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Administrator
considers appropriate, submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the national efforts in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act that support and
facilitate rapid emergency response following a domestic near-
shore tsunami event to better understand domestic effects of
earthquake derived tsunami on people, infrastructure, and
communities in the United States.
(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
include the following:
(A) A description of scientific or other
measurements collected on the day before the date of the
enactment of this Act to quickly identify and quantify
lost or degraded infrastructure or terrestrial
formations.
(B) A description of scientific or other
measurements that would be necessary to collect to
quickly identify and quantify lost or degraded
infrastructure or terrestrial formations.
(C) <> Identification and
evaluation of Federal, State, local, tribal,
territorial, and military first responder and search and
rescue operation centers, bases, and other facilities as
well as other critical response assets and
infrastructure, including search and rescue aircraft,
located within near-shore and distant tsunami inundation
areas on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act.
(D) <> An evaluation of near-
shore tsunami response plans in areas described in
subparagraph (C) in effect on the day before the date of
the enactment of this Act, and how those response plans
would be affected by the loss of search and rescue and
first responder infrastructure described in such
subparagraph.
[[Page 127]]
(E) A description of redevelopment plans and reports
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of
this Act for communities in areas that are at high-risk
for near-shore tsunami, as well identification of States
or communities that do not have redevelopment plans.
(F) <> Recommendations to
enhance near-shore tsunami preparedness and response
plans, including recommended responder exercises,
predisaster planning, and mitigation needs.
(G) <> Such other data and
analysis information as the Administrator and the
Secretary of Homeland Security consider appropriate.
(3) <> Appropriate committees of
congress.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate committees
of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 510. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 809 of the Act, as redesignated by section _08(a)(1) of this
Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) $25,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through
2021, of which--
``(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount
appropriated for each fiscal year shall be for
activities conducted at the State level under the
tsunami hazard mitigation program under section 805; and
``(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount
appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program
under section 806.''.
SEC. 511. <> OUTREACH
RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, in coordination with State and local emergency managers,
shall develop and carry out formal outreach activities to improve
tsunami education and awareness and foster the development of resilient
communities. Outreach activities may include--
(1) the development of outreach plans to ensure the close
integration of tsunami warning centers supported or maintained
under section 804(d) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act
(33 U.S.C. 3203(d)), as amended by this Act, with local Weather
Forecast Offices of the National Weather Service and emergency
managers;
(2) working with appropriate local Weather Forecast Offices
to ensure they have the technical knowledge and capability to
disseminate tsunami warnings to the communities they serve; and
(3) <> evaluating the effectiveness of
warnings and of coordination with local Weather Forecast Offices
after significant tsunami events.
[[Page 128]]
SEC. 512. REPEAL OF DUPLICATE PROVISIONS OF LAW.
(a) Repeal.--The Tsunami Warning and Education Act enacted by Public
Law 109-424 (120 Stat. 2902) <>
is repealed.
(b) <> Construction.--Nothing in this
section may be construed to repeal, or affect in any way, the Tsunami
Warning and Education Act enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public
Law 109-479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.).
Approved April 18, 2017.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 353:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
Jan. 9, considered and passed House.
Mar. 29, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Apr. 4, House concurred in Senate amendment.