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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 914 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        S.914

                     One Hundred Sixteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America

                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

           Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday,
            the third day of January, two thousand and twenty

                                 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--
        ``(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.''.
    SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.
    Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section 7902'' and 
    inserting ``section 8932'';
        (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``integrated into the System 
    and are managed through States, regional organizations, 
    universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the private 
    sector'' and inserting ``managed through States, regional 
    organizations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the 
    private sector and integrated into the System by a regional coastal 
    observing system, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
    Administration, or the agencies participating in the Interagency 
    Ocean Observation Committee'';
        (3) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
        ``(6) Regional coastal observing system.--The term `regional 
    coastal observing system' means an organizational body that is 
    certified or established by contract or memorandum by the lead 
    Federal agency designated in section 12304(c)(3) and coordinates 
    State, Federal, local, tribal, and private interests at a regional 
    level with the responsibility of engaging the private and public 
    sectors in designing, operating, and improving regional coastal 
    observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data and 
    information that meet the needs of user groups from the respective 
    regions.''; and
        (4) in paragraph (7), by striking ``National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration'' and inserting ``Administrator''.
    SEC. 103. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM.
    (a) System Elements.--
        (1) In general.--Section 12304(b) of the Integrated Coastal and 
    Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(b)) is amended 
    by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
        ``(1) In general.--In order to fulfill the purposes of this 
    subtitle, the System shall be national in scope and consist of--
            ``(A) Federal assets to fulfill national and international 
        observation missions and priorities;
            ``(B) non-Federal assets, including a network of regional 
        coastal observing systems identified under subsection (c)(4), 
        to fulfill regional and national observation missions and 
        priorities;
            ``(C) observing, modeling, data management, and 
        communication systems for the timely integration and 
        dissemination of data and information products from the System, 
        including reviews of data collection procedures across regions 
        and programs to make recommendations for data collection 
        standards across the System to meet national ocean, coastal, 
        and Great Lakes observation, applied research, and weather 
        forecasting needs;
            ``(D) a product development system to transform 
        observations into products in a format that may be readily used 
        and understood; and
            ``(E) a research and development program conducted under 
        the guidance of the Council, consisting of--
                ``(i) basic and applied research and technology 
            development--

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                ``(viii) periodically--

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                ``(iv) identifies--

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

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

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

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

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

            ``(E) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or 
        the Council.'';
            (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ``The Administrator 
        may stagger the terms of the System advisory committee 
        members.'' before ``Members''; and
            (E) in paragraph (4)--
                (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the 
            Interagency Ocean Observing Committee''; and
                (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Observing'' and 
            inserting ``Observation''.
    (d) Civil Liability.--Section 12304(e) of the Integrated Coastal 
and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603(e)) is 
amended--
        (1) by striking ``information coordination entity'' each place 
    it appears and inserting ``coastal observing system''; and
        (2) by striking ``contract, lease, grant, or cooperative 
    agreement under subsection (c)(3)(D)'' and inserting ``a memorandum 
    of agreement of certification under subsection (c)(3)(C)(iii)''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments.--The Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by 
striking ``regional information coordination entities'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``regional coastal observing systems''.
    SEC. 104. FINANCING AND AGREEMENTS.
    Section 12305(a) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3604(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may execute an 
agreement, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, with any State 
or subdivision thereof, any Federal agency, any public or private 
organization, or any individual to carry out activities under this 
subtitle.''.
    SEC. 105. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
    Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3606) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
    ``(a) Requirement.--Not later than March 30, 2022, and every 5 
years thereafter, the Administrator shall prepare, and the President 
acting through the Council shall approve and transmit to Congress, a 
report on progress made in implementing this subtitle.
    ``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) shall 
include--
        ``(1) a description of activities carried out under this 
    subtitle and the System Plan;
        ``(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the System, 
    including an evaluation of progress made by the Council to achieve 
    the goals identified under the System Plan;
        ``(3) the identification of Federal and non-Federal assets as 
    determined by the Council that have been integrated into the 
    System, including assets essential to the gathering of required 
    observation data variables necessary to meet the respective 
    missions of Council agencies;
        ``(4) a review of procurements, planned or initiated, by each 
    department or agency represented on the Council to enhance, expand, 
    or modernize the observation capabilities and data products 
    provided by the System, including data management and communication 
    subsystems;
        ``(5) a summary of the existing gaps in observation 
    infrastructure and monitoring data collection, including--
            ``(A) priorities considered by the System advisory 
        committee;
            ``(B) the national sea surface current mapping network;
            ``(C) coastal buoys;
            ``(D) ocean chemistry monitoring;
            ``(E) marine sound monitoring; and
            ``(F) unmanned maritime systems technology gaps;
        ``(6) an assessment regarding activities to integrate Federal 
    and non-Federal assets, nationally and on the regional level, and 
    discussion of the performance and effectiveness of regional coastal 
    observing systems to coordinate regional observation operations;
        ``(7) a description of benefits of the program to users of data 
    products resulting from the System (including the general public, 
    industries, scientists, resource managers, emergency responders, 
    policy makers, and educators);
        ``(8) recommendations, if any, concerning--
            ``(A) modifications to the System; and
            ``(B) funding levels for the System in subsequent fiscal 
        years; and
        ``(9) the results of a periodic external independent 
    programmatic audit of the System.''.
    SEC. 106. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.
    Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3607) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.
    ``The Council shall maintain a policy that defines processes for 
making decisions about the roles of the Federal Government, the States, 
regional coastal observing systems, the academic community, and the 
private sector in providing to end-user communities environmental 
information, products, technologies, and services related to the 
System. The Administrator shall ensure that the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration adheres to the decision making process 
developed by the Council regarding the roles of the Federal Government, 
the States, the regional coastal observing systems, the academic 
community, and the private sector in providing end-user communities 
environmental information, data products, technologies, and services 
related to the System.''.
    SEC. 107. REPEAL OF INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE.
    (a) In General.--The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended by striking 
section 12309 (33 U.S.C. 3608).
    (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
1(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-
11; 123 Stat. 991) is amended by striking the item related to section 
12309.
    SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3610) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 12311. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Commerce to support the integrated oceans observations under this 
subtitle--
        ``(1) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
        ``(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
        ``(3) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
        ``(4) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
        ``(5) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.
    SEC. 109. REPORTS AND RESEARCH PLANS.
    Section 12404(c) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And 
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703(c)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
        ``(4) Economic vulnerability report.--
            ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and 
        Research Act of 2020, and every 6 years thereafter, the 
        Subcommittee shall transmit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report that--
                ``(i) is named the `Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community 
            Vulnerability Assessment';
                ``(ii) identifies gaps in ocean acidification 
            monitoring by public, academic, and private assets in the 
            network of regional coastal observing systems;
                ``(iii) identifies geographic areas which have gaps in 
            ocean acidification research;
                ``(iv) identifies United States coastal communities, 
            including island communities, fishing communities, low-
            population rural communities, tribal and subsistence 
            communities, and island communities, that may be impacted 
            by ocean acidification;
                ``(v) identifies impacts of changing ocean carbonate 
            chemistry on the communities described in clause (iv), 
            including impacts from changes in ocean and coastal marine 
            resources that are not managed by the Federal Government;
                ``(vi) identifies gaps in understanding of the impacts 
            of ocean acidification on economically or commercially 
            important species, particularly those which support United 
            States commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries and 
            aquaculture;
                ``(vii) identifies habitats that may be particularly 
            vulnerable to corrosive sea water, including areas 
            experiencing multiple stressors such as hypoxia, 
            sedimentation, and harmful algal blooms;
                ``(viii) identifies areas in which existing National 
            Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System assets, 
            including unmanned maritime systems, may be leveraged as 
            platforms for the deployment of new sensors or other 
            applicable observing technologies;
                ``(ix) is written in collaboration with Federal 
            agencies responsible for carrying out this subtitle, 
            including representatives of--

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

                ``(x) is written in consultation with experts, 
            including subsistence users, academia, and stakeholders 
            familiar with the economic, social, ecological, geographic, 
            and resource concerns of coastal communities in the United 
            States.
            ``(B) Form of report.--
                ``(i) Initial report.--The initial report required 
            under subparagraph (A) shall include the information 
            described in clauses (i) through (viii) of that 
            subparagraph on a national level.
                ``(ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report required under 
            subparagraph (A) after the initial report--

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

                ``(iii) Regional reports.--If the Subcommittee opts to 
            prepare a report required under subparagraph (A) as 
            separate regional reports under clause (ii)(II), the 
            Subcommittee shall submit a report for each region of the 
            National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration not less 
            frequently than once during each 6-year reporting period.
            ``(C) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
        paragraph and in paragraph (5), the term `appropriate 
        committees of Congress' means the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, 
        and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
        Representatives.
        ``(5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than 180 days 
    after the date of the submission of the initial report under 
    paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee shall transmit to the 
    appropriate committees of Congress a report that develops a plan to 
    deploy new sensors or other applicable observing technologies such 
    as unmanned maritime systems--
            ``(A) based on such initial report;
            ``(B) prioritized by--
                ``(i) the threat to coastal economies and ecosystems;
                ``(ii) gaps in data; and
                ``(iii) research needs; and
            ``(C) that leverage existing platforms, where possible.''.
    SEC. 110. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.
    (a) Contents.--Section 12405(b) of the Federal Ocean Acidification 
Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(b)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and 
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(10) make recommendations for research to be conducted, 
    including in the social sciences and economics, to address the key 
    knowledge gaps identified in the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community 
    Vulnerability Assessment conducted under section 12404(c)(4).''.
    (b) Program Elements.--Section 12405(c) of the Federal Ocean 
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(c)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
        ``(6) Research to understand the combined impact of changes in 
    ocean chemistry and other stressors, including sediment delivery, 
    hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms, on each other and on living 
    marine resources, including aquaculture and coastal ecosystems.
        ``(7) Applied research to identify adaptation strategies for 
    species impacted by changes in ocean chemistry including 
    vegetation-based systems, shell recycling, species and genetic 
    diversity, applied technologies, aquaculture methodologies, and 
    management recommendations.''.
    (c) Participation.--Section 12405(e) of the Federal Ocean 
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704(e)) 
is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``, tribal governments, 
and subsistence users'' after ``groups''.
    (d) Revised Strategic Research Plan.--Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean 
Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council 
shall submit to Congress a revised strategic research plan under 
section 12405 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And 
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) that includes the matters 
required by the amendments made by this section.
    SEC. 111. STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON MONITORING.
    Section 12406(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And 
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705(a)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
        (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(4) includes an ongoing mechanism that allows industry 
    members, coastal stakeholders, fishery management councils and 
    commissions, non-Federal resource managers, community acidification 
    networks, indigenous knowledge groups, and scientific experts to 
    provide input on monitoring needs that are necessary to support on 
    the ground management, decision making, and adaptation related to 
    ocean acidification and its impacts.''.
    SEC. 112. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.
    Section 12407(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research And 
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706(a)) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(a) Research Activities.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall continue to carry out research activities on ocean 
acidification which shall support competitive, merit-based, peer-
reviewed proposals for research, observation, and monitoring of ocean 
acidification and its impacts, including--
        ``(1) impacts on marine organisms, including species cultured 
    for aquaculture, and marine ecosystems;
        ``(2) impacts on ocean, coastal, and estuarine biogeochemistry;
        ``(3) the development of methodologies and technologies to 
    evaluate ocean acidification and its impacts; and
        ``(4) impacts of multiple stressors on ecosystems exhibiting 
    hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, or sediment delivery, combined with 
    changes in ocean chemistry.''.

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

    SEC. 201. NAMED STORM EVENT MODEL AND POST-STORM ASSESSMENTS.
    (a) Amendments to the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.--
Section 12312 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (33 
U.S.C. 3611) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)--
            (A) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting the following: ``, except that the term shall not 
        apply with respect to a State or territory that has an 
        operational wind and flood loss allocation system.'';
            (B) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``sustained'' before 
        ``winds''; and
            (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``that threaten any 
        portion of a coastal State'' and inserting ``for which post-
        storm assessments are conducted'';
        (2) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in paragraph (1)--
                (i) in subparagraph (A)--

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

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

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

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

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

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

              TITLE III--WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING

    SEC. 301. WATER PREDICTION AND FORECASTING.
    (a) National Water Center.--
        (1) Establishment.--
            (A) In general.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
        and Atmosphere shall establish a center--
                (i) to serve as the research and operational center of 
            excellence for hydrologic analyses, forecasting, and 
            related decision support services within the National 
            Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National 
            Weather Service; and
                (ii) to facilitate collaboration across Federal and 
            State departments and agencies, academia, and the private 
            sector on matters relating to water resources.
            (B) Designation.--The center established under subparagraph 
        (A) shall be known as the ``National Water Center''.
        (2) Functions.--The functions of the National Water Center 
    shall include the following:
            (A) Improving understanding of water resources, stakeholder 
        needs regarding water resources, and identifying science and 
        services gaps relating to water resources.
            (B) Developing and implementing advanced water resources 
        modeling capabilities.
            (C) Facilitating the transition of hydrologic research into 
        operations.
            (D) Delivering analyses, forecasts, and inundation 
        information and guidance for all hydrologic events in the 
        United States, including flash flooding, riverine flooding, and 
        water resources outlooks.
            (E) In coordination with warning coordination 
        meteorologists, providing decision-support services to inform 
        emergency management and water resources decisions.
    (b) National Instructions.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
    enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, acting through the 
    Director of the National Weather Service, shall make public an 
    operations and services policy directive for the National Water 
    Center.
        (2) Contents.--The directive required by paragraph (1) shall 
    include national instructions to perform the functions of the 
    National Water Center, including the following:
            (A) Operational staff responsibilities.
            (B) Guidelines for content, format, and provision of 
        hydrologic and inundation products developed by the National 
        Water Center.
            (C) Procedures for cooperation and coordination between the 
        National Water Center, the National Weather Service National 
        Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service 
        River Forecast Centers, and National Weather Service Weather 
        Forecast Offices.
    (c) Total Water Prediction.--The Under Secretary, acting through 
the Director of the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather 
Service, shall--
        (1) initiate and lead research and development activities to 
    develop operational water resource prediction and related decision 
    support products;
        (2) collaborate with, and provide decision support regarding 
    total water prediction to--
            (A) the relevant Federal agencies represented on the 
        National Science and Technology Council, Committee on 
        Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability and the 
        Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction;
            (B) State water resource agencies; and
            (C) State and local emergency management agencies; and
        (3) in carrying out the responsibilities described in 
    paragraphs (1) and (2), collaboratively develop capabilities 
    necessary for total water predictive capacity, including 
    observations, modeling, data management, supercomputing, social 
    science, and communications.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the activities under this section amounts as 
follows:
        (1) $44,500,000 for fiscal year 2021.
        (2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
        (3) $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2023.
        (4) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
    (e) Derivation of Funds.--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.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.
```