    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Public Law 116-271
    116th Congress

    An Act

    To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act
    of 2009, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the National
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to post-storm
    assessments, and to require the establishment of a National Water
    Center, and for other purposes. <>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
    United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
    SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Coordinated Ocean
    Observations and Research Act of 2020''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
    follows:

    Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

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

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

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

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

    TITLE III--WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING

    Sec. 301. Water prediction and forecasting.

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

    SEC. 101. PURPOSES.

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

    ``The purposes of this subtitle are--

    [[Page 3332]]

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

    [[Page 3333]]

    SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
    Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602) is amended--
    (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section 7902'' and
    inserting ``section 8932'';
    (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``integrated into the
    System and are managed through States, regional organizations,
    universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the private
    sector'' and inserting ``managed through States, regional
    organizations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, or
    the private sector and integrated into the System by a regional
    coastal observing system, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
    Administration, or the agencies participating in the Interagency
    Ocean Observation Committee'';
    (3) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
    ``(6) Regional coastal observing system.--The term `regional
    coastal observing system' means an organizational body that is
    certified or established by contract or memorandum by the lead
    Federal agency designated in section 12304(c)(3) and coordinates
    State, Federal, local, tribal, and private interests at a
    regional level with the responsibility of engaging the private
    and public sectors in designing, operating, and improving
    regional coastal observing systems in order to ensure the
    provision of data and information that meet the needs of user
    groups from the respective regions.''; and
    (4) in paragraph (7), by striking ``National Oceanic and
    Atmospheric Administration'' and inserting ``Administrator''.
    SEC. 103. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM.

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

    [[Page 3334]]

    ``(i) basic and applied research and
    technology development--
    ``(I) to improve understanding of
    coastal and ocean systems and their
    relationships to human activities; and
    ``(II) to ensure improvement of
    operational assets and products,
    including related infrastructure,
    observing technologies such as unmanned
    maritime systems, and information and
    data processing and management
    technologies;
    ``(ii) an advanced observing technology
    development program to fill gaps in technology;
    ``(iii) large scale computing resources and
    research to advance modeling of ocean, coastal,
    and Great Lakes processes;
    ``(iv) models to improve regional weather
    forecasting capabilities and regional weather
    forecasting products; and
    ``(v) <>
    reviews of data collection procedures across
    regions and programs to make recommendations for
    data collection standards across the System to
    meet national ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
    observation, applied research, and weather
    forecasting needs.''.
    (2) Availability of data.--Section 12304(b)(3) of such Act
    (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``for research
    and for use in the development of products to address societal
    needs'' before the period at the end.

    (b) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional Coordination.--
    Section 12304(c) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
    Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(c)) is amended by striking paragraphs (2),
    (3), and (4), and inserting the following:
    ``(2) Interagency ocean observation committee.--
    ``(A) Establishment.--The Council shall establish or
    designate a committee, which shall be known as the
    `Interagency Ocean Observation Committee'.
    ``(B) Duties.--The Interagency Ocean Observation
    Committee shall--
    ``(i) prepare annual and long-term plans for
    consideration and approval by the Council for the
    integrated design, operation, maintenance,
    enhancement, and expansion of the System to meet
    the objectives of this subtitle and the System
    Plan;
    ``(ii) develop and transmit to Congress, along
    with the budget submitted by the President to
    Congress pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 31,
    United States Code, an annual coordinated,
    comprehensive budget--
    ``(I) to operate all elements of the
    System identified in subsection (b); and
    ``(II) to ensure continuity of data
    streams from Federal and non-Federal
    assets;
    ``(iii) establish requirements for observation
    data variables to be gathered by both Federal and
    non-Federal assets and identify, in consultation
    with regional coastal observing systems,
    priorities for System observations;

    [[Page 3335]]

    ``(iv) establish and define protocols and
    standards for System data processing, management,
    collection, configuration standards, formats, and
    communication for new and existing assets
    throughout the System network;
    ``(v) develop contract requirements for each
    regional coastal observing system--
    ``(I) to establish eligibility for
    integration into the System;
    ``(II) to ensure compliance with all
    applicable standards and protocols
    established by the Council; and
    ``(III) to ensure that regional
    observations are integrated into the
    System on a sustained basis;
    ``(vi) identify gaps in observation coverage
    or needs for capital improvements of both Federal
    assets and non-Federal assets;
    ``(vii) subject to the availability of
    appropriations, establish through 1 or more
    Federal agencies participating in the Interagency
    Ocean Observation Committee, in consultation with
    the System advisory committee established under
    subsection (d), a competitive matching grant or
    other programs--
    ``(I) to promote intramural and
    extramural research and development of
    new, innovative, and emerging
    observation technologies including
    testing and field trials; and
    ``(II) to facilitate the migration
    of new, innovative, and emerging
    scientific and technological advances
    from research and development to
    operational deployment;
    ``(viii) periodically--
    ``(I) review the System Plan; and
    ``(II) submit to the Council such
    recommendations as the Interagency Ocean
    Observation Committee may have for
    improvements to the System Plan;
    ``(ix) ensure collaboration among Federal
    agencies participating in the Interagency Ocean
    Observation Committee; and
    ``(x) perform such additional duties as the
    Council may delegate.
    ``(3) Lead federal agency.--
    ``(A) In general.--The National Oceanic and
    Atmospheric Administration shall function as the lead
    Federal agency for the implementation and administration
    of the System.
    ``(B) Consultation required.--In carrying out this
    paragraph, the Administrator shall consult with the
    Council, the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee,
    other Federal agencies that maintain portions of the
    System, and the regional coastal observing systems.
    ``(C) Requirements.--In carrying out this paragraph,
    the Administrator shall--
    ``(i) establish and operate an Integrated
    Ocean Observing System Program Office within the
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    that--

    [[Page 3336]]

    ``(I) utilizes, to the extent
    necessary, personnel from Federal
    agencies participating in the
    Interagency Ocean Observation Committee;
    and
    ``(II) oversees daily operations and
    coordination of the System;
    ``(ii) implement policies, protocols, and
    standards approved by the Council and delegated by
    the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee;
    ``(iii) <>  promulgate
    program guidelines--
    ``(I) <>  to
    certify and integrate regional
    associations into the System; and
    ``(II) to provide regional coastal
    and ocean observation data that meet the
    needs of user groups from the respective
    regions;
    ``(iv) have the authority to enter into and
    oversee contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative
    agreements with non-Federal assets, including
    regional coastal observing systems, to support the
    purposes of this subtitle on such terms as the
    Administrator deems appropriate;
    ``(v) implement and maintain a merit-based,
    competitive funding process to support non-Federal
    assets, including the development and maintenance
    of a national network of regional coastal
    observing systems, and develop and implement a
    process for the periodic review and evaluation of
    the regional associations;
    ``(vi) provide opportunities for competitive
    contracts and grants for demonstration projects to
    design, develop, integrate, deploy, maintain, and
    support components of the System;
    ``(vii) <>  establish and
    maintain efficient and effective administrative
    procedures for the timely allocation of funds
    among contractors, grantees, and non-Federal
    assets, including regional coastal observing
    systems;
    ``(viii) <>
    develop and implement a process for the periodic
    review and evaluation of the regional coastal
    observing systems;
    ``(ix) formulate an annual process by which
    gaps in observation coverage or needs for capital
    improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal
    assets of the System are--
    ``(I) identified by the regional
    associations described in the System
    Plan, the Administrator, or other
    members of the System; and
    ``(II) submitted to the Interagency
    Ocean Observation Committee;
    ``(x) develop and be responsible for a data
    management and communication system, in accordance
    with standards and protocols established by the
    Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, by which
    all data collected by the System regarding ocean
    and coastal waters of the United States including
    the Great Lakes, are processed, stored,
    integrated, and made available to all end-user
    communities;

    [[Page 3337]]

    ``(xi) <>  not less frequently
    than once each year, submit to the Interagency
    Ocean Observation Committee a report on the
    accomplishments, operational needs, and
    performance of the System to contribute to the
    annual and long-term plans prepared pursuant to
    paragraph (2)(B)(i);
    ``(xii) <>  develop and
    periodically update a plan to efficiently
    integrate into the System new, innovative, or
    emerging technologies that have been demonstrated
    to be useful to the System and which will fulfill
    the purposes of this subtitle and the System Plan;
    and
    ``(xiii) work with users and regional
    associations to develop products to enable real-
    time data sharing for decision makers, including
    with respect to weather forecasting and modeling,
    search and rescue operations, corrosive seawater
    forecasts, water quality monitoring and
    communication, and harmful algal bloom
    forecasting.
    ``(4) Regional coastal observing systems.--
    ``(A) In general.--A regional coastal observing
    system described in the System Plan as a regional
    association may not be certified or established under
    this subtitle unless it--
    ``(i) has been or shall be certified or
    established by contract or agreement by the
    Administrator;
    ``(ii) meets--
    ``(I) the certification standards
    and compliance procedure guidelines
    issued by the Administrator; and
    ``(II) the information needs of user
    groups in the region while adhering to
    national standards;
    ``(iii) demonstrates an organizational
    structure, that under funding limitations is
    capable of--
    ``(I) gathering required System
    observation data;
    ``(II) supporting and integrating
    all aspects of coastal and ocean
    observing and information programs
    within a region; and
    ``(III) reflecting the needs of
    State, local, and tribal governments,
    commercial interests, and other users
    and beneficiaries of the System and
    other requirements specified under this
    subtitle and the System Plan;
    ``(iv) identifies--
    ``(I) gaps in observation coverage
    needs for capital improvements of
    Federal assets and non-Federal assets of
    the System; and
    ``(II) <>
    other recommendations to assist in the
    development of the annual and long-term
    plans prepared pursuant to paragraph
    (2)(B)(i) and transmits such information
    to the Interagency Ocean Observation
    Committee through the Program Office
    established under paragraph (3)(C)(i);
    ``(v) <>  develops and
    operates under a strategic plan that will ensure
    the efficient and effective administration of
    programs and assets to support daily data

    [[Page 3338]]

    observations for integration into the System,
    pursuant to the standards approved by the Council;
    ``(vi) works cooperatively with governmental
    and nongovernmental entities at all levels to
    identify and provide information products of the
    System for multiple users within the service area
    of the regional coastal observing system; and
    ``(vii) <>  complies with
    all financial oversight requirements established
    by the Administrator, including requirements
    relating to audits.
    ``(B) Participation.--For the purposes of this
    subtitle, employees of Federal agencies are permitted to
    be members of the governing body for the regional
    coastal observing systems and may participate in the
    functions of the regional coastal observing systems.''.

    (c) System Advisory Committee.--Section 12304(d) of the Integrated
    Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(d)) is
    amended--
    (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or the Interagency Ocean
    Observing Committee.'' and inserting ``or the Council under this
    subtitle''; and
    (2) in paragraph (2)--
    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, data
    sharing,'' after ``data management'';
    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the
    end;
    (C) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the
    following:
    ``(D) additional priorities, including--
    ``(i) a national surface current mapping
    network designed to improve fine scale sea surface
    mapping using high frequency radar technology and
    other emerging technologies to address national
    priorities, including Coast Guard search and
    rescue operation planning and harmful algal bloom
    forecasting and detection that--
    ``(I) is comprised of existing high
    frequency radar and other sea surface
    current mapping infrastructure operated
    by national programs and regional
    coastal observing systems;
    ``(II) incorporates new high
    frequency radar assets or other fine
    scale sea surface mapping technology
    assets, and other assets needed to fill
    gaps in coverage on United States
    coastlines; and
    ``(III) follows a deployment plan
    that prioritizes closing gaps in high
    frequency radar infrastructure in the
    United States, starting with areas
    demonstrating significant sea surface
    current data needs, especially in areas
    where additional data will improve Coast
    Guard search and rescue models;
    ``(ii) fleet acquisition for unmanned maritime
    systems for deployment and data integration to
    fulfill the purposes of this subtitle;
    ``(iii) an integrative survey program for
    application of unmanned maritime systems to the
    real-time or near real-time collection and
    transmission of sea floor,

    [[Page 3339]]

    water column, and sea surface data on biology,
    chemistry, geology, physics, and hydrography;
    ``(iv) remote sensing and data assimilation to
    develop new analytical methodologies to assimilate
    data from the System into hydrodynamic models;
    ``(v) integrated, multi-State monitoring to
    assess sources, movement, and fate of sediments in
    coastal regions;
    ``(vi) a multi-region marine sound monitoring
    system to be--
    ``(I) <>
    planned in consultation with the
    Interagency Ocean Observation Committee,
    the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
    Administration, the Department of the
    Navy, and academic research
    institutions; and
    ``(II) developed, installed, and
    operated in coordination with the
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric
    Administration, the Department of the
    Navy, and academic research
    institutions; and
    ``(E) any other purpose identified by the
    Administrator or the Council.'';
    (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ``The
    Administrator may stagger the terms of the System
    advisory committee members.'' before ``Members''; and
    (E) in paragraph (4)--
    (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the
    Interagency Ocean Observing Committee''; and
    (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
    ``Observing'' and inserting ``Observation''.

    (d) Civil Liability.--Section 12304(e) of the Integrated Coastal and
    Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(e)) is amended--
    (1) by striking ``information coordination entity'' each
    place it appears and inserting ``coastal observing system''; and
    (2) by striking ``contract, lease, grant, or cooperative
    agreement under subsection (c)(3)(D)'' and inserting ``a
    memorandum of agreement of certification under subsection
    (c)(3)(C)(iii)''.

    (e) Conforming Amendments.--The Integrated Coastal and Ocean
    Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by
    striking ``regional information coordination entities'' each place it
    appears and inserting ``regional coastal observing systems''.
    SEC. 104. FINANCING AND AGREEMENTS.

    Section 12305(a) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
    System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3604(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may execute an
    agreement, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, with any State or
    subdivision thereof, any Federal agency, any public or private
    organization, or any individual to carry out activities under this
    subtitle.''.
    SEC. 105. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

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

    [[Page 3340]]

    ``SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    ``(a) <>  Requirement.--Not later
    than March 30, 2022, and every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator
    shall prepare, and the President acting through the Council shall
    approve and transmit to Congress, a report on progress made in
    implementing this subtitle.

    ``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall
    include--
    ``(1) a description of activities carried out under this
    subtitle and the System Plan;
    ``(2) <>  an evaluation of the
    effectiveness of the System, including an evaluation of progress
    made by the Council to achieve the goals identified under the
    System Plan;
    ``(3) <>  the identification of
    Federal and non-Federal assets as determined by the Council that
    have been integrated into the System, including assets essential
    to the gathering of required observation data variables
    necessary to meet the respective missions of Council agencies;
    ``(4) <>  a review of procurements, planned
    or initiated, by each department or agency represented on the
    Council to enhance, expand, or modernize the observation
    capabilities and data products provided by the System, including
    data management and communication subsystems;
    ``(5) <>  a summary of the existing gaps in
    observation infrastructure and monitoring data collection,
    including--
    ``(A) priorities considered by the System advisory
    committee;
    ``(B) the national sea surface current mapping
    network;
    ``(C) coastal buoys;
    ``(D) ocean chemistry monitoring;
    ``(E) marine sound monitoring; and
    ``(F) unmanned maritime systems technology gaps;
    ``(6) <>  an assessment
    regarding activities to integrate Federal and non-Federal
    assets, nationally and on the regional level, and discussion of
    the performance and effectiveness of regional coastal observing
    systems to coordinate regional observation operations;
    ``(7) a description of benefits of the program to users of
    data products resulting from the System (including the general
    public, industries, scientists, resource managers, emergency
    responders, policy makers, and educators);
    ``(8) <>  recommendations, if any,
    concerning--
    ``(A) modifications to the System; and
    ``(B) funding levels for the System in subsequent
    fiscal years; and
    ``(9) the results of a periodic external independent
    programmatic audit of the System.''.
    SEC. 106. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

    Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
    Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3607) is amended to read as follows:
    ``SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

    ``The Council shall maintain a policy that defines processes for
    making decisions about the roles of the Federal Government, the States,
    regional coastal observing systems, the academic community, and the
    private sector in providing to end-user communities environmental
    information, products, technologies, and services

    [[Page 3341]]

    related to the System. The Administrator shall ensure that the National
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration adheres to the decision making
    process developed by the Council regarding the roles of the Federal
    Government, the States, the regional coastal observing systems, the
    academic community, and the private sector in providing end-user
    communities environmental information, data products, technologies, and
    services related to the System.''.
    SEC. 107. REPEAL OF INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE.

    (a) In General.--The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
    Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by striking section
    12309 (33 U.S.C. 3608).
    (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in section
    1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
    11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item related to section
    12309.
    SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
    Commerce to support the integrated oceans observations under this
    subtitle--
    ``(1) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
    ``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
    ``(3) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
    ``(4) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
    ``(5) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.
    SEC. 109. REPORTS AND RESEARCH PLANS.

    Section 12404(c) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And
    Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(c)) is amended by adding at the
    end the following:
    ``(4) Economic vulnerability report.--
    ``(A) <>  In general.--Not later
    than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the
    Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020,
    and every 6 years thereafter, the Subcommittee shall
    transmit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
    report that--
    ``(i) is named the `Ocean Chemistry Coastal
    Community Vulnerability Assessment';
    ``(ii) identifies gaps in ocean acidification
    monitoring by public, academic, and private assets
    in the network of regional coastal observing
    systems;
    ``(iii) identifies geographic areas which have
    gaps in ocean acidification research;
    ``(iv) identifies United States coastal
    communities, including island communities, fishing
    communities, low-population rural communities,
    tribal and subsistence communities, and island
    communities, that may be impacted by ocean
    acidification;
    ``(v) identifies impacts of changing ocean
    carbonate chemistry on the communities described
    in clause (iv), including impacts from changes in
    ocean and coastal marine resources that are not
    managed by the Federal Government;

    [[Page 3342]]

    ``(vi) identifies gaps in understanding of the
    impacts of ocean acidification on economically or
    commercially important species, particularly those
    which support United States commercial,
    recreational, and tribal fisheries and
    aquaculture;
    ``(vii) identifies habitats that may be
    particularly vulnerable to corrosive sea water,
    including areas experiencing multiple stressors
    such as hypoxia, sedimentation, and harmful algal
    blooms;
    ``(viii) identifies areas in which existing
    National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation
    System assets, including unmanned maritime
    systems, may be leveraged as platforms for the
    deployment of new sensors or other applicable
    observing technologies;
    ``(ix) is written in collaboration with
    Federal agencies responsible for carrying out this
    subtitle, including representatives of--
    ``(I) the National Marine Fisheries
    Service and the Office for Coastal
    Management of the National Oceanic and
    Atmospheric Administration;
    ``(II) regional coastal observing
    systems established under section
    12304(c)(4);
    ``(III) regional ocean acidification
    networks; and
    ``(IV) sea grant programs (as
    defined in section 203 of the National
    Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C.
    1122)); and
    ``(x) <>  is written in
    consultation with experts, including subsistence
    users, academia, and stakeholders familiar with
    the economic, social, ecological, geographic, and
    resource concerns of coastal communities in the
    United States.
    ``(B) Form of report.--
    ``(i) Initial report.--The initial report
    required under subparagraph (A) shall include the
    information described in clauses (i) through
    (viii) of that subparagraph on a national level.
    ``(ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report
    required under subparagraph (A) after the initial
    report--
    ``(I) may describe the information
    described in clauses (i) through (viii)
    of that subparagraph on a national
    level; or
    ``(II) may consist of separate
    reports for each region of the National
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    ``(iii) Regional reports.--If the Subcommittee
    opts to prepare a report required under
    subparagraph (A) as separate regional reports
    under clause (ii)(II), the Subcommittee shall
    submit a report for each region of the National
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration not less
    frequently than once during each 6-year reporting
    period.
    ``(C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--
    In this paragraph and in paragraph (5), the term
    `appropriate committees of Congress' means the Committee
    on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
    the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

    [[Page 3343]]

    of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
    Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
    ``(5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than 180
    days after the date of the submission of the initial report
    under paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee shall transmit to the
    appropriate committees of Congress a report that develops a plan
    to deploy new sensors or other applicable observing technologies
    such as unmanned maritime systems--
    ``(A) based on such initial report;
    ``(B) prioritized by--
    ``(i) the threat to coastal economies and
    ecosystems;
    ``(ii) gaps in data; and
    ``(iii) research needs; and
    ``(C) that leverage existing platforms, where
    possible.''.
    SEC. 110. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.

    (a) Contents.--Section 12405(b) of the Federal Ocean Acidification
    Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(b)) is amended--
    (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
    (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
    inserting ``; and''; and
    (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(10) <>  make recommendations
    for research to be conducted, including in the social sciences
    and economics, to address the key knowledge gaps identified in
    the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment
    conducted under section 12404(c)(4).''.

    (b) Program Elements.--Section 12405(c) of the Federal Ocean
    Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(c)) is
    amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(6) Research to understand the combined impact of changes
    in ocean chemistry and other stressors, including sediment
    delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms, on each other and
    on living marine resources, including aquaculture and coastal
    ecosystems.
    ``(7) Applied research to identify adaptation strategies for
    species impacted by changes in ocean chemistry including
    vegetation-based systems, shell recycling, species and genetic
    diversity, applied technologies, aquaculture methodologies, and
    management recommendations.''.

    (c) Participation.--Section 12405(e) of the Federal Ocean
    Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(e)) is
    amended in the first sentence by inserting ``, tribal governments, and
    subsistence users'' after ``groups''.
    (d) <>  Revised Strategic
    Research Plan.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment
    of this Act, the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of
    the National Science and Technology Council shall submit to Congress a
    revised strategic research plan under section 12405 of the Federal Ocean
    Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) that
    includes the matters required by the amendments made by this section.
    SEC. 111. STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON MONITORING.

    Section 12406(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And
    Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705(a)) is amended--
    (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;

    [[Page 3344]]

    (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
    inserting ``; and''; and
    (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(4) includes an ongoing mechanism that allows industry
    members, coastal stakeholders, fishery management councils and
    commissions, non-Federal resource managers, community
    acidification networks, indigenous knowledge groups, and
    scientific experts to provide input on monitoring needs that are
    necessary to support on the ground management, decision making,
    and adaptation related to ocean acidification and its
    impacts.''.
    SEC. 112. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

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

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

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

    (a) Amendments to the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.--
    Section 12312 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (33
    U.S.C. 3611) is amended--
    (1) in subsection (a)--
    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
    end and inserting the following: ``, except that the
    term shall not apply with respect to a State or
    territory that has an operational wind and flood loss
    allocation system.'';
    (B) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``sustained''
    before ``winds''; and
    (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``that threaten
    any portion of a coastal State'' and inserting ``for
    which post-storm assessments are conducted'';
    (2) in subsection (b)--
    (A) in paragraph (1)--
    (i) in subparagraph (A)--
    (I) by striking ``540 days after the
    date of the enactment of the Consumer
    Option for an

    [[Page 3345]]

    Alternative System to Allocate Losses
    Act of 2012'' and inserting ``December
    31, 2020''; and
    (II) by striking ``by regulation'';
    (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
    ``every'' and inserting ``an''; and
    (iii) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(C) Public review.--The Administrator shall seek
    input and suggestions from the public before the Named
    Storm Event Model, or any modification to the Named
    Storm Event Model, takes effect.''; and
    (B) in paragraph (2)--
    (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C)
    as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
    (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
    following:
    ``(B) Data collection.--
    ``(i) <>  In general.--
    Upon identification of a named storm under
    subparagraph (A), and pursuant to the protocol
    established under subsection (c), the
    Administrator may deploy sensors to enhance the
    collection of covered data in the areas in coastal
    States that the Administrator determines are at
    the highest risk of experiencing geophysical
    events that would cause indeterminate losses.
    ``(ii) Rule of construction.--If the
    Administrator takes action under clause (i), that
    action may not be construed as indicating that a
    post-storm assessment will be developed for any
    coastal State in which that action is taken.
    ``(C) Identification of indeterminate losses in
    coastal states.--Not
    later <> than 30 days
    after the first date on which sustained winds of not
    less than 39 miles per hour are measured in a coastal
    State during a named storm identified under subparagraph
    (A), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify the
    Administrator with respect to the existence of any
    indeterminate losses in that coastal State resulting
    from that named storm.'';
    (iii) in subparagraph (D), as so
    redesignated--
    (I) by striking ``identification of
    a named storm under subparagraph (A)''
    and inserting ``confirmation of
    indeterminate losses identified under
    subparagraph (C) with respect to a named
    storm''; and
    (II) by striking ``assessment for
    such named storm'' and inserting
    ``assessment for each coastal State that
    suffered such indeterminate losses as a
    result of the named storm'';
    (iv) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated--
    (I) by striking ``an identification
    of a named storm is made under
    subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``any
    indeterminate losses are identified
    under subparagraph (C)''; and
    (II) by striking ``for such storm
    under subparagraph (B)'' and inserting
    ``under subparagraph (D) for any coastal
    State that suffered such indeterminate
    losses''; and
    (v) by adding at the end the following:

    [[Page 3346]]

    ``(F) Separate post-storm assessments for a single
    named storm.--
    ``(i) In general.--The Administrator may
    conduct a separate post-storm assessment for each
    coastal State in which indeterminate losses are
    identified under subparagraph (C).
    ``(ii) Timeline.--If the Administrator
    conducts a separate post-storm assessment under
    clause (i), the Administrator shall complete the
    assessment based on the dates of actions that the
    Administrator takes under subparagraph (D).''; and
    (3) in subsection (c)--
    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``540 days after
    the date of the enactment of the Consumer Option for an
    Alternative System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012'' and
    inserting ``December 31, 2020'';
    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, in the
    discretion of the Administrator,'' after ``of sensors as
    may''; and
    (C) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ``and expend''
    after ``receive''.

    (b) Amendments to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.--Section
    1337 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4057) is
    amended--
    (1) in subsection (a)--
    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
    end and inserting the following: ``, except that the
    term shall not apply with respect to a State or
    territory that has an operational wind and flood loss
    allocation system.''; and
    (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``sustained''
    after ``maximum'';
    (2) in subsection (b)--
    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``establish by
    rule'' and inserting ``publish for comment in the
    Federal Register''; and
    (B) <>  in paragraph (2)(B),
    by inserting after ``Elevation Certificate'' the
    following: ``, or other data or information used to
    determine a property's current risk of flood, as
    determined by the Administrator,'';
    (3) <>  in subsection
    (c)(3)(A)(i), by striking ``the issuance of the rule
    establishing the COASTAL Formula'' and inserting ``publication
    of the COASTAL Formula in the Federal Register as required by
    subsection (b)(1)'';
    (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``section
    12312(b)(2)(C)'' and inserting ``section 12312(b)(2)(E)'';
    (5) in subsection (h)--
    (A) by inserting ``that issues a standard flood
    insurance policy under the national flood insurance
    program'' after ``company''; and
    (B) by striking ``or the COASTAL Formula'' and
    inserting ``, the COASTAL Formula, or any other loss
    allocation or post-storm assessment arising under the
    laws or ordinances of any State'';
    (6) <>  in
    subsection (i), by striking ``after the date on which the
    Administrator issues the rule establishing the COASTAL Formula
    under subsection (b)'' and inserting ``60 days after

    [[Page 3347]]

    publication of the COASTAL Formula in the Federal Register as
    required by subsection (b)(1)''; and
    (7) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to create a cause of action under this Act.''.

    TITLE III--WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING

    SEC. 301. <>  WATER PREDICTION AND
    FORECASTING.

    (a) National Water Center.--
    (1) Establishment.--
    (A) In general.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for
    Oceans and Atmosphere shall establish a center--
    (i) to serve as the research and operational
    center of excellence for hydrologic analyses,
    forecasting, and related decision support services
    within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
    Administration and the National Weather Service;
    and
    (ii) to facilitate collaboration across
    Federal and State departments and agencies,
    academia, and the private sector on matters
    relating to water resources.
    (B) Designation.--The center established under
    subparagraph (A) shall be known as the ``National Water
    Center''.
    (2) Functions.--The functions of the National Water Center
    shall include the following:
    (A) Improving understanding of water resources,
    stakeholder needs regarding water resources, and
    identifying science and services gaps relating to water
    resources.
    (B) Developing and implementing advanced water
    resources modeling capabilities.
    (C) Facilitating the transition of hydrologic
    research into operations.
    (D) Delivering analyses, forecasts, and inundation
    information and guidance for all hydrologic events in
    the United States, including flash flooding, riverine
    flooding, and water resources outlooks.
    (E) <>  In coordination with
    warning coordination meteorologists, providing decision-
    support services to inform emergency management and
    water resources decisions.

    (b) National Instructions.--
    (1) <>  In general.--
    Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
    Act, the Under Secretary, acting through the Director of the
    National Weather Service, shall make public an operations and
    services policy directive for the National Water Center.
    (2) Contents.--The directive required by paragraph (1) shall
    include national instructions to perform the functions of the
    National Water Center, including the following:
    (A) Operational staff responsibilities.
    (B) <>  Guidelines for content,
    format, and provision of hydrologic and inundation
    products developed by the National Water Center.
    (C) <>  Procedures for
    cooperation and coordination between the National Water
    Center, the National Weather

    [[Page 3348]]

    Service National Centers for Environmental Prediction,
    National Weather Service River Forecast Centers, and
    National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices.

    (c) Total Water Prediction.--The Under Secretary, acting through the
    Director of the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather
    Service, shall--
    (1) initiate and lead research and development activities to
    develop operational water resource prediction and related
    decision support products;
    (2) collaborate with, and provide decision support regarding
    total water prediction to--
    (A) the relevant Federal agencies represented on the
    National Science and Technology Council, Committee on
    Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability and
    the Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction;
    (B) State water resource agencies; and
    (C) State and local emergency management agencies;
    and
    (3) in carrying out the responsibilities described in
    paragraphs (1) and (2), collaboratively develop capabilities
    necessary for total water predictive capacity, including
    observations, modeling, data management, supercomputing, social
    science, and communications.

    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
    appropriated to carry out the activities under this section amounts as
    follows:
    (1) $44,500,000 for fiscal year 2021.
    (2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
    (3) $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2023.
    (4) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.

    (e) Derivation of Funds.--Funds to carry out this section shall be
    derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated to the National
    Weather Service and the National Ocean Service that are enacted after
    the date of the enactment of this Act.

    Approved December 31, 2020.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 914:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SENATE REPORTS: No. 116-168 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and
    Transportation).
    CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 166 (2020):
    July 30, considered and passed Senate.
    Dec. 3, considered and passed House, amended.
    Dec. 16, Senate concurred in House amendment.
    DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2020):
    Dec. 31, Presidential statement.